Black River Gorges hike: 8-hour guided tour to Tamarind Falls

Walk among giant vine trees and four waterfalls in one morning, then stand at a sacred crater lake temple.

This 8-hour guided tour of Mauritius combines a hike through Black River Gorges National Park with visits to its arboretum and Grand Bassin crater lake. You'll trek to four of the seven Tamarind Falls, walk among the arboretum's gigantic vine trees, and finish at the Hindu temple and statues overlooking the crater lake. A local guide leads the route, and lunch is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike waterfalls and visit sacred sites

• Hike to 4 of 7 Tamarind Falls
• Visit national forest arboretum
• Stop at Grand Bassin crater lake

The experience

Black River Gorges National Park is the spine of this tour. The hike itself targets four of the seven Tamarind Falls (the waterfalls that give the route its name), and the terrain moves through the lush forest floor where the canopy closes overhead. After the waterfall section, you stop at the arboretum within the national forest, a short walk among trees so old and thick their vines have become the landscape itself. These are not ornamental plantings. They are the forest's actual giants, and the scale changes how the place feels.

The final leg takes you to Grand Bassin, a crater lake ringed by Hindu statues and a temple that sits above the water. This is a sacred site for the Hindu community in Mauritius, and the stop gives the day a different register (quieter, more contemplative) after the physical work of the hike. Lunch is provided during the tour, and the guide handles the route, so the only logistics you manage are showing up and keeping pace.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• lunch.
• parking fees.
• local guide in English or French.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Friday

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 12 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 68

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mauritius Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're hiking to multiple waterfalls and a crater temple in one day. The 6-hour pace keeps you moving through forest and across terrain rather than stopping for extended cultural immersion at each site.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (1 to 12 years); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is the hike to the Tamarind Falls?

The hike reaches four of the seven falls and requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The terrain is forest floor with elevation change, and the guide sets the pace through the national park.

What is Grand Bassin and why is it on this tour?

Grand Bassin is a crater lake with a prominent Hindu temple and statues overlooking the water. It is a sacred site and provides a spiritual counterpoint to the morning's waterfall hike.

What do you see in the arboretum?

The arboretum is a section of Black River Gorges National Park where you walk among gigantic vine trees: ancient trees whose vines have grown so large they define the forest structure itself.

Is transportation included in the price?

Hotel pickup is included. The tour departs from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the 8 hours.

What should I bring on this tour?

Bottled water is provided, and lunch is included. Wear hiking shoes with grip, sun protection and clothes that dry quickly, as the forest floor can be wet.