A small village in southwest Mauritius known for its multi-colored earth formations, 100-meter waterfall, and rum distillery dating back to 1798.
Chamarel, a village of 700 people in southwestern Mauritius, sits among some of the island's most striking geological formations. Walk among sand dunes that display seven distinct colors, watch the 95-meter Chamarel Waterfall plunge through volcanic rock, or follow hiking trails past coffee plantations into the Black River Gorges National Park. The village's rum distillery welcomes visitors for tours and tastings of locally produced spirits.
The Seven Colored Earth Phenomenon
The Seven Colored Earth consists of sand dunes formed through volcanic rock decomposition millions of years ago. Iron and aluminum in the soil created distinct colors - red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow - that naturally separate into layers. Mix the sands together, and they will eventually settle back into their color bands. Visit the viewing platforms along the wooden fence to examine the formations up close. The site opens daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with morning hours typically having the best lighting for photos.
Exploring Chamarel Waterfall
The Chamarel Waterfall drops 95 meters into an oval pool, making it the highest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius. Three separate streams merge into the Saint Denis River before cascading down the cliff face. The rock walls display two distinct volcanic layers - the lower brecciated basalt from 8-10 million years ago and an upper layer from 1.7-3.5 million years ago. View the falls from the main platform near the parking area, or take a 10-minute walk down wooden steps through the forest to reach a lower observation point.
Coffee and Rum Production
Coffee plants grow along Chamarel's roads at elevations between 250-300 meters, producing both Arabica and Robusta varieties. At the Rhumerie de Chamarel, you can watch the rum-making process from sugarcane to bottle. The distillery runs tours Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, including a walk through the production facility and rum tasting sessions.
Getting Around Chamarel
Rent a car to reach Chamarel, as public buses run infrequently. The village lies one hour from both the international airport and Port Louis. Paved roads connect the main sites, and most viewpoints require short walks on gravel or dirt paths.
Forest Activities and Hiking
Several adventure companies run zip line courses and rope walks through the forest canopy. Mountain bike through coffee plantations on trails ranging from beginner paths to technical single tracks. In the Ebony Forest conservation area, walk among native plants and trees on marked trails. Local guides lead treks to the base of Chamarel Falls, where you can swim in the pool below (check conditions with guides first, as water levels vary seasonally).
