What to do in Cilaos in 2 days

• Morning: drive up the 400-bend road. Allow 1 h 30 from Saint-Louis, with a photo stop at the Peter Both viewpoint.
• Midday: lunch in the village, around rue du Père Boiteau — Le Spot de Cilaos serves home cooking at lunchtime with a local wine cellar (booking by phone).
• Afternoon: Roche Merveilleuse — an easy 45-minute walk from the village, or by electric mountain bike rented at TOF' BIKE, for the panorama over the whole cirque.
• Before drinks: a stop at SI LA OZ, rue du Père Boiteau, for local creations and souvenirs that actually mean something.
• Evening: the Cilaos thermal baths, then a tasting of Cilaos wine, one of the rare high-altitude tropical vineyards.

• Early: Bras Rouge waterfall, a short and spectacular hike straight from the village.
• Sporty alternative: canyoning in Fleurs Jaunes with À Cilaos Canyoning, led by instructors who live in the cirque — one of Réunion's finest canyons.
• Midday: the road to Îlet à Cordes, bend after bend, up to the lentil plateau.
• Afternoon: craft market, Cilaos embroidery, and a stock of lentils and wine before heading down.
• To recover: a sensory floatation session at Le Cocon Ti Fleur, perfect after a big day of hiking or canyoning.

Two moments always jam: the morning you arrive (the accommodation is not ready before 3 pm) and departure day (check-out at 10 am, but you only drive down in the evening). Leaving your bags in luggage storage in Cilaos frees up those two half-days — nearly a quarter of the trip.

• Luggage storage: bags and suitcases kept by the day, right in the village centre, before check-in or after check-out.
• Car storage: a watched parking space while you hike or sleep in a mountain hut, billed per 24-hour period.
• Transfers: TI VTC handles tailor-made journeys, airport included, if you would rather not drive the 400-bend road.
• Laundry: Laverie & Blanchisserie Firmant helps mid-stay, handy after a night at the Caverne Dufour hut.

For two nights, favour somewhere within walking distance of the centre: you will avoid driving unlit mountain roads at night. We manage three stays in Cilaos, for three ways of experiencing the cirque.

• Le Poule d'Eau — independent bungalow for 2, king-size bed, terrace and private parking, 5 min from the Mare à Joncs.
• Le Chalet Des Sens — whole chalet for 6 guests (+ 2 children), jacuzzi, panoramic views over the ramparts, summer kitchen and wood fire.
• L'Habitation Firmant — Creole house in the heart of the village: the Villa for up to 4 guests and 5 independent double rooms.