MU
Chamarel
A green highland village with coloured dunes, a tall waterfall and a rum distillery
A green highland village with coloured dunes, a tall waterfall and a rum distillery
Dunes of volcanic soil in shades of red, brown, purple and yellow form a striking landscape. The geopark also has giant tortoises. An entry fee applies.
Visit in the morning for the best light.
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Inside the same park, the St Denis river drops about 100m in a single fall into the forest below.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
This distillery makes rum from local sugarcane. Tours explain the process and end with a tasting.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
The island’s largest national park protects native forest. Trails and viewpoints overlook deep gorges, and rare birds such as the Mauritius kestrel live here.
Photo: Rod Waddington, CC BY-SA 2.0
A conservation project restoring native ebony forest, with walkways and viewpoints over the coast and Le Morne.
Photo: S Molteno, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try local restaurants serving Creole dishes, venison and palm-heart salad.
Many visitors have lunch at the distillery or a hillside restaurant.
Chamarel is about 20–30 minutes by road from Le Morne or the west coast, and about 1–1.5 hours from the airport.
A car or driver is needed; buses are rare.
Mauritius uses the rupee (MUR). Prices range widely, from cheap street food to luxury resorts.
A full day in the hills.
Visit the Seven Coloured Earths and the waterfall.
Tour the Rhumerie de Chamarel and have lunch.
Stop at Black River Gorges viewpoints or Ebony Forest.
It is cooler and wetter in the hills; bring a light jacket.
Roads are steep and winding.
Arrange a driver if you plan to taste rum.
Cyclones are most likely from January to March; follow official warnings.
Quick answers for planning time in Chamarel.
Dunes of volcanic soil in several colours, in a park at Chamarel.
About 100m.
Yes, easily from the west or south-west coast.
Yes; check the current price.
April to June and September to November.
English and French are widely spoken; Mauritian Creole is the everyday language.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Mauritius travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.