Tour and climb of the Piton des Neiges

Description

Come and discover the best of the three cirques of the Reunion Island and climb its highest point: the Piton des Neiges!

From an altitude of 700 to 3070 meters, you will cover 62 kilometres for a total positive altitude difference of 4650 meters. You will follow the unmissable GRR1 trail from Cilaos through the cirques of Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie, as well as the Bélouve forest and the summit of the Indian Ocean.

There are no motorised transfers during the trek in order to enjoy the mountains at 100%!

Pick up and drop off is in Saint-Louis. The return transfers from Saint-Louis to Cilaos are done by city bus.

If I am unavailable, a colleague from the Bureau Montagne Réunion Trek will take care of the supervision.

It is also possible to only climb the Piton des Neiges, or to make the tour of Cilaos cirque in 3 days. And for a summary of the best of the island, I also propose a 5-day trekking to discover the 3 cirques and the 2 volcanoes of Reunion Island.

Program

D1 : Cilaos - Marla.
After discovering the cirque of Cilaos by bus via the impressive "400 curves road", you start your adventure from the town of Cilaos. The Porteurs trail, shaded and not very steep, allows a gentle start to the trek before attacking the climb to the Taïbit pass, a passage between the cirques of Cilaos and Mafate. A break at the îlet des Salazes allows you to taste the traditional herbal tea and to discover this authentic place. At the pass, you will enjoy the extraordinary view of the whole Mafate cirque, before reaching the islet of Marla, the highest of the cirque.
Duration: 6 hours, distance: 11km, positive altitude difference: 1200 meters, negative altitude difference: 800 meters.

D2: Marla - Trois Roches - La Nouvelle.
Descent through the mineral scenery of the Galets river to reach the site of Trois Roches where a refreshing break awaits you at the top of its waterfall. Then, you cross the plaine aux Sables, to reach the largest islet of Mafate, La Nouvelle.
Duration: 5 hours, distance: 7.5km, D+: 350m, D-: 450m.

D3: La Nouvelle - Col de Fourche - Le Bélier.
You climb above La Nouvelle to discover the green plains of the Tamarins and its mystical atmosphere. After another refreshing break, we leave Mafate via the Col de Fourche, to descend into the Salazie cirque and reach Le Bélier, where we spend the night.
Duration: 5 hours, distance: 11km, D+: 500m, D-: 700m.

D4: Le Bélier - Gîte de Bélouve.
On this day's programme, we cross the Salazie cirque from west to east, through its forests, plateaus and ravines, to the typical village of Hell-Bourg, classified as the most beautiful village in France. After having eaten, you start the ascent of the rampart to the Bélouve gîte, at the edge of the high altitude tropical forest.
Duration: 8 hours, distance: 15km, D+: 1000m, D-: 700m.

D5: Bélouve lodge - Dufour cave.
Today, a long, uphill stage awaits you, along the Cap Anglais hillside overlooking the Salazie cirque. At first drowned in the luxuriant cloud forest, you then enter the high moors to discover the extraordinary landscapes that the Reunionese mountains have to offer. You will reach the Dufour cave refuge to spend a night at an altitude of 2500 metres at the foot of the Piton des Neiges, the highest peak on the island.
Duration: 8 hours, distance: 8,5km, D+: 1000m, D-: 0m.

D6: Caverne Dufour - Piton des Neiges - Cilaos.
After a short night and a hot drink, we start the ascent of the summit at night, in order to witness the extraordinary spectacle of the sunrise on the highest point of the Indian Ocean, an unforgettable moment! You then return to the refuge for breakfast, before starting the descent to Cilaos and reaching the town in the early afternoon. After lunch, we take the city bus back to Saint-Louis.
Duration: 8 hours, distance: 10.5km, D+: 600m, D-: 1700m.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Accommodation in ½ board (night + evening meal and breakfasts), in gites or huts, in small dormitories.
• Transfers mentioned in the programme.
• Price calculated on a minimum number of 4 participants, guidance in French.
• Special requests (small groups, large groups, foreign languages): please contact me.
• For groups that have already been formed, the rates are degressive according to the number of participants.

The price does not include

• Picnic lunches (available as an option). I will advise you of the best ways to have lunch.
• Drinks other than those provided at meals.
• Vehicle transfers before pick-up and after drop-off.
• Personal equipment.
• Personal expenses.
• Insurance and assistance (optional).
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• In lodges and mountain huts.

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