KE Adventure

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Reunion - Paradise Island

A superb trekking holiday in the Indian Ocean
Distinctive Creole flavour
Sunrise at the summit of Piton des Neiges
Indian Ocean beaches

Exotic trekking adventure holiday walking in the mountains of Reunion Island. Eight hundred kilometres/500 miles east of Madagascar, the French overseas department of Reunion Island is a trekking destination - par excellence! The far-flung volcanic Reunion Island, with its intriguing mix of African and French cultures, rises to over 3000 metres/9800 feet and its rugged interior boasts a network of walking trails which would not look out of place in Nepal. Three vast eroded cirques, Salazie, Mafate and Cilaos, dominate the centre of Reunion Island and provide the backdrop for this surprising trekking adventure holiday. Walking through forest and farmland, our trekking takes us across high passes, descending to spend time in and explore friendly villages. Luxuriant vegetation, exotic bird species, towering waterfalls and hot springs to are all part of the scene on the endearing paradise of Reunion Island. Trekking to the summit of Piton des Neiges (3070m./10070ft) at dawn, we can look across to our final objective, Piton de la Fournaise (2632m./8633ft), an active volcano which erupted as recently as 2007. Having ticked off many of the best walking trails on Reunion Island, we will be ready for a day of R&R at the pleasant coastal resort of St Gilles, a great way to end our exotic walking holiday adventure to Reunion Island.

Trip Guide

This is not a long or sustained trekking holiday and the altitudes that we reach are relatively modest. The first 3 days of walking take the form of a continuous trek, walking for 4 or 5 hours each day, as we cross from the cirque of Salazie, through Mafate to Cilaos. We then have a free day, before making a 2-day ascent of Piton des Neiges. Climbing this peak and then descending to the refuge at Belouve, will provide us with our longest day - possibly 7 hours of walking. We have 2 further day hikes, including the 5-hour return trip to the cratered top of Piton de la Fournaise. Although most of the paths that we follow throughout the trip will have way-markers (in the French style - blobs of paint) we will encounter a wide range of underfoot conditions. There will be forest trails, including potentially muddy conditions at Trou de Fer, as well as zig-zag tracks on volcanic scree and rough, rocky sections on each of the peaks. Whilst trekking for 3 days between Salazie and Cilaos and during the 2-day ascent of Piton des Neiges, you will carry everything that you need in your daysack.