Tamarind Falls Hiking Trail Start — Attraction in Vacoas-Phoenix

I have couple thoughts: We went without guide, starting out hike around 11 AM, and we manage to do all trail (5.5km there and back) with swimming and taking pictures in 2,5hr…BUT we’re trail runners. As I observed guides- who were wearing highly inappropriate shoes(normal running shoes or even kind of „elegant”) I was wondering how they potentially can help me when I will slipping over wet, muddy rocks. Couple of things: 1- Trail is well marked and described over plenty blogs, AllTrails and other websites offering trails. It’s technically difficult- as it’s rain forest, so combination of humidity, mud and rocks=slippery It may need 4 limb usage- so if you are having history of knee, ankle, shoulder sprain- think twice, as it may need to grab some tree and pull over slippery pathway. Take appropriate shoes- with some tread. White stylish sport shoes are not good idea at all Take some mosquitos repellent- they are not super aggressive but may be happy to have you If you’re afraid of heights- it might be challenging for you. There are guides for 900 Rps, I think 50€ for such a guide is overpriced. I’d prefer to have well marked pathway and pay entrance fee like 300Rp, instead od having guides who pretend it’s super dangerous and complicated. There might be stray dogs (it’s Mauritius and they have loose approach to animal wellbeing) You may park near Henrietta Cementery You may combine it with Port Louis visit or...

This was our most WOW moment in Mauritius, and that's saying something! Guides are available, but we decided not to use one based on the amount of information available online.

Follow Google maps to the Hiking Trailhead point, and you can park there near the temple - ignore the guys a kilometer before that at the bus station who will tell you you're at the falls. As you walk down the side of the sugar cane field, you can pop into the left to see the first waterfall, but the second one is where the real wow factor begins. Follow the dirt road from the main road, and where it begins to turn to the right you go straight onto the trail there, and then follow it down to the left to reach the top of the waterfall, and be blown away by it! To continue, you cross the river and into the forest again, the trail will bring you down behind that waterfall, and from there it's easy enough to follow the trail down past waterfalls 3, 4, 5 and 6. From there you can climb back uphill and you'll emerge onto the dirt road again, and follow that back to the car. We did this with a 7, 9 and 11 year old, and while challenging, is not terribly difficult. It is absolutely worth doing and will be a highlight of any trip...

Location is some kind of a highlight in Maurice, nice nature, nice view, nice falls in a beautiful canyon. Flying fox, beautiful birds and monkeys can be seen there. But it can be very crowded! Infrastructure to get there is not so good, but it's possible to get there by bus (stop: Henrietta), followed by approx. 20min hike on the road. At the bus stop you might be directly surrounded by some strange and offensive locals, trying to get hired by adventurous tourists in order to guide them "safely" through the jungle, drive them home with their taxi etc..

On "Komoot" App you can see the full route through the canyon. You definitely do NOT need a local guide. It's easy to navigate there using gps. However, you will definitely bring very good insect repellent, comfortable clothes and very good hiking boots. The paths are very natural, brittle, very steep (some would call it climbing), highly slippery and very dirty. After some little rain, expect to slip and get muddy. And of course mosquito-bites. Also expect to be slower than normal, because paths are not officially maintained. In the end it is OK, but if you missed it you do not need...