Discover Reunion

Arrival in Saint Denis and transfer to Ermitage-les-Bains, seaside resort in the west of the island (1 hour). Installation in the bungalows, picnic by the sea. In the afternoon, stroll along the lagoon and swim on paradisiacal beaches. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

A 2.5-hour walk back and forth to the Peace Basin then to the Sea Basin and visit the vanilla cooperative. Transfer to Hell-bourg (1 hour).
Night in a cottage, dinner on site.

Day 4: Bélouve
Ascension of the rampart of Bélouve, to reach the mountain humid forest, which is best discovered by following the botanical trail, jungle atmosphere guaranteed. Possibility to leave the bags at the Bélouve cottage for a 3 hour round trip hike that allows you to admire the impressive view of the Trou de Fer.
Night at the cottage at an altitude of 1500m, dinner on site. 2 hours of walking, altitude difference: +600m.

Day 5: Cirque de Mafate
In the morning, 1h30 of descent to Hell-bourg where we take the bus again for a transfer (approx. 50min) to the heights of Mafate to the Col de B'uf at 1950m altitude, the starting point of our 2-day trek. Accessible only on foot, the Cirque de Mafate is dotted with numerous islets including that of Nouvelle (1450m above sea level), which we reach after a 3.5-hour walk. Night at the cottage, dinner on site. Height difference: +100m/-600m.

Day 6: Cirque de Mafate
From La Nouvelle cottage to Marla islet. The path that plunges to the south takes us through one of the most enchanting sites in Mafate: the 3 rocks, eroded basalt that presents astonishing shapes. End of the day at Marla islet located at an altitude of 1600m. 4 hours of walking.
Night at the cottage, dinner on site. Height difference: +550m/-300m.

Day 7: The Plaine des Cafres
Early in the morning, leave Mafate via the Col de Boeuf (3h30 walk), then transfer by minivan to reach the Plaine des Cafres to Bourg Murat, a village located on the flanks of the volcano (2 hours and 45 minutes of transfer). Afternoon visit to the Volcano Science Museum. Night at the cottage, dinner on site. Height difference: +500m/-200m.

Day 8: Grand Bassin
Transfer to Bois Court (20min), the starting point of our walking tour that takes us to the village of Grand Bassin, a small tropical paradise at an altitude of 700m nestled at the bottom of a deep depression dominated by the Dimitile ridge. The hike continues to the Mariée waterfall, swimming. 4 hours of walking.
Night in a cottage in Grand Bassin (accessible only on foot), dinner on site. Height difference: +100m/-800m.

Day 9: Saint Peter - La Fournaise
From Grand Bassin, go up to Bois Court on the Plaine des Cafres at an altitude of 1400m where we meet the bus. We reach the South West, the coastline of St Pierre (2.5 hours drive). Relaxation at the end of the morning near the lagoon of St Pierre or at Grande Anse. In the early afternoon, visit a distillery and transfer just after to the Massif de la Fournaise, the Pas de Bellecombe cottage, located very close to the Fouqué caldera where eruptions are concentrated. The volcano's forest route from Bourg Murat goes through the various phases of its formation marked by collapses, the most spectacular of which remains the Plaine des Sables caldera with its lunar landscape. Night at the volcano cottage, dinner on site. 2.5 hours of walking, altitude difference: +700m.

Day 10: La Fournaise volcano
Early in the morning, departure of the hike that takes us from Pas de Bellecombe (2311m above sea level) to the summit cone of La Fournaise (2632m above sea level). 5-hour walk back in a mineral desert on a field of more or less recent lava punctuated by Strombolian cones. From the summit, the view of the ocean or the Piton des Neiges is splendid. Return to the volcano lodge, dinner and overnight. Height difference: +650m/-650m.
Attention: The Piton de la Fournaise enclosure may be closed by prefectural decree in the event of significant seismic activity. In this case an alternative hike will be proposed.

Day 11: Le Grand Brûlé - Cirque de Cilaos (Lower Cilaos)
Day trip by minivan to the East of St Benoît Island, initially passing through the Plaine des Palmistes. This is followed by the discovery of the wild South by the coastal road, which will be marked by punctual stops at the level of enchanting sites, among the most famous: Anse des Cascades, Cape Town.
Nasty. The crossing of Grand Brûlé, whose national road is cut by multiple flows that joined the ocean, will be one of the highlights of this day. A short hike of 1 hour on this singular coast delimited by black basaltic cliffs will enrich the discovery of this coastline. At the end of the afternoon, we reach the lower part of Cilaos located 400m away at a place called Pavillon by partly taking this picturesque and winding road known as the 400 bends. Night at the Pavillon cottage, dinner on site.
Note: We will be in the heart of Cilaos, a small mountain town located 1200m away, dominated by the Piton des Neiges (3070m), the next day.

Day 12: Cirque de Cilaos
After crossing the village, our hike continues along the bearers' trail in Bras Rouge, swimming in the pools. Return to Cilaos in the early afternoon, free time. 4 hours of walking.
Night in Cilaos, dinner on site.

Day 13: L'Ermitage-les-Bains - Chasm of Etang Salé
Transfer to Ermitage-les-Bains via the southwest coast (80km, 2 hours). Along the way, discover the fairground market in Saint-Pierre, then stop at the village of Etang Salé. Discover the small fishing port and the basaltic black sand beaches. We walk along the coast to admire the waves crashing on the basalt shredded by erosion. End of the walk to the chasm of Etang Salé, return to the bus then short transfer to Ermitage-les-Bains. Overnight at the hotel, free dinner.

Free meals.

Day 15: Arrival in Paris

The course of this program is indicative. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).