Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Saint Gilles les Bains
You'll arrive at the airport where you'll get your rental car and all the tour documents you need. From there, it's about a 55 km drive to Saint Gilles les Bains, which takes roughly an hour. Once you get there, the rest of the day is yours to do whatever you'd like, whether that's checking out the beach, grabbing a bite, or just settling in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Saint Gilles les Bains - Day 2
Col de Boeufs to La Nouvelle
After breakfast, you'll drive to Le Bélier and park your car at Col de Boeufs in a guarded lot for the next two days. Then the hiking begins, taking you through the car-free Mafate valley and Tamarin des Hauts forest. The descent to La Nouvelle village takes about 3 hours total, and you'll stay in a hiker's hut for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through Mafate valley and Tamarin des Hauts forest (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Cirque de Salazie Col de Boeufs Mafate Valley La Nouvelle - Day 3
Cirque de Mafate to Marla
You'll hike through the Cirque de Mafate to Les Trois Roches, which is roughly 2 to 3 hours of walking. Along the way, you'll stop by a river and waterfall to rest and take in the scenery. After that, you'll continue across a plateau toward the quiet village of Marla, another 2-hour hike, where you'll sleep in a hiker's hut.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through Cirque de Mafate to Les Trois Roches (approximately 2-3 hours)
- Hike to village of Marla (approximately 2 hours)
Landmarks Cirque de Mafate Les Trois Roches Marla - Day 4
Marla to La Plaine des Cafres
The hike back to Col de Boeufs follows a direct footpath past Gîte Maison Laclos and across the Tamarin plain, taking about 3 hours. Once you're back at the parking lot, you'll get your car and drive to La Plaine des Cafres, approximately 80 km away and taking 2.5 hours. You'll check into a hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Hike from Marla to Col de Boeufs parking lot (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Col de Boeufs La Plaine des Cafres - Day 5
Piton de la Fournaise to Saint Pierre
You'll drive from Bourg Murat toward Piton de la Fournaise, stopping at Le Nez de Boeuf peak and walking through the otherworldly Plaine des Sables plateau. The main event is hiking from Pas de Bellecombe with the volcano in view, seeing actual lava flows and reaching the main crater Dolomieu over 5 to 6 hours. After all that, you'll drive back to La Plaine des Cafres, then continue to Saint Pierre, about 80 km and 2.5 hours away, staying in a 4-star villa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Piton de la Fournaise with crater and lava flow views (approximately 5-6 hours)
Landmarks Piton de la Fournaise Le Nez de Boeuf Plaine des Sables Pas de Bellecombe Dolomieu Crater Saint Pierre - Day 6
Saint Pierre to Cilaos
You'll start by spending time at the Saint Pierre lagoon before driving into the Cilaos valley, a scenic 50 km route that takes about 1.5 hours. The mountain village of Cilaos is where you'll be based for the next two nights, and it's really the central hub of the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Lagoon visit in Saint Pierre
Landmarks Saint Pierre Lagoon Cilaos Valley Cilaos - Day 7
Cilaos
This day is completely yours to structure however you want. If you're up for hiking, you can walk to the rock cave La Chapelle through interesting terrain surrounded by the island's tallest mountains. Or you can just relax, use the pool, hit the sauna, and soak in the whirlpool at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Day hike to rock cave La Chapelle through mountain landscapes
Landmarks La Chapelle - Day 8
Cilaos to Saint Gilles les Bains
You'll get a feel for the mountain region by visiting other villages in the valley, where you'll see vines and lentil fields all around. In the afternoon, you'll head to the west coast, passing through Saint Leu on your way to Saint Gilles les Bains, about 70 km and 2 hours away. This is your last night on the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit other villages in Cilaos valley surrounded by vines and lentil fields
Landmarks Cilaos Valley Villages Saint Leu Saint Gilles les Bains - Day 9
Saint Gilles les Bains to Saint Denis
Your final day is free to do as you choose. You can book a 45-minute helicopter tour over the island if you want something special, or drive up to Piton Maïdo at 2,000 meters for incredible views. After that, you'll return your rental car at Saint Denis airport where your trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 45-minute helicopter flight over the island
- Drive to Piton Maïdo at 2,000 meters
Landmarks Piton Maïdo Saint Denis Airport
