Reunion: trekking on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean
A trekking trip to Reunion (French: La Réunion), a lush green island in the Indian Ocean that is part of the European Union. We invite you for trekking over unique mountains, that cannot be found in Europe. We will go through a land of extinct and active volcanoes, along their edges, ridges, and slopes, through canyons with rivers and waterfalls.
The landscape of Reunion is dominated by three giant calderas: Mafate, Cilaos, and Salazie. For the first four days will walk inside caldera Mafate, to which no road leads, and the villages there are supplied by helicopters. In the caldera, the solidified lava is covered with impenetrable vegetation. Paths run along the slopes, which descend into deep, green valleys.
The route will also take you through the calderas of Cilaos and Salazie. We will conquer the island's highest mountain, the three-thousand meters peak Piton des Neiges! The trail to the summit, for unearthly views of the sunrise over the ocean, takes you through all vegetation zones: rainforest, coniferous forest, heather shrubs, all the way to the barren red earth.
In the second part of the trip, we will approach one of the world's most active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise. For those who are interested, we can go on a trek through the Grand Galet Canyon, or to the pyramidal peak Cap Noir.
Life on Reunion flows very peacefully, and the island offers many additional opportunities for relaxation - a visit to a botanical garden, vanilla plantation or rum distillery, or a rest on a tropical beach. It will be 2 active weeks, interesting and surrounded by magical, otherworldly nature! Join us for a trek to Reunion
Dates of tours
| Number | Difficulty | Date | Duration | Price | Remarks | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN-261-24 | 2 | 31.10.2024 to 13.11.2024 | 14 |
2900 EUR |
Book now! |
ITINERARY:
DAY 1-2
Transfer with a connecting flight to the island of Réunion, an overseas department of France. Transfer to the mountainous region of Hell-Bourg, accommodation, and dinner made of local products.
DAY 3
The start of a 5-day trek in the inaccessible Mafate caldera. First 8 km we will descend to the village of Aurère, situated under the rocky face of Piton Cabris. Over there we will visit the local "boulangerie at the end of the world". After lunch, we will walk another 7 km to the tiny village of Cayenne, situated above a river canyon.
Distance and elevation: 15 km, + 1100 m / - 2100 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 4
We will spend the first half of the day ascending to the village of Les Oranges (5 km), where we will have lunch. In the second half of the day, we continue uphill (5 km) to the village of Roche Plate, where we will spend the night. During the day, we will have the opportunity to swim in the river.
Distance and elevation: 10 km, + 1400 m / - 800 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 5
Through the Trois Roches waterfalls, we will walk along the Galets river, in which we can have a swim. With a gentle ascent, we reach the village of Marla. It is a very well-stocked village, where we will stay there for 2 nights. In the evening a cool local Bourbon beer in a local pub.
Distance and elevation: 10 km, + 900 m / - 400 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 6
Optional trek through the Plaine des Tamarins plateau covered with an endemic variety of acacia. Return through the village of La Nouvelle to Marli.
Distance and elevation: 12 km, + 800 m / - 800 m
Full-day or half-day trekking.
DAY 7
After a short morning ascent, we will begin the descent from the Mafate caldera to the Cilaos caldera and the town of the same name. On this day you can choose between a shorter trek with a bus ascent or a full day trek through the rainforest with waterfalls. Rest in Cilaos with numerous examples of Creole architecture and a culinary experience (beer from a microbrewery, local wine and rum).
Distance and elevation: 6 km, + 500 m / - 900 m, lub 13 km, + 1100 m / - 1500 m
Full-day or half-day trekking.
DAY 8
We start the day in no hurry with a bus ride to the village of Bras-Sec. From here, a steep climb to the hut below the island's highest mountain, Piton des Neiges.
Distance and elevation: 5 km, + 1100 m / - 0 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 9
Early in the morning, we start our trek to the island's highest mountain, Piton des Neiges (3070m)! From the summit, we will see the sunrise over the surrounding volcanoes and all of Réunion. Return to the hostel for a late breakfast and start the descent to the town of Hell-Brough.
Distance and elevation: 19 km, + 650 m / - 2200 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 10
In the morning, drive from the mountains to the south coast of Reunion. The day will be spent relaxing on a tropical beach. In the evening, stroll along the seaside promenade to the sound of Creole-French music. Overnight in Saint-Pierre.
Rest day.
DAY 11
A climb up the slopes of the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise (2632m). The length of the trek depends on the volcano's activity of the day, which is constantly monitored. The closest we will be able to approach is the viewpoint 6 km from the volcano's crater. Return to Saint-Pierre.
Distance and elevation: 13 km, + 600 m / - 600 m
It is a full day trekking.
DAY 12
A day for optional excursions - choose from relaxing on the beach, a visit to the Saga du Rhum rum museum and distillery, where you can see the massive sugar cane mill, a walk through the botanical garden or optional trekking. Overnight in Saint-Pierre.
Optional trekkings or rest day.
DAY 13-14
We move to the island's capital, Saint-Denis. We will visit a friendly family vanilla plantation. Transfer to Rolland Garros airport. Arrival in Warsaw in the afternoon of the following day.
CONTINUATION OF THE TOUR IN MAURITIUS
For those wishing to continue their (without a guide) tour in neighbouring Mauritius, we will help organise air tickets and basic services on the island.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• return flight ticket from Warsaw with all airport charges
• checked and hand luggage according to the airline's weight limit
• accommodation in mountain shelters and local guesthouses
• accommodation in a guesthouse on the coast - 3x around Saint-Pierre
• transport: 2x private transfers and local public transport
• half board (6x breakfast and dinner during the trek)
• care of a Polish-speaking tour guide
• insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• NNW and KL + insurance of luggage up to 200 Euro
• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
• a mandatory fee to the state Tourist Fund for Assistance (TFP) for each person
• insurance against contracting the virus (COVID-19) while abroad
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Meals other than those mentioned above
OPTIONAL EXPENSES:
• Optional activities or trips
• Double rooms can be arranged in most locations (but not everywhere!) - for an extra charge. Double rooms are possible for 10 nights only
ACCOMMODATION:
• During the trek, we sleep in simple mountain huts and family-run guesthouses. These are modestly equipped but neat and clean huts with a warm shower (except for the hut under the highest mountain Piton des Neiges) and a toilet. Rooms are from 4 to 8 people. In addition to accommodation, most chalets provide food, serve local spirits and give you the opportunity to replenish your supplies (water, snacks). On the coast, we will sleep in local guesthouses. Here, accommodation is in rooms of 2-4 people.
FOOD:
• Food will be provided during the first 7 days of the trek (except for the days when we stay overnight in the towns of Cilaos and Hell-Bourg). For breakfast, fresh French baguette with butter and jam, coffee, and tea. For dinner, the hosts serve rice and local potatoes, lentils, beans, and sometimes fish, chicken, duck, or other meat. Local liquor is served with dinner. There are no restaurants along the trekking route, food choices are limited to local dishes.
TRANSPORTATION:
• During the trip, we will use private transfers and the extensive network of local bus services.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
• Most of the trekking goes through marked trails in national parks. There are no technical difficulties during the trekking. To recover, half-day treks are planned in the middle of the trip. We will walk from one mountain village to another through different vegetation zones - rainforest, scrub, and arid rocky areas. The trip is planned as a light trek (no heavy luggage). However, there is no possibility for luggage to be transported from village to village. Therefore, for the first 6-day part, we take only basic clothes and hygiene products with us in a small backpack. The accommodations provide quilts and food, and you can also do laundry. The climate is warm, so you don't need many clothes :). We do not take unnecessary things with us. The rest of your luggage, from day 3 will be kept in the depository and will be available again on day 9.
WEATHER:
• Reunion is located in a tropical climate zone. We travel to the island from the second half of April to the first half of November, avoiding the rainy season and the season of tropical cyclones. The eastern part of the island and the mountainous areas have more rainfall than the western, sunnier part. Temperatures are around 21-28°C. For most of the trek, the temperature will be 16-20°C. In the highest parts of the mountains (above 2500m), we can expect temperatures below 10°C.
GROUP:
• We travel in small groups. The minimum number of people on a tour is 8, the maximum is 15/16.
FLIGHT:
• The place of departure is WARSAW. For clients living abroad, we can arrange a flight from elsewhere in Europe. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for a price quotation for this trip.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• Read about responsible tourism.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl.
