Chamarel Mauritius

If you are visiting Mauritius you should take the time to explore the island to find the natural beauty that surrounds it. There are many guided excursions you can go on or you can hire a car or a taxi to take to a few places on the same day. In the South West of the island there is a small village called Chamarel, upon approaching there are many sugar cane fields around. Chamarel itself is then surrounded by mountains so there is a lovely view when you arrive. There is a small fee to pay to enter Chamarel but this should not be more than £5. Chamarel has three attractions a waterfall, a large area where seven colours of earth can be seen and an adventure park. Chamarel seven coloured earth is a natural phenomenon that occurred when volcanic rocks cooled at different temperatures to create this lovely scenery. It is best to visit when it is sunny as you will be able to count the colours yourself, if you go on a cloudy day it may be harder to spot them all. You are no longer allowed to walk on the coloured earth so it is protected to retain is natural beauty. A long time ago you could collect the earth in a small bottle and bring it home, you are no longer allowed to do this but you can purchase a small vial as part of a souvenir in the souvenir shop or local shops nearby and the bazaar in Port Louis. If you were to collect some of the coloured earth it would separate itself into layers of the different colours by itself. Chamarel also has a very beautiful waterfall nearby that can be found after a small hike it formed when two local rivers merged, there is a viewing platform that can get very busy during peak seasons. Chamarel falls is a very idyllic place to be, there is a small path that leads to the bottom of the waterfall where you can swim, it is advised to go as part of a group in case of any difficulty. Be prepared as you may encounter some very unsavoury characters on your way down such as drug addicts of thieves. Chamarel Adventure Park is fairly new, it opened in 2003 and still many people do not know of this place. It is more for people who enjoy active and adventure holidays as there are many things there that can give you an adrenaline rush. Set on 12 hectares of land there are only a few activities available such as trekking, a bridge walk through the treetops and an adventure track that sees you suspended in the air negotiating traps and nets. You need to make a reservation for any of the activities you want to do as they open only by request, prices are not shown on their website. Tourists who have visited Chamarel have been disappointed in the past with many describing it as a pile of dirt, so if the idea does not appeal to you then go on the many other excursions that are offered on the island. There are many beautiful beaches and places of interest that are not expensive and you can entertain the whole family but at the end of the day it depends on your taste and your idea of a good time. So if you the idea of looking at a pile of coloured earth or a waterfall doesn’t appeal to you, save your money.