Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earths

In the lush highlands of the southwest, near the village of Chamarel, lies one of the island's most curious natural wonders, the Seven Coloured Earths. Here, weathered volcanic ash has created a small landscape of undulating, bare dunes streaked in distinct bands of colour, red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow, that seem to glow, and which, remarkably, settle back into separate layers even when mixed. Nearby, the Chamarel Waterfall plunges over 80 metres in a single dramatic drop amid the surrounding green forest and hills.

What you actually see

• The Seven Coloured Earths - the surreal bands of coloured dunes.
• The Chamarel Waterfall - the dramatic single-drop cascade.
• The giant tortoises - the tortoises kept at the site.
• The highland scenery - the lush green hills and forest.

When to go

May to December, the cooler, drier season, for the best weather; the colours of the earths show most vividly in bright sunlight, especially in the morning light. The lush green highlands and the waterfall are at their fullest and most beautiful after the summer rains.

Honest expectations

The Seven Coloured Earths themselves are a fairly small and low-key sight, viewed from a boardwalk rather than walked upon, so those expecting a vast, dramatic landscape may find them modest; the colours are subtle and best in good light. Combined with the impressive nearby waterfall, the tortoises and the scenic highland setting, though, and the area's rum distillery and coffee, it makes an enjoyable and worthwhile half-day.

Nearby

Le Morne, the Black River Gorges and the southwest coast are close by.