La Réunion Tour: The Wild Island
⁍ Journeys ◦ Africa ◦ La Réunion ◦ Nature ◦ Culture ◦ Beach ◦ Family ◦ Couples ◦ Rental Car
Highlights
La Réunion: From Crater to Coral in 11 Days
✓ You'll discover the volcanic heart of Réunion during a hike on Piton de la Fournaise and a tour through the lava tunnels of Grand Brûlé.
✓ You’ll tackle the Rivière Langevin on a canyoning course featuring waterfalls, natural slides, jumps, and rappels.
✓ You’ll venture deep into Mafate by 4x4 and on foot, and later descend from Maïdo by mountain bike for more than 35 kilometers toward the coast.
✓ You’ll paddle in a transparent kayak across the clear blue lagoon off the west coast, with a view of corals and tropical fish right below you.
Luxury Tour of La Réunion
La Réunion isn’t one for half-measures. The roads climb straight up into the mountains, waterfalls cascade down green rock faces, and in the center of the island, an active volcano dominates the landscape. Black lava rock today, tropical rainforest tomorrow. In the mood for some action? Great, because here your hiking boots rarely stay in your suitcase for long.
You’ll start among the waterfalls and Creole houses of Salazie. After that, Piton de la Fournaise takes center stage. You’ll hike past craters and lava fields, but the most exciting part lies beneath your feet: wearing a helmet and headlamp, you’ll explore tunnels formed by ancient lava flows.
On the south coast, it’s time to put on your wetsuit for canyoning in Langevin. Cilaos then takes you deep into the mountains via a road full of hairpin turns. And then there’s Mafate. No roads, no shortcuts. You drive in a 4x4 as far as the trail goes and continue on foot.
The grand finale? Mountain biking from Maïdo and paddling across the Saint-Gilles lagoon while corals and tropical fish appear beneath your kayak. La Réunion knows how to keep a road trip exciting.
Itinerary
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After arriving, you’ll pick up your rental car and drive straight into the lush countryside. The road to Salazie winds past steep mountainsides, waterfalls, and tropical vegetation all the way to Hell-Bourg. You’ll discover the village with its Creole houses and gardens and have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area on your own. A special start, right in the heart of one of the island’s most spectacular cirques.
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Green gives way to black, red, and rust-brown. You’ll drive toward Piton de la Fournaise, where barren plains and jagged craters form an almost otherworldly landscape. Put on your hiking boots for a trek across the volcanic landscape, and then discover what lies hidden beneath that solidified lava. Put on your helmet, turn on your headlamp: in the lava tunnels, you’ll walk, crouch, and crawl through passages that were once carved out by molten rock.
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The road winds down toward the south coast, and Saint-Pierre once again brings color and the ocean into view. But first: canyoning. In the Rivière Langevin, you’ll follow the water past small waterfalls, natural slides, jumps, a zipline, and rappels. Put on your wetsuit and let’s go. Afterward, the south coast awaits, with its rougher landscapes and Saint-Pierre as a lively base.
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The road to Cilaos has plenty of hairpin turns to make the drive itself an adventure. Steep rock faces, deep ravines, and mountain peaks fill your windshield as you drive deeper and deeper into the cirque. Once you reach the top, you’ll discover a whole different side of La Réunion, nestled among the mountains. Be sure to look back every now and then: the views along the way deserve at least as much attention as the destination.
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The west coast serves as the backdrop for three completely different days. From Rivière des Galets, you’ll first drive by 4x4 to Deux Bras and then hike with a mountain guide to Îlet de Cayenne, deep in Mafate. The next morning, you’ll start at an elevation of 2,200 meters near Maïdo for “La Classique,” a mountain bike descent of over 35 kilometers through forests and sugarcane fields toward the coast. Along the way, you’ll hop into a transparent kayak and paddle across the clear blue lagoon, on the lookout for colorful fish, coral, and perhaps even a stingray or sea turtle.
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One more breakfast with the Indian Ocean nearby, soaking up that tropical light for just a little while longer. Then you’ll drive your rental car to the airport and return the keys. The mountain roads, black lava, and blue lagoon will come home with you in your camera roll.
Practical Information
Duration 11 days, 10 nights
Indicative price €2.150 per person
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This estimated price is subject to change at any time. The estimated price includes a rental car and accommodations but does not include flights. With Pegase Tailored, we bring your travel dreams to life, fully tailored to your wishes. No one-size-fits-all package—just a unique trip that lets you discover the world on your own terms. Best time to visit
Our highlight from the trip
“The biggest surprise in La Réunion? You’ll find it underground. First, hike through the lava tunnels of Grand Brûlé, and then head to Piton de la Fournaise: that way, you’ll discover the volcano from the inside and the outside.”
Maïté Quijo, Luxury Travel Advisor
Featured hotels
Le Tapacala, Cilaos
Tapacala is a small-scale guesthouse in the mountain village of Cilaos, nestled in the heart of the Cirque de Cilaos. The rooms have been designed with a focus on local materials. This philosophy is also reflected in the authentic cuisine, which features regional ingredients.
Battant des Lames, Saint-Pierre
Right on the ocean, you’ll stay at a contemporary hotel on the coast of Saint-Pierre, with the beach and the lively promenade nearby. From the hotel, you’ll enjoy views of the Indian Ocean and have easy access to the volcanic interior and the rugged southern region of Réunion.
Hotel Boucan Canot, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
You’ll end up right on the Indian Ocean, at one of the west coast’s most famous beaches. Le Boucan Canot is a charming four-star hotel featuring Creole architecture and a panoramic seaside location. It’s a stylish base for exploring Mafate, Maïdo, and the lagoon during the final days of your trip.
Featured experiences
Underground in Grand Brûlé
You put on a helmet and a headlamp and literally disappear beneath a solidified lava flow. Sometimes you walk upright; a moment later, you’re crouching or crawling through passages formed by the lava itself. With an experienced guide, this volcanic world gets all the attention it deserves.
Deep into Mafate
You’ll start the day with an adventurous 4x4 ride through the riverbed of the Rivière des Galets to Deux Bras. From there, you’ll continue on foot toward Îlet de Cayenne, while your guide tells you about the geology, vegetation, and daily life in Mafate along the way. Views of Îlet des Orangers, Piton Maïdo, Cap Noir, and other landmarks make the hike much more than just a physical challenge.
Through the bottom of the kayak
At Trou d’Eau, you’ll climb into a completely transparent kayak. For two hours, you’ll follow your guide across the lagoon while fish and corals glide right beneath you; with a little luck, you might even spot a stingray or a sea turtle along the way. It’s a surprisingly colorful experience after all the craters, mountain trails, and lava fields.
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