Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival to Hell-Bourg
You'll arrive in Réunion and meet your agency representative to get all the tour information and documents. After picking up your rental car, the drive through Salazie valley takes about an hour to reach Hell-Bourg. On the way, you'll stop at La Vanilleraie in Sainte Suzanne to see how vanilla is grown and processed. Then it's time to check into your hotel for a 2-night stay and settle in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit La Vanilleraie in Sainte Suzanne - learn about vanilla production
Landmarks La Vanilleraie Salazie Valley - Day 2
Hell-Bourg and Salazie Valley
A German-speaking guide takes you through Hell-Bourg, a pretty mountain village with character and history. From there, you'll explore some other Creole villages scattered around the Salazie valley. Later, you take a forest road from Grand Ilet up toward the mountain ridge between Salazie and Mafate. The walk through this section is through natural forest, so bring good shoes. The whole day covers about 65 km and takes around 2 hours of driving time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hell-Bourg with German-speaking tour guide
- Explore Creole villages in Salazie valley
- Walk on mountain ridge between Salazie and Mafate
Landmarks Hell-Bourg Grand Ilet Mafate Cirque 
- Day 3
East Coast to La Plaine des Cafres
After breakfast, you'll head south along the east coast toward Saint Philippe, which takes about 4 hours for the 160 km drive. Along the way, you'll stop at Jardin des Parfums et des Epices in Mare Longue. This spot sits on an 800-year-old lava flow, and the forest around it is something to see. You'll then continue toward the La Plaine des Cafres plateau area and check into your hotel for 2 nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Jardin des Parfums et des Epices in Mare Longue
Landmarks Jardin des Parfums et des Epices Saint Philippe La Plaine des Cafres - Day 4
Piton de la Fournaise Volcano
Today focuses on Piton de la Fournaise volcano. You'll drive from Bourg Murat and stop at Le Nez de Boeuf mountain peak for views across the Plaine des Sables plateau and Pas de Bellecombe pass. From here, there's a 1-hour walk to Formica Léo, a small crater inside the volcano. If you want to reach the summit, plan for 5 to 6 hours of hiking. The drive covers about 70 km and takes 2.5 hours. Back at the hotel, dinner will be something special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet dinner at Hotel Les Geraniums)
Included Activities
- Drive to Piton de la Fournaise volcano from Bourg Murat
- Stop at Le Nez de Boeuf mountain peak with views
- Walk to Formica Léo crater (1 hour recommended walk)
- Gourmet dinner at Hotel Les Geraniums
Optional Activities
- Summit climb of Piton de la Fournaise (approximately 5-6 hours)
Landmarks Piton de la Fournaise Le Nez de Boeuf Plaine des Sables Pas de Bellecombe Formica Léo - Day 5
Spice Island to Cilaos Valley
You'll drive south to Plaine des Grèques in the morning, which is known as the heart of the spice island. Stop at Maison du Curcuma and Spice Sanctuary to taste different spices and learn what grows here. Then visit the rum factory Saga du Rhum to see how rum is made. After that, continue toward the Cilaos valley and the small village of Ilet à Cordes. The whole trip covers about 120 km and takes 3 hours total.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Maison du Curcuma with tastings
- Visit Spice Sanctuary with tastings
- Visit Saga du Rhum rum factory
Landmarks Plaine des Grègues Maison du Curcuma Spice Sanctuary Saga du Rhum Cilaos Valley Ilet à Cordes - Day 6
Cilaos Leisure Day with Cooking Class
The day is yours to use as you like. The Cilaos area has lots of hiking options if you want to get out on the trails. Later in the afternoon, you'll join a cooking class right at your accommodation, then stick around for wine tasting after. It's a nice way to experience local food and flavors without rushing around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Followed by wine tasting)
Included Activities
- Cooking class at Tapacala Guesthouse or Hotel Le Cilaos
- Wine tasting following cooking class
Optional Activities
- Various hiking options in Cilaos area
Landmarks Cilaos Valley - Day 7
Cilaos to Saint Gilles les Bains
Spend the morning in the mountain surroundings of Cilaos. In the afternoon, you'll drive west toward the coast via Saint Leu, heading to Saint Gilles les Bains. The drive takes about 2.5 hours for 85 km. This seaside resort will be your home for 2 nights, so you can relax and adjust to the warmer coastal temperature.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Saint Leu Saint Gilles les Bains - Day 8
Piton Maïdo and Cirque Mafate
An early start takes you up to Piton Maïdo at 2,000 m for views down into Cirque Mafate. On the way back down, you'll visit a geranium distillery with a tasting. The afternoon in Saint Gilles les Bains is free time to do what you want. The drive covers about 70 km and takes 2 hours. Later, there's a gourmet dinner at the hotel to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet dinner at Hotel Boucan Canot)
Included Activities
- Drive to Piton Maïdo at 2,000 m for views of Cirque Mafate
- Visit geranium distillery with tasting
- Gourmet dinner at Hotel Boucan Canot
Landmarks Piton Maïdo Cirque Mafate - Day 9
Departure
You have the day to yourself before leaving. If you want, there's an optional helicopter flight over the island that you can book. Later, you'll return your rental car and drive to Saint Denis airport, about 45 km away and an hour's drive. This marks the start of your individual program after the tour ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight over the island
Landmarks Saint Denis Airport
