10-day itinerary in Réunion

On arrival at the airport, collect your hire car and head for the west coast to get off to a gentle start on your discovery of this intense island. Once you've arrived in Saint-Gilles, and checked into your hotel, enjoy a lazy afternoon to rest up from the flight.

The Saint-Gilles region is a seaside destination par excellence. It's easy to spend a few days here, from siestas on the sand to swimming in the lagoon, shopping in the markets and typical boutiques, and nightlife in the bars lining the seafront.

Discover the lagoon

To discover the warm turquoise waters of the lagoon, there are a number of activities on offer: snorkelling, paddle-boarding, kayaking or simply swimming... The lagoon's beaches, lined with filaos trees, offer shady spots and, above all, safe bathing spots. Protected by the coral reef, the lagoon is the only place where you can swim in complete safety without fear of sharks.

Helicopter flight over the island

What better way to get to know the island and all its features than from the air? Flying over this magnificent island in a helicopter is the best way to discover its best-kept secrets, which are sometimes inaccessible to hikers. It's an unforgettable experience that's sure to make a lasting impression on your stay in the Indian Ocean!

The cost of a helicopter flight over the island is considerable, but well worth it. You should plan to leave early in the morning, as the inland areas are quickly covered in clouds and visibility is reduced. There are several tours to choose from, including a flight over one cirque and the coast, and a flight over all three cirques and the volcano.

Saint-Paul market

After this exciting morning, head to the Saint-Paul market (on Fridays) to discover all that Réunion has to offer in the way of basketry, spices, fabrics and other traditionally made objects. Ideal for craft lovers!

Catamaran trip

And to round off the day in style, why not opt for a catamaran trip at sunset? You're sure to spot a few dolphins playing around the boats.

Dolphin and whale watching

What could be more magical than watching dolphins and whales in their natural habitat? Off the coast of Réunion Island, these mammals make their home in the Indian Ocean, from June to September for humpback whales during the breeding season, and throughout the year for dolphins.

This morning, you set off with specialist guides to observe the cetaceans by snorkelling. In a spirit of respect for the animals, this will not be a free swim with the dolphins, but rather underwater observation with a guide. It's also an opportunity to admire the coral and marine fauna of the Indian Ocean.

Horse riding in the savannah of Reunion Island

If you're a fan of westerns, ranches, cowboys and horse riding, this is the activity for you. In Saint-Gilles, the rolling hills and tall grass of Cap Lahoussaye gave the Shai Ena agency an idea for an unusual activity in Réunion.

With her lasso and her horses, originally from the American West, the guide offers tourists the chance to set off into the savannah of Réunion. Two hours of total change of scenery, punctuated by the sunset over the Indian Ocean, followed by a visit to the ranch decorated with portraits of Indian chiefs. For more information, click here.

This morning, you will leave the coast and take the car towards the heart of the island and the Salazie cirque! This cirque is the most accessible on the island, and the road leading to it is one of the most beautiful on the island. It offers breathtaking panoramas, so don't hesitate to stop off regularly to enjoy them. In particular, you'll be able to admire a dozen waterfalls and lush vegetation. Of particular note is the Pisse en l'air waterfall, which lands directly on the road at ....!

You'll be spending the day in Salazie, in the heart of the mountains, in a 10,000-hectare green paradise with breathtaking waterfalls, tropical forest and villages with Creole architecture. Don't forget your trainers, as hiking here is unavoidable, and can take from 30 minutes to 9 hours... the choice is yours!

Depending on the trail, you can explore the Bélouve forest and the famous Trou de Fer, admire the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, climb the Piton d'Anchaing or discover the authentic Hell-Bourg, one of France's most beautiful villages. Depending on the time you have available, you can easily spend two days exploring the Salazie cirque.

The Grand Brûlé

This morning, setting off from Salazie, we head for the wild south of the island via one of the island's not-to-be-missed routes: the lava road. This road, which winds along the east coast, crosses the Grand Brûlé. This is the name given to the eastern flank of the Piton de la Fournaise, covered in lava flows that bear witness to the volcano's powerful eruptions. An exceptional sight, these steaming lava flows flowing into the sea have enabled the island to expand by several hectares.

In some places, the lava has taken on astonishing shapes and offers artistic surprises, notably at Table Point, where you can admire waterfalls and an arch of petrified lava. You can easily cover the lava route in a morning. In the afternoon, there are several possibilities for visits in the south.

Garden of Perfumes and Spices

The Perfume and Spice Garden is a private garden that you can visit on your own or with a guide. Here you can discover over 1,500 different species of plants, flowers and trees. With century-old trees, perfume plants, fruit trees, medicinal plants and spice plants, all your senses will be awakened in this haven of peace.

Cap Méchant

Close to the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices, Cap Méchant is a place of great beauty not to be missed. The contrast between the blue of the ocean, with its waves crashing against the black cliffs formed by lava flows, is striking.

Grande Anse

End your day at Grande Anse. This superb beach lined with coconut palms is the perfect place to watch the sun set. At weekends, you'll be in the company of many Reunionese families who come to share a convivial moment over a picnic.

Beach or waterfall

This morning, you have two options. Enjoy a lazy morning on the beach, or make a detour to the Langevin waterfall, one of the most beautiful on the island. It takes around 40 minutes to get there by car from Grande Anse. It will then take you 1? hours to reach Saint-Pierre.

Visit the Saga of RumRum is a ubiquitous drink on Réunion, and has been part of local traditions for decades. This museum, devoted entirely to the history of the spirit, showcases how it is made. The Saga of Rum reveals the human adventure that links Réunion to sugar cane. You'll still find a traditional distillery here today.

Narassingua Peroumal Temple

This Hindu temple dedicated to the god Narashima, avatar of the deity Vishnu, was built in the 1800s and restored more recently by artists from southern India. It's a real eye-catcher, with its shimmering colours! Throughout the island, you'll find a wide variety of places of worship. These temples bear precious witness to the harmonious cohabitation of Réunion's different cultures.

At the end of the day, head for Plaine des Cafres to spend the night as close as possible to the start of the early morning hike that awaits you the next day. This will be one of the highlights of your stay: the Piton de la Fournaise!

Piton de la Fournaise is an active volcano that amazes as much as it frightens! It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, constantly under surveillance, but only dangerous if the lava flows hit inhabited areas, which hasn't happened for decades.

Climbing the volcano (2,631 metres) is relatively easy, provided you are in good physical condition and well equipped. Make sure you bring woollens and rain gear, as the weather changes very quickly.

The hike starts at the Pas de Bellecombe and takes around 5 hours, but you must follow the signs. The crossing of the Plaine des Sables, a vast lunar landscape, and the view of the fumaroles from the craters are the two highlights of the ascent.

This morning, it's off to the cirque of Cilaos, around 1h / 1h30 from Saint-Pierre. It is reached by the road known as the 400 virages. There are many small villages scattered here and there, but it's in the centre of the cirque that you'll find the main town of Cilaos, a colourful village of 6,200 inhabitants perched at an altitude of 1,200 metres. The cirque attracts hikers for its many footpaths, waterfalls and lush natural surroundings, as well as for its many specialities.

The thermal baths at Cilaos offer cures in water that is between 31 and 38 degrees Celsius. The relatively low altitude means that vines can be grown here to produce Cilaos wine, Réunion's only vintage. Another speciality of the cirque is lentils (also known as grains), harvested in November. Last but not least, it is on the islet of Cilaos that expert needleworkers produce the famous openwork embroidery, renowned throughout the island.

The Cirque de Cilaos is also a sportsman's paradise: hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, climbing, tree climbing... There's something for everyone, in a magnificent natural environment! You can also see the Piton des Neiges, the highest point on the island at 3070 metres. Finally, head to the Roche Merveilleuse lookout for a panoramic view of the village of Cilaos and the surrounding ramparts.

On this final day, we head for Cap Noir and Roche Verre Bouteille to take in the breathtaking views of the island's last cirque: the Mafate cirque. This is a short, easy hike to round off your stay in style. However, the trail is vertiginous in places, overhanging the Rivière des Galets at around 1000m. There are also passages with ladders.

For this excursion, you can leave your car in a secure car park on the outskirts of Dos d'ne, a small village. We recommend you take this walk in the early morning to take advantage of the clear skies. The loop is 2.9 km long and takes around 2 hours. If you don't have time to get there, it's a great way to admire the Mafate cirque.

In the afternoon, return to the west coast to enjoy the last few moments of idleness on the beach and a final sunset over the Indian Ocean!