Rad' Réunion: an active island adventure
Itinerary
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Day 1 Maïdo - St-Gilles
Collect your vehicle and hit the road to Maïdo for a stupendous panorama of the Cirque de Mafate. Then, take the road to St-Gilles, on the way you can stop and visit the Museum of Villele (payable locally), this museum was a large farm during the colonization of Réunion Island and explains the story of how the French first arrived on this tiny Island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. At St-Gilles you can visit Réunion Aquarium to discover the rich and varied marine life of the area. This afternoon, why not visit Trou d'Eau and explore a stunning coral reef and crystal lagoon waters from a clear bottomed kayak...
Accommodation: Hôtel
Possible activities: Kayaking -
Day 2 St-Leu - Introduction to diving
Discover diving in the small coastal town of St-Leu. Guided by a team of passionate and attentive professionals, explore a beautiful underwater world and witness first-hand the nature at the incredible heart of the marine. With a bit of luck you may see dolphins, Manta Rays, turtles or even whales... Afternoon at leisure with the possibility of a trip to Kelonia, the research centre focused on the health of turtles (payable locally).
Accommodation: Hôtel
Activities: Introduction to diving
Breakfast included. -
Day 3 Cilaos - High ropes
First thing this morning, it is possible to survey this exceptional volcanic island from a helicopter. Today you head to the Cirque de Cilaos, to a mountain town with the same name. This small town is found nestled at the foot of the tallest peak in the Indian Ocean, the Piton des Neiges, and, a unique afternoon adventure in the trees on a high ropes course awaits.
Helicoptor ride prices vary from 95€ to 315€/person.Accommodation: Gîte
Activities: High ropes session (2 hours)
Breakfast and dinner included. -
Day 4 Discover the Cirque de Cilaos
Enjoy a day at leisure exploring the beautiful Cirque de Cilaos. Our detailed Roadbook and the local tourist information centre have lots of suggestions to help you make the most of this day. Why not take to the road and explore some of the cirques many adorable 'îlets'? Or you could go hiking and discover one of the many fabulous day hikes in this area...
Accommodation: Gîte
Breakfast and dinner included. -
Day 5 Cilaos - Gîte du Volcan
Leave the lush Cirque de Cilaos and head towards the volcanic Massif du Piton de la Fournaise. Why not stop at the Volcano House Museum (payable locally) in the Plaine des Cafres on the way? Discover a supurb volcanic landscape with fantastic views of the caldera and go hiking on one of the most active volcanoes in the world... Overnight accommodation in the Gîte du Volcan (Volcano Lodge)
Accommodation: Gîte
Breakfast and dinner included. -
Day 6 Lava Tube - St-Philippe
The day you have been waiting for! This morning you can go gorge walking (payable locally), a fantastic adventure climbing, abseiling, bathing and jumping amoung waterfalls, rocks and lush vegetation. After lunch, meet one of our specialist guides, an expert in volcanism, for an underground adventure through lava tubes... Equipped with a helmet and head torch, unlock a mysterious and beautiful hidden universe. Night in St-Philippe.
Accommodation: Gîte
Activities: Gorge walking (3 hours) and lava tubes (2 hours)
Breakfast and dinner included. -
Day 7 St-Philippe - The West Coast
Return to the West Coast and return of your vehicle. On the way you can visit the vanilla farm in St-Philippe, the beautiful little beach of Grand-Anse, the caostal town St-Pierre or 'le domaine du café grillé' roasted coffee area...
Breakfast included.
Period & budget
When to travel?
The best period for travelling is during the following months:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Price
The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.
Included
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast Day 1 and Day 2
- Gîte accommodation with shared facilities Day 3 to Day 6
- Half-board from dinner Day 3 to breakfast Day 7
- Vehicle hire for 7 days - category B, basic insurance and unlimited mileage
- A detailed roadbook including, local tips, vouchers and your comprehensive itinerary
- 24/7 phone support during your trip
- Clear bottom kayaking excusrion lead by qualified professionals
- Introduction to diving adventure lead by qualified professionals
- High ropes course instructed by qualified professionals
- Gorge walking guided by qualified professionals
- Lava tubes adventure guided by qualified professionals
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches (approx. 8 to 10€/pers. for picnic lunches or 15 to 20€/pers. for restaurant meals)
- Dinners Days 1, 2 and 7 (approx. 20 to 25€/pers.)
- Accommodation on the last night (Day 7)
- Museum and site entry fees
- Fuel and parking costs
- Transfers to collect/drop-off your vehicle
- Repatriation insurance
- Helicopter flight (from 95 to 315€/person)
- Hotel accommodation in Cilaos (prices vary, subject to availability)
Notes
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: No cancellation fees.
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: 30% of trip price will be retained.
- Cancellation received within 20 days of the departure date: 70% of trip price will be retained.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
Accommodation
Transportation
- Additional driver, from 50 €/rental
- Child seat, from 30 €/rental
- GPS, from 30 €/rental
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
Vital equipment
- A cap or sunhat
- 1 or 2 sets of thermals: long-sleeved thermal tops and full-length long johns
- Long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts, preferably in quick-drying technical material
- 1 light fleece or equivilent (plus extra warm layers for austral winter months)
- A breathable wind proof, waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex...)
- Lightweight waterproof over trousers
- 1 pair of long suitable shorts
- 1 pair of walking trousers (detachable legs ideal)
- A pair of high-rise walking boots with vibram soles - Réunions trails can be rocky and muddy
- A pair of casual shoes for evenings
- Thick walking socks
- Warm gloves, hat and scarf (forJune - September trips and for those which climb up to the cirques or high mountains)
- A swimsuit
Helpful equipment
- Sleeping bag liner. Sheets and blankets are provided except in the refuge at Piton des Neiges where there are only blankets
- A tupperware box or bowl and cutlery for picnics
- Your personal toiletries - think to use as many biodegradable products as possible.
- Fast-drying microfibre towel
- Water bottle(s). Min. 2 litres, light and isothermal
- A good pair of sunglasses (think min. category 3)
- Sun-cream, face and lips
- Head torch and spare batteries
- A pocket knife
- A pair of hiking poles
- A waterproof bag cover (or plastic bags) to protect your belongings
Luggage
- A rucksack (35-40L or 45-50L) for use as a day bag when hiking. This will contain your (vital) personal belongings for the day, or sometimes for several days.
- A larger bag (60-80L) containing the rest of your belongings, those which you do not need with you in the daytime.
Medicine
Passport
Visa
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Topography
Sustainable tourism
- Avoid dropping litter - use bins or carry your rubbish with you.
- Use drinking water sparingly - avoid wasting water, take showers not baths, report leaks, etc..
- Support the preservation of cultural sites - resist the temptation to touch statues, moves stones etc..
- Exchanges are prefarable to donations - generations gifts can destabalize the local economic balance.
- When walking, be aware of fragile ecosystems, observe wildlife from a distance, stick to trails, limit trampling and do not steal from the nature - resist the temptation to pick flowers, collect fossils or stones...
- Some hotels have air conditioning - to avoid excessive energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, please use sparingly and remember to cut the aircon when you are not in the room.