Volcanoes, untouched nature, & dream beaches in the Indian Ocean

Your island combination begins early in the morning at Roland Garros Airport. Welcome to La Réunion — your exciting journey starts here. After receiving your luggage, our partner will meet you outside the airport and ensure you find all the documents and information you need to collect your rental car. Are you ready to explore the beautiful island?

The first part of the route takes you to Saint-Gilles on the west coast. Use the rest of the day at your leisure. Get to know the beautiful seaside resort, one of the most famous on the island, and stroll along its lively boulevards. Soak in your first impressions of paradise.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour / 50 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in La Saline Les Bains, La Réunion

We recommend setting off early from Saint-Gilles and driving to Mount Piton Maido for stunning viewpoints in the morning light. From here, you can marvel at the world-famous Cirque de Mafate basin. The emerald green slopes of the surrounding mountains are steep and high; therefore, you can only reach the area on foot or by helicopter. Let your gaze wander in peace over this refuge of almost untouched nature and enjoy the beauty of the majestic mountains.

In the afternoon, continue to the Cirque de Cilaos. Via the lovely “road of 400 curves,” you will reach the high valley basin where beautiful nature awaits you in the form of mountain peaks and narrow gorges. Did you know that the valley basin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010? Today it attracts numerous locals and visitors for hiking and rafting.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes / 80 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in Cilaos, La Réunion

Cilaos is not only famous for its thermal springs. In this vast basin, you can expect the typical Creole lightness and a relaxed pace of life. Unwind with wellness treatments in the thermal water or enjoy the delicious local wines during a tasting experience. For active visitors, you can explore the unique landscape on numerous mountain and hiking tours. The tours’ level of difficulty ranges from easy to advanced. If you are interested in a hiking tour, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help with the booking!

However you plan your day, you will experience the pleasantly calm and serene people around you. Enjoy the day at leisure and let your mind wander.

Overnight stay with breakfast in Cilaos, La Réunion

Today you will leave Cilaos and head further down the west coast to the island's south. You can visit the Garden of Fragrances and Spices or stroll through the Forêt de Mare Longue. The spice garden is a great sensual experience. As a French colony, La Réunion was an essential location for spice production for a long time. Look at how the familiar spices grow and the fresh smells they exude. At Fôret de Mare Longue, you will discover the peculiarities of the island jungle, a subtropical wet forest with many native plant species.

In the afternoon, you will resume your journey and finally reach Plaine des Cafres. The high plateau landscape is reminiscent of the Alps because of the hilly terrains with cow pastures, farms, small swamps, and heather. This backdrop invites you to go on hikes and discovery tours in nature.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes / 55 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion

Another highlight of your trip is on today’s itinerary! Wake up early because you will go to the Plaine des Sables and Pas de Bellecombe viewpoints on the Piton de Fournaise volcano. Our tip: from the second vantage point, you can hike around the volcano’s crater rim in about five hours — an unforgettable experience with exciting insights.

The volcano is still active but not very dangerous because it’s an effusive volcano. Piton de la Fournaise does not empty itself with explosions and ash clouds but relatively calmly for volcanic conditions. The volcano is the last active volcano on La Réunion, with more minor eruptions occurring occasionally. Like the Hawaiian volcanoes, thin-flowing lava emerges and makes its way toward the sea with no major gas explosions. Locals have an exceptionally loving relationship with the volcano! It’s a big part of their identity, and in the event of an eruption, they get in their cars and secure the best vantage points for this spectacle. The last major eruption happened in 2007, and its traces are still visible today. About 140 million cubic meters of lava flowed into the sea and enlarged the island by 0.45 square meters. The last eruption, which miraculously changed the landscape again, happened just in September 2016. After your spectacular visit to the volcano, resume your journey back to Plaine des Cafres.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour / 30 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion

After breakfast, you should take time to hike through the Forêt de Bébour in Plaine des Palmistes, an indigenous and still pristine rainforest. Magical, lush green forests await you—the unique atmosphere wisps thick blankets of fog between the moss-covered trees. In the afternoon, continue your journey via St. Benoît, where you can make a stopover at the small Creole mountain town of Hell-Bourg. The municipality is one of the island’s most beautiful and authentic Creole settlements because of La Réunion’s status as a French overseas department. It has the title of the “most beautiful village in France.” This destination is where you will spend the night today.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes / 70 km

Overnight stay with breakfast in Hell-Bourg, La Réunion

Today it’s time to say goodbye to La Réunion and a warm welcome to the untouched island of Rodrigues. The journey from hell-Bourg to St. Denis takes you first through the Cirque de Salazie, where you can marvel at the mighty and mysterious Voile de la Mariée waterfalls. Countless small and large waterfalls pour over the broad, bright green mountainside, their spray glistening in the sun and giving the valley’s air a unique scent. Continue your adventure past banana plantations and the strong tendrils of bourbon vanilla and onward to St. André. Experience La Réunion with all of your senses.

From here, continue along the coast to St. Denis. When you arrive at the airport, return your rental car and start your onward flight to Rodrigues via Mauritius.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour / 53 km

In the late afternoon, you’ll reach the small untouched island of Rodrigues. In contrast to the luxurious sister island of Mauritius, there’s not much mass tourism. The small island is part of the Mascarene Archipelago and is known as the “Pearl of the Mascarene.” A partner agent will meet you at the airport and escort you to your booked boutique hotel Tekoma.

Overnight with half board in Anse Ally, Rodrigues

The incredible natural paradise of Rodrigues awaits you with a variety of landscapes. The highest point is Mont Limon, a 348-meter-high and hilly landscape ideal for mountain biking. Rodrigues is also a perfect travel destination for water sports enthusiasts and anglers. The tiny island has retained its unique atmosphere, creating a place with little stress and a hectic rush. During your stay, experience lots of rest, relaxation, and exciting excursions that will take you back to nature.

On the day of your choice, we will organize a comprehensive program for you with a personal guide and a small lunch. During your day trip, “Ile aux Coco Robinson Crusoe,” get to know the tiny island differently and spend a whole day on a paradise island. Visit a nature reserve where thousands of seabirds take refuge. Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit and sunscreen!

You can unwind on the fine sandy beach “Anse Ally” in your free time or try some land or water activities. Your boutique hotel offers many sports, with kitesurfing and diving as the most popular. Or how about a snorkeling trip? Don’t miss the beautiful underwater world that surrounds the island!

3 nights with half board in Anse Ally, Rodrigues

For the last few days of your island combination vacation, relax on the beautiful island of Mauritius. Treat yourself to six nights at The Ravenala Attitude, a stylish all-suite hotel on the northwest coast. During this beautiful getaway on the beach, enjoy varied cuisine options, comfortable suites, and plenty of activities.

6 nights with half board in Balaclava, Mauritius

Your adventure in the Indian Ocean draws to a close. Today you must pack your bags before heading to the airport. A local agency member will pick you up and take you to Mauritius Airport. You'll start your flight back home with unique memories and tons of rest.

itravel - for that moment.

Hotel Swalibo***, La Saline les Bains, La Réunion

The charming boutique hotel impresses because of its feel-good atmosphere and ideal location for tours and excursions across the island. Experience a combination of harmony, tropical plants, and handcrafted decoration — the perfect place to unwind. The 30 rooms are colorful and furnished with air conditioning, a TV, a telephone, a small refrigerator, and a bathroom. Try fresh local and exotic dishes at the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dreamlike pool in the garden lets you relax in the comfortable deck chairs or swim in its refreshing water.

Hotel Le Vieux Cep**, Saint Leu, La Réunion

Experience charm and authenticity in the middle of the Cilaos basin. The 45-room hotel awaits you on the family estate in the local village. The restaurant is known for its regional cuisine and spoils you with many Creole specialties prepared with typical La Réunion products. The menu includes cari with duck and corn, smoked pork chops with Cilaos lentils, and traditional French cuisine.

Hotel L’Ecrin**, La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion

This hotel nestles in the heart of the Bourg Murat village, is 1,500 meters above sea level, and offers 21 bungalow-style rooms with heating and an LCD flat-screen TV. For breakfast, enjoy a continental breakfast buffet, and other hotel amenities include a sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, and mini-golf. You can go mountain biking and quad biking nearby.

Hotel Relais des Cimes**, Salazie, La Réunion

Authenticity, tradition, and hospitality in the middle of Hell-Bourg, are considered “one of the most beautiful villages in France.” The hotel offers its guests 29 rooms, 18 in the main building with Creole architectural style and 11 in an authentic Creole residence from the 19th century. The restaurant invites you on a culinary journey of discovery into the world of Creole cuisine. French specialties are also on the menu.

Hotel Tekoma****, Anse Ally, Rodrigues

The quaint boutique hotel is on the east coast’s beautiful sandy “Anse Ally” beach. It boasts traditional Creole architecture and modern design throughout its 15 rooms. Each has a size of 65 m², some with a door, a private terrace with seating, a walk-in shower, an outdoor bathroom, a hairdryer, a telephone, TV, air conditioning, free WiFi, minibar, coffee/tea making equipment, a safe, ceiling fan, and shaver connector. At Tek Tropical Dining, you can order international and local dishes. Relax on the beautiful beach or at the 45 m². It’s also the perfect starting point for excursions and is only a 15-minute walk from the Trou d’Argent nature reserve.

The Ravenala Attitude****, Balaclava, Mauritius

The modern and stylish hotel is on the northwest coast of Mauritius, directly on the beach. Enjoy the contemporary interior design, attentive service, a large selection of restaurants, various sports activities, an in-house spa, and a 1000 m² outdoor pool during your stay. All 272 suites come stylishly furnished in traditional colonial style and have a private balcony or terrace, air conditioning, telephone, plasma TV, minibar, tea/coffee-making equipment, a safe, and a hairdryer. This hotel is the perfect accommodation for couples and families because of its wide range of activities for young and old.

Duration of the trip: 17 days / 16 nights

Including

• International flights from/to Frankfurt or Zurich
• Domestic flights to/from Rodrigues and from/to Mauritius

La Réunion:

• 6 nights mentioned accommodations or similar:
  • 1 night at Hotel Swalibo*** in a standard room with breakfast in La Saline Les Bains, La Réunion
  • 2 nights at Hotel Le Vieux Cep** in a standard room with breakfast in Cilaos, La Réunion
  • 2 nights at Hotel L'Ecrin** in a standard room with breakfast in La Plaine des Cafres, La Réunion
  • 1 night at Hotel Relais des Cimes** in a standard room with breakfast in Hell-Bourg, La Réunion
• 7 days rental car category I (Clio or similar)
• One-time handling fee

Rodrigues:

• Private transfer from/to Rodrigues airport
• 4 nights at Hotel Tekoma**** in a Côte Jardin Room with half board in Anse Ally, Rodrigues
• Included excursion “Ile aux Coco Robinson Crusoe”

Mauritius:

• Private transfer from/to Mauritius airport
• 6 nights in a Couple’s Suite with half board in Balaclava, Mauritius
• One-time handling fee

Excluding

• International flights

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services

• Optional excursions (visits, admissions, etc.)

• Tips and personal expenses

• Rental car deposit (to be paid on site)

• Travel insurance

• PCR test, if still required

• Visa, entry, and/or exit fees, if required

• Airport tax (approx. 24 EUR per person to be paid on site)

• Tourism tax (0.80 EUR and 2 EUR per person/night, to be paid on spot)

Hygiene protocols

Notes on staying in Les Jardins d´Héva (Hell-Bourg):

• No more than three people at the reception/in the shop (unless traveling together)
• Check-in at 15:30
• Avoid the crowds in public areas
• A minimum distance of one meter
• It is compulsory to wear the mask in public places (it is not required at the table or in the rooms)
• Guests are escorted to their table by a member of staff in the order they arrive at the restaurant