Itinerary Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the beautiful Indian Ocean scenery of this compact French island
- Hike to the summit of the active volcano, Piton De La Fournaise (last erupted August 2023)
- Enjoy the freedom of exploring the three Cirques with an unforgettable, leisurely self-drive
- Stay at LUX* Saint Gilles (formerly LUX* Ile de la Reunion), the most popular beach resort
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Car Hire
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Combine the active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, alongside breathtaking scenery and picturesque mountain towns in the three Cirques with a beach holiday where you can dive, surf, golf and paraglide on this two-week Reunion Island self-drive tour.
At the core of the island you’ll find the three cirques—Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate. Once the craters of long-dormant volcanoes, these cirques are now spectacularly scenic, with peaks and gorges, waterfalls and thermal springs, remote hamlets and picturesque villages.
Additionally, by heading to the coastal highway driving to Hermitage-les-Bains, you can discover the wonders of LUX* Saint Gilles (formerly LUX* Ile de la Reunion). It's the perfect area to relax in following your time exploring the cirques. There are seven hectares of tropical garden overlooking the lagoon to discover, as well as the 600 metres of beach (protected by a coral reef) it stands along.
The itinerary is completely flexible – you can start on the coast and end in the mountains, spending more or less time in each place. It's a wonderful island and one of our favourite places for a self-drive holiday.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 2 | Hell-Bourg, Cirque de Salazie
Arrive in Reunion and collect your hire car. Then drive east, through lush fields of sugar cane and past Tamil temples built by plantation workers, to Hell-Bourg - voted one of the most beautiful villages on the island. Hell-Bourg is the main settlement in the lovely Cirque de Salazie and has many delightful Creole buildings here.
Stay for two nights at Diana Dea Lodge in a Standard Room, with breakfast included.
Day 3 | Cirque de Salazie
Salazie is the lushest of the three amphitheatres. Its 100 waterfalls plummet down spectacular gorges and cliffs like giant, silver ribbons.
Walk to the hot springs, Les Sources Petrifiantes, or drive to the outstanding viewpoint at Le Point du Jour and the nearby cascade.
Alternatively, why not go canyoning, mountain biking or climbing? Or, explore the Forest of Belouve, with its endemic silvery tamarind trees.
Day 4 | Bebour Forest
Drive south and cross the high plains, the area that separates the three cirques from the volcano. If you're a nature enthusiast, why not explore Bebour Forest? It's home to a carpet of white lilies and is dominated by enormous, prehistoric-looking tree ferns. You could see some of the endemic birds and a variety of rare plants during one walk in Bebour Forest. Pause in Bourg Murat to visit the volcano centre.
Stay at Les Geraniums (with breakfast included), with its views of Piton des Neiges. At 3069m, it's the highest mountain in the Indian Ocean.
Day 5 | Piton de la Fournaise & the Lava Flows
Explore the awesome volcano, Piton de la Fournaise (‘Peak of the Furnace’), which has erupted several times in recent years (most recently in August 2023). Then drive to the village of St Philippe on the verdant, tropical southeast coast. To discover why St Philippe is one of Reunion’s easternmost settlements, drive a short distance towards Tremblet to see the recent flows of lava. In this part of the island, the rugged coast is one of black pebble beaches or black volcanic cliffs.
Retrace your route to stay two nights at Villa Belle near St Pierre, with breakfast included.
Day 6 | La Riviere Langevin & St Pierre
From Villa Belle, you could visit St Pierre, with its charming fishing port, 19th-century dry dock and craft market.
Walk to La Riviere Langevin and see the amazing waterfalls.
Or, do the botanical ramble at Mare-Longue and the Garden of Perfume and Spices (a one-and-a-half-hour walk in the middle of tropical trees, flowers and spices) near St Philippe.
Day 7 | Cirque de Cilaos
Drive west along the coastal highway and inland to the mountain town of Cilaos. This is a superb, scenic drive with views of the island’s high mountains and steep gorges – you'll understand exactly why Reunion has been called 'the Nepal of the Indian Ocean’ along the way.
In Cilaos, stay for two nights at the comfortable Hotel Tsilaosa (with breakfast included), which has wonderful views over the cirque. Enjoy friendly service and good cooking during your visit.
Day 8 | Cirque de Cilaos
Cilaos amphitheatre is the largest of the cirques, its beauty akin to the Alps in summer. There are wonderful hiking trails up into the mountain forests and among the ravines – as well as gentle, shorter walks. You can also enjoy scenic drives to La Roche Merveilleuse and the hamlet of Ilet a Cordes.
Just outside town, the Irenee Accot health spa offers a wide range of treatments. Activities include canyoning (abseiling down waterfalls), mountain biking, guided walks and tennis. Alternatively, we can arrange an overnight hike – Piton des Neiges is one popular choice.
Day 9 | Hermitage-les-Bains
Day 10 - 15 | Hermitage-les-Bains
The hotel has tennis courts, bikes, the largest pool on the island and a choice of four restaurants.
Additionally, its beach is protected by a coral reef whereas the snorkelling is excellent. Diving, surfing, golf and paragliding are 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. You could make a day hike along the rim to the summit of Le Grand Benard or descend to the village of Roche Plate – or from St Gilles, take a helicopter trip into the cirque.
Candice Buchan
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
Candice Buchan
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
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