Reunion Volcano & Cirques Hiking

Today you hike the spectacular trails of the cirque of Cilaos. With your expert mountain guide, you hike amid the dramatic scenery, perhaps to breathtaking viewpoints such as the Roche Merveilleuse or along beautiful mountain trails through forests and past waterfalls, taking in the spectacular jagged peaks and the vast amphitheatre of the cirque. For the fit and acclimatised, you might begin an ascent towards Piton des Neiges, the highest peak in the Indian Ocean (often a dawn summit from a mountain refuge). The trails and scenery are spectacular. As the day ends, you return to Cilaos. This evening, savour hearty Creole mountain cuisine and the cool mountain air. Rest well amid the beauty of the cirque, ready to journey to the active volcano tomorrow.

Today you journey to the volcano region and begin exploring the active Piton de la Fournaise. You travel from Cilaos towards the high plains and the volcano, taking in the dramatic changing scenery. You arrive in the volcano region, and take a first hike or explore the dramatic, high-altitude landscapes, perhaps to a viewpoint over the otherworldly Plaine des Sables, a Mars-like landscape, or to the Maison du Volcan to learn about the volcano. The changing scenery and anticipation are dramatic. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in the volcano region, high in the mountains. This evening, savour Creole cuisine and the cool mountain air. Rest well amid the dramatic scenery, ready for a full day hiking the active volcano tomorrow.

Today you hike the active Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes. You drive across the otherworldly Plaine des Sables, a Mars-like landscape of red and black volcanic terrain, to Pas de Bellecombe, on the rim of the vast caldera. With your guide, and conditions and rules allowing, you descend into the enclos and hike across the otherworldly lava fields towards the smoking crater, an awe-inspiring, primal experience amid one of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes on earth, taking in craters, lava flows and moonscapes. The drama and scale are overwhelming. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation. This evening, savour Creole cuisine, reflecting on the awesome volcano. Rest well amid the dramatic scenery, ready to journey to the lush cirque of Salazie tomorrow.

Today you journey to the lush cirque of Salazie and hike amid its waterfalls. You travel to Salazie, the greenest of the three cirques, a lush amphitheatre of waterfalls, forests and Creole villages. With your guide, you hike amid the lush forests and cascading waterfalls, taking in the spectacular green scenery and the beautiful Voile de la Mariee (Bride's Veil) waterfall, and discover the charming heritage village of Hell-Bourg. The lush beauty and waterfalls are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in or near Salazie. This evening, savour Creole cuisine and the lush mountain setting. Rest well amid the green mountains, ready for a final hike in Salazie tomorrow.

Today you hike more of the lush, beautiful cirque of Salazie. With your guide, you hike the beautiful trails of Salazie, amid lush forests, cascading waterfalls and dramatic green scenery, perhaps to viewpoints, the remote reaches of the cirque, or towards the heights, taking in the spectacular green amphitheatre and its waterfalls. You explore more of the heritage village of Hell-Bourg, with its charming Creole houses and gardens. The lush beauty and trails are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation in Salazie. This evening, savour hearty Creole mountain cuisine, reflecting on the spectacular hiking of your journey. Rest well amid the green mountains, the dramatic volcano and cirques of Reunion vivid in your memory. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in the lush cirque of Salazie, perhaps a last waterfall or viewpoint, you journey down to Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis for your onward international departure. You leave having hiked the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Reunion, one of the world's great hiking islands, the active Piton de la Fournaise and its otherworldly lava fields, the spectacular cirque of Cilaos and, perhaps, towards Piton des Neiges, and the lush, waterfall-filled cirque of Salazie, guided by expert mountain guides. The images stay vivid long after you land, the smoking volcano and lava fields, the spectacular cirques and jagged peaks, the cascading waterfalls, and the charming Creole villages. Reunion offers world-class hiking through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth, and you depart deeply satisfied, already dreaming of a return to hike more of this spectacular island.