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

Arrival in mid-afternoon at the Pas de Bellecombe for a first approach to the crater: discovery of the Plaine des Sables, a Martian landscape. Night at altitude (1,600 m) to ease acclimatisation and tackle the volcano at dawn the next morning.

Morning hike at the Piton de la Fournaise from the Pas de Bellecombe (Formica Léo loop, 2h, or the Dolomieu crater for the more sporty). Descent late morning.

Head to Petite-Île in the afternoon, a preserved little southern village. Walk along the coastal trail, stop at Grande Anse beach (caution: dangerous swimming, designated pool only). Pass through Manapany-les-Bains and its natural pools carved into the volcanic rock. Quiet night.

Crossing the east coast to Sainte-Rose. Along the way, free stops at the Étang-Salé blowhole and the 2007 lava flows that descend to the ocean: a spectacular lunar landscape.

Visit the famous Notre-Dame des Laves, a church miraculously spared by the 1977 flow that engulfed the rest of the village. Stroll at the Anse des Cascades, a magnificent site where waterfalls plunge into the ocean among the palm trees. Night in the area, by the ocean.

Climb 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 the most beautiful villages in France: Creole houses, museum, period thermal baths.

Creole lunch (cari bichiques is the speciality). Afternoon: an easy walk at Bélouve or a hike to the Trou de Fer for the more motivated. Night in the cirque, to the sound of the waterfalls.

Descend from Salazie and cross to the west coast the previous evening. Up at 4am for the climb to Maïdo. Arrival at 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.

Descent in the morning, a walk in the highland tamarind forest. Back to the west coast early afternoon to unwind: beach, lagoon, relaxing. Night facing the sea.

Relaxing morning at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains: l’Ermitage beach, snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon, lunch at the port. Afternoon: descent to Saint-Louis then the climb up the legendary road of 400 bends to Cilaos.

Arrival in the listed Creole village at the end of the day: Creole village, thermal baths, wine cellars (the only French tropical vineyard). Night in the cirque with the ramparts lit by moonlight.

Morning in Cilaos: a last walk in the village, tasting Cilaos IGP lentils and local wine, a stroll to the Roche Merveilleuse for a panoramic view over the cirque. High-altitude lunch.

A quiet descent down the 400 bends, a stop at l’Entre-Deux if time allows (listed Creole village). Return to our Saint-Pierre agency in the late afternoon. Van return, then free shuttle to Roland Garros airport for your return flight.

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

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

Descend from Salazie to the east coast. Head to Sainte-Rose: visit the famous Notre-Dame des Laves, a church miraculously spared by the 1977 flow that engulfed the rest of the village. Stroll at the Anse des Cascades, a magnificent site where waterfalls plunge into the ocean among the palm trees.

Stop at the Sainte-Rose peak and its ponds. Pass by the Étang-Salé blowhole and the 2007 lava flows in the afternoon. Night in the area, by the ocean.

Morning at the Langevin waterfall (Langevin river), one of the most photographed sites on the island: a succession of waterfalls and turquoise pools in a setting of tropical vegetation. Swimming possible in the natural pools upstream (Trou Noir, bassin Boeuf).

Afternoon: head to Grande Anse, a paradise beach lined with coconut trees. Swimming only in the designated, supervised pool. Night in the area.

Climb to Bourg-Murat the previous evening to save time, otherwise leave before dawn from the coast. Road to the Pas de Bellecombe, crossing the Plaine des Sables, a Martian landscape.

Round-trip hike to the Dolomieu crater (5-6h) or a shortened loop via Formica Léo (2h). Descent at the end of the day to Le Tampon or the Plaine-des-Cafres. Night in the highlands to continue to Cilaos the next day.

Descend to Saint-Louis, then climb the legendary road of 400 bends to Cilaos. Arrival in the listed Creole village in the morning: thermal baths, wine cellars (the only French tropical vineyard), local market. High-altitude lunch (Cilaos IGP lentils are the speciality).

Afternoon: an easy hike to Fleurs Jaunes or the Roche Merveilleuse, a breathtaking panorama over the ramparts. Night in the cirque with the ramparts lit by moonlight.

Early descent from Cilaos to the west coast. Up at 4am (or the previous evening at the summit) for the climb to Maïdo. Arrival before sunrise: a plunging view over the Cirque de Mafate in a sea of clouds. THE unforgettable panorama of the trip.

Descent in the morning, a walk in the highland tamarind forest. Free afternoon on the west coast to recover from the early start. Night facing the sea.

Relaxing morning at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains: l’Ermitage beach, snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon, lunch at the port. A last swim, souvenirs at the market.

In the early afternoon, a quiet drive up to Saint-Denis along the coastal road. Van returned straight to Roland Garros airport. End of the trip with seven days of images in your head.