The complete package: Mafate, Cilaos and the Pitons
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationFrench Overseas Territories / Reunion Island
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AgeFrom 18 - 65 years
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CO₂-Emissions101.19 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
German
French
In a few words
Discover Reunion Island on an exceptional 7-day , 6-night guided trek through breathtaking landscapes. Conquer legendary peaks, including Piton des Neiges and the iconic Piton de la Fournaise , for an intense and unforgettable experience.
This 73km adventure, led by an experienced guide , will take you deep into the famous cirques of Mafate and Cilaos . The challenge is as impressive as the island's beauty, with a total elevation gain of 7000m and a descent of 6000m .
Enjoy a tailor-made trip including all necessary transfers (trek start/finish and Cilaos – Volcano). Total immersion will be guaranteed thanks to varied accommodations in guesthouses , mountain huts , and bivouac tents. Depending on your choice, meals will be provided on a half-board or full-board basis . Experience a safe and peaceful adventure on the trails of this vibrant island.
The highlights
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Discovering the highlands of Reunion Island in a few days
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Guided by a certified mountain guide
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Mafate, Cilaos, Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise in less than a week
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average distance/day: 11 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1025 m
- Average daily descent: 862 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
Our team is made up of qualified mountain guides living on the island of Reunion.
Program
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River of Pebbles - Ilet à Bourse
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 1120 m
- Negative elevation 480 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Your adventure begins with a 4x4 transfer across the Galets River to the starting point of the trek. From the very first kilometers, the scene is set: river crossings, demanding climbs and breathtaking panoramas of the islets of the Mafate cirque, where man has adapted to a rugged environment.
The ascent of Bord Bazar marks a first challenge, followed by a well-deserved refreshment stop in Aurère before reaching our gîte in Îlet à Bourses via the famous Îlet à Malheur.
Day 1 -
Ilet à Bourse - Roche Plate
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 1500 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a restful night, we begin an intense day heading towards Roche Plate. Along the way, we will pass through Grand-Place and descend to the Rivière des Galets, where a refreshing swim in a natural pool at Roche Ancrée will be most welcome.
The climb to Roche Plate, challenging but rewarding, will offer us an exceptional panorama of the Maïdo rampart. We will spend the night at Domaine de Mafate, at the foot of this impressive cliff.
Day 2 -
Roche Plate - Marla
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Sunrise over the Maïdo rampart is an unforgettable sight. We will then follow the GRR3 towards Marla, with a lunch break at the magnificent Trois Roches.
In the afternoon, we will go up the Galets river through a superb canyon before reaching Marla, the last inhabited islet of the Mafate cirque.
Day 3 -
Marla - Cilaos
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After waking up beneath the peaks of Grand Bénare and Gros Morne, we will climb the Taïbit pass to reach the Cilaos cirque.
A long descent awaits us towards the Bras Rouge river, where we will stop for lunch. The final part of the route will take us to the heart of Cilaos, famous for its lentils and thermal springs.
Following this day you will transfer to the magnificent volcano lodge to rest before the final day.
Day 4 -
Cilaos - Piton des Neiges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 9h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 1900 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the ascent of Piton des Neiges, the highest point in the Indian Ocean at 3070m. The trail, made up of many steps, will test our endurance.
The effort is rewarded with an exceptional bivouac at the summit, where we will enjoy an unforgettable sunset and a good hot meal.
- Distance: 10 km | Duration: 9 hours | Elevation gain: +1900 m
Day 5 -
Piton de la Fournaise
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 60km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We wake up at the Volcano Refuge, ready for a spectacular day. After breakfast, we set off to explore the Enclos Fouqué, a lunar landscape where we will walk in the footsteps of past eruptions.
Weather permitting, we will reach the Dolomieu crater, offering breathtaking views of one of the world's most active volcanoes. With our guide, we will take less-traveled paths, far from the crowds.
Day 6 -
Piton des Neiges - Cilaos
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 120km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 8 km
- Negative elevation 1700 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A magical awakening awaits us at the summit of Piton des Neiges. We'll enjoy a magnificent sunrise over breakfast before embarking on a long, technical descent to Cilaos and the parking area at Le Bloc. Once we reach the bottom, a shuttle transfer will take us to our next challenge: the Piton de la Fournaise massif.
Day 7
Accommodation
- Double room
- Triple room
- Mixed shared dormitory
- Single room
- Double room
- Mixed shared dormitory
- Single room
- Double room
- Mixed shared dormitory
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- Quadruple room
- Mixed shared dormitory
- Individual tent
- Double tent
- Triple tent
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Guidance
- Transfers to the start of the trek from the west / to the end of the trek towards the west
- Transfer from Cilaos to the volcano lodge
- Luggage storage
- Luggage delivery to the volcano gîte
- Full board
- Overnight stay in a gîte and mixed dormitory
The price does not include
- Plane tickets
- supplement for double room
- drinks
- Transfer to or from a location other than the west for the trek
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 provided on site
- Tent
- Duvet and hygiene sheet
- Mattress
Clothing to bring
- Appropriate walking shoes (a spare pair)
- Comfortable clothing suitable for hiking
- Backpacks
- 2.5L water bottle or flask
- Cap or hat
- Rainwear
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof bags to organize your belongings
- Frontal
- Clothing and accessories for protection against the cold
- Toiletry bag
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- Waterproof internal compartments
The Yoann team
Our local partner is a mountain travel agency on Réunion Island. Their team of certified guides ensures the safety of travelers on guided hiking, trekking, trail running, and bivouac activities. They also offer transportation services, providing transfers during excursions as well as airport shuttles. This partner thus offers a comprehensive and expert solution for exploring Réunion's diverse landscapes with complete peace of mind.
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- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
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