Chamarel is the name of a small village in the mountains in the center - south west part of the island.
There are enough things and activities to do and places to visit for a whole day, if not more.The drive is part of the fun itself. If you are coming from Curepipe or Vacoas, you will be going through the scenic spots of Alexandra Falls, Petrin and Plaine Champagne. From Plaine Champagne onwards, it is a windy downhill drive and you get to see the beautiful south western coastline, its lagoon and the islands inside. If you are coming from the western coastal road driving through Tamarin and Case Noyale, the last leg of the drive is uphill; you can stop along the way and enjoy the views.
When you get there (at Chamarel), make a short stop at the Church and take in the feeling of remoteness of a village that hosts a few hundred inhabitants and is only sparsely serviced by public transportation. Next, look out for the sign that says "Seven Coloured Earth". Follow the road straight on. It's around 10-15 minutes to get to the entrance.
The seven-coloured earth spot is a tourist attraction that is considered to be peculiar to Mauritius. This spot features hilly mounds of earth of different colors, different shades of blue, red, yellow, ochre and violet that are said to be rainbow-like and the result of erosion from volcanic ash. From the entrance to the site itself, the drive is rather rough and bumpy. Take it slow and easy. Along the way, make a welcomed stop at Cascade Chamarel.
As you walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint, you get a panoramic view that makes you feel you are inside the falls.After you have taken enough pictures, you are ready to go to the main site. A large parking space will tell you that you are there. On a week-end, you may have to line up to show your ticket and get in. Enjoy the sights that are one of the landmark attractions of Mauritius.
Open Time: Every day from 09:00 to 16:00 hrs
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