Mascarene Three Islands Tour
Fly in and out of Mauritius, taking in Réunion's cirques and volcano, and Rodrigues' lagoon, with each of the three islands offering a distinct vibe.
Based on the classic three-island route, this itinerary features mountain adventures in Réunion, slow-paced exploration in Rodrigues, and a relaxing finish in southwest Mauritius. You will fly four flight segments; since island-hopping days are mostly spent traveling, the pace is balanced by multi-night stays. Ideal for return visitors with plenty of time who want to experience the entire Mascarene Archipelago. Direct flights between Réunion and Rodrigues are infrequent, so a transit in Mauritius is usually required.
Avoid the cyclone season from December to March, and book flights to Rodrigues as early as possible.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive on the East Coast of Mauritius
Mauritius Island（Belle Mare Beach）
Long-haul flights usually arrive in the morning. Drive from the airport to Belle Mare (approx. 50 minutes) and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach to adjust to the time zone.
Stay: Belle Mare
Day 2 · Fly to Réunion and Explore Saint-Denis
Réunion（Le Barachois、Jardin de l'État）
Return to the airport for a 45-minute flight to Saint-Denis. Pick up your rental car upon arrival and spend a half-day exploring the city center on foot.
Réunion's visa requirements differ from the Schengen Area. Verify entry rules based on your nationality before departure.
Stay: Saint-Denis
Day 3 · Enter Cirque de Salazie
Réunion（Voile de la Mariée、Cirque de Salazie & Hell-Bourg）
Drive along the east coast to Saint-André, then head into the cirque to Hell-Bourg. The entire drive takes about 1.5 hours.
Stay: Hell-Bourg
Day 4 · Bélouve Forest to the Plains (Plaine des Palmistes)
Réunion（Bélouve Forest、Trou de Fer、Cité du Volcan）
Leave the cirque and take the RN3 up to the highlands. Drive to Plaine des Palmistes, then turn onto the forest road to Bélouve. Total driving time is about 3 hours.
The hike to the Trou de Fer viewpoint takes about 2 hours round trip through the forest.
Stay: Plaine des Cafres (Cité du Volcan area)
Day 5 · Climb Piton de la Fournaise and Descend to Saint-Pierre
Réunion（Plaine des Sables、Piton de la Fournaise）
Hike for 5–6 hours at Pas de Bellecombe in the early morning. Drive down to Saint-Pierre in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).
If the volcano is under alert and the crater area is closed, you can hike to the caldera viewpoint instead.
Stay: Saint-Pierre
Day 6 · Saint-Pierre to Cilaos
Réunion（Saint-Pierre & Saturday Market、Cirque de Cilaos）
Explore Saint-Pierre in the morning, then drive via Saint-Louis and take the RN5 into the mountains. The 37 km of winding roads take about 1.5 hours.
The Saint-Pierre market is held on Saturdays. You can adjust the schedule depending on your day of arrival.
Stay: Cilaos
Day 7 · Cilaos to the West Coast
Réunion（L'Étang-Salé Beach、Kélonia）
Enjoy a short morning hike inside the cirque. Drive down the mountain and head north along the coast to Saint-Gilles (approx. 2 hours).
Stay: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Day 8 · Maïdo Viewpoint Overlooking Mafate
Réunion（Maïdo Viewpoint、L'Ermitage Beach, Saint-Gilles）
Drive up the mountain before dawn (approx. 1 hour) to overlook Cirque de Mafate. Return to the coast in the afternoon and stay in Saint-Gilles.
Stay: Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Day 9 · Transit Flight to Rodrigues
Réunion → Rodrigues Island（Port Mathurin）
Drive to the airport in the morning, return your rental car, and fly to Rodrigues via Mauritius. Total travel time is about 5–7 hours.
There are a few direct flights per week from Réunion to Rodrigues. If the schedule aligns, you can skip the transit.
Stay: Port Mathurin Area
Day 10 · Tortoise Reserve and Central Highlands
Rodrigues Island（François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve、Caverne Patate、Grande Montagne Nature Reserve）
Hire a taxi or rent a car. Driving times on the island are all under 1 hour. Head to the southwest in the morning and return to the center in the afternoon.
Stay: Port Mathurin Area
Day 11 · Île aux Cocos Lagoon Day Trip
Rodrigues Island（Île aux Cocos）
Join a local boatman to cross the lagoon to Île aux Cocos (approx. 1 hour each way). The trip includes a guided tour, lunch, and snorkeling.
Boat schedules depend on tides and weather. Confirm with your boatman the day before.
Stay: Port Mathurin Area
Day 12 · East Coast Trail and Bays
Rodrigues Island（Saint François Beach、Trou d'Argent、Graviers Beach）
Take a taxi to Saint François and hike the coastal trail to Gravier (approx. 2–3 hours). Hire a taxi for the return journey.
There are no shops or facilities along the trail, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Stay: Port Mathurin Area
Day 13 · Fly Back to Southwest Mauritius
Rodrigues Island → Mauritius Island（Le Morne Brabant）
Fly back to Mauritius (approx. 1.5 hours). Pick up your rental car and drive to Le Morne (approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes).
Stay: Le Morne
Day 14 · Chamarel and Black River Gorges
Mauritius Island（Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth、Chamarel Waterfall、Black River Gorges National Park）
Drive up the mountain from Le Morne to Chamarel (approx. 30 minutes), then continue along the Plaine Champagne road to view the gorges. Return to Le Morne for the night.
Stay: Le Morne
Day 15 · Île aux Aigrettes and Departure
Mauritius Island（Île aux Aigrettes）
Drive to Pointe Jérôme in the morning (approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes), take a 10-minute boat ride to the island, and head to the airport afterward.
Visits to Île aux Aigrettes require a booked guided tour. This activity is ideal for those catching a late evening flight.