The charming village of Chamarel is famous for its windy roads, scenic views, and unique geological features making it one of the most popular places to visit in Mauritius. Two of its most iconic attractions include Chamarel Waterfall and Seven Colored Earth.
But it doesn’t end there as are even more things to do such as hiking at Ebony Forest, zip-lining at Lavilleon Adventure Park, or rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel.
With so many things to do in Chamarel, I recommend spending at least 2 days in the area to fully experience this incredible place in South Mauritius.
Keep reading to learn all about the best things to do and places to visit in Chamarel Mauritius, including where to stay in Chamarel.
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Read more about Mauritius:
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- Is it worth renting a car in Mauritius?
Where is Chamarel Mauritius?
Chamarel is situated in the Black River district, in the southwest of Mauritius.
There are a few public buses that go to the village but they won’t go all the way to the park area where the waterfall and Seven Colored Earth are found which is why it’s more convenient to rent a car or hire a private driver.
CHECK CAR RENTAL RATES IN MAURITIUS HERE
Alternatively, you can book this guided tour which includes visits to Chamarel, Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, and Black River Gorges.
Entry tickets, roundtrip transfers, lunch, and a tour guide are included in the price.
Chamarel Entrance Fee and Opening Hours
While the village itself is free to visit, the entrance fee to Chamarel Seven Colored Earth is Rs 750 (USD 16) for adults and Rs 375 (USD 8) for children (tourist price).
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR ENTRANCE TICKET
Opening hours for Chamarel Geopark: 8.30 a.m to 5/5.30 p.m, daily.
Related post: 44 things to do + places to visit in Mauritius
Top 10 Attractions to visit in Chamarel
Chamarel Waterfall
Chamarel waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Chamarel Mauritius. The waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation and plunges down from a height of nearly 100 meters against a steep cliff.
It’s sometimes split into two or three columns depending on the time of the year. If you’re visiting between December and April which coincides with the cyclone/rainy season, the waterfall will look even more impressive.
You can admire the waterfall from two viewing platforms. The one located at the top provides a much better view, in my opinion.
There aren’t a lot of steps so it’s accessible to almost everyone. There’s also a parking lot located nearby.
If you would like to hike down to the waterfall, I recommend hiring a guide since the hike can be strenuous and involves a few river crossings.
CHECK PRICE FOR A GUIDED HIKE OF CHAMAREL WATERFALL
Related post: 18 absolute best waterfalls in Mauritius + map
Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark
Mauritius might be famous for its countless beaches but the most iconic natural attraction is the Chamarel 7 Colored Earth Geopark.
These colorful sand dunes were formed thousands of years ago from volcanic activity resulting in multiple layers of red, green, blue, brown, violet, purple, and yellow.
The colors are more vivid on a bright sunny day so if you’re visiting at any other time, you might not distinguish all seven colors.
The park isn’t too big, so it doesn’t take too long to visit. There’s also a small tortoise park and a souvenir shop as well as a coffee shop where you can grab a bite and taste the locally-grown coffee.
The Seven Colored Earth geopark is located about a 2-minute drive from Chamarel waterfall. As mentioned above, the entrance ticket is Rs 750 (USD 16) for adults and Rs 375 (USD 8) for children.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO CHAMAREL 7 COLORED EARTH
Related post: Top things to do in South Mauritius
Ebony Forest
Another best thing to do in Chamarel is to visit Ebony Forest. The nature reserve is made up of 16 hectares of endemic forest home to several species of birds such as the Pink Pigeon and Echo Parakeet.
The reserve was opened in 2017 after more than 10 years of restoration work to help preserve the endangered species of Mauritius and educate people about the importance of environmental conservation.
The classic tour includes a guided visit of the raised walkway and access to the different hiking trails that lead to three viewpoints – Le Morne Viewpoint, Sublime Viewpoint, and Piton Canot. Those with reduced mobility can skip the hike by booking a jeep tour.
Note that the summit of Piton Canot and Le Morne Viewpoint are only accessible on foot whereas you can get to the Sublime Viewpoint by walking or taking the jeep. At the end of your visit, you can visit the museum to learn about the history of Mauritius.
If you’re looking for an easy hike in Mauritius that’s ideal for families and kids, Ebony Forest is a great choice when visiting Chamarel.
The entrance fee starts at Rs 460 for adults and Rs 280 for children.
Other activities available at Ebony Forest include hiking, bird watching, Love Tree tour where you’ll plant your own endemic tree or the sunset tour which also includes local Mauritian drinks and snacks.
Opening hours: 9 a.m to 5 p.m daily.
Related post: Ultimate guide to the best hiking trails in Mauritius
Chamarel Viewpoint
For one of the most beautiful lookout points in Mauritius, make sure to visit Chamarel viewpoint. From there, you can get a panoramic view over the lush greenery and the turquoise waters of the southwest coast with Le Morne Brabant to the left and La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right.
You can easily find the exact location on Google Maps by searching “Chamarel View Point” or “Le Morne Tamarin Viewpoint”, both will lead you to the exact same spot.
The viewing platform is quite small and can get packed during the weekend, so plan your visit during the week or early in the morning.
Piton Canot
The summit of Piton Canot sits at a height of about 540 meters and provides 360-degree views of the southwest coast including Le Morne Brabant and La Tourelle du Tamarin.
If you’re already visiting Ebony Forest, you can reach the summit by hiking for about 20-30 minutes from the Sublime viewpoint.
Alternatively, you can start your hike from a little dirt track located near Chamarel restaurant and it should take around 1-1.5 hours to reach the summit.
The trail is well-beaten and thus easy to follow. You’ll also come across a few lookout points and wooden huts where you can rest if needed. You can find the exact hiking trail on the map.me app by searching “Piton du Canot Trail”.
Black River Gorges National Park
The village of Chamarel is bordered by the Black River Gorges National Park which features a wide range of hiking trails that take you to some of the most spectacular viewpoints and waterfalls.
The national park is completely free to visit so there’s no reason to skip it!
Even if you’re not into hiking, you can still visit the main attractions which include Gorges viewpoint and Alexandra Falls viewpoint. Both of these don’t require any hiking at all.
But for the avid hikers who love to explore off the beaten path or if you’re just looking for a casual nature stroll, you can choose between the different hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous.
From Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (the highest peak in Mauritius) to Cascade 500 Pieds, Macchabée viewpoint, Mare aux Joncs waterfall or Piton Savanne, you’ll have endless options!
Most of the trails are well-marked and available on the maps.me app or you can hire a guide if you’re not an experienced hiker.
CHECK PRICE FOR A GUIDED HIKE OF BLACK RIVER GORGES HERE
Related post: Guide to the best hiking trails in Black River Gorges
Curious Chamarel
If you’re looking for a fun thing to do in Chamarel, make sure to visit Curious Chamarel, the only trick-eye museum in Mauritius. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a great place to visit for a couple of hours.
It makes for cool photo opportunities and has several exhibits including a mirror maze, upside-down room, laser music room, and more. There’s also a gift shop and café on site.
Entrance fee: Rs 475 for adults and Rs 350 for children (tourist price) or Rs 275 for adults and Rs 200 for children (Mauritian/resident price).
CLICK HERE TO BUY ENTRANCE TICKETS TO CURIOUS CORNER
Opening hours: 9.30 a.m to 5 p.m daily.
Lavilleon Adventure Park
Those who love hiking will be in for a treat in Chamarel. Lavilleon Adventure Park is another hiking spot worth checking out. There are lots of activities available such as hiking, zip-lining, Via Ferrata, archery, and more.
Thrill-seekers can enjoy a ride on the three zip lines suspended at 85 meters above the ground while enjoying spectacular views of the canyon.
If you’re looking for something a bit more chill, I recommend the viewpoint hiking trail which also includes a visit to the endemic forest and “au bout du monde” platform.
The view is absolutely breathtaking and if you’re lucky, you may even spot some deer during your hike which lasts for about 2 hours.
The cost of activities starts at Rs 250. You can check out their website for more details about the activities available and their respective prices.
Opening hours: 9 a.m to 5 p.m daily
Rhumerie de Chamarel
If you want to learn about the rum-making process or simply taste different types of rum, you should consider visiting the Rhumerie de Chamarel.
The rum distillery is set in a picturesque location right in the middle of a sugar cane and pineapple plantation.
The guided tour is conducted in both English and French and lasts for about 30 minutes. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to taste a wide selection of rums and have lunch at the restaurant.
Opening hours: 9.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m from Monday to Saturday.
Sainte Anne Church
While walking around the village, you’ll come across a small church dedicated to Saint Anne.
Behind the church, you’ll find a little alleyway that leads to a small cave etched into a cliff face that houses a statue of the Virgin Mary. You can find the exact location by clicking here.
Recommended tours in Chamarel
- Guided tour of Chamarel and Southwest Mauritius: Explore the highlights of the southwest with a knowledgeable guide. This Mauritius tour includes visits to Chamarel waterfall, Seven Colored Earth, Gorges viewpoint, Ganga Talao (also known as Grand Bassin, an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus), Trou aux Cerfs crater (the most famous dormant volcano in Mauritius), and Curepipe. Lunch is included in the price. Check price here
- Chamarel waterfall guided hiking tour: Escape the crowds by hiking to the base of Chamarel waterfall with a certified guide. Entrance fees are included in the tour price. Check price here
- Private Instagram tour of Mauritius: This private guided tour takes you around the best photo locations in Mauritius, including Umbrella Street at Caudan waterfront, Botanical Garden, Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) and the village of Chamarel. The tour also includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from any hotel in Mauritius. Check price here
Where to stay in Chamarel Mauritius?
Green Cottage Chamarel
Set high atop a hill with panoramic views over the valley, Green Cottage Chamarel is perfect for those who want to be completely surrounded by nature while being super close to all the main attractions in Chamarel.
It’s also one of the best places to stay in Mauritius for couples. It has all the necessary amenities including a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.
Be sure to read my detailed review of Green Cottage Chamarel for more information.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Chalets Chamarel
Hotel Chalets Chamarel features 11 beautiful chalets overlooking the imposing Le Morne Brabant and the turquoise waters of the southwest coast.
The chalets are beautifully decorated and each has a private balcony perfect for enjoying both the sunrise and sunset.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN CHAMAREL
Where to eat in Chamarel?
There’s a wide range of restaurants in Chamarel although you should expect prices to be slightly higher compared to other regions since it’s very popular among tourists.
The most popular place to eat is by far Le Chamarel restaurant which serves a nice selection of local dishes. But the main draw of this restaurant is no doubt the panoramic view over Ile aux Benitiers and Le Morne Brabant.
If you’re looking for more budget options, you can check out Palais de Barbizon or One Love Snack.
Did you find this guide to visiting Chamarel in Mauritius helpful? Let me know in the comment section below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- Driving in Mauritius: Ultimate guide
- Ultimate guide to visiting South Mauritius
- Best guided tours in Mauritius
- Best Black River Gorges hiking trails
- Top hiking trails in Mauritius
- 18 absolute best waterfalls in Mauritius
- Ultimate guide to visiting the north of Mauritius
- Guide to visiting Mauritius on a budget
- 29 Best beaches in Mauritius Island
- The most beautiful photo locations in Mauritius
