The Seven Coloured earth of Chamarel is a natural phenomena and a popular tourist attraction. The colour is the consequence of basalt lava converting to clay minerals. This little region of sand dunes contains sand in seven different colours: red, brown, purple, green, blue, purple, and yellow.
The tropical climate has washed away all water-soluble components, including silica. The residue is a reddish-black oxide of iron and aluminium that generates blue, turquoise, and purple colours. A variety of colours appeared in different arrangements.
What’s even more surprising is that when colored soils are mixed, they end up in different layers. And you may be perplexed by the fact that colors can trick you and appear as shadows.
Over thousands of years, the rocks have broken down into sand, which has the amazing property of precipitating in separate layers. If you take a handful of each of the seven different colors of clay and mix them together, they will eventually separate into a colorful spectrum. A spot of sand reunited with its ranks of color.
Since the area was first exposed, rainwater has etched fascinating patterns into the slopes, giving an earthy meringue effect. At first, you’ll notice that the shadows on the hill give the impression of distinct colours. However, you will quickly realise that the colours were true and the shadows were an illusion.
Sunrise is the perfect time to visit the Coloured Lands. The colourful lunar landscape’s sweeping sand dunes continue to pique geologists’ interest. Colours like red, brown, purple, green, blue, violet, and yellow never fade in the face of heavy rain or harsh weather conditions.
Since the 1960s, the Coloured Earth of Chamarel has been one of Mauritius’ most popular tourist attractions. Nowadays, the dunes are surrounded by a wooden fence, and tourists are not permitted to climb on them, however they can view the landscape from observation points established along them.
Curio shops in the vicinity sell little test tubes filled with colourful earths. There is also a children’s playground on the property, as well as some gigantic tortoises.
How to get to Seven coloured earths and waterfall of Chamarel
Since the Seven Coloured Earth is close to the village of Chamarel, you can take a bus to Chamarel and get off at the Seven Coloured Earth’s entrance on the B104 road. If you want to drive up to the location, take a diversion via the Chamarel mountain road.
Comment
For photographers, it is advisable to visit Chamarel coloured earth during midday to not be bothered by the shadows in front of the waterfall and plains that are very contrasting.
Click here to book south Tour