Reunion Island

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Reunion Island Tours

EXCURSIONS TIMETABLE
DEPARTURE FROM WEST COAST HOTELS

Departure and return time vary according to the hotels and will be given to the guest at each departure. The excursions timetable might change on demand or according to the weather conditions.Departure from west coast hotels is guaranteed for a minimum of 2 persons.
With french speaking guide.

Monday : CIRQUE OF CILAOS

Leaving southward, you will reach the cirque of Cilaos entrance in the flowery tiny village of la Rivière Saint-Louis. The spectacle the very winding road offers changes at each bend. It will lead you to Cilaos village situated at 1200m altitude. The cirque is dominated by the high picks of Reunion : the trois salazes (2121m), the Grand Bénard cliff (2896m), and the Piton des neiges (3069m), the highest pick on the island. The greatest viewpoint over the cirque of Cilaos is from the Roche merveilleuse. You just have to visit an embroideress to discover « Cilaos’ days ». After Kreol lunch, leaving to the spa and back to the hotel by the end of the afternoon.

Tuesday : PITON DE LA FOURNAISE

Departure to the south and up la Plaine des cafres through the town of le Tampon, former geranium capital. Stop-over at nez de bœuf to admire the viewpoint on la Rivière des remparts valley. Stop-over at Commerson crater then crossing la Plaine des sables, a moon like landscape. From le Pas de Bellecombe cliff (2311m), you’ll be able to watch the Piton de la fournaise, as well as the small craters attesting the activity of the volcano. After lunch, visiting la Maison du volcan is compulsory in order to know the volcano secrets and the earth genesis. Leaving down to the south coast and back to Saint-Gilles along the coast under the wind.

Wednesday : CIRQUE OF SALAZIE

Departure to Saint-Denis, in the north of the island. Driving on to Saint-André on the east coast : stop-over in the tamil temple. Driving on to the cirque of Salazie, refuge of runaway slaves in XVIII and beginning of XIX century, on the only deep-cut road along la Rivière du mat river. Discovery of a wonderful  garden of greenery and waterfalls, in particular the Voile de la mariée. Arrival in Hellbourg village with its  charm of yesterday : kreol houses and flowery gardens. Lunch and walk through this peaceful landscape, before driving back to the east coast. Departure to Saint-Denis and crossing of the former colonial town

Thursday : CIRQUE OF CILAOS. Please refer to Monday description.

Friday : ½ DAY PITON MAIDO

Leaving in direction of the upper parts of the west region. Piton Maïdo is first an unforgetable viewpoint over the most mysterious cirque on the island : the cirque of Mafate. It is the crossing of very different landscape as well : huge areas of sugar cane, geranium fields and altitude forest. This excursion is marked with a visit at a geranium farmer’s in la petite France, who will give you the secrets of distillation to obtain this magical perfume essence.

(Friday, Continued)
Visit of Saint-Paul town, le tour des roches, the marine cemetery, and the market on the waterfront. One of the biggest open market on the island. You’ll be able to discover the scents and colours of local « pays » productions, local and indian ocean arts and crafts too. Back to the hotel by noon.

Saturday : THE SUD SAUVAGE OR PITON DE LA FOURNAISE

Start to the discovery of the south coast « sea and volcano » : very abrupt a coast with a lush vegetation where typical small kreol houses are scattered. This road of the flowers will lead you to Saint-phillipe, then on the several flows of lava from 1986, La pointe de la table for instance, where the island grew 25 hectares bigger. Saint-phillipe also offers the biggest forest nature reserve on the island which grew up on the latest lava (vacoas, filaos, bois de couleur …) ; 
vanilla cultivation is developped too. Lunch will be served in Saint-Phillipe where lavas and waves show an impressive spectacle. On the way back, several stop-over in the gorgeous sites of Cap méchant, Manapany, and incursion into the canyon of Langevin, up to Grand Galet waterfalls. Then stop-over on the only coconut tree beach of Grand-Anse and coming over Saint-Pierre, the south of the island main town, before reaching out the hotel.

Sunday : on demand. 4 pax minimum