Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival to Hell-Bourg
An agency representative meets you and hands over your round trip information along with your rental car. From there, you'll drive east to check out a vanilla plantation in Saint André, then head into the Cirque de Salazie basin where you'll see waterfalls and banana plantations spread across the landscape. Hell-Bourg comes next, and the village itself is like an open-air museum with its Creole architecture. Before wrapping up, stop by Villa Folio to learn about the area's history and how the community developed.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit typical vanilla plantation in Saint André
- Explore Cirque de Salazie basin
- Visit Villa Folio in Hell-Bourg
Landmarks Vanilla plantation Cirque de Salazie Villa Folio - Day 2
East and South Coast to Plaine des Cafres
Today focuses on the east and south coasts, where lava formations tell the story of the island's volcanic past. The church Notre Dame des Laves is worth seeing because it somehow survived when lava destroyed everything around it. Later in the day, swing by the Jardin des Parfums et des Epices in Saint Philippe to wander through the botanical garden and spot plants that only grow here. After that, you'll drive up to the plateau and on to La Plaine des Cafres as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Notre Dame des Laves church
- Visit Jardin des Parfums et des Epices botanical garden in Saint Philippe
Landmarks Notre Dame des Laves Jardin des Parfums et des Epices 
- Day 3
Piton de la Fournaise to Cilaos
Head up toward Piton de la Fournaise volcano with a stop at Le Nez de Boeuf to take in views of the Plaine des Sables plateau and Pas de Bellecombe mountain pass. A one-hour walk gets you to the small crater Formica Léo, though if you want to push it, the summit takes around 5-6 hours and gives you a unique perspective of the main crater. In the afternoon, visit La Maison du Volcan museum and then make your way to Cilaos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Piton de la Fournaise volcano area with stopover at Le Nez de Boeuf
- Optional walk to Formica Léo crater (one hour)
- Optional visit to volcano summit (approximately 5-6 hours round trip)
- Visit La Maison du Volcan museum
Landmarks Piton de la Fournaise Le Nez de Boeuf Plaine des Sables Pas de Bellecombe Formica Léo crater La Maison du Volcan - Day 4
Cilaos
You have the day free to do what appeals to you around Cilaos. Take a trekking tour through the Cirque de Cilaos basin and mountain scenery, or simply explore the town itself. It's known for thermal springs and beautiful embroidery work, so you might soak in a hot spring, watch artisans at their looms, or taste local Cilaos wine. The surrounding villages in this mountain region have their own character, so wandering around and poking into different spots works well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trekking tour of Cirque de Cilaos basin
- Visit thermal springs
- Watch embroidery work demonstrations
- Cilaos wine tasting
- Visit surrounding villages
Landmarks Cirque de Cilaos - Day 5
Cilaos to Saint Gilles les Bains
After breakfast, take a walk through lush vegetation to reach La Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint where mountain views open up in all directions. Then drive over to the west coast and Saint Leu, a fishing village that's also become known for paragliding activity. The Kelonia Observatory lets you see sea turtles in a more natural setting. Later, continue down to Saint Gilles les Bains, which is the island's main seaside resort with plenty of beach and water activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk to La Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint
- Visit Kelonia Observatory to see sea turtles
Landmarks La Roche Merveilleuse Saint Leu Kelonia Observatory Saint Gilles les Bains 
- Day 6
Piton Maïdo to Saint Denis Airport
Start early and drive up to Piton Maïdo at 2,000 meters elevation for views over the Cirque de Mafate basin (accessible only on foot or by helicopter, which shows just how remote it is). On the way back down, stop at a geranium distillery that happens to have produced the world's first geranium oil. From there, head to Saint Denis airport to return your rental car and wrap up the organized portion of the trip, leaving you free to continue with whatever you've planned next.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Piton Maïdo viewpoint overlooking Cirque de Mafate
- Visit geranium distillery
Landmarks Piton Maïdo Cirque de Mafate Geranium distillery
