Situated  on the central plateau, near the small village of Henrietta, Tamarin Falls or les Sept Cascades is one of the most beautiful canyon of the island. Its river, the River Tamarin starts at the Tamarin Falls reservoir which supplies water for irrigation and for the hydro-electric power station some 250m below. With its 13 waterfalls, deep ponds, several cliff jumps and green surrounding vegetation, the Tamarin falls is a beautiful canyon fit for the beginner as well as the adventurer.   

Vertical World runs 3 different trips to the Tamarind falls to fit your aspirations:

[ initiation ] [ intermediate ] [ hardcore adventurer ] [ technical sheet ] [pix gallery]

[Initiation]

For beginners or those who have never done any abseiling or canyoneering before. This is a half day (to 3/4)  trip where you will discover the upper half of the Canyon and learn how to use the ropes, harnesses and descenders to abseil your way down the beautiful waterfalls. You will at first abseil on dry cliffs and as you get accustomed to the equipment, we will place the rope in the spray. Abseiling down under the shower, feeling the water on your whole body, taking in the view on the canyon  and hanging in the middle of it all is an experience you will not forget easily! 

 

Maximum height : 45m

Access and exit:  easy

We also organize this trip combined with a half day Mountain Biking tour where you will spend the first half of the day riding through the Plaines Champagnes and Machabée forest with our partner Patrick before reaching the Tamarind Falls reservoir and gearing up for the Abseils. For more info on Mountain Biking, visit our partner site Yemaya on   [www.yemayaadventure.com]

 

[Intermediate]

Ok. So you are the sporty type, looking for some good fun and challenge eh?

The intermediate full day trip will get you to discover the first 5 waterfalls including the 2 highest (40m and 55m). We will start off with a 45m drop into a pond across which we will swim before attempting a series of three smaller waterfalls (10 -15m). We will wade thought the water until we reach the "Big One", an impressive 55m drop into a dark pool. We will have lunch on the edge of the "big one" - just to fill up that hole that's been buildin' up. After the 55m abseil, there will be an optional jump of 15m in the water. For those chickening out, a rope is always available! The hike back up to the vehicles is hard - 45m or scrambling on a steep footpath will see you loosing all the fat you would have picked up at lunch! Well, on your way home to a hot shower you will be tired, but happy.

 

[Hardcore Adventurer]

This trip is reserved for the real tough women and men who are REALLY sick and tired of being on the beach - or simply for the real sporty ones.

We will start off the same as the Intermediate trip but earlier (0800). After the "big one" and its jump we will keep pushing down through a 40m abseil under the spray followed by a series of jumps into the water. We will reach a small crevice accessible only to canyoneers ( my friend Rudy calls it the Valley of the Dino's) before attempting a last rappel of 13m and reaching the Tamarind Falls hydro-electric power station. The hike back up is a long 45m hike on a winding and steep footpath. The gear will seem to weight a ton and the bottles of water will quickly be emptied. But hey that's what you paid for right? 

[Technical Sheet]

Canyon	Tamarind Falls
Total height	220m
Access	Easy
Exit	30-40 min hike up steep trail
Vol. Of water	Approx 150 l/s nomally
Water temp	15c winter to 25c Summer
Escape routes	Various all along the canyon
Highest Abseil	55m
Flash Flood prob.	Nil - Reservoir has no release valves
What to Bring	Sunscreen Bathing suit Spare clothes and towel Camera - waterproofed Outdoor jogging type shoes Extra candy bars Filled in Medical and disclaimer forms Wind proof jacket
Don't Bring	Jewels, watches etc... Alcohol and cigarettes dog, cat, fleas, oven, gun and refrigerator.
Meeting Time	0830 - Tamarin Falls reservoir gate
Any other questions	CLICK HERE