Réunion

A French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, where the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano, three great cirques and rainforest waterfalls make it a paradise for hikers and paragliders.

Réunion lies in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 700 km east of Madagascar and roughly 200 km from Mauritius. It is a French overseas department covering about 2,500 sq km. The island is built from two volcanoes: the dormant Piton des Neiges in the northwest (3,070 m, the highest point in the Indian Ocean) and the three cirques formed by its collapse, Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie; and in the southeast, Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In 2010 about 40% of the island's interior was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name "Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Reunion Island." Climate: May–Nov is the southern-hemisphere winter, cool and dry, and the best time for hiking; Dec–Apr is hot and rainy, and Jan–Mar is cyclone season, when mountain roads may close. Where to go: the west coast (Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage's lagoon beaches, paragliding, whale watching); the three central cirques (hiking, canyoning, Creole mountain villages); the southeast volcano area (Piton de la Fournaise and the moon-like Plaine des Sables); and the eastern rainforest and waterfalls (Voile de la Mariée in Salazie, and Trou de Fer). Getting there: from China, connect via Paris or Mauritius to Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis; the flight between Mauritius and Réunion takes about 45 minutes. Public buses on the island are limited, so renting a car is recommended (French driving rules, driving on the right); the island's main coastal highway is convenient, but mountain roads are winding. Allow 7–10 days; it can be combined with Mauritius. Notes: the currency is the euro; Réunion is not part of the Schengen Area, and Chinese citizens need a visa valid for French overseas departments, so check the latest rules from the French embassy and consulates in China; because of shark risk, swimming and surfing are prohibited except in reef-protected lagoons and designated protected zones, and this must be strictly observed; during eruptions the crater area is closed, so check prefecture announcements before you go.

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Itineraries