VISIT OF GEOPARK

 

 

What are the opening hours of Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth?

October to May: 08:30 Hrs to 17:30 Hrs

June to September: 08:30 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs

 

Are you open during Sundays and public holidays?

Yes, we are open during Sundays and public holidays

 

What are the opening hours of the Coffee Shop and Souvenir Shop?

The Coffee Shop and Souvenir Shop are open everyday as from 09:30 to 17:00.

 

Does the entrance ticket include guided visits?

No, we do not offer guided visits.

 

How can we buy the entrance tickets?

The entrance tickets can be purchased on the spot at the main entrance or via our website and online platforms.

 

How much are the entrance tickets?

 

Resident rates:

  • Adult: Rs 250
  • Child (5-12 years old): Rs 125

Please note that an ID card or residence permit will need to be presented at the gate for residents who purchase their tickets online.

 

Non-resident rates:

  • Adult: Rs 550
  • Child (5-12 years): Rs 275

 

Free of charge for children under 5 years old.

 

Access to Ebony Forest and Lavilleon is not included in the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth entrance ticket. Entrance tickets for Ebony Forest and Lavilleon should be purchased at their respective outlets.

 

What is included in the entrance ticket?

Access to the two viewpoints of Chamarel Waterfall, visit of Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark and the tortoise park.  We also have a Coffee Shop and Souvenir Shop at the Geopark.

 

How long will it take to visit the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Park?

Minimum of 45 mins and maximum of 2 hours.

 

How far is the Geopark from the entrance gate?

The distance between the entrance and geopark is 3 kms. It is a self-guided tour which can take one hour. You may use your own means of transport or explore the area by foot.

 

What type of vehicles are allowed to go through the main entrance gate?

Minibuses, cars, scooters, motorcycles, bicycles and taxis are allowed.

Unfortunately, due to the size of the road and its topography, 60 seaters (8 metres) buses are not allowed.

 

Are there parking spots inside Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth?

There are two parking spots; near Chamarel Waterfall viewpoint and Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark.

 

What is the most suitable dress code at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth?

Comfortable walking shoes and clothes. A light jacket or umbrella can be useful during rainy seasons.

 

Is Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark Eco-friendly?

We are committed to creating sustainable value. We promote sustainability through different actions at the park, namely practicing waste sorting and cultivating endemic flora. We are currently working towards obtaining sustainable certification to support our endeavors.

 

Is there a limit on the time we can spend at the Geopark?

There is no time limit. You can visit the park at leisure during the opening hours.

 

Is photography and videography permitted inside the park?

Yes, but filming with drones are not allowed during opening hours.

 

What activities are restricted at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

  1. Picnics
  2. Visits with domestic pets
  3. Removal of plants

 

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS

 

Are there places to eat near the park?

Snacks and light lunch like sandwiches, baguettes, paninis are available at the Coffee Shop. We also have Le Chamarel Restaurant nearby with its premium creole cuisine.

 

Can I come to Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark just to buy something at the Souvenir Shop or eat at the Coffee Shop?

The entrance ticket must be purchased as the Souvenir Shop and Coffee Shop are found inside the Geopark

 

Are we allowed to do picnics?

Picnics are prohibited. Food and beverages are sold at the Coffee Shop.

 

 

GEOLOGY

 

What is the area of Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

The 7 Coloured Earth covers an area of 7,500m².

 

Why is the soil of different colours at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

Mauritius is a volcanic island. Soil erosion left behind deposits of iron and aluminium oxide which are responsible for the red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow colours that you see at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth today.

 

Is the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth a natural feature?

Yes, it is a unique phenomenon and preserved in its natural state.

 

 

TORTOISE PARK

 

What species of tortoises do you have at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

We have Aldabra giant tortoises and they are the largest tortoise species in the world.

 

Are we allowed to feed the tortoises?

Visitors are not allowed to feed the tortoises. Feeding is done is by our team in the morning.

 

What is the origin of the Aldabra tortoises?

The Aldabra tortoises are endemic to Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

 

Do the tortoises need a lot of water to survive?

Tortoises drink through their nose so they can drink from shallow puddles and they also obtain water from their vegetation.

 

What type of plants do Aldabra tortoises eat?

They will eat most fast-growing plants. Main diet is grass, leaves (fallen and fresh), flowers, fruits (not vegetables).

 

They do not eat woody plant stems.

 

 

CHAMAREL WATERFALL

 

Is Waterfall hiking included in the entrance ticket?

 

The entrance ticket does not include waterfall hiking. It is strictly prohibited to go down the waterfall on your own.

 

We recommend that you contact Eco Explorers should you wish to go hiking down the waterfall. They are hiking professionals and will ensure your safety.

 

For booking and more information, please visit: https://explorersmauritius.com/

 

 

COFFEE PLANTATION

 

What is the area of the coffee plantation?

The plantation extends over 16 hectares

 

Are there coffee plantations in other regions of Mauritius?

Chamarel is the only region where coffee plantations can be found because of its climate and the quality of the soil which are appropriate for coffee plantations.

 

What type of coffee is grown at Chamarel?

Chamarel Coffee is made from pure Arabica coffee beans. The Coffea arabica, originated in the highlands of Ethiopia and is one of the most popular coffee varieties in the world.

 

Can we see the coffee processing in Chamarel?

We have only the coffee plantations in Chamarel. The coffee processing is done at Case Noyale, a small village some kilometers away due to its dry climate.

 

 

HISTORY

 

Since when is the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark open?

The Geopark is open to the public since the late 1960’s. Discovered in 1879, the site is today a must-see tourist attraction.

 

What is the origin of the name ‘Chamarel’?

Chamarel name relates to Toussaint-Antoine and Charles-Antoine de Chazal de Chamarel; two French brothers who were granted a concession of land in Chamarel in 1786, known as ‘Le Nuage’. Charles-Antoine tried to develop the land with Sugarcane, Cotton and Indigo until 1815 when he left Mauritius.

 

Who owns the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

The park is owned by Case Noyale Ltée. and managed by Cap d’Abondance Ltd; both companies are subsidiaries of Rogers Group.

 

 

OTHER FACILITIES

Are there taxi facilities inside the Geopark?

Taxi facilities are not available inside the Geopark.

 

Are there Wi-Fi facilities inside the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark?

Visitors can have access to Wi-Fi services at the Geopark.

 

Can we organize events inside the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth?

We do not organise events but you can contact our other leisure outlets; Le Chamarel restaurant and Bel Ombre Nature Reserve for events.