Reunion Island Complete — 11 Days Intensive Adventure
| Duration | 11 Days / 10 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Réunion Island (France – Indian Ocean) |
| Price From | $1,101 USD per person (~$100/day) |
| Tour Style | Complete Island Circuit, Culture & Nature |
| Operator | DERTOUR (TourRadar) |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Saint-Denis — Arrival in the Capital
Arrive at Roland Garros Airport and transfer to Saint-Denis. Afternoon orientation walk through the capital: the Barachois waterfront, Rue de Paris with its colonial mansions, and the Natural History Museum. Welcome dinner at a Creole table d’hôte, featuring traditional dishes and rhum arrangé.
Day 2: Cirque de Salazie — Hell-Bourg’s Charm
Drive into the Cirque de Salazie. First stop: the Voile de la Mariée, a spectacular multi-stream waterfall. Continue to Hell-Bourg, the jewel of Réunion’s mountain villages. Explore the Villa Folio, a magnificent 19th-century Creole mansion surrounded by tropical gardens. Check into Hotel Relais des Cimes. Afternoon walk through the village’s flower-lined streets.
Day 3: Salazie Full Day — Waterfalls & Trails
Full day exploring Salazie. Morning hike to the Trou de Fer viewpoint — one of the most spectacular canyon overlooks in the world, with waterfalls plunging 300m into a deep chasm (weather permitting; this hike requires a guide). Afternoon visit to Grand Îlet village. Optional Creole cooking workshop featuring local ingredients — chouchou (chayote), palm heart, and fresh river fish. Overnight in Hell-Bourg.
Day 4: Plaine des Cafres to Volcano Country
Drive through the high plateau landscape of Plaine des Cafres. Visit La Vanilleraie to learn about vanilla cultivation. Continue to Bourg-Murat and La Cité du Volcan, a world-class interactive museum about volcanology and Réunion’s fiery history. Drive across the Plaine des Sables — a Mars-like red landscape. Check into accommodation near the volcano rim.
Day 5: Piton de la Fournaise — The Fire Mountain
Full day dedicated to the volcano. Pre-dawn start to catch the sunrise over the Enclos Fouqué caldera. Hike across this vast volcanic amphitheater to the Dolomieu Crater at 2,632m — one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Walk past Formica Leo, through the chaotic lava fields, and stand at the crater rim. The scale is humbling, the colors surreal. Return in the afternoon. Overnight near the volcano.
Day 6: Saint-Pierre to the Wild South
Descend from the highlands to the wild south coast. Stop at Saint-Joseph and the lava flows of Grand Brûlé, where Piton de la Fournaise’s lava has repeatedly reached the sea. Visit the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices to experience the island’s aromatic heritage. Continue to Saint-Pierre, Réunion’s second city. Explore the waterfront, Creole market, and enjoy seafood dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
Day 7: Entre-Deux & Cilaos — The Mountain Spa
Morning visit to Entre-Deux, a picturesque village nestled between two rivers, known for its Creole architecture and mountain views. Then tackle the legendary road to Cilaos with its 400 bends. Arrive in time for a thermal spa session. Afternoon walk through Cilaos to visit the embroidery museum and the church. Wine tasting at Chai de Cilaos. Overnight in Cilaos.
Day 8: Cilaos Hiking — La Roche Merveilleuse
Morning hike to La Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint — a moderate 2-hour walk with panoramic views of the entire cirque. Free afternoon for spa, shopping for Cilaos lentils and embroidery, or simply soaking in the mountain atmosphere. Overnight in Cilaos.
Day 9: Cirque de Mafate — Piton Maïdo & Gateway
Drive to the Piton Maïdo viewpoint (2,200m) for the most dramatic vista over Mafate. On a clear morning, the light on the cirque walls is magical. Descend partway into Mafate via the Col des Bœufs to reach Roche Plate — a half-day hike that gives you a taste of Mafate without the multi-day commitment. Return to the vehicle and drive to Saint-Gilles les Bains for the night. The contrast from mountain to beach is incredible.
Day 10: Saint-Gilles les Bains — Beach Life & Eden Garden
A deserved day of rest on the west coast. Morning boat trip for dolphin watching. Afternoon at the Jardin d’Eden botanical garden, with over 700 tropical plant species. Snorkel in the lagoon at L’Hermitage, swim at Boucan Canot, or simply relax on the beach. Farewell dinner at a beachfront restaurant — fresh seafood, Creole curry, and a final glass of local Cilaos wine under the stars.
Day 11: Saint-Gilles to Airport — Departure
Morning at leisure for a final swim or souvenir shopping. Transfer to Roland Garros Airport. You leave having completed the full circuit of Réunion — all three cirques, the active volcano, the wild south coast, the beaches, and the Creole culture that makes this French island so uniquely captivating.
What’s Included
• 10 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast (10 breakfasts)
• Professional English-speaking guide
• All transfers and transportation
• Cité du Volcan museum
• Thermal spa in Cilaos
• Vanilla plantation tour
• Wine tasting
• Dolphin watching boat trip
• Jardin d’Eden entrance
• All park permits
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Lunches and some dinners
• Travel insurance
• Tips and personal expenses
