SUMMARY
With its fragrant plantations, Réunion is the ultimate Vanilla Island. Birthplace of Edmond Albius, the first person to hand-fertilise a vanilla pod, the island is rich in human and natural diversity. A subtle mix of spices and flavours from Asia and Madagascar, Réunion, the “Intense Island,” is your next stop in the Vanilla Islands. But before that, move to the beat of the young Piton de la Fournaise volcano.
Then take a flight to Nosy Be, the “Scented Island”, located to the north-west of Madagascar. Explore the surrounding small islands from your beautiful base camp. Experience luscious biodiversity on land and in the sea. Take advantage of the fine white sand, the peace and quiet of your Green Globe certified eco-lodge and head to Mayotte for the final part of your adventure.
The Mahorais closed lagoon is one of the world’s largest. You can discuss its conservation with an expert. It’s an opportunity to admire the underwater fauna, including turtles, dolphins and manta rays, which swim around magnificent coral formations. You will also have the time to admire the beauty of the sea on a boat ride or from the stunning banks of white sand. Eco-volunteers will help you to explore the wonders of this lush natural environment, including the giant baobabs and bamboos where lemurs play. As night falls, another magical sight awaits: sea turtles laying their eggs.
16
DAYS
13
NIGHTS
From
€2768
inc VAT
per person
(Based on 6 people sharing)
| Getting in touch with nature | 5/5 |
|
| Meeting the locals | 4/5 |
|
| Eco-responsibility | 5/5 |
|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
|
| Accessibility | 3/5 |
A ECOTOURISTIC CIRCUIT CHARACTERIZED BY
Find out about biodiversity and the importance of protecting it
Environmentally friendly ecolodges, all of whose profits go to the local population
Hiking and activities in the countryside
Interact with local people and associations
Historical and cultural tours
COMBINED ITINERARY
The guided tours, meetings and transfers mentioned may vary depending on the availability of the participants and local constraints.
Day 1 : Paris – La reunion
Take off at the end of the day for Reunion. Dinner and night on board.
Day 2 : Hermitage Lagoon
Our team will take care of your transfer to the three-star Relais de l’Hermitage for your full-board stay. Enjoy a trip in a transparent kayak with a professional guide on the Hermitage Lagoon. Live an intense underwater experience with a guide before returning to the hotel.
Day 3 : Maido and Etang Saint Paul
After breakfast, climb Piton Maido and admire the stunning view over Cirque de Mafate. Continue the adventure with a sporty mountain bike ride. Head to the geranium house before lunch. Continue along the Etang Saint Paul nature reserve. Tantalise your taste buds and enjoy total comfort at the four-star Dimitile.
Day 4 : Entre-Deux
Throughout the day, discover the secrets of coffee and medicinal plants with Kakouk the herbalist. Finish off your day with a stroll in the heart of the village of Entre-Deux.
Day 5 : Sud Sauvage
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to Entre-Deux. On the way, admire the Sud Sauvage and especially the 2007 lava stream, before lunch at a guesthouse. Then, a guide will show you around the Jardin des Parfums et des Epices before you head to the Diana Dea Lodge for the evening.
Day 6 : Piton de la Fournaise volcano and the Bélouve forest
After breakfast, set out on an excursion to the heart of the legendary Piton de la Fournaise. A short stopover at the Gite de Bélouve is a must for lunch. Head off with an expert for a stroll through the primary forest in the heart of the National Park. Spend the night at the Gite.
Day 7 : Cirque de Salazie
After eating, walk down to the village of Hell-Bourg in the Cirque de Salazie. Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant before visiting the Folio house and the cases créoles houses. Dinner and night at the Juliette Dodu hotel St Denis.
Day 8 : Reunion – Nosy Be
Head to the airport to fly to Nosy Be. You will be a full-board guest at Eden lodge, the only Green Globe certified Malagasy hotel. The hotel wraps you up in a cocoon of well-being.
Day 9 : Nosy Tanikely & Nosy Komba
With a full tummy, go on a trip around the magnificent islands that are cut off from the rest of the world. From Nosy Tanikely to Nosy Komba, discover the marine reserve and the lemurs. Pick up some souvenirs from local craftspeople on your way back to the Lodge.
Day 10 : Ampasindava Bay
In the morning, head out for a picnic lunch on Mamoko, a small island with beautiful waterfalls. Take a tour of the fishermen’s village at Ampasindava to see how dhows are made and go snorkelling. Dinner will be served to you the Eden Lodge where you will also spend the night.
Day 11 : Nosy Be – Mayotte
After a final Eden Lodge breakfast, get ready to head to the airport. Destination: Mayotte. Once in Dzaoudzi, you will be transferred to the Jardin Maoré Ecolodge. Comfortable bungalows are provided. After lunch, you’re free to explore N’Gouja Beach with its turtles, giant baobabs and lemurs. A delicious meal is served at the hotel.
Day 12 : Boat trip
Breakfast is provided at the Ecolodge. Then, you’ll have the morning free to wander around. During the afternoon, enjoy a marine excursion. A guide specialising in marine biology will talk to you about protecting the site and the seabed. Enjoy dinner and a welcoming stay at the Ecolodge.
Day 13 : Saziley
Breakfast at the Ecolodge. Go for a hike and picnic on the Saziley peninsula with a volunteer from the association Escale or a local guide, depending on their availabilities. Dinner and night at the Jardin Maoré
Day 14 : N’Gouja
After breakfast at the N’Gouja Ecolodge, take advantage of the kayaks available to you. Dinner will be served at the Ecolodge.
Day 15 : Dzaoudzi – Paris
After breakfast, you’ll have the day free to wander around the town and have lunch wherever you like. The restaurants will leave a lasting memory of the taste and flavours of the Vanilla Islands with you at the end of this trip. A final transfer to the airport for your return flight to Paris.
EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
REUNION
• Discover local biodiversity and the importance of protecting it
• Explore historical villages
• Promoting creole culture, artisans, and agriculture
• Walks in the national park and around Le Piton de la Fournaise and L’Etang de Saint-Paul
• Accommodation in three and four-star hotels
NOSY BE
• Accommodation at a Green Globe certified Ecolodge operating exclusively on solar energy
• Explore bio-diversity at a unique nature reserve
• Marine excursions between the little islands
• Fine white sand in Nosy Tanikely
MAYOTTE
• Discover biodiversity and help to protect the site
• Mount Choungi hike with breathtaking views, then Saziley with the Escale eco-volunteer association
• Stay at the environmentally friendly Jardin Maoré eco-lodge
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Tips
Tipping is at the customer’s discretion
Insurance
Optional insurance is available at an additional cost
Trip management
In Réunion, a driver-guide will accompany you on the entire tour. Expert guides are on-hand during the programmes and activities in the 3 islands.
Bank cards
All major cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) are accepted at cash machines found in big cities and medium-sized towns.
Meals and drinks
Réunion and Mayotte : Depending on the programme (Drinks extra)
Madagascar : Full-board accommodation (drinks extra)
Don’t forget to pack
Walking shoes, sun cream and mosquito repellent (compliant with environmental standards), and a windcheater waterproof jacket
Time difference (from UK)
Réunion
• In summer : GMT+3
• In winter : GMT+4
Madagascar and Mayotte
• In summer : GMT+2
• In winter : GMT+3
Flights
• Paris – Réunion
• Réunion – Nosy Be
• Nosy Be – Dzaoudzi
• Dzaoudzi – Paris
Useful information
Documentation
Réunion and Mayotte : National identity card or valid passport for European Union citizens. A visa is not required.
Madagascar : French nationals travelling to Madagascar must have a passport which is valid for at least six months. A visa will be issued at the airport. You will need two passport photos. For a stay of less than 30 days the cost is €35, payable in person and in cash, upon presentation of passport.
Transports
Transport throughout your time in Réunion : Airconditioned minibus transfers / 4×4 / Air-conditioned saloon car with driver/guide
Transport throughout your time in Nosy Be
• Minibus Transfer
• Boat trips
Transport in Mayotte : Transfer by car and boat
Health
Réunion and Mayotte : As Réunion is part of France, European tourists will be aware of the emergency and assistance services available. Réunion has a healthcare infrastructure that meets the same standards as mainland France.
No vaccinations are required. Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, whooping cough and measles for children are recommended.
Madagascar : No vaccinations are required. Vaccines against hepatitis A & B, and typhoid are recommended if you have recently (in the past 3 months) stayed in continental Africa.
Accommodation
Réunion
• Half-board accommodation at the Relais de l’Hermitage
• Half-board accommodation at the Dimitile
• Half-board accommodation at Diana Dea Lodge
• Half-board accommodation at the Bélouve gite
• Half-board accommodation at Hotel Juliette Dodu
Madagascar :
• Full-board accommodation at the Eden Lodge
• Half-board accommodation at the Jardin Maoré,
TARIF
Price per person
€2768*
(airfare not included)
Air fares, which are for information purposes only, and subject to change
• CDG-RUN return from €550
• RUN-NOS one-way from €340
• Nos-DZA one-way from €220
• DZA-RUN one-way from €200
This price includes
• Double rooms in hotels on a half-board basis – Reunion and Mayotte
• Full-board accommodation – Eden Lodge Madagascar
• Stated meals
• The guided tours mentioned
• The tours and excursions mentioned
• Airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Tourist taxes
This price does not include
• Insurance (available at extra cost)
• International flights from Paris and inter-island flights
• Drinks and personal spending
• Bank charges
• Any other expenses not mentioned in this programme
*Single room supplement: €276.50
No single room supplement at the Jardin Maoré
CONTACT
LA RÉUNION & MAYOTTE
Name : Compagnie des îles vanille
Tel : +262 (0) 262 38 93 89
Email : contact@compagniedesilesvanille.com
MADAGASCAR
Name : MORA TRAVEL
Tel : +261 20 22 020 12
Email : info@moratravel.com
THE VANILLA ISLANDS
info@vanilla-islands.org
www.vanilla-islands.org
