Cilaos tour with driver guide: 400 bends road to Piton des Neiges

Navigate winding mountain roads to panoramic peaks, Creole streets, and a black sand beach retreat.

A private tour of Cilaos on Réunion Island with a driver guide who speaks English, French or Chinese, starting with pickup from your hotel and the winding ascent through the cirque's ramparts to Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint at 1,200 meters. The day includes a walk through Cilaos village, a stroll around Mare à Joncs natural lake, and a stop at the island's largest black sand beach on the return. The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries one to eight passengers depending on group size.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of Cilaos village and surroundings

• Pickup from hotel at 8:00 am
• Drive the famous 400 bends road
• Visit La Roche Merveilleuse viewpoint
• Explore Church of Our Lady of Snow
• Walk through Cilaos village streets
• Lunch with local specialties
• Walk around Mare à Joncs lake
• Stop at black sand beach of Salt Pond

The experience

The tour starts at 8 a.m. with pickup from your hotel. The driver takes you up the famous 400 bends: a winding mountain road through the cirque of Cilaos that opens onto ramparts and pitons as you climb. At Roche Merveilleuse, you stop at a 360-degree viewpoint with Piton des Neiges, the island's highest peak, framed behind you. The road itself is part of the experience: the curves and the altitude shift are what make the panorama possible.

Once in Cilaos village, you walk through the streets to see the Church of Our Lady of Snow, the largest building in the settlement, and browse the shops and traditional Creole huts. The village is known for lentils, embroidery, wine and thermal baths, and the driver provides commentary on what you pass. A short walk around Mare à Joncs, a natural lake in the heart of the village, follows. The day includes about three to four hours of driving between stops, so you move at a steady pace without long waits.

On the return descent, the tour ends at the black sand beach of the Salt Pond, the island's largest. The full day runs seven to eight hours. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the driver provides bottled water and WiFi on board. You choose your guide's language (English, French or Chinese) when you book.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group.
• hotel pickup and return.
• a driver guide who speaks your chosen language and provides commentary at each stop.
• bottled water and WiFi on board.

Options for this experience

2 options

English speaking guide08:00includes pickup

Chinese speaking guide08:00Supplement for the driver/guide speaking Chinese. Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on site€ 3.50

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by 5A Transports Reunion

Is this one for you?Book this if you prefer a guided drive up the mountain rather than navigating the 400-bend road yourself, and want a driver who knows where to stop for the best views of Piton des Neiges and Cilaos village.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Chinese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the 400 bends road like?

The 400 bends is the winding mountain route that climbs through the cirque of Cilaos to an altitude of 1,200 meters. The curves open onto views of the ramparts and pitons as you ascend, and the road itself is the main approach to the higher stops on the tour.

Do I need to be fit to walk in Cilaos village and around Mare à Joncs?

The walks are short and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup is at 8 a.m. from your hotel or residence. The full tour runs seven to eight hours, so you return in the late afternoon.

Is lunch included?

The tour includes time for lunch in Cilaos village, where you can enjoy local specialties like lentils and wine at a restaurant of your choice. The meal itself is not included in the tour price.