The places where to make speleology on the island of La Réunion

Want to offer a surge of adrenaline during your stay on La Réunion Island? Here are our best tips to make your trip to La Réunion!

Small volcanic rock in the heart of the Indian Ocean, The Meeting is nicknamed the intense island. Intense, by the contrast of its translucent lagoon with the green circus and lunar landscapes of Piton de la Fournaise . Intense also by the high color experiences it offers, including the epileology.

Feeling lovers, are you ready to sink into the bowels of the earth? Discover the best activities to do in La Réunion!

Main activity: 2004 lava casting

Information to know

There are only few places on the planet where it is possible to initiate to speleology in lava tunnels. These amazing geological formations testify to the volcanic activity of the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the highlights of the intense island.

This activity is accessible to adults and children from 7 years old . There are two formulas: classic output or "sport" output. The team of Sea and Mountain Meeting gives you an appointment on the parking lot of the lava casting of 2001. You will then evolve into the lava tunnels of the 2004 casting during your special exit on the island of La Réunion.

Depending on your preferences, you will choose the departure of 8:30 or 13h . For the classic output, count 2h30 to 3h of activity, 4h for the "sport" exit. The classic course includes a denial of 100 meters positive and 100 meters negative . For the "sport" exit, you will be entitled to 300 meters of elevation positive, as negative. It is not necessary to be an accomplished athlete to practice epileology on the island of La Réunion. Classical output is considered easy and sports outing is medium difficulty. Price level, count 50 € for adults and 35 euros for children between 7 and 12 years old. The "sport" output costs 65 € .

Your guide will ensure that the tempo is suitable for all. In addition, many breaks are planned to give you an explanation of the geological formations you will encounter. Attention : if you have back problems, some parts need to evolve curved or addicted.

At Réunion Mer and Montagne, the focus is on security and personalization of the activity. This company is one of the first to have taken groups in speleology to the lava tunnels. A state graduate instructor with over 20 years of experience on the island will supervise you during the exit. You'll be in a group 6 persons maximum in order to make the most of the visit and explanations of your guide.

The Sea and Mountain Meeting team provides you all technical equipment : helmet, lamp, kneel and gloves. You will only have to take one long and light pants , one T-shirt , sneakers or hiking shoes , one small backpack with one bottle of water and one clothing of rain . To immortalize your special release on the island of La Réunion, don’t forget your camera !

Activity description

To reach the rendezvous point, you will first take the lava road that connects Saint-Philippe to the south, to Sainte-Rose to the east of the island. This well-named road literally passes through the lava flows of the volcano and had to be reconstructed several times after the strongest eruptions. You will be overwhelmed by the lunar landscape that contrasts with the lush vegetation around.

After meeting the Sea and Mountain Meeting team on the parking of the lava casting of 2001 , you will start your approach walk to the entrance of the lava tunnel. During 15 minutes , you will follow your monitor on the different lava castings that have descended from the volcano over the last decades. Your guide will take advantage of this to convey your knowledge of volcanology and geology. You will learn how the island has been formed and transformed since it sprang from the ocean some 3 million years ago.

You will then enter the Indian line into the lava tunnel. From the first steps you find yourself immersed in darkness and silence, it is already time to light your lamp. On the course, your monitor designates you the different geological formations: cordate lava, stalactites, stalagmites, lava benches... Let your imagination work to recognize the dodo, shark and many other figures that hide in the walls.

You will pass from narrow tunnels to more airy rooms, from dark casings to cavities lit by light wells. During the walk, your guide will stop you for a while and ask you to turn off your lamps. In the most total silence, you will experience a confusing sensory experience, where time and space are distorted because of your lack of benchmarks.

It will then be time to find the exit and return to one of the other must-see places on the island of La Réunion.

Alternative: Rando Spéléo on the Fournaise Piton

Activity description

You leave for a full day of adventures on the Piton de la Fournaise. You will have an appointment with your guide on the Parking du Pas de Bellecombe , entry point in the volcano enclosure. The road that leads to the Pas de Bellecombe crosses the Plaine des Sables, a vast desert area that gives the impression of being on the moon. After you have met your guide, you are embarking on one of the most beautiful hikes on the island of La Réunion.

You will first have to go down the rampart to reach the caldeira of the volcano by following a staircase in the cliff. You then cross the enclosure, a large circus-shaped plain that surrounds the Piton de la Fournaise. In front of you, the giant rises from the top of his 2 631 meters above sea level . You will quickly reach the first slopes and you will start on the mountainside. You evolve on a well-defined path that winds in the middle of the lava flows. At the top, you reach the Bory crater, the highest point of the massif and enjoy the view of the impressive Dolomieu crater. This one is currently measuring 320 meters depth but its size varies over the eruptions.

After having spent a convivial moment around a picnic at the top, it is time to descend. You join the Kapor crater, the entrance point of the lava tunnel. Throughout the day, your experienced and graduated guide tells you the history of the island through its eruptions. He passionately shares his knowledge of volcanology and geology, to describe each of the lava formations you meet. After the tunnel visit, return to the parking lot where you will share an aperitif offered by Rando Volcan . The opportunity to exchange his impressions on this crazy day!

The total duration of the activity is approximately 8 hours , with 5 hours of effective walking. You will attack one positive elevation of approximately 650 metres on 15 kilometers walk . The course is adaptable to the level of participants.

For this hiking and scenic activity on the island of La Réunion, you will need walking shoes , sport , polar , cup-vent , head cover , sunglasses and solar cream. Plan also picnic and 2 litres of water per person. Speleology material is provided, as well as aperitif and a photo report of the day.

Among the other activities of speleology on the island of La Réunion, you can also try the lava tunnel of the cave Gendarme on the commune of Saint-Philippe. It developed in an 18th century casting and includes narrow passages where you have to walk on 4 legs. Reviews to lovers of strong sensations!

Our tips to make speleology

For a successful speleology session, there are some prerequisites. Nothing bad, but information equally essential for a memorable experience.