Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Hell-Bourg - Cirque of Salazie - Cirque of Mafate - Plaine des Cafres - Cirque de Cilaos - Saint-Paul
100% customisable for you
Your 16-day adventure begins with a flight to Saint-Denis via Paris or Mauritius. This will take around 15 hours in total, so you’ll arrive in Saint-Denis the following morning, ready to begin your adventure.
Upon arrival at the airport today, you'll pick up your hire car and head for the Cirque of Salazie and the Creole village of Hell-Bourg. If you’re amazed by the lush green surroundings and picturesque facades, you’re not alone – this village has been named one of Reunion’s most beautiful. You’ll spend two nights here in traditional Creole accommodation with an incredible view of the Piton d'Achaing from the restaurant. While you’re here, we’ll also arrange for you to enjoy dinner at one of the region’s best restaurants.
This beautiful village has managed to retain its Creole charm. Perched at 4412ft above sea level, it has a pleasant climate and is full of lush vegetation. Take a few hours today to stroll through the pretty streets between huts with flower gardens, small shops and restaurants. Look out for the guetalis (wooden pavilions) of Villa Lucilly and Maison Barau, the ruins of the old thermal baths, and the Trou de Fer and Voile de la Mariee waterfalls. This area is also ideal for hiking, so take your pick from one of the many trails leading from the village.
Today, you’ll move on to the Cirque of Mafate via the panoramic Col des Bœufs mountain pass. The car journey takes about an hour in total, but we recommend you stop on the way to admire the waters of Voile de la Mariee, Salazie’s stunning waterfall.
You’ll park in a secure car park before completing the rest of your journey on foot, descending into the legendary Cirque of Mafate to reach La Nouvelle, the only real village in the area. When you arrive, you’ll settle in for the night in a gite that overlooks the village.
Today, jump back in the car for a two-hour trip to Saint-Andre. You’ll spend the next two nights in a small hotel in the city, complete with a swimming pool and jacuzzi for you to unwind in. They also offer a great local breakfast…
Bourbon vanilla is renowned as some of the best in the world, and today you’ll see why. We’ll arrange for you to visit a cooperative in Bras-Panon to learn about its journey, from harvesting the flowers to processing the vanilla pods. To top the experience off, head to a farm in the east of the island to taste their famous dish of duck with vanilla, accompanied by some homemade rum. If you like, we can also arrange for you to take a private cooking class.
For a change of scenery today, you’ll drive along the Windward Coast to Saint-Benoit before heading inland to the Plaine des Cafres: a high, fertile plateau that was once a refuge for slaves. You’ll spend tonight in a peaceful guesthouse with a warm and friendly welcome.
You’re heading for the heights today on a guided hike up the Piton de la Fournaise. This bubbling giant peaks at 8,630ft and covers about a third of the island’s surface area. It’s one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with slopes that are home to a significant portion of Reunion's biodiversity. Your hike begins at Pas de Bellecombe, and weaves through green and lunar landscapes. While you walk, you’ll see the Fouque enclosure, an expanse of roped lava, as well as the Formica Leo and Dolomieu craters at the summit.
The views on this hike are pretty spectacular, so you might need some time to compose yourself before heading for your next destination. When you’re ready, it’s just a 40-minute drive to Saint-Pierre on the south-west coast. You’ll stay in a historic building with just a few spacious rooms, surrounded by a beautiful garden. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool to cool off in and relax after your active day.
Today, you’ll learn more about the island’s botanical treasures during a guided tour of the Jardin des Parfums et des Epices (garden of perfumes and spices). This haven of peace is filled with orchids, cinnamon, fruit trees and much more, and your friendly and fascinating guide will let you in on the garden’s secrets. You’ll then head to the House of Turmeric, dedicated to growing the spice on the Plaine des Gregues. Through a short film, insightful talk, and, of course, a tasting, you’ll discover how this plant is transformed into ‘saffron pei’, as it’s locally known.
The rest of today is yours to spend at your leisure. Saint-Pierre proudly displays its Creole soul in its authentic buildings and spice-perfumed markets. As well as its lively centre just a stone’s throw from the seafront (and a beautiful beach), this cosmopolitan town has some incredible Tamil temples, such as Temple Maha Badra Karly and Temple Tamoul Narassingua Peroumal, as well as a remarkable mosque. There are plenty of things to get stuck into here, but we can recommend strolling around the Domaine du Café Grille and its incredible garden, visiting the old sugar refineries and the Saga du Rhum distillery, and sunbathing on the beautiful Grand Anse beach. If you want to head a little further south, the amazing natural pool of Manapany-les-Bains is waiting for you to dive right in.
Your next stop is Entre-Deux, just a 25-minute drive away. It owes its name – meaning ‘between two’ – to its geographical position between the Bras de la Plaine and that of Cilaos.
When you arrive, we’ll arrange for you to take a guided tour of the village, one of the only ones in Reunion where the houses share an architectural style. Generally made of wood, the houses have a tin roof and a veranda, constituting a fundamental part of the island’s cultural heritage. During this tour, you’ll also learn about the art of the Creole garden and the old way of life in the Hauts region.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a Creole guest room set in a lush garden that belongs to a colonial-style villa. Relax this evening at the swimming pool or with a spa treatment. There’s also a restaurant available upon request.
Today, you’ll head for Cilaos and the legendary 400 bends it takes to get there. It sounds like a lot, but trust us – it’s worth it. Your reward is stunning mountain views and luscious green surroundings. You’ll spend the next two nights in a chalet-style family-run hotel with great service and a swimming pool.
Whether you want to relax today or embark on an adventure, you’ll find what you need in Cilaos. The village’s thermal baths are known for their therapeutic qualities and are the perfect place to unwind in beautiful surroundings. For a relaxed stroll, head to the Sunday market to sample delicious lentils or pick up a bottle of local wine. Speaking of wine, you can also visit the Maison des Vins du Chai to learn about the history of winemaking on the island.
If you’re after something a little more active, this is one of the most incredible places on the island for walking and canyoning. The Cirque of Cilaos was born from the collapse of the caldera and is nestled between two of the island’s highest peaks, making it the perfect setting for an unforgettable hike. We can even arrange a half-day of canyoning in the heart of the cirque. Finally, if you want to head a little further afield, the route to Ilet-a-Cordes is spectacular.
Today, you’ll leave the village behind and once again reach the steep and winding mountain road with 400 bends. From here, you’ll then continue towards the west coast and Saint-Paul, which takes an hour and a half in total. Your final nights in Reunion will be spent in a beautiful guest room with incredible views. You’ll be close enough to town to be there for dinner within minutes, and there’s also a swimming pool and jacuzzi.
It may be your last day on the island, but you’re going out with a bang. Today, you’ll take a sunrise hike at Maido, which peaks at 7,234ft. From here, the views of the Cirque of Mafate, the west coast and the sandy beaches are simply spectacular. You’ll leave in the early morning so that you can contemplate the island’s magnificent landscapes at first light. In the company of a private guide, head through the tamarind forest of the highlands, eventually arriving to admire the sunrise before tucking into a well-deserved breakfast facing the Piton des Neiges. For the return trip, you’ll take the scenic path to extend the experience. There are several routes possible for this hike, so your guide can adapt it to suit you.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy some final experiences in Reunion. Saint-Paul was the first island capital and is one of the warmest places on the island. It has a wonderful fairground market on Friday and Saturday mornings - for this alone, it’s worth a stroll through the city. If you like, we can also arrange for you to take a magical helicopter flight over the cirques and the Piton de la Fournaise.
Today, it’s time to head back to the airport to return your hire car. You’ll board a flight home via Paris and arrive in the UK the following day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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