Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Reunion Island Road Trip Lush Landscapes and Laid-Back Escapes
Reunion Island – Saint-Denis – Sainte-Anne – Grand Anse – Saint-Leu
Your adventure begins in Sainte-Anne, on the eastern side of the island, where you’ll check into a hilltop hotel complete with ocean views. Indulge in some well-deserved R&R (you’re on holiday, after all) or tap into your adventurous side and embark on a private hike to the nearby Belouve primary forest.
Next up, you’re off to the Wild South, between the communes of Saint-Joseph and Saint-Pierre. Your luscious lodge overlooks the powdery sands of Grande Anse Beach, meaning your morning coffee comes with a seriously swoon-worthy view. When it’s time to unwind, there’s a private spa; then, when adventure beckons again, spend a day hiking to the Dolomieu crater on Piton de la Fournaise volcano with an expert private guide.
Finally, it’s on to Saint-Leu, where you can spend the last days of your trip relaxing by the pool, losing yourself in your holiday read and enjoying a candlelit dinner at one of the island’s most renowned restaurants. And, for the adrenaline-seekers among you, a tandem paragliding experience over the town’s lush landscapes promises to be just the kind of story you’ll be sharing at dinner parties long after you return home.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine: it’s time for your 13-day Reunion Island adventure. Head to the airport, whizz through security and unwind in the lounge. Then, board your 15-hour overnight flight, which, after a speedy stopover, arrives in Saint-Denis the following day.
When you arrive, pick up your hire car and set off to explore the capital at your own pace. Discover its ‘Rue de Paris’, lined with iconic Creole buildings, and follow the scent of exotic plants to the Jardin de l'Etat, the city’s botanical garden. If you like, stay for the night market in the evening, which lights up the seafront at Le Barachois, the city’s northernmost point.
Prefer to skip the city stop? Continue along the island's eastern coastline, known as the Windward Coast. Greener and more fertile, it’s filled with lush plantations and untamed tropical vegetation.
After Saint-Benoit, leave the coastline and venture into the highlands of Sainte-Anne. Here you’ll stay in a charming lodge tucked between sugarcane fields and a guava forest, with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
The next few days are all about settling into the rhythm of Saint-Anne, so unpack, grab your sunnies and set off to explore.
As you’re wandering the village, pay a visit to the Church of Sainte-Anne. Listed as a historic monument in 1982, it boasts an ornate Baroque facade and a vibrant interior, both well worth a photo stop. Keen to explore further afield? Your hire car makes it easy to see more of the region, from its lush landscapes to its southern beaches. Head to Niagara Waterfall, about a half-hour drive away, for a refreshing escape amid cascading water.
During your stay, we’ll schedule a relaxing spa visit, including a soothing treatment which will leave you feeling rested and rejuvenated. We can also arrange for you to spend a day exploring Belouve Forest with a private guide.
Of course, if all you want to do is laze by the pool or sip drinks on the terrace as you gaze at the ocean, there’s no judgment from us…
Wave goodbye to Sainte-Anne and the eastern coast today as you hop back in your hire car and steer south towards Piton Sainte-Rose, home to the Notre-Dame des Laves church. Surviving a destructive lava flow in 1977, the church’s name translates to ‘Our Lady of the Lavas’, commemorating its fascinating history.
From here, continue along the road to Grand Brule, one of the island’s most spectacular stretches of road. This is where the Piton de la Fournaise volcano regularly pours molten lava down the slope into the ocean, creating a dramatic landscape. This might sound scary, but don’t worry: the volcano is closely monitored and very low-risk, meaning you can appreciate the island’s panoramas in peace.
Saint-Philippe then marks the return to civilisation and the entrance to the Wild South. Arrive at your accommodation for the next three nights, overlooking the white-sand beach of Grand Anse and the Indian Ocean.
This evening, tuck into a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant. Fancy a little extra pampering? We can also arrange a couple’s spa treatment to relax after the drive.
The next two days are all about soaking up your surroundings. During your stay in Grand Anse, lace up your walking shoes, because an off-the-beaten-path hike up Piton de la Fournaise is on the agenda.
Suitably stuffed from a hearty breakfast, set off for Pas de Bellecombe, where you’ll meet your mountain guide and stretch your legs on a hike through lunar landscapes dotted with unusual flora. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with views into the Dolomieu crater, where dramatic eruptions of steam and volcanic gases escape.
After your hike, return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Then tuck into a delicious dinner and compare photos (we’re certain you’ve snapped some) from a day exploring one of Reunion Island’s most surreal landscapes.
Hit the road again today to journey tto the island's west coast. On the way, you can’t miss a stop in Saint-Pierre, dubbed the ‘Southern Capital’. It’s considered one of the island's most vibrant cities, especially at night.
Wander past the city’s bars and restaurants and enjoy a spot of shopping at the local market. Along the way, you can admire the work of street artist Jace at the L’Usine a Gouzou gallery, and sample the famous Bourbon Pointu coffee with a visit to the Domaine Café Grille.
From Saint-Pierre, follow the Route des Tamarins, which runs along the coastline to Saint-Leu, your final stop and new home away from home. The next couple of days promise plenty of time to laze by the pool, so when you arrive, simply sit back and enjoy a gourmet dinner by candlelight at your hotel restaurant, all arranged for you. Pure bliss.
It’s your first full day in Saint-Leu, so spend some time finding your feet in this lively coastal town. Bordered by a white sand beach and lagoon, the views won’t disappoint.
Consider yourself a history buff? There are plenty of cultural sights to give you a glimpse into the town’s past. Head to the 18th-century Batterie des Sans-culottes, an artillery battery overlooking the Bay of Saint-Leu, or make your way to the hillside Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary, a historic 19th-century church.
The Salt Museum and the Stella Matutina Museum also offer an insight into Saint-Leu's industrial history, while the Trou du Souffleur is a blowhole just outside Saint-Leu perfect for some Instagram-worthy photos.
Treat your camera roll to more photogenic views at the Gouffre viewpoint or the Mascarin National Botanical Conservatory’s picturesque gardens. For something a little different, visit Kelonia, a sea turtle observatory – cue plenty of awws…
Adrenaline enthusiasts are in luck, as a tandem paragliding flight over Saint-Leu's lagoon is on today’s agenda. And trust us – there’s no better paragliding spot on the island.
After an exhilarating 2,624ft take-off in your two-seater paraglider, prepare to watch the breathtaking landscape gradually unfold below. Along the way, drift over lush green ravines, keeping an eye out for white-tailed tropicbirds swooping past. Then, marvel at the vibrant colours of the lagoon above before gliding down to the beach. We have a feeling this’ll be an experience you keep talking about long after you’ve landed.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and it’s time to bid farewell to your adventure on Reunion Island. Catch one last glimpse of your scenic surroundings before driving an hour back to the airport. Here, return your hire car and board your 15-hour connecting overnight flight to the UK, arriving on home soil the following day.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
SET OFF ON A PRIVATE HIKE IN BELOUVE FOREST
If you’re keen to venture off the beaten path, discover the tropical Belouve forest during a five-mile hike guided by an expert in endemic plants. The hike takes around three to four hours, offering picturesque views over the Piton des Neiges and towards the Cirque of Salazie, so be sure to have your camera to hand.INDULGE IN A SPA TREATMENT FOR TWO IN GRAND ANSE
Travelling with your other half? Switch off and indulge in a one-hour-and-20-minute spa treatment for two, designed to leave you feeling utterly relaxed. The experience includes a fragrant steam bath, a mineral treatment with semi-precious stones and a flower bath, accompanied by a refreshing cocktail or a glass of champagne – cheers to that.
Why visit Reunion with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Reunion
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
