Africa

Latin America

India



01582 766122
Search for your perfect holiday: 
2by2 for holidays that will change your life
2by2 for holidays that will change your life
Call 01582 766122
Reunion and Mauritius Holidays to Indian Ocean Islands Hiking Safari

Reunion Island Holiday: Walking Cirques + Self Drive (Car Hire Rental)

Reunion Island: 3 Centre (self-drive)
Reunion Island Holiday Walking Cirques Self Drive Car Hire Rental
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$1,526
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
HCM10M
• Reunion Island Holiday
• Car Hire Rental
• Sainte-Anne
• Creale Houses
• Furnace Peak Volcano
• Saint-Pierre
• Walking in Cirques
• Saint-Gilles
• Saint-Denis
• Self Drive Holiday

On this 3-centre Reunion Island holiday enjoy walking in the three Cirques (dramatic natural amphitheatres) & view the active Furnace Peak volcano. On this self drive trip you can explore the quaint towns of Sainte-Anne, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Gilles & Saint-Denis, with their Creole houses & beautiful beaches. Car hire rental will be arranged for you.

Day 1
Arrive at Reunion Airport, collect your hire car and drive 1-hour to the small village of Sainte-Anne on the east coast, between the towns of Sainte-Rose and Saint-Benoît.
 
This craggy volcanic island offers wonderful walking and mountain biking opportunities in its three magnificent 'cirques' (steep-walled bowl-shaped natural amphitheatres), formed inside Piton des Neiges - the volcano that gave birth to the island and further shaped by centuries of erosion - Salazie, Cilaos and Mafate.
 
Check into your hotel in this unspoilt region, with its black volcanic beaches and rugged scenery.
Days 2 To 3
At leisure to relax and enjoy the facilties of your hotel in Sainte-Anne.
 
The east side of the island has many traditional Creole homes, with people living here as they have done for over a century. Volcanic eruptions are also relatively common, taking place about once a year at Furnace Peak in the southeast.
Day 4
Today drive 1-hour from Sainte-Anne to Saint-Pierre in the south of the island.
 
Check into your hotel on this beautiful coastline that has beaches framed by coconut trees and is the gateway to some of the best walking and hiking in the Cirques.
Days 5 To 6
At leisure to explore the wild south of the island - with its steep cliffs, lush vegetation and colourful Creole houses. Start with a walk along the harbour of Saint-Pierre, the largest town in the south. It has a small covered market in the town centre and a larger market each Saturday by the seaside.
 
You can visit Grand Anse beach, famous for its spectacular sunsets, but be aware that sea currents are very strong here so only swim and snorkel in the volcanic rock enclosed lagoon. You can also walk up the headland that overlooks this beach for beautiful tropical island views.
 
Other options include visiting Cirque de Cilaos and Piton de la Fournaise (Furnace Peak), the most active volcano on the island. You can also visit the Jardin des Parfums et Epices (Spice Garden) in the southeast of the island and Anse Waterfall in the east. Between the fisherman's harbour of Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe you can see the lava rivers that are gradually increasing the size of the island.
Day 7
Today drive 1-hour from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Gilles-Les-Baines on the west coast.
 
Check into your hotel in this town that is known for its beaches, with over 12-miles (20-kms) of golden sands, and lovely coral reefs. The town has many lively bars and restaurants clustered around Roches Noires beach.
Days 8 To 9
At leisure to relax and enjoy the lively town of Saint-Gilles-Les-Baines, which has a lovely beachfront and splendid sunsets over Roches Noires beach.
 
At the Garden of Eden botanical gardens you can see chameleons and a magnificent volcanic lava tunnel. We suggest an early morning trip to the Maido viewpoint over the Cirque of Mafate, where hiking is popular. This popular holiday town is a favourite surfing spot, but as sea currents can be very strong  you should only swim in the lagoon or at one of the protected beaches between L'Ermitage and La Saline-les-Baines.
 
In nearby Saint-Paul you can visit the fascinating Seaman’s Cemetery, where the French poet Leconte de Lisle is buried, as well as the famous pirate La Buse. Across the road you can visit the Grotte des Premiers Français - caves where the first inhabitants of the island are said to have lived. On a Friday don’t miss the local market, which is one of the nicest on the island.
 
You can also visit the Kélonia Sea Turtle research station in the nearby town of Saint-Leu, where a coral reef partly closes the bay to protect swimmers. Here you can snorkel over a coral garden that shelters numerous marine species including turtles, starfish, crustaceans and tropical fish. This is one of the best places in the world to view Humpback whales in season (June to September) and at the aquarium you can see moray eels, sharks and seahorses. Scuba diving and deep sea fishing trips are also available.
Day 10
Today drive 1-hour from Saint-Gilles to Saint-Denis, the administrative capital of Reunion island.
 
Your afternoon is free to explore this pretty town with its traditional Creole-style houses.
Day 11
Drive to Reunion Airport for your flight home.