Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Reunion Island – Saint-Leu – Entre-Deux – Saint-Pierre – Hell-Bourg – Mauritius – Pointe des Canonniers
100% customisable for you
Your island adventure is about to begin, so pack your bags and head to the airport. There are no direct flights to Reunion from the UK, so you’ll have one layover and the total journey time will be around 16 hours, touching down the next day.
Upon arrival in Reunion, head through customs and collect your bags before picking up your rental car. Then hit the road for the drive to Saint Leu, which takes just under an hour. Settle into your hotel by Saint Leu Bay, which will be your home for the next three nights.
Saint-Leu Bay is renowned surf spot; located at the gateway to the wild south, it's an ideal base for exploring the cirques (dramatic, amphitheatre-shaped valleys), as well as the west coast, the lagoon and its white sand beaches. Spend the rest of today familiarising yourself with the area, before a relaxed evening at the hotel and an early night.
With its lively town centre and beach opening onto the lagoon, there’s no wonder Saint Leu is a popular holiday spot. It’s known for its volcanic landscapes, black and gold-sand beaches, lush mountain backdrop and vibrant Creole culture. Spend the next two days soaking this all in, with the help of our in-country Concierge, who can provide plenty of local tips.
As well as natural scenery, Saint Leu is also rich in history. It was the starting point of the 1811 slave revolt and the village is home to numerous cultural attractions that you can visit to learn more. To better understand the island's fascinating ecosystem, visit Kélonia, the sea turtle observatory, or the Mascarin National Botanical Conservatory. For views, head up the winding roads of sugar cane fields to the higher elevations, where you can look out on the coast and lagoon.
Your island adventure continues today, a short 50-minute drive away in Entre-Deux. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel before heading out to get to know the local area on a guided tour.
As its name suggests, Entre-Deux lies between two rivers: the Bras de Cilaos to the west and the Bras de la Plaine to the east. These rivers have long made access to the village difficult, which has helped preserve it. It’s one of the few places on the island where all the houses have a distinctive architecture; you’ll notice that many of them are made of wood, with a corrugated iron roof and a veranda. Whether still inhabited or not, these houses are fundamental to Reunion’s cultural heritage. Learn more about the history of the local area today with a private guide. Along the way, you’ll also visit a private courtyard to hear about the art of the Creole garden and the way of life here.
This morning, hit the road again for a 20-minute drive to your next stop, Saint Pierre. Check in for two nights in the fishing district of Terre-Sainte, close to the water. Saint-Pierre, a town of nearly 80,000 inhabitants, has been designated the capital of the South. Behind its impressive coastline, it boasts a hinterland that’s been dedicated to agriculture since the 17th century, with sugarcane cultivation succeeding that of Bourbon coffee.
Take in the scenery with a stroll through the lively town centre or along the beautiful beach bordering the lagoon. To learn more about the history, visit the former sugar mills and the Rum Saga Museum, then climb to Maido to catch the sunset (or sunrise, if you fancy coming back first thing tomorrow).
Today, you’ll take on the ascent of Piton de la Fournaise, a shield volcano (and currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world), alongside an experienced mountain guide.
The volcano covers approximately one-third of the island's surface area, reaching an altitude of 8,599ft. Its slopes also harbour a significant portion of Reunion's biodiversity, so keep an eye out for interesting plant life as you walk.
The ascent begins at Pas de Bellecombe, facing the main cone. The trail descends along the rampart to reach the Enclos Foucqué, an expanse of ropy lava that encircles the main cone, and the first crater of ochre and red scoria. The hike then continues along the lava flows before tackling the flanks of the volcano. It’ll be a one-hour steady climb to reach the summit of the Dolomieu crater, and once at the top, take a moment to soak in the landscape and reap the rewards of your effort.
You’re moving on again today as you make the 90-minute journey from Saint Pierre to Hell-Bourg. In the eastern part of Reunion Island, nestled in the Cirque de Salazie, Hell-Bourg is a true paradise. At an altitude of 2,900ft, the temperature is pleasant, the vegetation lush and Creole charm permeates every corner.
Wandering through the narrow streets, you'll spot pretty, colourful houses with wooden verandas and azaleas and anthuriums climbing up the walls. Settle in for two nights at a charming hotel in the heart of the village, and if you’ve energy to spare, we can organise a hike through the lava tunnels this afternoon.
Today, you’ll join a local to explore the area and enjoy a Creole picnic by the river. Your guide will take you to meet the locals, including an elder of the village who will tell you about ‘vie lontan’ (life in the olden days) over a wood-fired coffee. Then, a short walk through the vegetation, you’ll find one of the area's pretty waterfalls, where you’ll sit down for a picnic lunch. With plenty of time to chat and learn about life in Reunion along the way, this will be a relaxed day that you’re guaranteed to remember.
There’s so much to see and do in the area around Hell-Bourg, including numerous walking trails that start from the village. On your walk this afternoon, you’ll visit the ruins of the old thermal baths, the Folio house, and the Trou de Fer and Voile de la Mariée waterfalls. You’ll also make a stop at ‘Uncle's House’, where Uncle Lafable, an elder of the village, will tell you about the beliefs and traditions of the people of the Highlands.
It’s time for the next chapter of your island adventure today. Drive to the airport (just under an hour away) and drop off your rental car, before catching the flight to Mauritius, which takes under an hour. Upon arrival, a driver will whisk you to the north of the island, to Pointe aux Canonniers, which will be your base for the final five nights of your trip.
Spend the rest of the day settling into your new surroundings and relaxing on the beach.
At the northernmost tip of Mauritius lies a small peninsula jutting out into the sea and enveloped in flowers – this is where you’ll while away a relaxing few days getting to grips with island life.
The upscale seaside resort of Pointe aux Canonniers offers all the services and comforts that are essential to the perfect beach getaway. The two large beaches of Mont Choisy and Grand Baie boast fine sand and translucent waters, inviting you to swim and try your hand at water sports. From here, you can easily explore the rest of the island, sailing to Ile aux Cerfs or strolling through the charming streets of the village of Trou aux Biches.
On one of your evenings here, enjoy a private sunset cruise to take in the changing colours of the ocean as the sun dips below the horizon.
If you want to explore the island further during your stay, we can arrange a sightseeing trip from Port Louis to Pointe Nord.
Sadly, your island adventure is drawing to a close. Today, a private transfer will take you to the airport to catch your overnight flight back to the UK. Non-stop flights take around 12 hours, so be sure to have entertainment planned for the journey. You’ll touch down the following day, ready to start planning your next trip…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
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 now
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 now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
