Reunion Island - Self-Drive

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.