Wild South: Full-Day tour incl Rhumerie St Aubin, Bois cheri Tea factory & Lunch

Mauritius reveals its wild side inland. This 7 to 8-hour private day trip links a dormant volcano, sacred lake, waterfalls, forest viewpoints, tea country, Gris-Gris cliffs, and two local drink producers. I especially like the private guide and hotel transfers, which make a long route far easier than arranging separate taxis. The included three-course halal lunch, tea tasting, rum tasting, and bottled water also add real value.

The main caution is pace. There are eight stops packed into one day, and one customer account describes a rushed outing where several promised stops were missed. Confirm the exact route and timing with Freshverde Holidays before departure, especially if every stop matters to you.

Five things to know before you book

• Trou aux Cerfs begins the day: See a dormant volcanic crater at about 605 metres above sea level, surrounded by forest and tall pine trees.
• You get both tea and rum: Bois Chéri explains Mauritian tea production, while St Aubin shows how rum is made and offers tastings.
• The south is more than beaches: Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, and Gris-Gris show off the island’s highlands, forests, and rough Atlantic-facing coast.
• Lunch is included: You receive a three-course vegetarian or non-vegetarian meal with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Private touring has a practical advantage: Your group travels in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide and driver, rather than joining a large coach.

Why this full-day south tour works

Mauritius is compact on a map, but its roads, mountain routes, and scattered sights make a full day in the south tiring to organize alone. This tour solves that problem with pickup and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius, a private air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide who handles the route.

The price is $143.72 per person. That is not a budget sightseeing bus, but the cost includes transport, a private guide, entrance fees at the tea factory and rum distillery, lunch, tastings, and water. If you are a small group that values flexibility, the package can make sense. If you only want one or two sights, it is too much day and too much money.

The experience is best for people who want variety. You will not spend the day at one beach or nature reserve. Instead, you move from volcanic geology to Hindu worship, then waterfalls, forest, tea, coastal cliffs, lunch, and rum. That range gives you a better feel for Mauritius as a whole.

The tradeoff is obvious: the route is ambitious. Stops last from 20 minutes to one hour, and driving between them takes time. You will see many places, but this is not a slow walking tour.

Trou aux Cerfs, a volcano with a forest around it

Your guide picks you up at about 8:30 a.m. and takes you first to Trou aux Cerfs, one of the island’s best-known natural sights. The crater sits roughly 605 metres above sea level, measures about 350 metres across, and reaches around 100 metres deep.

This is not a bare volcanic bowl. Indigenous plants and tall green pine trees cover much of the area around the crater, giving it a cool, wooded feel. The stop lasts about 40 minutes, with admission included.

I like this opening because it gives you geological context before the rest of the day unfolds. You are not simply looking at a scenic overlook. You are seeing evidence of the volcanic forces that shaped Mauritius.

Bring a phone or camera, but listen to your guide too. The crater is the kind of place where a short explanation makes the view more meaningful. Since the stop is brief, do not expect a long forest walk.

Mare aux Vacoas and the quiet side of the island

Mare aux Vacoas is the largest reservoir in Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic metres. You spend about 20 minutes here, taking in the water and the thick forest around it.

This is a simple stop, but that is part of its appeal. There are no major buildings or elaborate attractions to distract you. The reservoir offers a short pause between the crater and Grand Bassin, with a chance to see a quieter part of the island.

Do not book this tour expecting every stop to be a major landmark. Mare aux Vacoas is more about atmosphere and photographs than a formal attraction. If you enjoy scenery and short pauses, it earns its place. If you prefer a packed schedule of headline sights, you may find the 20 minutes less exciting.

Grand Bassin and the 33-metre Shiva statue

The route continues to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, a crater lake about 550 metres above sea level. A temple and small shrines sit along the shore, and a 33-metre statue of Lord Shiva rises above the site.

This is a sacred place, not just a photo stop. Your guide can help explain why the lake and shrines matter in Mauritian Hindu culture. Take a respectful approach, keep your voice down, and follow any instructions around the religious areas.

The stop lasts about one hour, making it one of the longer visits of the day. That gives you time to look at the temple, shrines, statue, and lake without racing through. The setting also adds a change of mood after the reservoir: this is a cultural stop with spiritual importance, not simply another viewpoint.

Grand Bassin may be one of the most worthwhile parts of the day if you want more than scenery. The tour connects the natural setting with the living religious traditions of Mauritius.

Alexandra Falls and the high-country views

At about 700 metres above sea level, Alexandra Falls is one of the most photographed natural sights in Mauritius. The waterfall is the focus, but the wider view matters just as much. From the area around the falls, you can look toward the southeast coast and its turquoise water.

The stop lasts around 35 minutes. A wooden platform offers a broader view, so wear shoes with good grip and avoid slippery footwear. The tour specifically recommends non-slip shoes, a useful tip for the damp or uneven surfaces that can occur around viewpoints.

I like the balance here. You get a named waterfall, but you also get a sense of how high and varied Mauritius is. The island is not only low coastal beaches. Its interior rises into forested hills and steep valleys.

Do not expect a long hike to the base of the waterfall. The supplied timing points to a viewpoint visit rather than an extended walk. If you want a slow nature outing, this day may feel fast. If you want a good selection of scenic stops without difficult trekking, it fits well.

Black River Gorges from the viewpoint

The next stop takes you to a gorge viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The protected area covers nearly 17,000 acres of forest, hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life.

You have about 30 minutes here. From the viewing area, you can see broad stretches of green terrain and a waterfall to the right. The path to the viewpoint has souvenir stalls, so you may have a chance to browse for a small local item, though the time is limited.

This is where the tour’s promise of local flora and fauna becomes most relevant. Keep your eyes open, but do not expect a wildlife safari. The experience is mainly about the forest setting and the wide view across the gorge.

The viewpoint is valuable because it lets you understand the scale of the park quickly. You do not need to commit to a full-day hike to see the area’s steep valleys and thick vegetation. Still, the short stop means serious hikers will want a separate visit.

Bois Chéri, where tea becomes part of the trip

Bois Chéri is the first stop on the Mauritian Tea Route and one of the tour’s strongest inclusions. You spend about an hour visiting the tea factory, plantation, and tea museum.

A guide at the site explains the production process, the role of tea in Mauritius, and the story of Bois Chéri. You then learn more at the museum before tasting some of the teas. The range includes flavored teas, green teas, and herbal teas.

The tea visit adds useful local context to what might otherwise be a scenic drive. You see how an everyday drink is made and how plantation production fits into the island’s past and present. The panoramic view from the Bois Chéri restaurant is another reason this stop works well.

Tea tasting is included, but the detailed meal timing can vary. Since lunch is part of the day, ask your guide when you will eat and how much time is set aside at the restaurant. That matters because the day already contains several short visits.

If you want a souvenir, Bois Chéri is a natural place to consider tea. You can taste before choosing, which is more useful than buying a box based only on its label.

Gris-Gris Beach and the force of the Indian Ocean

At Souillac, Gris-Gris offers a different coast from the calm beach scenes often associated with Mauritius. High cliffs drop sharply into the sea, and this section of coast lacks the coral reef that protects many other shores.

The result is dramatic surf. Large waves reach the cliffs directly, and you can watch them break against the rock from the viewpoint above. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you time to take photographs and feel the wind coming off the Indian Ocean.

This is not a swimming stop. The appeal is the cliff view and the rough water, so follow your guide’s advice and keep away from unsafe edges. The contrast with Mauritius’ calm, turquoise beach image is exactly what makes Gris-Gris useful on this tour.

I would save a little energy for this part of the day. After the inland sights and tea visit, the cliffs provide a strong change in scenery. You may also stop at a local place afterward, although the supplied details do not specify exactly what that stop includes.

St Aubin, rum in a colonial house

The final major visit is Rhumerie St Aubin, a rum distillery housed in a colonial-era home with a tropical setting. A guide explains the rum-making process and takes you behind the scenes at the distillery.

The visit lasts about an hour and includes rum tasting. You can sample different flavors produced by the distillery, making this more than a quick drink at the end of a long day. It is a chance to understand one of Mauritius’ well-known local products.

The rum tasting is alcoholic, so plan your pace. Lunch includes non-alcoholic drinks, but the distillery visit is separate. If you do not drink alcohol, you may still find the production explanation interesting, though the tasting will naturally be less important to you.

This stop can also expose the weakness of a tightly planned day. One customer account described the overall outing as rushed and felt that several expected sights were skipped, while the same account praised the driver’s courtesy. Another account singled out guide Paco for being friendly and very helpful during a different Mauritius day tour. The practical lesson is simple: ask who your guide is, confirm the exact south route, and make clear which stops matter most to you.

Lunch, transport, and the real value of $143.72

A three-course lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, halal food, and non-alcoholic beverages. You should tell the provider about food allergies, illness, or dietary needs when booking.

Because the tour covers much of southern Mauritius, the private vehicle is a major part of the value. You avoid arranging several rides, and your group does not have to share the day with strangers. The vehicle is fully air-conditioned, and bottled water is provided on arrival.

The private format may also allow small adjustments, but do not assume unlimited flexibility. Eight planned stops require firm timing. Ask at the start how long you will spend at each place, particularly if you care most about Grand Bassin, Bois Chéri, or St Aubin.

The tour is often booked about 28 days ahead, so reserve early if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. Late cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Who should choose this Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the island’s south in one day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value a private vehicle, a dedicated guide, and a mix of culture, nature, food, and drink.

It is also a good fit if you are staying somewhere in Mauritius but do not want to manage a long self-drive route. The guide and driver handle the roads while you focus on the views.

I would hesitate if you prefer long walks, quiet time at each sight, or a flexible beach day. The schedule is full, and the reported concern about skipped stops makes route confirmation important. The published tour rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 14 ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience.

Should you book Wild South?

Book this tour if variety matters more to you than a relaxed pace. The combination of Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Bois Chéri, Gris-Gris, and St Aubin gives you a strong cross-section of Mauritius, and the included lunch and tastings help justify the price.

Before paying, contact Freshverde Holidays and ask for a clear confirmation of all eight stops, the lunch location, and the expected timing. If they can keep the route intact, this is a useful private introduction to southern Mauritius. If you want each attraction explored slowly, choose fewer sights and arrange a more focused private day instead.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and transportation is provided in a fully air-conditioned private vehicle with a certified guide and driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, halal food, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Are tea and rum tastings included?

Yes. The tour includes tea tasting at Bois Chéri and rum tasting at Rhumerie St Aubin. Entry to both the tea factory and rum distillery is also included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.