Reunion Island Discovery Self-Drive Holiday

Itinerary Highlights

Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate - some of the most beautiful scenery is Africa
Still active, Piton De La Fournaise is a highlight on any travellers' list
Enjoy your time on this beautiful beach in the sunshine
Best time to travel MAY - DEC

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Breakfast
Car Hire
Domestic Flights
Fly Drive Pack
International Flights

10 nights from £2,640 per person

Peter

Travel Specialist

01244 435 119

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This little French Island has got so much to offer travellers, from adventurous hikers to birding enthusiasts. Spectacular scenery, breath-taking craters and majestic volcanoes are all easily combined in our Réunion Island self-drive holiday.

On this itinerary, you will stay in stunning accommodation on the east, southwest and west coasts to be able to access all of the must-see sights, including vast cirques – natural amphitheatres formed by erosion.

Itinerary

Day 1 UK – Saint Denis

Board your London Heathrow flight bound for Réunion Island via Paris.

Day 2 Saint Denis

Upon arrival into St Denis, collect your standard hire car and drive to Diana Dea Lodge, where you will spend the next three nights (breakfast included). Situated on a private reserve, this five-star lodge is the perfect place to relax and acclimatise. There are several walks available within reserve – you may see deer and other resident bird and wildlife. There’s also a spa for those looking for some pampering.

Staying at

Bedroom interior at Diana Dea Lodge, Reunion Island

Restaurant at Diana Dea Lodge, Reunion Island

Private terrace area at Diana Dea Lodge, Reunion Island

Day 3 Cirque De Salazie

You will have two full days to explore the east coast and interior of the island. Salazie is the most easily-accessible of Réunion’s cirques, and is also home to some of the most beautiful villages on the island. Here you will find many brightly coloured creole houses, little French style restaurants and traditional local cuisine. Stop at La Voile des Maries lookout point and explore waterfalls and cascades.

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Day 4 Cirque De Salazie

Today, perhaps explore the surrounding forests of Belouve and Bebour - from here you can easily see the peak of Piton des Neiges. A 3,069-metre shield volcano, this is said to be the highest point in the Indian Ocean and has been inactive for over 20,000 years. For the more adventurous, why not hire a bike, or challenge yourself to one of the many hikes that are marked on the map.

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Day 5 Wild South Coast

Make your way towards the south of the island, where the beaches are covered in volcanic rock and you can spot the peak of the Piton De La Fournaise, an active volcano that still regularly erupts. Visit the small Notre Dame des Laves church that is surrounded by lava and miraculously survived the eruptions. Stop at the Palm Hotel, where you will spend the next three nights (breakfast included).

Staying at

Superior room at Pool area at Palm Hotel & Spa, Reunion Island

Dining area at Pool area at Palm Hotel & Spa, Reunion Island

Junior Suite at Pool area at Palm Hotel & Spa, Reunion Island

Day 6 Volcano and Plaine des Cafres

Piton de la Fournaise is said to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the last eruption was 14th July 2017. The highest point is 2,632m, and you can hike up the caldera; this is not for the faint-hearted, and will take on average five hours to the summit and back. The surfaces are uneven and the walk tough – but reaching the summit is the ultimate reward!

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Day 7 Grande Anse

Some of the most beautiful beaches are in this area. Spend time relaxing at your hotel or exploring the beaches. The Palm Hotel has two swimming pools, a hot tub, Turkish bath, full spa, fitness room, mini golf, table tennis, Petanque, billiard and table football so there are a variety of facilities to keep guests busy.

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Day 8 Cirque de Cilaos

Today make your way to the Cirque de Cilaos; beware that the road contains some 200 hairpin-bends and is also the largest of the three cirques. There are some great walks from here and you can opt to do some canyoning (abseiling down waterfalls). For the more adventurous, speak to one of our experts and arrange an overnight hike. Overnight at the Blue Margouillat, where you will spend three nights (breakfast included).

Staying at

Bedroom at Blue Margouillat Seaview Hotel, Reunion Island

Pool area at Blue Margouillat Seaview Hotel, Reunion Island

Outside terrace area at Blue Margouillat Seaview Hotel, Reunion Island

Day 9 Cirque de Mafate

The final cirque, Cirque de Mafate, is only accessible by foot. It was formed by the collapse of the large shield volcano, Piton Des Neiges. There are no roads up to the amphitheatre but you can hike and walk through the beautiful scenery. A popular and thrilling activity is to do the helicopter trip which will have different options to see various parts of the island.

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Day 10 Saint Leu

The Blue Margouillat is a perfectly situated, classic, creole-style house just 15 minutes’ walk from the beach. The restaurant is a must, famous for being one the island’s best. The beaches here are beautiful, so take advantage of the location. The hotel also has a spa as well as a swimming pool for guests to relax and unwind.

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