I’ve done the Tamarind Falls trek twice, and the first time I seriously...

Heatherly Hadley
@hadleyheatherly1136
6 days ago

I’ve done the Tamarind Falls trek twice, and the first time I seriously underestimated how slippery the rocks would be. People talk about the waterfalls, but nobody warned me about the mud after a rainy morning. I wore regular sneakers and spent half the trip sliding down the trail on my backside. Bring hiking sandals with good grip or proper waterproof boots if there’s been any rain in the past 24 hours.

The best tip I can add: start very early, like 7 AM. By 9 AM, the sun is brutal and there’s almost no shade on the upper stretches. You’ll also beat the guided tour groups that clog up the narrow sections around the third and fourth cascades. The lower pools, especially the sixth and seventh, are swimmable but freezing cold. I dunked my head under the sixth cascade and lost my breath in the best way possible.

Pack light but bring two things most people forget: a dry bag for your phone and wallet, and a small towel. You’ll want to sit on the rocks after swimming without getting covered in grit. And don’t skip trekking poles if you have them. The descent into the valley is steep and the path is loose gravel in spots. My knees were shouting at me for two days after.

One more thing: there’s a local guide named Jean-Claude who hangs around the parking area. He’s not official but knows the trails better than anyone. Took us to a hidden ledge above the fourth waterfall that the tours skip. Worth the 500 rupee tip.