In summary
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Sports
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Duration11 days
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LevelExpert
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DestinationFrench Overseas Territories / Reunion Island
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions5701.98 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
Experience something truly unique : a 12-day trek across Réunion Island! This adventure, less arduous than the legendary Diagonale des Fous but just as spectacular, takes you to discover the island's hidden treasures, its majestic cirques , imposing peaks , and impressive ramparts , all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Begin with the thrill of the Canalisation des Orangers in the west, then immerse yourself in the magic of the Cirque de Mafate before conquering the mythical summit of Piton des Neiges , towering over the Indian Ocean at 3,070 meters. Explore enchanting landscapes of lush rainforests, verdant peaks, and majestic waterfalls. Descend to the mysterious Bélouve forest to admire France's highest waterfall, "Le Trou de Fer" ! Finally, head to the Plaine des Cafres to discover the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano and its impressive craters. End your day in style by relaxing on the idyllic beaches of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains , where turquoise lagoons beckon you to unwind after this intense exploration of the island. Ready for an unforgettable adventure?
The highlights
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Ascent of Piton des Neiges for an unforgettable sunrise
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Immerse yourself in the Cirque de Mafate, accessible only on foot
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Discover the Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano with lunar landscapes
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 849 m
- Average daily descent: 1007 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Supervisor
Supervisor
Your guide holds a state-recognized mountain guide diploma (AEM). Passionate about his work, he has extensive knowledge of the island, its flora, and its volcanoes. After a trip with him, you'll learn more about botany, geology, maroon communities, Creole culture, and volcanology.
Program
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Night flight to Saint Denis
- Transportation Plane - 11h30 - 9690km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure from Paris in the evening and arrival the following morning.Day 1 -
St Denis Airport - Stopover in St Gilles - Gîte du Volcan de la Fournaise
- Transportation Minibus - 02h
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Arrival at Saint Denis airport and meeting with our local team. After a few minutes of introductions, we'll transfer to Saint Gilles for some relaxation by the sea before our Great Crossing. We'll enjoy a peaceful moment with our feet in the water, accompanied by a delicious meal to recharge. After a short nap to recover from our flight, we'll transfer to one of the world's most active volcanoes. We'll begin our crossing from the south, heading towards Piton de la Fournaise. Arrival at the gîte and settling in for the night.Day 2 -
Ascent of Piton de La Fournaise (2632 m) – Piton Textor – Transfer to Plaine des Cafres
- Transportation Minibus - 01h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 950 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off to climb Piton de la Fournaise. We ascend to the main crater, Dolomieu (or others depending on the regulations in effect during our trip). Before us, the majestic summit of Piton de la Fournaise slowly appears. On the flank of the large cone are numerous small adventitious craters, demonstrating that the activity is not limited to the main crater. We are in the territory of one of the most active volcanoes in the world, which awakens on average once every 10 months. In the early afternoon, we continue our journey to Piton Textor, crossing a splendid volcanic valley. We will then be picked up and taken to La Plaine des Cafres to spend the night.Day 3 -
Transfer Maraboue - Caverne Dufour Refuge
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 699 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, a short transfer takes us to the Savane Mare à Boue. During the transfer, we can admire the herds that live peacefully in these vast meadows, which can be white with frost in June or July. Piton des Neiges overlooks the half-crater of Piton Tortue, bordered by tall cryptomeria and plane trees that are not yet visible. We begin our hike after crossing a fence with a ladder. We gradually enter vast expanses of primary forest before reaching the heights of the ramparts that signal our arrival at the Piton des Neiges refuge, where we will spend the night.Day 4 -
Ascent of Piton des Neiges (3070 m) - Cilaos
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 1700 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Waking up in the dead of night for the final ascent, we'll be rewarded with the first rays of sunlight on Piton des Neiges at 3,070 meters. We're on the roof of the southern Indian Ocean. After a two-hour hike, we reach the island's summit and enjoy breathtaking views across much of the island, a well-deserved reward for our efforts. We return to the refuge for breakfast, then begin the long descent to Cilaos. Upon reaching the road, we'll have a short picnic lunch before continuing along the road and through the forest to Cilaos for a good night's rest.Day 5 -
Cilaos - Marla (Cirque de Mafate)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 1120 m
- Negative elevation 747 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We pack our things for three nights (we'll find our luggage on day 9 in Dos d'Ane) and begin a descent to reach the Bras Rouge waterfall, followed by a long climb to the Col du Taïbit trail (2,083m), finally revealing the famous Cirque de Mafate. At the pass, we take the time to enjoy the view of the cirques, the south coast, and the Grand Bénare, at the foot of which we are standing. We descend to the hamlet of Marla (1,600m) at the foot of the pass, where we spend the night. Marla was for a long time one of the most populated settlements in the Cirque. (Night without luggage)Day 6 -
Mafate Cirque: Marla - Roche Plate
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we hike from Marla to Roche Plate, passing by the stunning Trois Roches site. It's here that the Rivière des Galets disappears into an impressive crevasse. The Roche Plate site is located directly below the Maïdo viewpoint. We start our day by descending the famous Marla scree slope, and after a pleasant break at Trois Roches, we begin our descent towards the islet of Roche Plate for the night. (Overnight without luggage)Day 7 -
Mafate Cirque: Roche Plate - Grand Place
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 770 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning we head towards the islet of Grand Place. During this leg of the hike, we pass by the islets of Orangers, Lataniers, and Cayenne. After a 3-hour walk, we'll reach a place called La Brèche, the famous trail that leads back up to Maïdo. A short break at Orangers before tackling the long descent to the Lataniers footbridge. Finally, we climb back up to the islet of Grand Place, one of the largest islets in the Cirque, where we'll spend the night. (Overnight without luggage)Day 8 -
Grand Place - Deux Bras - Dos d'âne - St Gilles
- Transportation Minibus - 01h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 947 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
An unusual day during your trek: we'll part ways with the travelers on the 15-day version of the trek to Deux Bras, while the other group begins the ascent to Dos d'Âne to complete their crossing of the Cirques and Volcanoes. We'll descend to Deux Bras, the famous spot where the Rivière des Galets splits into two branches before flowing into the ocean. From there, we'll climb back up to the town of Dos d'Âne, taking one of the island's most challenging trails, one of the famous routes used by those who love the Diagonale des Fous. Transfer from Dos d'Âne to St. Gilles for a good night's rest. Dinner is on your own. (Luggage collection)Day 9 -
Free day in Saint Gilles Les Bains then airport transfer - Overnight flight to Paris
- Transportation Minibus - 01h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A free day in St Gilles to enjoy the beach or optional activities in the area (at your own expense), for example: • Transparent kayak rental from €15 (1 or 2 people) and €45 for a 1.5-hour guided tour • Paddleboarding from €7 per half hour • Snorkeling and swimming are FREE • Mascarin Botanical Conservatory (reservations required) from €7 for adults, €5 for children (under 12) • St Gilles Aquarium (reservations required) from €9.50 for adultsDay 10 -
Arrival in Paris
- Transportation Plane - 11h30 - 9690km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in FranceDay 11
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, the guide or our local agency reserves the right to modify this itinerary.
The 2025 travel map is currently being updated.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Aéroport De Saint Denis
Day 1
End of stay
Aéroport De Saint Denis
Day 11
You are taken on day 11 at the end of the day to Saint-Denis airport to catch your return flight to France.
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isAéroport de Saint Denis
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Price details
The price includes
- Flight Paris - Saint Denis - Paris
- Air taxes
- Local transfers
- Accommodation in guesthouses and 3* hotels (double rooms) and in mountain refuges (10 to 15 beds)
- Full board except for meals indicated as free
- Team of drivers
- Guided by a mountain guide
The price does not include
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- Meals listed as not included in the day-by-day
- Tips for local teams
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 sleeping bag liner (sleeping bag type) for the Piton des Neiges refuge
- 1 Tupperware container (or lunchbox) that closes and cutlery for picnics and lunchtime salads.
- 1 toiletry bag and bath towel
- Earplugs
- Headlamp with spare batteries and bulbs, especially for climbing Piton des Neiges
- A water bottle of at least 1L, lightweight and insulated, or a water bottle with a filter.
- 1 pocket knife
- 1 pair of walking sticks
- Plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings
Clothing to bring
- 1 cap or hat for the sun
- 1 scarf to protect the neck
- 1 or 2 thermal undergarments (short-sleeved or long-sleeved T-shirts)
- T-shirts (short and long sleeves), preferably made of quick-drying technical fabric
- 1 lightweight fleece or equivalent (warm for the southern winter months)
- 1 anorak or jacket/vest
- 1 breathable, waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood, Gore-Tex type, especially for the southern winter months
- 1 short long
- 1 pair of comfortable walking trousers (ideally with detachable legs)
- 1 pair of waterproof, comfortable trekking shoes with a high-top upper and a grippy sole (Vibram type)
- 1 pair of sneakers or equivalent lightweight shoes for the evening
- Pairs of walking socks
- Gloves and a hat are recommended, especially for climbing Piton des Neiges.
They traveled with us
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Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1439 reviews)
• 453 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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