Free shuttle from the airport to our Saint-Pierre agency. Pick up the van in the morning, full briefing, complimentary coffee. Quick supply stop, then a direct climb to Bourg-Murat via Le Tampon.

Mid-afternoon arrival at the Pas de Bellecombe for a first look at the crater: discover the Plaine des Sables, a Martian landscape. Overnight at altitude (1,600 m) to ease acclimatisation and tackle the volcano at dawn the next day.

Morning volcano hike, then back down late morning. Head to Petite-Île, a preserved little village in the south. Walk along the coastal path, stop at Grande Anse beach (one of the island’s finest — caution, dangerous swimming, supervised pool only).

Typical Creole lunch at a small local snack bar. Afternoon: viewpoint over Manapany-les-Bains and its natural pools carved into volcanic rock. A quiet night.

On to Saint-Joseph, capital of the Wild South. Morning at the Langevin waterfall, one of the island’s most photographed sites: a chain of falls and turquoise pools in lush tropical greenery. Swimming possible in the upstream natural pools (Trou Noir, Bassin Boeuf).

Afternoon: visit a local vanilla plantation (Saint-Joseph is the capital of Bourbon vanilla) and discover the traditional process. Overnight in the area.

Crossing the Wild South to Saint-Philippe. A must-stop at Cap Méchant, black cliffs where the sea crashes with force. Drive past the 2007 lava flows running down to the ocean: a spectacular lunar landscape where new vegetation reclaims its place.

Visit the garden of scents and spices (a magnificent botanical trail in the primary forest), local cari-camaron lunch. Overnight in Saint-Philippe, in dense tropical surroundings.

On to Sainte-Rose in the morning, on the east coast. Visit the famous Notre-Dame des Laves, the church miraculously spared by the 1977 flow that swallowed the rest of the village. Stroll at the Anse des Cascades, a stunning spot where waterfalls drop into the ocean among the palm trees.

Stop at Piton Sainte-Rose and its ponds. Overnight in the area, by the ocean.

A relaxed drive up to Bras Panon. Visit the Provanille cooperative, a world reference for Bourbon vanilla: plantations, preparation workshops, on-site shop. Tasting is a must.

Afternoon: walk to the Paix waterfall, swimming possible. Quiet overnight in the area. Get ready for the Salazie day tomorrow.

Drive up to the Cirque de Salazie via Saint-André. A mandatory stop at the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, then arrival at Hell-Bourg, listed among France’s most beautiful villages: Creole houses, museum, period thermal baths.

Creole lunch (cari bichiques is the cirque’s speciality). Afternoon: easy walk at Bélouve or a hike to the Trou de Fer for the keenest. Overnight in the cirque, to the sound of the waterfalls.

Down from Salazie to Saint-Denis in the morning. Discover the capital: the Chaudron covered market, Rue de Paris and its sumptuous colonial Creole houses, the barachois facing the ocean. Lunch in town — an urban vibe very different from the rest of the island.

Afternoon: head west on the coastal road towards Le Port and Saint-Paul. Saint-Paul’s open-air market on Fridays and Saturdays (one of the island’s best). Overnight on the west coast, ahead of the Maïdo.

Up at 4 am for the climb to the Maïdo. Reach the summit before sunrise: a plunging view over the Cirque de Mafate in a sea of clouds. THE unforgettable panorama of the trip, earned by the early start.

Back down in the morning, a walk in the tamarind forest of the highlands. Return to the west coast in the early afternoon to unwind and prepare to enter Mafate the next day.

A well-deserved relaxing day. L’Ermitage beach and its turquoise lagoon, snorkelling among tropical fish, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains for the atmosphere. Optional visit to Kélonia (sea turtle observatory) or a boat trip (dolphins year-round, whales July to October).

Seafood evening at the harbour. Pack for Mafate (the van stays on the west coast for 2 days). Overnight facing the sea.

Access to Mafate via the Col des Bœufs. Enter the only road-free cirque in France, reachable only on foot or by helicopter. Hike to a hamlet (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate or Aurère depending on your level), overnight in a lodge booked in advance.

Day 12: hike to a second hamlet or simply soak it in, then climb back up via the same col. Return to the van on the west coast in the late afternoon. The most intense experience of the trip.

Climb to the Caverne Dufour lodge (2,478 m) via Le Bloc or Cilaos. 3h of technical but accessible hiking. Arrive late afternoon, communal meal, early night: depart 3 am for the summit.

The Piton des Neiges (3,070 m), the highest peak of the Indian Ocean, is climbed in 1h30 from the lodge. Sunrise at the summit, view over the three cirques. Back to the lodge for breakfast, then down to Cilaos during the day.

Recovery after the effort. Cilaos: a listed Creole village, thermal baths (well deserved!), wineries (the only French tropical vineyard). High-altitude lunch (speciality: Cilaos lentils, PGI-classified).

Afternoon: easy walk to the Roche Merveilleuse or the Fleurs Jaunes, breathtaking views over the ramparts. Overnight in the cirque, under the moonlight.

Early start from Cilaos: a relaxed descent down the 400 bends, lunch stop at L’Entre-Deux (a listed Creole village, a preserved gem). Back to our Saint-Pierre agency in the early afternoon.

Hand the van back at your leisure, then free shuttle to Roland Garros airport for your return flight. The end of a 15-day Réunion adventure.

Pick up the van at Roland Garros airport. Head straight to the Cirque de Salazie via Saint-André. A mandatory first stop at the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, then up to Hell-Bourg, listed among France’s most beautiful villages.

Discover the Creole houses, stroll through the village, Creole lunch (cari bichiques is the speciality). Afternoon: easy walk at Bélouve. Overnight in the cirque, to the sound of the waterfalls.

Down from Salazie to Bras Panon. Visit the Provanille cooperative, a world reference for Bourbon vanilla: plantations, preparation workshops, on-site shop. Tasting is a must.

Afternoon: walk to the Paix waterfall, swimming possible. Quiet overnight in the area.

On to Sainte-Rose: visit the famous Notre-Dame des Laves, the church miraculously spared by the 1977 flow that swallowed the rest of the village. Stroll at the Anse des Cascades, a stunning spot where waterfalls drop into the ocean among the palm trees.

Stop at Piton Sainte-Rose and its ponds. Overnight in the area, by the ocean.

On to Saint-Philippe, the volcanic far south-east. A must-stop at Cap Méchant, black cliffs where the sea crashes with force. Drive past the 2007 lava flows running down to the ocean: a spectacular lunar landscape.

Visit the garden of scents and spices (a magnificent botanical trail in the primary forest), local cari-camaron lunch. Overnight in Saint-Philippe.

Crossing the Wild South to Saint-Joseph. Morning at the Langevin waterfall, one of the island’s most photographed sites: a chain of falls and turquoise pools. Swimming possible in the upstream natural pools (Trou Noir, Bassin Boeuf).

Afternoon: visit a local vanilla plantation and discover the traditional process. Overnight in the area.

Head to Petite-Île, a preserved little village in the south. Walk along the coastal path, stop at Grande Anse beach (caution, dangerous swimming, supervised pool only).

Afternoon: viewpoint over Manapany-les-Bains and its natural pools carved into volcanic rock. A quiet night, ahead of the volcano day tomorrow.

Drive up to Bourg-Murat the night before to save time, otherwise leave before dawn. Road to the Pas de Bellecombe, crossing the Plaine des Sables, a Martian landscape.

Out-and-back hike to the Dolomieu crater (5-6h) or the Formica Léo loop (2h). Back down at the end of the day towards Le Tampon or Saint-Pierre. Overnight on the coast.

A day in Saint-Pierre, the southern capital and liveliest town in Réunion. Saturday morning market (the island’s largest), a walk along the seafront, the central beach for a quiet swim.

Lunch at one of the many seafront restaurants (fresh fish, refined Creole cuisine). Relaxed afternoon: shopping, terraces, local life. Evening in the seafront bars.

Up to Cilaos along the legendary road of 400 bends. Arrive in the listed Creole village in the morning: thermal baths, wineries (the only French tropical vineyard), local market. High-altitude lunch (Cilaos PGI lentils are the speciality).

Afternoon: scout the start of the Piton des Neiges hike (Caverne Dufour lodge) and prep your gear. A gentle overnight in the cirque.

Climb to the Caverne Dufour lodge (2,478 m) via Le Bloc from Cilaos. 3h of technical but accessible hiking. Arrive late afternoon, communal meal, early night: depart 3 am for the summit.

The Piton des Neiges (3,070 m), the highest peak of the Indian Ocean, is climbed in 1h30 from the lodge. Sunrise at the summit, view over the three cirques. Back to the lodge then down to Cilaos during the day.

Access to Mafate via the Col des Bœufs. Enter the only road-free cirque in France, reachable only on foot or by helicopter. Hike to a hamlet (La Nouvelle, Marla, Roche Plate or Aurère depending on your level), overnight in a lodge booked in advance.

Day 12: hike to a second hamlet or simply soak it in, then climb back up via the same col. Return to the van on the west coast in the late afternoon. The most intense experience of the trip.

Back to the west coast. Up at 4 am for the climb to the Maïdo. Reach the summit before sunrise: a plunging view over the Cirque de Mafate in a sea of clouds. Seen from above this time, after crossing it on foot — the contrast is striking.

Back down in the morning, a walk in the tamarind forest of the highlands. Free afternoon on the west coast to recover.

A well-deserved relaxing day after 13 intense days. L’Ermitage beach and its turquoise lagoon, snorkelling among tropical fish, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains for the vibe, Saint-Leu for surfing, paragliding or a visit to Kélonia.

Boat trip possible (dolphins year-round, whales July to October). Seafood evening at the harbour. Overnight facing the sea.

A relaxed drive up to Saint-Denis along the coastal road. Morning in the capital: the Chaudron market for souvenirs (arranged rums, Bourbon vanilla, Creole spices), a stroll along Rue de Paris and its colonial houses, the barachois facing the ocean. Creole lunch before the airport.

Hand the van back straight at Roland Garros airport. The end of a 15-day circuit you’ll never forget.