Chamarel: Travel Guide & Things to Do
Our personally created travel guide will help you to explore the best attractions and things to do in the Chamarel area in Mauritius, such as 7 Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and Chamarel Rum distillery. Visit the best places on a day trip either independently or with a tour. This guide includes tips on how to get there, what to expect, and where to stay.
Chamarel is a small village in the southwest part of Mauritius famous for enchanting 7 Colored Earth, a stunning waterfall, exquisite rum distillery, scenic drive, and ubiquitous coffee plantations.
In the middle of tropical mountains, the Earth abruptly opens up and reveals the most mysterious place in Mauritius, unparalleled sand dunes.
These are not just ordinary sand dunes, they have seven colors, perfect shape, and we still can't explain how this natural gem was millions of years ago formed, but most likely, we can blame the volcanic activity.
Hot lava, cool air, different temperatures, iron, aluminum, and some natural processes created this perfect and colorful combination, but it is still hard to explain how is it possible, that the colors are perfectly separated.
It's a mystery that no one has been able to crack. Yet.
But Chamarel offers so much more to do and see than just the famous Seven Colored Earth.
It's time to leave your cozy hotel resort for a day, and head inland for green mountains, stunning waterfalls, and epic natural wonders.
We've created this blog post to help you plan your day trip to this stunning corner of Mauritius, so you know what to expect, and why to visit.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN CHAMAREL
From stunning 7 Colored Earth to short hikes, amazing waterfall to native forest, Chamarel offers plenty of things to do for everyone.
The great thing about traveling around Mauritius is, that this island is small, easy to navigate, so everyone, even less experienced travelers can without troubles explore the top attractions on their own and savor in the incredible landscape.
So pack a snack, have your camera ready, and enjoy a perfect one day trip in pursuit of finding the most beautiful places in the Chamarel area.
SEVEN COLORED EARTH IN CHAMAREL
When planning your holiday in Mauritius, you might often find pictures of multi-colored dunes that will definitely draw your attention.
This stunning place is called Chamarel's Seven Colored Earth, and, in our opinion, this place is a must-include on your South Coast Mauritius itinerary.
But first of all, we have a few things to say, so you know what to expect before your visit, and don't get disappointed.
From photos, you might get an idea that the area is large, but the opposite is true, as the Chamarel Seven Colored geopark is quite small, and the visit won't take you long.
Secondly, sunlight and rain may affect slightly the colors in terms of vividness and saturation.
This brings us to the last thing to know about 7 Colored Earth, some photos of the sand dunes are way too oversaturated which kind of increases visitors' expectations of the area. And super high expectations often lead to disappointment. Something that's very true when it comes to traveling.
The volcanic activity that created this incredible palette of colors happened between 3.5 and 1.9 million years ago, and nowadays you can spot seven distinct colors - green, yellow, brown, red, purple, violet, and blue. The process of formation and the reason why the dunes look like this is still not very clear, so don't forget to read the information boards in the area to learn what scientists discovered so far.
It's easy to get around on foot, and fortunately, the area is fenced now, so people can't walk over the dunes and take samples of the soil back home (yeah, believe it or not, that happened in the past).
In other words, 7 Colored Earth in Mauritius is one of the most unique places in the world, and we really enjoyed our visit.
The only place similar to this one we've ever seen during our travels was Rainbow Mountain in Peru although on a much larger scale.
In other words, the Seven Colored Earth is not a place you should skip as it shows the incredible diversity of this tropical island.
There is also a small area for kids with tortoises from Seychelles, that have become extinct in the 18th century due to human activities, in case you are traveling with a family.
CHAMAREL WATERFALL
The highest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius, Chamarel Waterfall, is a must-visit place while traveling in this part of the island.
Surrounded by lush greenery and fed by two rivers, this waterfall is best to be seen in the rainy season (or after torrential rain) when the volume of the flowing water almost doubles.
There is a nice sign that compares the height of the waterfall to the height of the Statue of Liberty (spoiler alert: they are about the same size) and explains more about the volcanic activity that shaped the landscape and the valley. The best part about visiting this waterfall is that you can easily see different lava layers from the viewing platform, which is really cool.
The two viewing platforms offer stunning views of the waterfall (we liked the upper lookout more), and it's only a short walk from the parking lot, where you can safely park your car if you drive there by yourself.
Note that Seven Colored Earth has a separate parking lot, so you need to drive a bit between these two attractions, but that's easy enough, so we do not have to discuss it here more thoroughly.
The Chamarel Waterfall entrance fee is included in the ticket to Seven Colored Earth.
CURIOUS CORNER OF CHAMAREL
Are you traveling with kids, and do you like illusions?
Then you might really enjoy Curious Corner of Chamarel, which offers lots of fun. Play with the perspective and illusion, take plenty of photos, and most importantly, have fun.
Bad weather or fine weather, CCC will keep you busy for an hour or two.
We think it's better to visit the Curious Corner upside-down room before you do the rum tasting tour, just in case.
THE RHUMERIE DE CHAMAREL
Did you know that Mauritius is famous for the rum?
Well, rum plays an important part in Mauritius' culture and history, and the rum tasting is a must-do activity while on the island.
Chamarel distillery is one of the best places you can visit when it comes to Mauritian rum, and it's really close to 7 Colored Earth and the waterfall.
This rum distillery is very popular, and on a busy day in high season, you might need to wait a little bit before the next tour in English is available. The tour is great even for people who are not particularly into alcohol, as you will learn how they make rum from the raw sugar cane.
At the end of the tour, you can taste up to 9 different types of rum.
The entrance fee is 450 MUR for an adult.
Even though the local rum is really tasty, it's strong, and if you drive there by yourself, make sure that someone in your group stays sober before you hit the road again.
In case you do not have enough tasting, it is not a bad idea to buy a bottle and enjoy a drink or two in your hotel room.
EBONY FOREST
This forest reserve is an awesome place to go to learn more about the unique fauna and flora of Mauritius.
The classic tour starts from 450 MUR, and you have a few more (quite expensive) choices to select from. You will join a group led by a naturalist guide, hike to the astonishing viewpoint, and you can even hop on a 4x4 jeep to skip the hiking part.
If you think the conservation idea is worth your time and effort and like to travel responsibly, you can book the Plant a Tree tour, which combines the classic tour plus you will plant a native tree to help sustain the local forest which is receding.
Don't forget to pack a strong sunscreen to protect your skin against the sun, and water bottle to stay hydrated.
BLACK RIVER GORGES NATIONAL PARK
Chamarel sits on the edge of Black River Gorges National Park, which is a great place for hiking and wildlife watching, particularly bird watching.
There is a scenic road that goes through the national park, and the scenery is really spectacular, especially the views from the main viewpoints. To get the most of your hiking adventure, hire a local guide who can point out some of the native plants, and explore the park on foot.
If you are not sure about your hiking skills, a good guide will tailor the trail to your level of fitness.
Also, there are several entrance points to the national park, so plan your trip carefully. We would choose between the Black River Information Centre entrance and the road that connects Chamarel with Bois Cheri.
Pack a good trail walking shoes and comfortable daypack for all your hiking adventures.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
CHAMAREL ENTRANCE FEE
The entrance fee to the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall is 250 MUR (about 7 USD) for adults.
While locals have cheaper rates, we think that the current price for admission to these two attractions is reasonable.
HOW TO GET TO CHAMAREL
Although we usually prefer to travel by public transport, Mauritius is one of those places where you seriously need to consider renting a car. When you have limited time, a rental car allows you to maximize your travel time, and you don't have to think about (often) unreliable local buses.
You can also join a guided tour if you don't feel like driving around the island by yourself, which has the benefit of a local guide, who will guide you throughout the area and tell you more about Mauritius.
The last option is to hire a driver for a day and tell him where you want to go. This is a perfectly fine way to explore Mauritius, although it's not very economical, especially for solo travelers, and even couples might find the prices too high.
To get to Chamarel by car, drive there via Case Noyale (north), Baie du Cap (south) or through the Black Gorges NP (east).
Only the rental car will give you the freedom to explore all the places you want to visit for affordable prices, and here you can search for the best car rental rates.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHAMAREL
You won't find many hotels in Chamarel, as there are only a couple of places where you can spend a night or two, but if you are tired of beach resorts, look at the hotels we recommend below.
We also included a nice place to stay in Flic en Flac, a popular destination on the west coast as it is nearby.
This is a place where we decided to base ourselves for our Mauritius vacation.
Also, Le Morne is a great choice for people who don't mind to spend extra for accommodation, as there are many luxury hotels.
Chamarel | Hotel Chalets Chamarel - Located on the forested hill in the quiet surroundings, this hotel has an amazing location for watching the sunsets over the Le Morne mountain and the ocean. The rooms are modern, spacious, and clean, and the staff is attentive and helpful. The location is quite secluded for Mauritius, and you need a rental car to get there or hire a taxi driver. This is a perfect choice for travelers who don't want to spend all the time on the beach and want to get away from the busy city streets.
Le Morne | LUX Le Morne - The whole area around Le Morne mountain features many luxury resorts, and LUX Le Morne is one of the best hotels you can find there. The hotel has a perfect location as it sits on a private stunning white sand beach surrounded by palm trees. The rooms are immaculately clean, the staff is super-helpful, and you can choose from many activities and water sports to fill your day with fun things to do.
Flic en Flac | Sands Suites Resort & Spa - Spacious rooms with balconies or terraces feature air-condition, comfortable beds, and likable decoration. The staff is friendly and helpful, the beach location is excellent, and there are three restaurants on-site.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
When you finish your Chamarel explorations, you have a few choices on what to do next.
Le Morne mountain towers on the west (you can hike there if time allows), Baie de Cup in the south offers a nice lookout of the bay, and if you continue further east along the coast, you will arrive in Souillac and the famous Gris Gris and Rochester Falls.
Or you can exit Chamarel via an inland road that will take you through Black River Gorges National Park to Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), a sacred crater lake with Hindu statues, temples, and shrines.
From there, continue east via the same road, and you will soon arrive in Bois Cheri famous for tea plantations and a museum.
Travel north, and you will get to Flic en Flac, a seaside village, a popular tourist destination with many hotel resorts famous for the beach and relax.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
