ESCAPADE CREOLE A LA REUNION

Day 1 : Flight to Saint-Denis de La Réunion

Arrival, welcome at Roland Garros airport. Transfer and check-in for 7 nights in a 3* hotel in Saint-Gilles-les Bains. Ideally located on the lagoon of Hermitage, one of the most beautiful seaside sites on the island, classified as a nature reserve, the hotel brings together all the qualities to make you fully enjoy the magic of La Réunion. Between the lush vegetation of the park and the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, it assures you a moment of escape and relaxation.

Free lunch and afternoon. (Depending on the arrival time)

Information meeting on the program of the week.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 2: The Cirque de Cilaos: mountain village and spa (140 km / approx)

On the west coast, you will follow the coastal road towards Saint-Louis. Two kilometers after Saint-Leu, you will stop at the “Souffleur”. Crossing Saint- Louis and entering the valley of Bras de Cilaos where you will take the famous road with 400 turns, carved into the cliffside. The succession of tunnels, dizzying ramparts and green summits promises a real wonder! Cilaos is known for its thermal establishment, its beautiful hikes, among which the Bras-Rouge waterfall or, for the more athletic, the ascent of the Piton des Neiges, its lentils and its vineyards, the highest in France. From the site of the Roche Merveilleuse, which you will reach by a small forest road, you will dominate the circus and the village.

Creole lunch.

Walk in the village of Cilaos and visit a embroiderer who masters the local technique of “jours de Cilaos”. Return to the coast with a final stop proposed at the Étang-Salé, whose impressive “gulf” is another surprise of nature around which many legends exist.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 3: The Volcano: Piton de la Fournaise (173 km / approx)

Departure early after breakfast. After crossing the Plaine des Cafres (high plateau at 1,200 m altitude), it is by a road with beautiful and varied landscapes that you will arrive at the “Nez de Boeuf”. Stop and viewpoint on the Remparts river. After a few bends, around a bend, you will discover the Plaine des Sables, a real lunar desert, then you will arrive at the Pas de Bellecombe. From its belvedere, at the edge of the enclosure, you can admire the Piton de la Fournaise in all its splendor. Return to the Plaine des Cafres and, if time permits, stop at the belvedere of Bois-Court overlooking the valley of Entre-Deux and the village of Grand-Bassin.

Creole lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Saga du Rhum. This unique museum dedicated to the rums of La Réunion takes you to the heart of the oldest family distillery on the island, dating from 1845 and still in operation: the Isautier distillery.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 4: The Wild South: Between Sea and Volcano (160 km / approx)

You will head south of the island. Even today, volcanic eruptions continue to shape the island, enlarging it as lava flows reach the sea. After Saint-Pierre, you will stop at the viewpoint of Manapany-les-Bains, a beautiful small bay. You will follow the coast swept by the Indian Ocean and will be seduced by the contrasting colors and diversity of the primary forest. The nature of the Great South, preserved and lush, is a paradise for flora with its forests of rare and amazing wood species. You will discover diverse and wild landscapes. Primary forests carpet the foothills of volcanic peaks, for the greatest pleasure of the tropicbirds, buzzards and spectacled birds. You will observe, all along the wild coast, the solidified lava flows from different volcanic eruptions.

Stop at the 2007 lava flow, then excursion to the garden of perfumes and spices : centuries-old trees, medicinal plants, dyeing, aromatic, fruits, flowers, spices… everything that makes the richness of the flora of Reunion and its history.

Creole lunch on the site of Cap Méchant.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 5: Saint-Gilles - Free day Free day and lunch.

Take advantage of the multiple activities available on the island as an option, to be booked on site: cruise to meet dolphins, discovery of the lagoon with mask and snorkel, pass by the beach or just relax by the pool…

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 6: The Piton Maïdo: Spectacular viewpoint on the Cirque de Mafate (60 km / approx)

Departure early after breakfast. You will leave the coast towards the heights of the West. After the village of Petite France, you will cross a forest of tamarinds of the Heights mixed with calumets and ferns. Then, from 1,700 m altitude, the trees disappear to give way to shrubs: this is the Maïdo, which means “burnt land” in Malagasy. The natural site of Maïdo, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO and located in the heart of the National Park, surprises by the diversity of its vegetation and by the unique panorama it offers on the Cirque de Mafate, a wonder of nature. A thousand meters below, the Cirque de Mafate and its inhabited islets are discovered as far as the eye can see, dominated by tortuous peaks and ramparts, limits of the Cirques de Cilaos and Salazie: the Gros Morne, the Grand Bénare, the Taibit pass and the Piton des Neiges! Meeting with a emblematic character of Reunion, “Doudou”, who will explain and demonstrate the “cooking” of geranium. You will then head towards the coast and discover the Saint-Paul market. On the seaside, this market with a thousand scents and colors will allow you to discover, during your walk, the crafts from here and elsewhere as well as fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers. You can also taste specialties Creole, such as bouchons or bonbons piments.

Lunch and free afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 7: The Cirque de Salazie: Green Jewel (105 km / approx)

You will take the famous “Coastal Road” to Saint-Denis, the prefecture of the island. Then you will continue towards the east coast, a region of sugar cane, vanilla and bamboo. In Saint-André, stop in front of a Hindu temple then route towards the circus of Salazie, the largest and greenest of the three circuses on the island. Water springs forth in multiple waterfalls, streaming down from all the peaks and ramparts, while the vegetation covers its walls.

Stop at the Bride’s Veil waterfall, whose long and thin waterfalls evoke a bridal veil. You will arrive at the village of Hell-Bourg, where you will discover, during a walk, the magnificent houses with Creole architecture, some of which date from the second half of the 19th century.

Walk through the village streets, which has received the label “Most beautiful village in France”. Discovery of the old thermal station and the authentic Creole huts, to admire verandas and gardens. While strolling, this guided tour allows to discover the historical and cultural heritage of the circus inhabitants.

Creole lunch.

In the afternoon, return to the coast and visit the vanilla production of the Roulof family, who have been cultivating this orchid for over 100 years. Let yourself be carried away by the delicious scent of local vanilla…

Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (If half-board or free dinner nearby)

Day 8: Saint-Gilles – Saint-Denis –  Free day and lunch. Transfer to the airport

•		Prices are “As From”, per person sharing , subject to change and can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
•		Accommodations and other services are subject to availability at time of booking and general conditions of 
                Coquille Bonheur Voyage.
•		Rates may change without prior notice. 
•		Acceptable travel documents: Original ID cards, passports, birth certificate (child), police authorization for minors 
                not travelling with parents or one parent, residence permit.
•		Be advised that we offer a wide variety of itinerary options and combinations, all customizable to suit your specific 
                requirements and financial considerations.
•		Any further local conditions shall be communicated to you upon booking.      
•		Prices are valid for the dates specified.