Réunion

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.

Travel Crew

~£1,780

Réunion Island is one of the most dramatic trekking destinations on Earth — a French overseas territory rising from the Indian Ocean with active volcanoes, three spectacular cirques, ancient forests and lagoon beaches. This self-launched version follows the same Grand Traverse route (GRR2 and GRR1) as the Much Better Adventures guided tour, crossing the full interior of the island over nine days of trekking, from the Cirque de Mafate to the volcanic moonscapes of Piton de la Fournaise. You'll book your own gîtes and mountain refuges directly, navigate well-marked national park trails, and save significantly on guide fees. Réunion's trails are well-signposted, the gîtes are experienced with independent trekkers, and the island is part of France — so infrastructure, safety standards and English is widely available. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£775

One of the most spectacular long-distance treks in the world — and you don't need a guided group tour to do it. Réunion Island's GRR1 and GRR2 trails are well-marked, legally accessible to independent trekkers, and served by a network of gîtes and mountain refuges that you can book directly. This self-launched version follows the same grand traverse as the Much Better Adventures itinerary: nine days of trekking through the wild cirques of Mafate and Cilaos, sunrise summits of Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise, ancient forest at Bélouve, and a final rest day on the lagoon beaches of L'Hermitage-les-Bains — all at a fraction of the guided tour price. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£700