La Réunion -
The ‘Grande Traversée’
13 Days 4400 ex Saint Denis
Accommodation
10 Nights in Gîte or Refuge
2 Nights in Hotel
Transportation
Mostly on foot
Transfers included
Included Meals
12 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
10 Dinners
Group Size
Min. 6 Trekkers
Max. 12 Trekkers
Dense tropical forests, breathtaking vistas of an active volcano, hidden waterfall baths, and rich cultural diversity – Réunion Island offers these experiences and so much more.
Nestled in the Indian Ocean between Mauritius and Madagascar, Réunion, a small French-speaking island of just 2500 km², punches well above its size in terms of its offerings. With over 200 microclimates, it’s a treasure trove of varied landscapes.
This volcanic island is home to more than 800 unique species, which is why its national park proudly features on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The island’s population is a vibrant mix, with European, Asian, African ancestries and more coexisting and fostering cultural interchanges. Prepare yourself for a kaleidoscopic journey.
“Jutting out of the ocean like a basaltic shield cloaked in green, Réunion is a scenically magical island that enjoys a truly astonishing diversity of landscapes. “
Lonely Planet
“Expect awesome mountains, emerald forests, tumbling waterfalls, soul-stirring panoramas, energetic coastal cities and a sprinkling of white- or black-sand beaches – not to mention the formidable Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes.
With its extraordinarily varied terrain, Réunion is a dream destination for lovers of the outdoors.”
Lonely Planet
The roof of the Indian Ocean.
At just over 3,000 metres, that is the Piton des Neiges.
Incredibly, this tiny speck in the vast ocean (over 70 million square kilometres) that is La Réunion, boasts the highest point within this vast expanse of blue.
It’s said, that on a clear and crisp morning, almost the entirety of this jagged island of dark volcanic rock, sandy beaches and tropical jungle can be spied from this vantage point.
Tomorrow morning, in the dark of the pre-dawn, we’ll be gingerly making our way to that summit in anticipation of clear skies, the warming sun, and those views.
That said, even the views above the cloud are said to be something else anyway…
C’est la vie!
The Journey
Welcome to Réunion Island!
Meet your group and guide at St-Denis. Evening meal at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Morning transfer by private minubus to Le Brûlé and preparation time.
Departure to the starting point of our hike, les Hauts de Saint Denis (1180m).
We are soon surrounded by lush vegetation and follow a small path through the rainforest to the Plaine des Chicots gîte (1800m). (B,L,D)
2 – 3 hours of walking
Elevation: +660m/-35m
Accommodation: Gîte
Night without luggage – you will be reunited with your bags on day 3.
Ascent to the summit of La Roche Ecrite at 2277m, from where we enjoy a splendid view of the cirques of Salazie and Mafate and the summit of Piton des Neiges.
La Roche Ecrite is also a nature reserve for the protection of the Tuit Tuit, endemic bird of the island in danger of extinction.
Continuing the trek towards Dos d’Âne, the path takes us through a beautiful tropical forest before passing very close to the Mafate cirque that we overlook. We continue through the ridges before reaching the Roche Vert Bouteille, a vertical rock more than 6m high.
We end our hike at the Dos D’âne gîte where we spend the night. (B,L,D)
7 hours of walking
Elevation: +600m/-1400m
Accommodation: Local Gîte (you are reunited with your bags)
We’re headed towards the Mafate cirque, an historic place linked to the marronnage. Our guide tells us the stories of the past that have shaped the character of the islanders.
We hike in the heart of the tropical vegetation, crossing footbridges and rivers, following the Rivière des Galets, stopping near the river for a picnic lunch and a refreshing swim (should you desire).
We go up slowly and the exuberant vegetation has kept the charm of an exotic garden. We finally arrive at Grand Place for our room allocations in the Gîte. (B,L,D)
6 hours of walking
Elevation: +950m/-1100m
Accommodation: Gîte
Part with your bags in the morning following morning, reunited again in Cilaos on day 7
It’s an early morning departure ahead of a long days walking, into the heart of the Cirque de Mafate.
Enjoy shelter from the high cliffs and superb views of the surrounding peaks. We’ll pass several ilets, small hamlets, which give us insight as to what it is like to live amongst nature here, in the roadless part of Réunion Island. (B,L,D)
7 hours of walking
Elevation: +1100m/-770m
Accommodation: Gîte
Night without luggage – you will be reunited with your bags in Cilaos (Day 7).
Discover Trois Roches and a surprising view from atop a waterfall, of the river and its distant, inaccessible waterfalls.
With this elevated view of the river, it is easy to imagine how the stream can transform into a torrent during cyclone induced flooding.
Explore volcanic features at the base of a 1000m cliff which forms the cirque and follow the riverbed up to the delightful settlement of Marla (1630m). This route involves crossing the river two or three more times. (B,L,D)
6 hours of walking
Elevation: +900m/-350m
Accommodation: Gîte
Night without luggage – you will be reunited with your bags in Cilaos (Day 7).
Today we hike through the col du Taïbit (2083m), the passage which links the Cirque de Mafate to the Cirque de Cilaos.
The views from up here do not disappoint, on a clear day you can expect a spectacular display of the surrounding cirques, the south coast and Grand Bénare volcanic peak.
The route continues down through the thick vegetation of the ‘Bois des Couleurs’ to Cilaos. From here, it is a 15 minute local bus to our accommodation. (B,L,D)
3 – 4 hours of walking
Elevation: +450m/-820m
Accommodation: Gite
Your bags will be waiting for you.
The shaded path up to tonight’s refuge is steep.
Throughout the ascent, there are many beautiful viewing points from which to admire Cilaos.
The climb continues up to rewarding views and around 2500m of altitude where our accommodation awaits… (B,L,D)
3 to 4 hours of walking
Elevation: +1100m/-50m
Accommodation: Refuge
Night without luggage – you will be reunited with your bags tomorrow.
It’s a nighttime departure for the summit of the Piton des Neiges at 3070m above sea level, the highest point in the Indian Ocean.
The views from here are truly amazing and, as your surroundings are illuminated by the first glow of the morning sun, we are sure you will agree that this is a very special place.
We’ll then return to the refuge for breakfast.
The route continues down to the muddy Mare à Boue, along the passage of the eery la Caverne Bras Chansons to the enchanting Piton Tortue and lush green pastures below (amazing for these latitudes).
It’s then a short transfer from Bourg Murat to our accommodation in la Plaine des Cafres. (B,L,D)
8 to 9 hours of walking
Elevation: +700m/-1600m
Accommodation: Gîte
Your luggage will be waiting for you.
Today we leave the lush green pastures of the Plaine des Cafres and head to a vastly different environment via the Plaine des Sables.
This plateau was formed by a volcanic eruption roughly 1000 years ago and has an alien, desert-like feel to it.
Journey into a volcanic world of red ochre tephra as we head to the Gîte du Volcan (Volcano Lodge). (B,L,D)
4 hours of walking
Elevation: +350m/-250m
Accommodation: Gîte
Journey time: 30 minutes
Your luggage will be waiting for you.
Today we are in for a treat exploring one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Piton de la Fournaise.
Climb the main crater and discover a rich world of strange colours, surprising minerals and warped shapes with fumaroles and sulphur revealing glimpses of the intense activity of this unique shield volcano. (B,L,D)
5 to 6 hours of walking
Elevation: +600m/-600m
Accommodation: Gîte
Your luggage will be waiting for you.
It’s our last day of walking, and we’ll end in style, striding towards the Indian Ocean.
Our route follows the caldera and we admire new views of the volcano and the ocean.
Smaller craters dot our path, as we follow the road and cross the Plaine des Sables, where the final show begins!
We’ll follow the evolution of the island, going from the rocky minerals to the first plants, final burying ourselves in a dense tropical forest.
The final push will be to the foot of magnificent waterfalls, a wonderful conclusion to the days of trekking.
Transfer to Saint-Gilles to relax in our hotel with swimming pool and near the lagoon. Dinner at your leisure. (B,L)
8 hours of walking
Elevation: +200m/-1800m
Transport: Minibus
Accommodation: Hôtel
Au revoir! Our adventure is finished! Journey onward or home at your leisure. (B)
GETTING THERE
La Réunion, perched in the middle of the Indian Ocean looks remote, however, it is more accessible than one might think.
From Australia, it is reasonably well connected via Perth with Air Mauritius, via Bangkok with Thai Airways/Air Austral, or via Dubai with Emirates.
From Europe, there are direct flights from Paris, departing from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
Includes
- Gîte accommodation with shared facilities
- Full supported by an expert, qualified guide
- All meals as noted (B,L,D)
- Full board from breakfast Day 2 to lunch Day 12
- 2 nights in Hotel accommodation
- All in-country transfers by private vehicle as detailed in the itinerary
- Luggage transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Secure baggage storage
- Full supervision by an expert-qualified guide
If you are travelling alone and do not wish to share accommodation, a Single Supplement of $150 will apply only for the hotel portion of the trip (mountain huts do not have single rooms).
Excludes
- International airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Local expenses
- Meals on Day 1 & Dinner on Day 12
Your Guides and Safety
Our lead guides are fully trained, registered and licensed tour guides. All are passionate about nature and the wonderful landscape of La reunion and have a deep understanding of this unique island’s unique culture and history.
Accommodation
What on earth is a Gîte?
A “gîte” is a holiday home in a stand alone building and will almost always be self catering (although not always as you’ll see below).
The Best Time To Travel To La Réunion
The best time to explore La Réunion is from May through until December (January through to March is the Cyclone season).
July to October are the driest months and the cool temperatures are ideal for hiking. Be warned though, the mornings and evenings are cold at this time. It gets very busy from July to the end of August as these are the main French school holidays (and around Christmas).
Meals On The Trip
No matter where we take you, food is an important component of any No Roads Expeditions trip. La Réunion, with it’s fusion of European, African and Asian influences is no exception.
All meals are outlined within the itinerary (B,L,D).
Breakfast: Continental style breakfasts are served at your accommodation each morning. You can expect tea, coffee, fruit juice, bread, butter, jam and maybe meats and cheeses.
Lunch: Picnic lunches will be provided each day. These will include fresh seasonal produce, cheese, meat, salad and fruit. Please be aware
that you will be expected to carry your lunch and water with you each day.
Dinner: Hot, hearty, home cooked meals of local cuisine are served at your accommodation. Supplies in this remote area are delivered by helicopter so evening meals may not vary greatly but you’re sure to love the mix of French, Indian, Chinese and African flavours that are Creole cuisine. The traditional dish is a curry with tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger and spices served with either chicken, duck or fish and accompanied by rice, grains (beans or lentils) and rougail, a spicy condiment flavoured with tomato, lemon and pistachio.
