Unusual Destinations Blog

Reunion Hiking

This itinerary is only for experienced hikers, no children under 8 years and no single hikers. This tour is not accompanied by a guide.

Some hotels have a Christmas and New Year supplement which is not included in any prices quoted.

Itinerary Day 1: Johannesburg – St Denis
Flight from Johannesburg to Saint Denis, the capital of Reunion. Meet and greet and transfer to Saint Gilles Les. Bains. Overnight stay at the Alamanda Hotel (B&B).

Day 2: St Denis – Salazie
Buy food supplies. Transfer to the east coast of the island and visit the cirque of Salazie, famous for its magnificent waterfalls. (Your main baggage stays in Saint Gilles Les Bains). Overnight stay at the Hotel Relais des Cimes (B&B).

Day 3: Hellburg – Belouve
Early breakfast and hike from Hellburg up to the Belouve forest (primary forest). The hike will take about 2 1/2 hours and is 4.8 km long. (Elevation +- 500m). Overnight stay in the mountain hut (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 4: Belouve to Caverne Dufour
Hiking from Belouve to Caverne Dufour. This hike will take approximate 6 1/2 hours and is 10 km long. (Elevation +- 980m). Dinner and overnight at the hut Caverne Dufour (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 5: Piton des Neiges – Cilaos
Hiking from Hut Piton des Neiges to Cilaos. This hike will take about 6 1/2 hours and is 16.8 km long. (Elevation +- 591-1860m). Overnight stay at the Hotel Le Vieux Cep (B&B).

Day 6: Cilaos
Day at leisure in Cilaos. Buy food supplies. There are thermal baths in Cilaos. Overnight stay at the Hotel Le Vieux Cep (B&B).

Day 7: Cilaos – Marla
Hike from Cilaos to Marla, this hike takes about 7 hours and is 7 km long. (Elevation +1320 / – 912m). Overnight stay at the hut Marla (dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 8: Marla – Roche Plateau
Hiking from Marla to Roche Plate, this will take about 5 1/2 hours and the length of the hike is 11.7 km (Elevation 720 / 200m). Overnight stay at the hut Roche Plate (dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 9: Roche Plateau – Maido
Hiking from Roche Plateau to Maido, this will take about 5 hours and the length of the hike is 7.5 km. (Elevation +1000m). In the later afternoon transfer to Saint Gilles Les Bains where you will find the luggage you left behind. Overnight stay at the Hotel Allamanda (B&B).

Day 10: St Gilles les Baines
Day at leisure in Saint Gilles Les Bains. Overnight stay at the Alamanda Hotel (B&B).

Day 11: St Gilles les Baines
Day at leisure in Saint Gilles Les Bains. Overnight stay at the Alamanda Hotel (B&B).

Day 12: Self-drive – Pas de Bellecombe
Delivery of car rental to the Hotel and self-drive to the Pas de Bellecombe. Overnight stay at the Volcano Hut (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 13: Crater Hike
Hiking around the crater. Duration is about 5 hours and the length of the hike is 4.8 km. (Elevation -700 / + 700m). Overnight stay at the Hotel Geraniums (B&B).

Day 14: Self-drive to St Denis
Self-drive to Saint Denis. Overnight stay at the Hotel Domaine des Jamroses in La Montagne overlooking the city of Saint Denis.

Day 15: Outbound

Drive to the airport and drop off the car. Flight out.

Prices include
International flights (departure from Johannesburg), hotel accommodation for 9 nights bed and breakfast, 5 nights mountain huts (dormitories) dinner, bed and breakfast, car hire (category A) for 4 days with unlimited mileage and insurance, meet and greet on day of arrival and airport-hotel airport-Saint Gilles, Saint Gilles – Hellburg and Maido – Saint Gilles, detailed documentation and IGN Hiking map.

Not included
Visa fee, meals not indicated, drinks, tips, personal expenses, fuel, airport car parking tax, travel insurance, airport taxes, hotel taxes (+/- EUR 1/day/person).

Car insurance includes
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): damage to the car, fire and glass breaking
TPC (Theft Protection Coverage): Theft of car and damage to car
PAI (Personal Accident insurance): covers all passengers in the car within seating capacity; technical assistance.

Car insurance does not cover

Inside damages, damages to the wheels and tyres, personal belongings in the car, loss or theft of equipment (radio, windscreen wipers, antenna, wheel rims), NWR (Non-Waiverable Responsibility). A credit card imprint for NWR is required, this amount will be debited in case of a problem with the car and reimbursed if the car rental company’s insurance states that the hirer is not responsible for the charges.

Below is an approximate price per person sharing (October 2009)

±Euro1725

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