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 to prepare for the next day’s ascent.

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.

Back down from the volcano late morning. Head to Petite-Île, a preserved little village in the south, away from the tourist bustle. Walk along the coastal path, stop at Grande Anse beach (one of the island’s finest — caution, dangerous swimming). 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 in the area.

Crossing the Wild South to Saint-Philippe. A must-stop at the Étang-Salé blowhole, then 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.

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.

Afternoon: head west on the coastal road towards Le Port and Saint-Paul. Saint-Paul’s open-air market on Fridays and Saturdays. 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: beach, lagoon, or doing nothing at all.

A well-deserved relaxing day after the intensity of the first days. 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, whales July to October).

Seafood evening at Saint-Gilles harbour. Overnight facing the sea, lulled by the lagoon.

Down to Saint-Louis, then up the legendary road of 400 bends to Cilaos. Arrive in the morning: a listed Creole village, thermal baths, wineries (the only French tropical vineyard). High-altitude lunch (speciality: Cilaos lentils, PGI-classified).

Afternoon: easy hike to the Fleurs Jaunes or the Roche Merveilleuse, 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. A gentle end, with ten days of images in your head.

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 the east coast. On to Sainte-Rose: visit the famous Notre-Dame des Laves, spared by the 1977 flow. Stroll at the Anse des Cascades, 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. Past the 2007 lava flows running down to the ocean: a spectacular lunar landscape where new vegetation reclaims its place. Photo stop at the Étang-Salé blowhole.

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

Morning at the Langevin waterfall (Langevin river), 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: head to Grande Anse, a paradise beach lined with coconut palms. Swim only in the supervised man-made pool. Overnight in the area.

Drive up to Bourg-Murat the previous late afternoon if possible, otherwise leave before dawn from the coast. 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 shorter 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 — the vibe is guaranteed.

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

Down early from Cilaos to the west coast. Up at 4 am (or sleep at the summit the night before) for the climb to the Maïdo. Reach the top before sunrise: a plunging view over the Cirque de Mafate in a sea of clouds. THE unforgettable panorama of the trip.

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

A well-deserved relaxing day. 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 (sea turtle observatory).

Boat trip possible (dolphins year-round, whales July to October). Seafood evening at Saint-Gilles 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 the circuit with ten days of images in your head.