La Réunion & Mauritius: Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure
14 days · La Réunion & Mauritius
journaway DACH charges £3,200
No-markup version: ~£1,780 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 14-day island-hopping trip combining La Réunion's volcanic cirques, waterfalls and creole towns with Mauritius' lagoons, gorges and temples. Instead of a private guided road-trip, you'll use Réunion's local bus network (Car Jaune), self-booked day hikes, and a cheap direct flight or ferry hop to Mauritius, then explore by public bus and shared taxis. Comparable small guesthouses, gîtes d'étape and hostels replace glamping, and every activity in the original itinerary can be booked independently for a fraction of the package price.
Day-by-day
Departure
Home → Saint-Denis
Fly into Roland Garros Airport (RUN), Saint-Denis. Book a one-way or return flight with Air France, Air Austral or a low-cost connection via Paris or Mauritius. Arrive, grab a local SIM (Orange/SFR ~£15 for data), and take the Car Jaune bus or a shared taxi into Saint-Denis centre. Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel near Rue de Paris. Note: Euro is used on Réunion, Mauritian Rupee on Mauritius — bring a fee-free card.
🚌Flight into RUN; airport bus/shared taxi to city ~£3-5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Saint-Denis (~£30)
- →Arrive Roland Garros Airport
- →Buy local SIM card
- →Orient in Saint-Denis centre
Saint-Denis → Cirque de Salazie & Hell-Bourg
Cirque de Salazie
Morning exploring Saint-Denis: stroll Rue de Paris past the Victory Column and creole villas. Then take a Car Jaune bus (line ZO or S) or shared taxi to Salazie/Hell-Bourg (~£4-6, 1.5-2h). Stop to view the Voile de la Mariée waterfall from the road. Check into a gîte in Hell-Bourg village. In the afternoon wander the creole village and its thermal-garden views.
🚌Car Jaune bus / shared taxi ~£5
🛏Gîte d'étape in Hell-Bourg (~£28)
- →Explore Saint-Denis capital city
- →Stroll Rue de Paris & Victory Column
- →Visit Cirque de Salazie basin
- →View Voile de la Mariée waterfall
- →Explore Hell-Bourg village
Forêt de Bélouve & Trou de Fer
Forêt de Bélouve
Self-guided hike from Hell-Bourg up into the Forêt de Bélouve (Fairy Forest). Follow waymarked trails (GR R1/R2) through mossy tamarin forest to the Trou de Fer balcony viewpoint — one of the island's most dramatic drops. Trails are well-signed; carry water, rain gear and snacks. Return to your Hell-Bourg gîte in the evening.
🚌Walk from village; trails ~4-5h return
🛏Gîte d'étape in Hell-Bourg (~£28)
- →Hiking trails in Cirque de Salazie
- →Explore Forêt de Bélouve (Fairy Forest)
- →Visit Trou de Fer natural balcony
East Coast → La Plaine-des-Palmistes → Entre-Deux
Entre-Deux
Take the Car Jaune bus down the scenic east coast to La Plaine-des-Palmistes and its morning market. If you have a car-share or want the optional detour, visit the Takamaka waterfalls. Climb toward Col de Bellevue for panoramic views (Piton des Neiges on clear days), then continue to Entre-Deux. Overnight in a guesthouse in this pretty creole village.
🚌Car Jaune buses ~£6-8 across the day
🛏Guesthouse in Entre-Deux (~£30)
- →Drive/bus along east coast
- →Visit La Plaine-des-Palmistes morning market
- →Ascend Col de Bellevue mountain pass
- →View Piton des Neiges
- →Optional detour to Takamaka waterfalls
Cilaos Basin
Cilaos
Bus to Cilaos (Car Jaune, winding mountain road ~£5). Explore the town — lace workshops, creole houses — then choose a half-day countryside hike (e.g. toward La Chapelle or up to a viewpoint). Overnight in a gîte in Cilaos. Note Cilaos is a great base for the following days' hikes too.
🚌Car Jaune bus to Cilaos ~£5
🛏Gîte in Cilaos (~£28)
- →Explore Cilaos town
- →Hiking around Cilaos through countryside
Cilaos → Saint-Pierre & Cascade Grand Galet
Saint-Pierre
Travel down to Saint-Pierre on the south coast. Take a local bus or shared taxi to Langevin and self-hike the short trail to Cascade Grand Galet, with a swim in the natural turquoise pool. Optional stop at Bassin de Manapany natural pool on the way back. Overnight in Saint-Pierre, the island's lively southern town.
🚌Bus/shared taxi Cilaos–Saint-Pierre ~£8
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse in Saint-Pierre (~£30)
- →Hike to Cascade Grand Galet waterfall
- →Swim in natural turquoise pool
- →Optional visit Bassin de Manapany
Piton de la Fournaise Volcano
Piton de la Fournaise
Join a self-booked day trip or organise shared transport (best arranged locally, ~£35-50 pp shared). Hike across the lunar La Plaine des Sables to Formica Leo crater and up the Dolomieu main crater rim, with lava fields and (weather permitting) views into the active cone. Return to Saint-Pierre. Book via GetYourGuide or a local agency in Saint-Pierre.
🚌Shared day-trip transport ~£40
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse in Saint-Pierre (~£30)
- →Hike Formica Leo crater
- →Ascend to Dolomieu main crater
- →View Piton de la Fournaise landscape
- →Observe lava flow traces
West Coast → Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Cross the island to the west coast. Stop at Pointe au Sel cliffs and natural pools, then reach Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Explore the town centre, the port and La Saline's white-sand beaches. Optional visit to the Kélonia turtle farm (payable on arrival, ~£11). Overnight in a Saint-Gilles guesthouse.
🚌Buses/shared taxi west ~£8-10
🛏Guesthouse in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains (~£32)
- →Drive/bus scenic west coast roads
- →Stop at Pointe au Sel cliffs and natural pools
- →Visit Saint-Gilles town center
- →Explore La Saline coastal region
- →Optional Kélonia turtle farm visit
Saint-Gilles → Mauritius
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains → Mauritius
Morning beach time at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains before heading to the airport. Fly RUN–MRU direct (Air Mauritius/Air Austral, ~1.5h, from ~£90 one-way if booked early). Arrive Mauritius, take a bus or shared taxi to your accommodation area (e.g. near Mahébourg or Blue Bay). Settle in for the Mauritius leg.
🚌Flight RUN–MRU ~£90; airport transfer ~£4-8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Mahébourg/Blue Bay area (~£30)
- →Beach time at Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
- →Fly to Mauritius
- →Explore Mauritius accommodation area
Grand River South East & Mahébourg
Grand River South East
Head to Grand River South East for a self-booked kayak or stand-up paddleboard trip (~£20-25) through mangroves toward the waterfall. Many guesthouses offer free mountain-bike hire — use it to explore the coast road. Stroll the beach, then overnight in Mahébourg.
🚌Local bus ~£1-2; rental/boat ~£22
🛏Guesthouse in Mahébourg (~£28)
- →Stand-up paddleboard or kayak on Grand River South East
- →View mangroves and waterfall
- →Stroll along beach
- →Mountain bike (free hire)
Mauritius Multi-Attraction Day
Black River Gorges & Chamarel
Book a budget shared day tour or use public buses to combine Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) Hindu temple, Black River Gorges National Park and Gorges Viewpoint, plus La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park with the Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall. A shared minibus tour (~£30-40) is the easiest way to cover the distances cheaply.
🚌Shared minibus day tour ~£35
🛏Guesthouse in Mahébourg (~£28)
- →Visit Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) Hindu temple
- →Explore Black River Gorges National Park
- →Visit Gorges Viewpoint
- →Visit La Vallée des Couleurs & Seven Colored Earth
- →Visit Chamarel Waterfall
Lion Mountain & Mahébourg
Mahébourg
Morning wander of Mahébourg market and the city promenade with views toward Lion Mountain. Optional self-guided hike of Lion Mountain to the summit (allow ~3-4h, sturdy shoes). Spend the afternoon at Pointe d'Esny beach, one of the island's prettiest. Overnight in Mahébourg.
🚌Local buses/taxis ~£3-5
🛏Guesthouse in Mahébourg (~£28)
- →Visit Mahébourg market
- →View Lion Mountain from city promenade
- →Optional Lion Mountain summit hike
- →Visit Pointe d'Esny beach
Departure from Mauritius
Mahébourg → Airport
Last morning for the beach or market before transferring to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU). Take a local bus or shared taxi (~£3-6). Fly home — one-way or return-ticket arrangements depending on how you booked your outbound leg.
🚌Local transfer to MRU ~£5
🛏None (overnight flight)
- →Final beach/market time
- →Transfer to MRU airport
- →Departure flight home
Arrival Home
Home
Arrive home after your island-hopping adventure. Allow a buffer day to rest and sort onward plans. If continuing a gap-year trip, this is a good point to recharge and review budget.
🚌—
🛏Home
- →Arrive home
- →Rest and regroup
Self-launched vs. journaway DACH
| This itinerary (self-launched) | journaway DACH | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,780 | £3,200 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,420 per person (44%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more journaway DACH-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,780
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does La Réunion & Mauritius: Self-Launched Island Hopping Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,780 per person for 14 days in La Réunion & Mauritius. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with journaway DACH?+
Yes — journaway DACH charges around £3,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,780 — a saving of roughly £1,420 (44%) per person.
How long is the La Réunion & Mauritius trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through La Réunion & Mauritius.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, beaches trip through La Réunion & Mauritius, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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