Itinerary Highlights
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Car Hire
13 nights from £3,550 per person
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
If you enjoy spectacular scenery, outdoor pursuits or adrenaline activities, tropical beaches or walking and hiking, you'll love Reunion. For birders or those who take pleasure in exploring the hidden corners of France, Reunion Island is an excellent choice for a touring holiday. This itinerary combines the volcano with picturesque towns in magnificent settings and time to relax at the beach, but it's completely flexible and can start on the coast and end in the mountains. There are excellent family-friendly places to stay too, and with so many different activities on offer, we can tailor-make a holiday to suit all tastes and interests. If you love the outdoor life, you'll love Reunion!
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly from London to Reunion via Pari...
Fly from London to Reunion via Paris with Air France, or via Mauritius with Air Mauritius.
Day 2 Cirque de Salazie
Collect your hire car and take a leisurely drive to Hell-Bourg through lush fields of sugar cane, and past Tamil temples built by the descendants of plantation workers. Hell-Bourg, the main settlement in the magnificent Cirque de Salazie amphitheatre, is one of the most beautiful villages on the island with brightly coloured Creole buildings.
Day ends at Sainte Anne, in the east of the island, for a 2-night stay at Diana Dea Lodge, breakfast included.
Day 3 Cirque de Salazie
Picturesque Salazie, with its tumbling waterfalls and spectacular gorges, is the lushest of the three amphitheatres dominating the centre of the island. From here you can walk to the hot springs, explore the Forest of Belouve, and drive to the outstanding viewpoint at Le Point du Jour and the nearby cascade. If you enjoy high-energy activities, you can go canyonning, mountain-biking or climbing
Day 4 Wild South
On the fourth day, drive south across the island, over the high plains that separate the three cirques from the active volcano. Visit Anse les Cascades and it's endemic Elefant foot palmtree, in Cap Mechant where you can see the pirate's hole...
Drive on to Le Tampon and St Pierre where you can mingle with the locals as they promenade and sip a refreshing drink at the marina.
Stop at Grand Anse, one of the most lovely beaches on the island, and stay 2-nights at the four star Palm Hotel & Spa, breakfast included
Day 5 Grand Anse & Piton de la Fournaise
At Grand Anse you can divide your time between relaxing on the white sand beach and exploring the rugged, black pebble beaches and volcanic cliffs of the southeast coast.
The island's active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise (or peak of the furnace), is easy to reach from your base at the Palm Hotel. At the coastal village of St Philippe you can walk on the crust of recent black lava flows.
Day 6 Cirque de Cilaos
Drive inland to the village of Entre-Deux. Continue to Cilaos where you stay 2 nights at Hotel Dimitile, breakfast included.
Climb to the summit of Dimitile from where there is a stunning view over the largest of the calderas, Cilaos.
Staying at
Hotel Dimitile
Day 7 Cirque de Cilaos
There are wonderful hiking trails up into the Alpine-like mountain forests and among the ravines, as well as many gentle, shorter walks. Entre-Deux is just a 40-minute drive from Cilaos.
Just outside Cilaos, the Irenee Accot health spa offers a chance to recuperate in hot thermal springs, rich in minerals.
Day 8 Saint Gilles les Bains
Drive back along the coastal highway to LUX* Ile de la Réunion for a 5-night stay in a superior room, breakfast included. This five star property is only 3 kms out side of St Gilles on of the island’s most popular beach resorts and on one of the best beaches at Hermitage-les-Bains, an excellent base for exploring the surrounds or simply relaxing prior to your return home.
Day 9 St-Gilles-les-Bains, Cirque de Mafate & Le Grand B
Diving and surfing, golf and paragliding are all available nearby. Drive up to Le Maido, on the rim of the Cirque de Mafate for breathtaking views of the peaks and into the cirque itself. During your time here you could take a day hike along the rim to the summit of Le Grand Benard or descend to the village of Roche Plate.
From near St Gilles take a helicopter trip into the calderas - this is a really exciting trip and whilst the cost is not insignificant the views are tremendous. After the day's adventures, enjoy the lively local nightlife.
Day 13 On your last day, return your hire ...
On your last day, return your hire car to the St Denis airport and check in for your overnight return flight to London via Paris or Mauritius
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
13 nights from £3,550 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
10th Jan 2023 -
31st Dec 2023
31st Dec 2023
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Inclusive of International flights via Paris orMauritiusfrom London, airport taxes, GroupE car hire (a/c - Renault Clio or similar - 5doors) and 11 nights accommodation with breakfasts daily.Excludes: items of a personal nature, drink, additional meals, activities, entrance fees, fuel, car hire extras, visa fees.Flight supplements may apply in peak seasons, book early to secure the best airfares to Reunion.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
