The Wild South, Cilaos, Salazie, Piton de la Fournaise, Le Maïdo: five group routes with a bilingual driver-guide, hotel pick-up included, a Creole lunch on most. From €35 for the half-day, €60 for a full day. Ideal if you'd rather not drive.
From €35/personHotel pick-up includedNo car neededLunch often included
Quick facts
The 5 excursions at a glance
Routes described
5 guided itineraries
Entry rate
€35 for Le Maïdo
Standard rate
€60 for a full day
Group format
10-18 travellers
Private format
Viator, on request
Departure
West coast hotels
Duration
7 to 11 hours
Lunch included
4 of the 5 routes
Guided day excursions remain the best way to cover the island without renting a car, especially for anyone who'd rather not drive the mountain roads. Five well-established routes, run with a bilingual driver-guide and hotel pick-up.
5 excursions in detail
The full catalogue
For each excursion: duration, stops along the way, what's included, the typical rate, and a direct link to the dedicated guide for that area on this site.
1
€60/person11 hours, departing 6.15am
The Wild South: Manapany to Le Tremblet
A full day exploring the Wild South with a driver-guide. You follow the volcanic south coast, cross the 2007 lava flows at Le Tremblet, and visit the Jardin des Parfums et des Épices in Saint-Philippe (over 1,500 tropical species). Lunch is at Cap Méchant facing the cliffs, with an afternoon stop at Grande-Anse.
Included: The excursion, lunch at Cap Méchant, entry to the Jardin des Épices
The climb up the RN5 and its 420 bends, a Cilaos embroidery workshop (a tradition unique to the island), a loop around the cirque via Mare à Jonc, a panorama over Piton des Neiges. The return heads south with a stop at the Étang-Salé sinkhole on the west coast. It's a group coach trip with a relaxed atmosphere.
Included: The excursion, a Creole lunch, a local drink
Departure: West coast hotels, town pick-up
•The Saint-Leu blowhole, coastal geology
•The 420 bends of the highland road
•The Cilaos embroidery workshop, a living tradition
The island's greenest, wettest cirque: the Voile de la Mariée waterfall (200m), the listed village of Hell-Bourg with its colourful Creole houses, a visit to a family-run vanilla farm and a local lunch. The hillside cemetery overlooks the cirque for an iconic photo.
Included: The excursion, a Creole lunch, a local drink, a vanilla farm visit
Departure: West coast hotels, town pick-up
•The Saint-André Hindu temple
•The Voile de la Mariée waterfall
•Hell-Bourg, one of France's Most Beautiful Villages
The Plaine des Cafres, the Plaine des Sables and the Pas de Bellecombe to discover France's most active volcano. The Bois Court viewpoint over Entre-Deux, then back via Saint-Pierre with a visit to the Saga du Rhum (the Isautier distillery) and a tasting for adults. A full day combining the volcano with local culture.
Included: The excursion, lunch, a drink, a Saga du Rhum visit plus tasting
Departure: West coast hotels, town pick-up
•Plaine des Cafres, the Rivière des Remparts viewpoint
A half-day up into the highlands above Saint-Paul, climbing the forestry road through tamarind and acacia forests. The Maïdo viewpoint (2,200m) over the UNESCO-listed Mafate cirque. Then a visit to a geranium distillery (geranium oil is a typical highland product). The return passes through Saint-Paul's open-air market on Saturdays.
Included: The excursion, a visit to the Monsieur Bègue distillery
Departure: West coast hotels, town pick-up
•Acacia and tamarind forests in the Saint-Paul highlands
Eight complementary activity listings: airport transfers, helicopter flights, themed visits (vanilla, rum, geranium), a private Hell-Bourg tour, a Piton de la Fournaise excursion with a driver, and campervan rental if you'd rather go independent.
For anyone who wants to see Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie and Piton de la Fournaise without a day on the road, a helicopter flyover remains the ultimate alternative. A single outing, every site covered, 55 minutes above the island.
Rather than paying €60 a day for a group excursion, you can rent a campervan and follow the same routes at your own pace, sleeping on site along the way. Yescapa offers several models.
The 5 routes described on this page aren't currently bookable online through my site. For a similar day out, get in touch directly with a local tour operator, or look at the individually bookable activities below (helicopter flights, distillery and vanilla farm visits, a Piton de la Fournaise excursion with a driver) and the campervan option for full independence.
How long does a coach excursion last in Reunion Island?
Expect 10 to 11 hours for a full-day excursion (the Wild South, Cilaos, Salazie, Piton de la Fournaise), with an early-morning departure around 7am from west coast hotels. The Maïdo half-day runs 7 hours with a 6am start. Hotel transfers are included in the listed rate where the operator confirms them.
Are there excursion departures from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains?
Yes, all 5 routes described here depart from the west coast with hotel pick-up in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, La Saline-les-Bains, Saint-Leu and Saint-Paul. For those staying in Saint-Pierre, a meeting point is usually arranged directly with the operator when booking. Hotels in the north (Saint-Denis) aren't always covered by direct pick-up.
What's the difference between a group and a private excursion?
A group excursion runs €35-60 per person, in a shared minibus or coach with 10-18 travellers. The private option (via Viator) takes 4-8 people in a dedicated vehicle with a bilingual driver-guide, at a rate 3-5 times higher. Going private lets you adjust the stops to your own preferences.
Can you do several excursions during one stay?
Yes, and it's actually a good way to see the island without having to drive. A classic combo: day 1 the Wild South, day 3 Cilaos, day 5 Piton de la Fournaise, day 7 Salazie, day 8 Le Maïdo. Allow a rest day between two excursions, as fatigue builds up fast.
Are these excursions suitable for kids?
Yes, children from around 6-7 are welcome on this style of excursion, with reduced rates up to age 12 common. Long days on the road (10 hours) can be tiring for younger kids, so the Maïdo half-day (7 hours) tends to work best for families. For anyone who'd rather not hike, it's also the easiest option.
Do you need your own vehicle on top of the excursion?
No, this style of excursion is designed for travellers without a car: hotel pick-up and drop-off included. It's a real alternative to renting a car for anyone who'd rather not drive in Reunion Island. On a short stay (5-7 days), combining 3-4 excursions covers most of the major sites.
Is lunch always included?
On 4 of the 5 routes described here, yes: a Creole meal with a drink at a partner local restaurant. On the Maïdo half-day, lunch isn't included, but you can make the most of Saint-Paul's open-air market on the way back around 1pm for a meal at €8-12.
What's the best season for an excursion in Reunion Island?
Year-round, but May to November (the dry season) is best for cirque and volcano excursions, when the sky is clearer. From December to April, check the forecast on the morning of departure: some excursions get rescheduled or cancelled if heavy rain is expected, with a full refund.
