Excursion Piton maido & geranium distillery tour at Pointe Des Galets

This tour will take you to Piton Maido which will afford breathtaking views of the Cirque of Mafate. Afterwards travel to a Geranium Distillery where you will have the opportunity to purchase some of these essential oils.

Cirque de Mafate & Maido Belvedere

An approx 90 - minutes drive takes you to a viewpoint located at the edge of a cliff 2,090m high, passing by through various small villages on the West Coast. Dependent on weather conditions you will be able to see the Cirque de Mafate, which is a caldera. It was formed from the collapse of the large shield volcano the Piton des Neiges. The very remote cirque was settled in the 19^th century by maroon slaves (slaves who had escaped from their masters), then later by poor white laborers. It owes its name to one maroon leader.

Geranium Distillery

Next, proceed to a small Geranium distillery in La Petit France, where you will be able to purchase Geranium essences as well as other essential oils and perfumes. Rose geranium was first discovered in the area of Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The rose Geranium was introduced to Reunion Island around 1870. It's cultivation and distillation were improved upon mainly by a farmer of Plaine des Cafes named Boisjoly Poitier, so that the extraction of its essential oils might take the place of sugar cane cultivation when France started making sugar from beetroot. The rose geranium essential oils from Reunion have a better concentration of geraniol, the essential component of the perfume. To obtain a half litre of Geranium Bourbon essential oils, 400 kilograms of leaves and stems must be distilled inside a still heated wood fire. Rose geranium essential oils supposedly have useful medicinal properties as well.

Retun to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Cirque of Mafate, Geranium Distillery, Scenic Drive

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking with a few steps to negotiate. It is suitable for guests with limited mobility but not for those who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight comfortable clothing, and flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. This tour is not suitable for guests that tend to get sick during trips by roads with many curves. The temperature drops dramatically on top of the mountain so bring a jacket.