REUNION ISLAND FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

14-DAY TREK IN REUNION

14 days

3/5

12 people max.

TrekkingReunion

Fly off to discover an island full of surprises in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

This magnificent trek across the island starting in Dos d’ ne offers a wide variety of landscapes, each more incredible than the last.

You will cross the iconic Mafate and Cilaos cirques before heading to the south of the island.

You will climb to the top of the island’s legendary volcanoes: Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges, where the views will literally take your breath away.

This unique trip will take you to meet the locals and introduce you to the island’s specialities.

13

2850,00 

About this trip

Fly off to discover an island full of surprises in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

This magnificent trek across the island starting in Dos d’ ne offers a wide variety of landscapes, each more incredible than the last.

You will cross the iconic Mafate and Cilaos cirques before heading to the south of the island.

You will climb to the top of the island’s legendary volcanoes: Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges, where the views will literally take your breath away.

This unique trip will take you to meet the locals and introduce you to the island’s specialities.

Listen to guide's description of the Réunion Island from North to South trek

Pierrick Delattre
+33 (0)6 65 93 29 29
contact@watse.fr

Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region.

As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession, always with your happiness as his goal. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.

Highlights of the trip

Climb the island’s two iconic volcanoes: Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise.
4 days in the Cirque de Mafate, right at the heart of the island and only accessible on foot.
Discover local culture and taste the island’s delicious, spicy food.
DAYS 1 & 2: FLIGHT TO SAINT-DENIS
12-hour flight – 1-hour drive – Night in a B&B
Meet at the airport for the long-haul flight to Saint-Denis, the capital of Réunion.

On your arrival at around midday, you will have lunch in a local restaurant before the drive to Dos d’ ne.

Settle in for your first night on the island, in a B&B at the gateway to the Cirque de Mafate.

DAY 3: FROM DOS D’ANE TO AURÈRE
5 hours 30 walking time – Night in a B&B without luggage - 700 m (2,300 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,300 ft) descent
The trek begins as you enter the Cirque de Mafate by descending past Deux Bras and the Galets River across a series of pleasant fords.

After hiking back up to Aurère, you will spend the night in this lush and colourful hamlet.
DAY 4: FROM AURÈRE TO GRAND PLACE
4 hours walking time – Night in a B&B without luggage - 400 m (1,310 ft) ascent / 800 m (2,625 ft) descent
Today is an easier day to give you time to admire your surroundings and meet the locals.

To reach your B&B in Grand Place, you will walk through Ilet à Bourse with its colourful Creole huts. Weather permitting, you’ll have the opportunity for a refreshing dip in the gorges.

DAY 5: FROM GRAND PLACE TO ROCHE PLATE
6 hours walking time – Night in a B&B without luggage – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,300 ft) descent
The day begins by hiking downriver towards La Brèche, on the western side of the cirque.

Here, you’ll be met by a stunning 360° panorama of the spectacular Cirque de Mafate. Then on to the B&B at Roche Plate for a comfortable night’s rest.

DAY 6: FROM ROCHE PLATE TO MARLA
6 hours walking time – Night in a B&B without luggage – 850 m (2,790 ft) ascent / 450 m (1,475 ft) descent
You’ll continue your stunning trek towards the southeast with a beautiful day beneath the imposing peak of Maïdo, via Trois Roches.

The day ends at your rustic accommodation in Mafate’s well-known hamlet of Marla. All the food prepared at the B&B is grown by the owners here at the heart of the cirque.

DAY 7: FROM MARLA TO CILAOS
6 hours walking time – Night in a B&B – 800 m (2,625 ft) ascent / 1,000 m (3,280 ft) descent
Today you leave the picturesque Cirque de Mafate and head for the more winding Cirque de Cilaos via the Col du Taïbit (2,080m / 6,825 ft), a natural border between the two. At the top of the pass, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views.

From here you have a series of tricky ascents and descents before reaching the riverbed for a refreshing dip. You will spend the night in a B&B in Cilaos town centre.

DAY 8: FROM CILAOS TO THE REFUGE DUFOUR, ASCENT OF PITON DES NEIGES
4 hours 30 walking time – Night in a refuge without luggage – 1,300 m (4,265 ft) ascent / 50 m (165 ft) descent
Leaving Cilaos, you will climb through its streets to begin the magnificent ascent of Piton des Neiges. The hike involves lots of steps, rewarded by uninterrupted views over the cirque.

You will spend the night at the Refuge de la Caverne Dufour, a unique spot for hikers to rest and swap notes on their adventures!

DAY 9: ASCENT OF PITON DES NEIGES, THEN ON TO BOURG MURAT
7 hours 30 walking time – Night in a B&B – 1,000 m (3,280 ft) ascent / 1,500 m (4,920 ft) descent
You will set off at about 3am to reach the summit of the extinct volcano in time to enjoy the sunrise and views across the whole island. If it’s a clear day, you can even see Mauritius right in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Once you’ve had time to savour it all, you will walk back down to the refuge for a healthy breakfast. After this, you will have a 4-hour walk to the stunning Plaine des Cafres plateau and, from there, you’ll be driven to Bourg Murat for a well-deserved rest in the B&B.

DAY 10: FROM BOURG MURAT TO PLAINE DES SABLES
6 hours walking time – Night in a B&B – 800 m (2,625 ft) ascent / 200 m (655 ft) descent
The scenery that unfolds today is totally different. You might even think you’re in the rolling hills of the Jura! And by the end of the day, you’ll feel like you’re in the Grand Canyon!

You’ll start with a hike through the forest before all vegetation disappears at the foot of Piton de la Fournaise and the Plaine des Sables, where you’ll spend the night in a B&B.

DAY 11: ASCENT OF PITON DE LA FOURNAISE
5 hours walking time – Night in a B&B – 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent / 600 m (1,970 ft) descent
The day will be spent climbing Piton de la Fournaise. From the stunning views, to the hot ground and impressive lava flows, you won’t know what to look at first!

This is an out-and-back hike with a circuit of the crater, before returning to Dolomieu to spend the night.

DAY 12: FROM PLAINE DES SABLES TO SAINT-JOSEPH VIA GRAND GALET
6 hours walking time – 1-hour transfer - Night in a boutique B&B – 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent / 600 m (1,970 ft) descent
This is the last day of hiking and a fitting end to your trek across the island. Heading south past the Plaine des Sables, you will pass beneath the summit of Morne Langevin to finish this incredible adventure in Grand Galet.

Take the time to admire the most famous waterfall in Réunion, before enjoying the charm of a boutique B&B.

DAY 13: FROM SAINT-JOSEPH TO SAINT-DENIS
Transfer to airport
After a restful night and leisurely breakfast, you will have time to explore the island’s best-known local market, at Saint-Joseph.

After a typical Creole lunch and tour of a rum distillery, you’ll be driven to the airport in a private vehicle, towards the end of the afternoon.
DAY 14: RETURN HOME
Long-haul flight
Arrival in your home country after an unforgettable trek through stunning landscapes. You’ll be taking home plenty of wonderful memories, along with a sense of pride at having crossed the entire island on foot!

Are you interested in this trip?

REUNION ISLAND FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

Photos and videos

Practical information

Time difference
3 hours ahead of CET during the southern winter 2 hours ahead of CET during the southern summer
Safety

You can find advice on foreign travel from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their official website at diplomatie.gouv.fr under the heading “Conseils aux voyageurs”.

Information published on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is provided for guidance only. Furthermore, please remember that no country or region of the world can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.

Climate

Réunion is in the tropics and has two seasons: a dry season from May to November, which is the southern winter, and a rainy season from December to April, which is the southern summer.

However, the island has over 300 micro-climates!

The ideal period for hiking is between May and December. Note that although the island is in the tropics, temperatures do fall significantly at altitude.

You must be prepared for a wide range of temperatures: cool or even cold at night and hot or even very hot in the daytime. Over the period during which the trek is available, May is the coolest and December the hottest.

Infos
Luggage

Your personal belongings will be transported as indicated in the programme. We recommend that you pack your trekking gear in duffle bags rather than suitcases, as they are easier to transport.

Transport

Travel overland is by private vehicle.

Air
Airfares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you are booking less than 3 months before.
Electricity
French sockets. Please note that you will be able to charge batteries only very rarely in the Cirque de Mafate.
Meals

Picnic lunches ordered in the B&Bs or made up of local products bought en route.

Evening meals and breakfasts are taken in the B&Bs and refuges.

Snacks are provided but you can also bring your own favourite snacks.

Accomodation
  • 9 nights in B&Bs, in dormitories.
  • 1 night in a mountain refuge, sleeping in a dormitory.
  • 1 night in a double room in a boutique B&B.
Health and vaccines

No compulsory vaccines. There is no malaria in Réunion.

As for all tropical destinations, make sure you have sun cream, mosquito repellent, and sunglasses.

Ifremmont
No specific indication.
Supervision

Supervised by a qualified French mountain leader.

Formalities and Visa

For French citizens: a valid passport

BUDGET, CURRENCY AND TIPS
The currency is the euro. You can withdraw cash in Saint-Denis and Cilaos. Tipping is not mandatory and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
Registration

By post:

Ask us for a registration form

Send us your registration along with a copy of your passport, your details (postal address, phone numbers and email address) and a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.

Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multi-risk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult the insurance contracts on our website.

On the internet:

Book your stay directly on our website: on the page for the trip by selecting your date and insurance options.

PLEASE NOTE: Airfares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you are booking less than 3 months before.

Insurance and assistance

We strongly advise you to take out insurance for the duration of the trip.

We offer two tailored insurance policies: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multi-risk to be taken out when you register for the trip.

Details of this insurance cover can be provided on request or can be viewed by clicking here.

There are other insurance options available, such as Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or the Club Alpin Français. You should check that they cover trekking.

Make sure that your insurance covers all medical costs in the event of an accident.

It is essential that you check and ensure that you have insurance cover for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information prior to your departure on the trek:

A certificate from the insurance company stating that mountain rescue costs are covered.

The contract number and telephone number of the assistance centre.

Be aware of the restrictive clauses contained in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to bank cards such as Visa Premier, Gold or others), for example mountain insurance restricted to snow activities and altitude sickness not recognised as an illness requiring repatriation, resulting in refusal to repatriate.

Please check the actual content of your insurance and make the necessary arrangements where required.

REUNION ISLAND FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

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Added benefits from Watse

A CHOICE OF QUALITY ACCOMMODATION

We have chosen accommodation to offer you maximum comfort and quality cuisine throughout your trip.

The last night of your trek (day 12) will be spent in a boutique B&B.
To end on a high note!

A CHOICE START TO YOUR TREK IN DOS D'ANE

We opted for a starting point in Dos d' ne, so that you don’t have to cross the flat region of Saint-Denis, an urban sprawl of little interest.

TRANSFERS BY PRIVATE VEHICLE

All transfers will be made by private vehicle, to avoid the inconveniences of travelling on local buses and any unexpected delays.

Next dates and prices

“REUNION ISLAND FROM NORTH TO SOUTH” TREK

Formula Date of departure DescriptionTotalPeople
Dormitories Registration in progress 2850,00 
-
+
Dormitories Registration in progress 2850,00 
-
+
Dormitories 2850,00 
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+

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP

  • Flights and airport taxes
  • Travel overland as indicated in the programme
  • Accommodation on a half-board basis
  • Picnic lunches during the trek
  • Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader
  • Luggage transfers every evening except days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8
  • A first aid kit suitable for hiking

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP

  • Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out at the time of registration
  • Cold or fizzy drinks in general
  • Personal trekking and travel equipment (boots/shoes, poles, personal toiletries/medicines, etc.)
  • Evening meal on day 13
  • Anything not listed in “What’s included in your trip”
  • Transport to/from the departure/arrival airport

Do you have a question about this trip?

Pre-book a place on this trip

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