Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Chamarel

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Mauritius

Chamarel

Spend a half‑day at the Seven Coloured Earths and Chamarel Falls; add a night at Les Chalets en Champagne if you want forest hikes in Black River Gorges.

Chamarel is a small inland village in the Rivière Noire district, best known for its coloured earths, waterfalls and proximity to Black River Gorges National Park. The main sights fit in a few hours, but a night lets you explore forest trails without rushing.

Port LouisBel OmbreBlue BayCurepipeFlic en FlacMahebourgPamplemoussesQuatre BornesSouillacTamarinTrioletTrou d'Eau DouceVacoas-PhoenixChamarel20 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Mauritius
Best months
Sep–Dec
Avoid
May–Aug (hot, humid)
Stay
0–1 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
MUR
Money
Currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Cards work widely in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; markets and small shops prefer cash.
Daily spend
Budget MUR 800–1 200 excl. bed · Mid MUR 1 200–2 000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
my.t (Mauritius Telecom), Emtel and CHILI sell tourist SIMs at the airport with passport registration.
Emergency
Police 999 · Ambulance (SAMU) 114 · Fire 115
Plugs
Types C, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin and European two-pin both common; bring an adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.; Hotel staff: Tip box at check-out or Rs 100–200 for porters.; Driver or guide: Rs 200–500 a day.
Water
Treated tap water; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.
Toilets
Western toilets everywhere; public beach toilets are basic.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee at a caféMUR 50–80
Meal (local restaurant)MUR 150–300
Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))MUR 400–600
Entry to Chamarel FallsMUR 200

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

MRU · Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
Taxi about 45 min; check local rates

Typical fares

Taxi MRU → Chamarel
≈ MUR 1 500 one‑way (check)
Entry Seven Coloured Earths
MUR 300 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Car rental or taxi are the easiest; local bus runs infrequently. Walking between the falls, earths and forest trail is under 15 min.

See and do

Known for

  • Seven Coloured Earths
  • Chamarel Falls
  • Ebony Forest
  • Black River Gorges National Park

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Black River Gorges National ParkDrive or taxi north‑east, about 30 min≈45 min total

Sleep

Les Chalets en Champagne
Mountain chalets on the park border; half‑board €115 for two (2026 estimate).

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryExcusez‑moi / Pardonexkuse mwa / pardon
Thank youMercimerci
How much is it?Combien ça coûte ?kombien sa coute
Where is the toilet?Où sont les toilettes ?oo son lay twalèt

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; 'bonzour' first; avoid: Skipping greetings in shops
  • Religious sites: Cover up and remove shoes; avoid: Leather items in some temples
  • Beach: Swimwear on the sand only; avoid: Topless sunbathing
  • Community: Respect all faiths' festivals; avoid: Commenting on ethnic politics

Scams and watch-outs

  • Road to the coloured earths is steep; drive carefully in rain.
  • Some sections of the earths are fenced to prevent sand removal.

Chamarel is low‑risk; main concerns are road safety on steep sections and sun exposure during midday.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Chamarel yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Seven Coloured Earths
  • Chamarel Falls
  • Ebony Forest
  • Black River Gorges National Park

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Chamarel

À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Mauritius is in Port Louis; check address before travel.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/chamarel). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.