Rodrigues Island, pearl of the ocean

Reception at Plaine Corail airport (Rodrigues). Transfer to our accommodation. Lunch and briefing by your guide. Overnight and dinner on site.

Many endemic species have been replanted in this 30-hectare park, thus aiming to protect the plant heritage of Rodrigues. After visiting part of this reserve, a short hike to the most beautiful beaches in the south by following a coastal path through Anse Bouteille (a famous snorkeling place), Trou d'Argent or Saint François. Swimming and picnicking. Return to our accommodation, dinner and overnight.
Approx. 3 hours of hiking, altitude difference -250m.

Day 4 - South Lagoon Exit
Transfer to Port Sud-Est and boarding a boat to discover the rich preserved seabed of the South Lagoon in fins, mask and snorkel. Visit to Île aux Chats, barbecue lunch and snorkeling before Hermitage Island. Return to our accommodation in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight on site.

Day 5 - Mount Goyave/Banana River
Hike to Mont Goyave then to Rivière Banane beach, a famous place for snorkeling. First swim, picnic lunch. Return to our accommodation by a path along the coastline, dinner and overnight at our accommodation.
3 hours of easy hike, altitude difference +50m/-300m.

Day 6 — Saint Gabriel/Coral Plain
Transfer to Saint Gabriel and departure for a hike to the southwest and the Coral Plain. The trail crosses the center of Rodrigues with a magnificent view of the lagoon. Passage through Coco River and arrival at Plaine Corail for a picnic lunch. On the way back, you can stop at a honey production site. The quality of the honey produced in Rodrigues is recognized throughout the world; the absence of pollution and the rare essences harvested by bees (some endemic plants) make it a unique product. Return to our accommodation, dinner on site.
3h30 of medium difficulty.

Day 7 — François Leguat Reserve
Transfer to the southwest of the island for the Turtles and Caves Reserve (or François Leguat Reserve). Inaugurated in 2007, the initial project was to recreate the original ecosystem of Rodrigues from 300 years ago, before the damage caused by uncontrolled colonization appeared (massacre of all the tortoises on the island, deforestation, etc.). In this 10-hectare park live more than 2,000 turtles from Madagascar or Aldabra, but also extremely rare bats. Visit the “big cave” located under the reserve, one of the 11 caves that are part of a well-designed labyrinth. Picnic lunch, swim and return to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
2.5 to 3 hours of visit.

Day 8 - Port Mathurin
Transfer to Port Mathurin, regional capital and the only port on the island. This town of 6,000 inhabitants, which bears the name of one of the very first settlers of Rodrigues — Mathurin Bréhinier — offers a friendly and cheerful face. Visit the bazaar (local products market, crafts...). Lunch at the restaurant, end of the day on the beach. Return to our accommodation, dinner on site.

Day 9 - Cocos Island Reserve
Transfer to the north-west of Rodrigues and boarding to Cocos Island, a long strip of clear sand in the middle of the lagoon... Covered with coconut trees, filaos and acacias, it serves as a habitat for thousands of birds. Visit the reserve with one of the island's rangers, swimming and picnicking on site. Return by boat to Rodrigues. Dinner and overnight at our accommodation.
2.5 hours of easy hiking/45 minutes by boat (one way) + same as back.

Day 10 — Plaine Mapou/Pistache Waterfall
Transfer in the morning to Cascade Pistache and its suspension bridge. Departure for a hike to the Coral Plain in the south of the island. An easy trail runs along farms, small villages on a wild plain to Pointe Corail. Swimming and picnicking on site. Dinner and overnight at our accommodation.
4 hours of hiking of medium difficulty, altitude difference +150m/-150m.

Day 11 - Kayak trip in the lagoon
Single or tandem kayak trip from Anse Mourouk to Anse Bouteille along the southern lagoon. Picnic lunch and return to our starting point. Dinner and overnight at our accommodation.
3h30 of kayaking.

Day 12 - Via Ferrata
Transfer to Montagne Tonnerre in the north of the island. Short hike to access the Montagne Tonnerre via ferrata with abseiling. Course supervised by specialized instructors. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at our accommodation.
4 hours of activity.

Day 13 - Malagasy Mountain/Zipline/Victory Waterfall
Hike to the south coast of the lagoon. In Malagasy Mountain, it is possible to try a zipline course (several possible courses; to be paid on site about €25/person). Hike to Cascade Victoire, ideal place to observe birds “straw in tail” with red twigs... Picnic lunch on the island, swimming, end of the day on the beach. Return to the accommodation, dinner and overnight.
3h30 of hiking. Zipline option (45 min).

Day 14 - Day 15 - Free days
Possibility to practice scuba diving, kitesurfing... supplements to be paid on site...
It will be an opportunity for you to visit the local market for your last purchases.
Free lunches, but dinners at the accommodation.

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). Depending on flight schedules, some days may be reversed.