Réunion, Volcanic and Wild Island

From 3 to 6 hours of hiking per day on varied terrain, elevation gains of 300 to 850mmetres. Even though this hike has a much more accessible fitness level than the classic “Great Island Crossings”, each participant must be in good physical condition.

Carrying only the day backpack except for the night planned in the Mafate cirque (day 4; baggage transport impossible but sheets and blankets provided at the accommodation).

Prices include internal transfers by minibus.

From 5 to 8 participants.

Guide gratuities are optional and at your discretion. To reward outstanding service, a suggested guideline is 5–10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred.

11 days / 10 nights / 9 jourshiking and visit days.

Trip from Thursday to Sunday. Departures from May to November (except July-August).

Guidance

Mountain guide resident of Reunion.

Accommodation

We have chosen to prioritize welcoming accommodations, with local families, thus promoting exchanges with Creole families. Full board in mountain lodges, mountain huts, guest houses and small hotels organized as follows:

• Mountain lodge in Cilaos (rooms of 2 to 4 people)
• Mountain huts in the Mafate cirque and at the Furnaise volcano/Cafres plain (dormitories or small rooms of 2 to 6 people)
• Guest houses or family hotels in Hell-Bourg and on the south coast in Saint-Philippe (rooms of 2 to 3 people)
• Hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains (room of 2 people)

Exceptionally, during high season (October and November), accommodation may be provided in a dormitory in Hell-Bourg.

For some accommodations, hot water is produced using solar panels. During the dry season, water can be scarce, so it should be conserved.
Sheets and blankets are provided at each stage. You can bring your own sleeping sheet liner if you wish.
No single rooms available for this trip

Meals

Réunion cuisine is a delightful blend drawn from diverse cultures: Asia, Africa and India, each bringing their own flavours and characteristics. Among the many local specialities, you will find “curry” (or cari), a simmered dish based on meat (often chicken) or fish, accompanied mainly by tomatoes, onions, turmeric, saffron, and many other vegetables and spices. This traditional dish can also be prepared with brède (a leafy vegetable: chouchou brède, pumpkin or other) or rougail (referring to a spiced preparation).

In the evening, it is customary to drink the local “ti-punch” served at the end of the meal.

Dinners and breakfasts are taken at the accommodation or at independent restaurants. Dinner often consists of a single course.
Lunches are provided as packed picnic baskets prepared by the guide using local produce. Your guide, with their perfect knowledge of the island, will show you the best places at each stage and provide advice on finding local specialities, fresh vegetables and fruit, local markets, and more.

Please let us know at registration of any food allergies or special dietary requirements; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Flights

Flights with regular carriers, Air Austral, Air France, Corsair or equivalent. Our prices are based on Air Austral flight availability in class K. Late booking may result in a supplement if these flights are no longer available. Night flights on both outbound and return, the flight generally departs in the evening or late afternoon, arriving the following morning.

Meeting Point / Dispersal

Meeting Point

Day 1 at Paris Roissy airport.

Dispersal

Day 11 at Paris Roissy airport.

You will receive, approximately two weeks before your departure, a confirmation specifying the time and meeting place, the name and contact details of your guide, and the address of the first accommodation.

By train to Paris Roissy airport.
Pre-journey by TGV often possible; please contact us.

Many of our trips offer opportunities for swimming during stages or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage. However, we emphasise that you are solely responsible for deciding whether to swim; swimming is undertaken at your own risk and responsibility.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle is a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips — on foot, by bike, in snow — to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and benevolence.

Present on the board of directors since 2018, , we actively contribute to advancing the sector’s practices towards greater purpose. Concretely, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and our rates
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Environmental preservation on each of our trips

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages each person to adopt simple gestures to protect the places visited and foster beautiful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, , Grand Angle is recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in terms of environment, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We actively continue our progress towards the higher level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

Remember that we are in the southern hemisphere and that summer for us (July and August) corresponds to winter. Plan for light clothing, but also warm clothing, because in the evening, in the heights of the island, temperatures can be low. Between July and November, the temperature in the heights can drop to 10°C during the day and even 0°C at night.

For hiking

for maximum comfort, favour a “multi-layer” clothing system: warm underwear (tights + shirt) type “carline” or “capilène” (hollow fibres evacuating perspiration) + sweatshirt or fleece jacket + mountain jacket and rain pants with breathable waterproof membrane (type “gore tex” or equivalent) for bad weather.

• A headlamp with spare batteries and bulbs for tunnel passages
• Mountain shoes holding the ankle with a good tread sole, presenting a counter and good waterproofing
• Comfortable “hiking special” socks (8 to 9 pairs)
• A fleece jacket
• Comfortable pants for walking (quick-drying technical material)
• Shorts, t-shirts and technical underwear (quick-drying material)
• A long-sleeved shirt (quick-drying technical material)
• Walking poles (telescopic), very important for facilitating walking

• 1 scarf to protect from sun and/or wind - 1 hat and 1 pair of gloves, depending on the season and altitude: always have them at the bottom of your bag

Note: synthetic technical clothing is very effective. New merino wool clothing has also appeared; they are very effective and pleasant to wear, and have the advantage of not developing odours of perspiration! (Icebreaker, Ruka brand, etc…).

In general, avoid cotton, which cools when wet.

Overall, your clothing should be adapted depending on the season and region chosen.

For the midday picnic

• Bowl, box or plastic plate
• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
• Water bottle of at least one and a half litres (mandatory)

Protection against sun and rain

• Sunscreen (high protection) and sunglasses
• Hat, cap or wide-brimmed hat
• A rain cape or Gore-Tex jacket and possibly Gore-Tex trousers

• A large sturdy plastic bag to wrap clothing and belongings in your backpack (in case of heavy rain)

After exertion

• A pair of light shoes + sandals
• Change of clothes and personal laundry
• Toiletry bag and towel (mini)
• A small personal first aid kit (Note: this is a non-exhaustive list to be adapted according to your own medical needs): personal medications, pre-cut sterile plasters, local antiseptic for external use (wounds), Elastoplast and/or second skin (blisters), paracetamol-type painkiller, antidiarrhoeal and intestinal antiseptic, antispasmodic, antihistamine (allergies), physiological saline or eye drops, light sleeping aid, high protection sunscreen for skin and lips, moisturising cream like Biaffine (sunburn and burns), mosquito repellent cream or spray, Arnica Montana in granules 9 CH (muscle soreness)…
• Swimming costume not to be forgotten

To carry your belongings

• A small comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 L with a ventral belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day
• A follow-up bag: a backpack, a travel bag in good soft condition (rigid suitcases excluded). One bag per person; limited to 15kg

The country: Reunion Inhabitants: approximately 660000 inhabitants (estimated 95), of which 120000 in the capital Saint-Denis. The island is characterized by a variety of ethnic groups: French, Africans, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian.

History The island was discovered in 1507 by the Portuguese Tristan da Cunha. In 1649, it was claimed by the French and named Bourbon Island. Located on the trade routes between Europe and Asia, the island was prosperous in the 17th century. Sugar cane plantations where slaves worked also contributed to its wealth. In 1792, the island was renamed Reunion Island by the Convention. In 1806, it took the name Bonaparte Island. In 1810, the English took possession of the Mascarene Islands (Reunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) and it took back the name Bourbon Island. In 1815, Bourbon Island was returned to France by the Treaty of Paris. In 1946, Reunion became an Overseas Department of France (DOM).

Geography Reunion Island is located in the Indian Ocean, 760km east of Madagascar. With an area of 2510km², the island is traversed by a chain of volcanic peaks, among which the famous “Piton de la Fournaise” (Furnace Peak), still active.

Population Approximately 660000 inhabitants (estimated 95), of which 120000 in the capital Saint-Denis. The island is characterized by a variety of ethnic groups: French, Africans, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian.

Economy
Traditionally based on agriculture, particularly sugar cane, the economy is now oriented towards tourism.

Documents

This is a French department: bring a valid identity card or passport. Note: If you are traveling to Mauritius, a passport valid for six months after your return date is required. No vaccination required.

Health

Remember to bring the European Health Insurance Card issued by social security.

Reunion Tourism Office
90, rue La Boétie
75008 Paris
0140750279

To call from France to Reunion: +262.

Reunion Island is three hours ahead of mainland France from late October to late March, winter time, and two hours ahead from early April to October.

The climate is tropical, with a cooler and drier season from April to November. The best periods are in May/June, then September, October and November. The average temperature is 25°. Some showers are always possible. In July and August, it can be quite cold in the evenings at altitude. Reunion has the least polluted sky on the planet.

French is spoken on the islands. However, the language actually used is Creole.

Euro. Cheques and credit cards accepted.

General Guides

• Reunion: tourist and encyclopedic guide; Daniel Vaxelaire; Ed. Orphie
• The most beautiful walks in Reunion; UFOLEP; Ed. Pelican

Geology and Volcanology

• La Fournaise, volcano of Reunion; Douris Philippe; Ed. Azalées
• Reunion, Mauritius: geology and biological overview; Montaggioni Nativel; Ed. Masson Regional geological guides.

Botany and Ornithology

• Flowers and Plants of Reunion; Th Cadet; Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé
• Birds of Reunion: Edition du Pacifique
• Reunion Island through its plants; Botanical conservatory of the Mascarenes; Ed. Solar

Novels

• Men and a volcano; Denise Delcour; Ed. Delcour
• Slave hunters; Daniel Vaxelaire; Ed. Folio
• The spice hunters; Daniel Vaxelaire; Ed. Payot

Reports

• Magazine GEO no. 200 - 210

IGN Maps: Reunion, at 1/100000th and at 1/25000th (TOP25 series)

The Grand Angle team is at your disposal to ensure the successful completion of your journey, so please do not hesitate to contact us: we will do everything to make your stay a success.