Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Sainte Anne
A local representative meets you at the airport and hands over your rental car along with tour documents. From there, you'll drive along the coast heading to Sainte Anne, which takes about an hour covering roughly 50 km. Once you arrive, check into the Diana Dea Lodge, an eco-certified hotel where you'll be staying.
- Day 2
Hell-Bourg & Salazie Valley
Head inland toward Hell-Bourg for a 2-hour guided walking tour with a German-speaking guide (you can choose either 10:00 or 14:00 departure). The village functions as an open-air museum of Creole architecture, so there's plenty to take in. After the walking tour wraps up, you'll explore the Salazie valley to see its waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. The full drive is around 100 km taking approximately 3 hours total.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Hell-Bourg with German-speaking guide (2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of Salazie valley waterfalls and viewpoints
- Hiking trails in the Salazie valley
Landmarks/POIs Hell-Bourg Salazie Valley - Day 3
Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Hike & Saint Gilles les Bains
Start early at 8:00 for a group volcano hiking excursion with an English-speaking guide. The hike from Pas de Bellecombe to Piton de la Fournaise and back takes about 5 hours, giving you views of the volcanic landscape. Later, drive to Saint Gilles les Bains for about 4 hours covering 150 km, then check into Hotel Ness by D-Ocean, which holds EU Eco-certification.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Group volcano hike to Piton de la Fournaise with English-speaking guide (approximately 5 hours, starts 8:00)
Landmarks/POIs Pas de Bellecombe Piton de la Fournaise - Day 4
Mountain Bike Tour
Meet up at 8:00 for a group mountain bike tour led by an English-speaking guide starting above Saint Gilles les Bains. You'll ride downhill from Mont Maïdo, taking in views of the west coast while enjoying the descent down the mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided mountain bike tour (group excursion) with English-speaking guide starting 8:00
Landmarks/POIs Mont Maïdo - Day 5
Lava Tunnel Exploration
Explore the lava tunnels with a guided tour beginning at 8:00, lasting about 2 hours. You'll be equipped with a helmet, headlamp, knee pads, and gloves while learning about Piton de la Fournaise's older and younger volcanic history. The drive to reach the tunnels covers approximately 170 km taking about 3 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided lava tunnel tour with English-speaking guide (approximately 2 hours, starts 8:00, equipment provided)
Landmarks/POIs Piton de la Fournaise - Days 6 - 7
Saint Gilles les Bains Beach
Take time to rest and recover from the active days behind you. Spend the day relaxing at the beach in Saint Gilles les Bains, where the reef protects the shoreline and the sand is fine and soft. You can swim or just unwind on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach time and water activities at Saint Gilles les Bains
Landmarks/POIs Saint Gilles les Bains Beach - Day 8
Car Return & Departure
Return your rental car at Saint Denis Airport, or if you'd like, you can begin an optional individual extension program to continue exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual extension program (available for booking)
