$2,274 pp (USD)
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Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Antananarivo
Antananarivo
You will arrive in Tana, at the airport then transfer to your hotel. Our reps will meet you at your hotel to hand you all your travel documents and to make a briefing for the whole tour. You'll spend the night at the hotel.
Antananarivo means “city of thousands.” Its story began 500 years ago when King Andrianjaka sent over 1000 soldiers to cut the forest and conquer the land. Then the great King Andrianampoinimerina, attracted by the beauty of the city, decided to build a palace there, which became later his successor's main palace. From here the same king started to unify the different kingdoms of the island. During King Radama's reign, Antananarivo became the capital of all Madagascar. Antananarivo is built on 3 levels: the high city where the queen's palace is situated. It's the first area occupied during the royal period, then the mid-city, the administrative area where all the better boutiques of the capital are found, then the low city which is the commercial area of the town.
- Main Destination:
- Antananarivo (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Gassy Country House
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Antananarivo - Antsirabe
Antananarivo - Antsirabe
After breakfast, if time permits, you will have a city tour of Tana, the capital of Madagascar. Then with a private car, you'll drive southward to Antsirabe across the highland landscape with its beautiful terraced rice fields and its spectacular eroded hills called "lavaka". You'll have an optional stop in Ambatolampy, an agricultural city, also known for its aluminium recycling workshops that you might visit during the weekdays. For the next hour, you'll drive among rural scenery with thatched roof villages, valleys, rivers, rice, and vegetable fields. This region supplies vegetables and rice to almost the whole country. You will arrive in Antsirabe, if time permits, have a short city tour, visit a lapidary of semi-precious gems, then a workshop making "pousse pousse'' and cars in miniature forms.
- Main Destination:
- Antsirabe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Le Royal Palace
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Antsirabe - Miandrivazo
Antsirabe - Miandrivazo
You will continue to Miandrivazo, where the landscape changes. You will be in the highlands. During your drive, you will see, highland villages, and an erosion called "lavaka." Situated on the Tsiribihina River, Miandrivazo is a very fertile region for cotton, corn, manioc, beans, tobacco and rice. The rest of the day is spent at leisure either to enjoy the countryside or relax at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Miandrivazo (Town)
- Accommodation:
-
Princesse Tsiribihina Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Miandrivazo - Kirindy Forest
Miandrivazo - Kirindy Forest
You will have breakfast at the hotel, then depart for a 6 hours drive to Morondava. The landscape, dominated by baobabs, and rice fields will give place to empty hills, and red soil. Just before entering Morondava, you will see your first couple of baobabs. Centre of the Sakalava kingdom. Morondava is a prosperous rice-growing area, it is also known as a seaside resort, with a laid-back atmosphere. Many different cultures and religions manage to intermingle in this region, which makes it special. You will take the road to Kirindy which is 60km north of Morondava. You will pass through the famous “Allée des baobabs” before arriving at Kirndy Park. You'll spend 1-2 hours on a night expedition in search of the famous fossa and night-active lemurs. You'll check in at Relais Du Kirindy.
- Main Destination:
- Kirindy Forest
- Accommodation:
- Relais Du Kirindy
Wildlife in Kirindy Forest
giant rat Common
Northern
bokiboky
mouse lemur Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Kirindy - Bemaraha National Park
Kirindy - Bemaraha National Park
You will go on a 1-2 hours morning expedition to Kirindy Park. Then, you will take the 30 km of dirt track to Belo through the Baobabs forest and the red soil of the west. You'll arrive in Tsimafana by noon, where you will take a ferry boat and cross the Tsiribihina River to reach Belo and continue to Bekopaka, again on a dirt track. This drive will bring you to “Madagascar Profound”, where you will experience the real life of Malagasy people in the driest part of the country. Before arriving in Bekopaka, you will take another ferry across the Manambolo River. The estimated arrival time in Bekopaka is around 6:00 pm. You will settle and spend the night in a hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Bemaraha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Olympe De Bemaraha
Wildlife in Bemaraha NP
mouse lemur Common
Western red
forest rat
sportive lemur Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Bemaraha National Park
Bemaraha National Park
In the morning, after breakfast, you will hike to Tsingy, a limestone mountain classified as an international heritage. This massif is spectacularly eroded into a chaos of karsts pinnacle which gives it a very strange form. Here nature seems to be in perfect harmony with this wild and sharp limestone mountain. The flora consists of a dry western deciduous forest, plants typical of these dry limestone areas are such as species of Aloe and baobab Andasonia, the red-flowered flamboyant tree Delonix regia which is so widely planted in the tropics. Madagascar's sole native banana Musa perrieri also occurs. Regarding flora, you can see typical plants growing in rocky areas such as pachypodium, orchids. Concerning the fauna you can see the stump-tailed chameleon Brookesia perarmata known from only a handful of specimens, the bird list contains 53 species, including seven species of lemurs including Decken's sifaka Propithecus verreauxi deckeni. You will stay overnight in a hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Bemaraha National Park
- Accommodation:
- Olympe De Bemaraha
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Bemaraha - Morondava
Bemaraha - Morondava
After breakfast at the hotel, you will cross the Manambolo River before heading back to Belo. Then, you will take the ferry and cross the Tsiribihina River. From there, you will drive for about 3 hours to reach the Twin Baobabs and the Baobab forest. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the area and take beautiful sunset photos of the “ Allée des Baobabs.” This is the region of splendid Grandidier's baobab, Andasonia grandidieri. You will head back to Morondava.
- Main Destination:
- Morondava (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Laguna Beach
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Morondava - Manja
Morondava - Manja
After breakfast, you'll go on a short city of Morondava before heading southwards to Manja. Today will be the real Madagascar adventure: since rivers have no bridges and there is no ferry, our cars will have to drive through. It might be quite difficult at the beginning of the tourist season (end of April till mid-May) as the rainy season has just finished. You'll drive across thorny bushes, savannah and typical western villages with small wooden huts. From time to time, you'll meet a group of women going to or coming from the local market, bringing goods on their heads, and many children waving hands to the tourists driving along.
The estimated arrival time in Manja is by the end of the afternoon. It used to be one of the main districts of the West during colonial times as the region is very fertile for corn, rice, and beans. Until now, you can see some colonial ruined buildings in the center of Manja. Here the only existing accommodation in this place is the very basic Kanto Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Manja (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Kanto
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Manja - Ifaty
Manja - Ifaty
After breakfast, you will continue your drive, and head on to Bevoay, one of the most important cities where a big dam has just been built to water all the fertile plains, rice and vegetable fields surrounding. You will take another ferry and cross the Mangoky River. From there, you will take National Road 11 which leads you to Ifaty which you will reach by the end of the afternoon. On the way, you will see different species of baobabs: the “Za”, the “Grandidieri”, the “Fony”, the spiny forest, and thorny bushes. A few kilometres ahead, you will be on the tar road to Ifaty, a seaside resort north of Tuléar. You will arrive in Ifaty late in the afternoon.
- Main Destination:
- Ifaty (Town & Beach)
- Accommodation:
- Bamboo Club
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Ifaty
Ifaty
This is your day off. Ifaty lies to the north of Tuléar. It is situated in the largest lagoon in the country, it is an ideal place for relaxing. Many excursions are possible on the spot like whale watching or sea excursion with a local boat. From July to mid-September, whales are coming to the cool sea of Madagascar to give birth. It is a very spectacular experience as sometimes you will see the whales very near your boat. Situated in the largest lagoon in the country, Ifaty is also protected by a large coral reef which makes it an ideal place for diving and snorkelling. In the afternoon, you can walk to the village of Mangily where you can experience the Vezo Fishermen's life, especially when the fishermen come back from fishing. You will stay overnight in your hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Ifaty (Town & Beach)
- Accommodation:
- Bamboo Club
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Ifaty - Isalo National Park
Ifaty - Isalo National Park
After breakfast, you will go on the tar road again and leave behind the dirt track of the west. Your first stop is in Tuléar. You will have short city tours.
From there, you will take the National 7 and head northwards on to Isalo. This step brings you to the interior part of Madagascar, the land of Mahafaly. Along the way, you'll see many tombs of these tribes. You will enter the Andranomaintso zone and pass through Zombitse National Park, a remnant of the western semi-dry forest which serves as a transition zone between the dry south and the land of Isalo, a formation of continental sandstone rocks. You will arrive in Isalo by the beginning of the afternoon, settle and stay overnight in a hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Isalo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Satrana Lodge
Wildlife in Isalo NP
lemur Common
plated lizard Common
brown lemur Occasional
chameleon Occasional
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park
After breakfast, you will have a guided half-day or full-day excursion in the National Park of Isalo, to the famous "Natural swimming pool" or the canyon depending on your wishes. This park is very famous for its strange geological formation. It is composed of sandstone and eroded by the rain and the wind, this mountain offers the most spectacular scenery of the country. This is also a place where the Bara Bara tribes used to bury their dead until they have enough money to buy a silver coffin. If you are lucky, you will see the lemur catta during this walk.
Around 4:30 pm, you'll drive to the Natural Window where you will see the beautiful sunset between rocks which look like windows.
- Main Destination:
- Isalo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Satrana Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Ranohira (Isalo) - Ranomafana National Park
Ranohira (Isalo) - Ranomafana National Park
After breakfast, you will head on to Ihosy, the capital of Bara tribes which are shepherds of Zebu. You will pass through the huge plateaux de Horombe,'' with its very spacious red soil which reminds us of "the no man's land." The landscape is becoming more and more grandeur. The huge Granite Mountains are imposing themselves in the spacious and empty plains. You will feel like being swallowed by emptiness and tranquillity. From a long distance, you can already spot a huge imposing rocky hill called "Bishop's Hat." This is a sacred place for the local people. It is a burial site and was a place where the local people's ancestors preferred to make a collective suicide rather than to render Merina's domination. You will then continue to Ranomafana, besides a stop in Anja, a park run by the village where part of the income serves to pay the teachers of the local school. You will continue to Ranomafana after the visit. You will spend the night in a hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Ranomafana National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ihary Hotel
Wildlife in Ranomafana NP
bamboo lemur Common
brown lemur Common
lemur Common
bamboo lemur Common
bamboo lemur Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana National Park
You will spend 4 hours on an expedition in the forest with a local guide to see 12 species of lemurs. Ranomafana is the most important site of lemurs in Madagascar, it is the only confirmed site for the two rarest species the greater bamboo lemur Hapalemur simus and the golden bamboo lemur Hapalemur aureus. Different lemur species like “Fulvus Rufus”, “Varieca Variegata”, “Hapalemur griseus”, “Avahi lanigeur”, “Lepilemur mustelinus”, “Propithecus diadema edwardsi”, “Cheirogaleus” major and “Daubentounia madagscariensis” are also seen there. More than 100 birds, 5 species of viverrids, reptiles, lizards, butterflies and other insects have been recorded in this park. Various orchids, steep mountains, dramatic waterfalls and natural hot springs make this endangered and exotic forest charming and unusual. The name Ranomafana means "hot water " due to its thermal springs. You will stay overnight in a hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Ranomafana National Park
- Accommodation:
- Ihary Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Ranomafana - Antsirabe
Ranomafana - Antsirabe
You'll depart to Ambositra after breakfast. Today you'll come across the highlands, characterized by its terraced rice fields arranged on the hills, its valleys decorated with wide vegetable plantations, its chilly climate, and its Asian-featured population. You'll arrive in Ambositra by noon. Ambositra and its surroundings are the lands of Zafimaniry. Zafimaniry is the master of wood carving in the country. You'll stop and visit some Zafimaniry handcrafts ateliers where you can experience wood carving, marquetry, and sculptures, which made this tribe very famous. You'll head on to Antsirabe, Antsirabe or "the place of salt," an elegant city best known as the center of beer, you can smell the Brewery as you enter the town. With its temperate climate, all fruits and vegetables which grow in cold climates are found in Antsirabe. Known as a city of handcrafts, you'll visit some ateliers and Zebu's horn workshop where you'll see the transformation of Zebu's horn into decoration.
- Main Destination:
- Antsirabe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Le Royal Palace
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
In the morning, you will go on short city tours of Antsirabe before heading on to Tana, the end of National Road 7. From here, you will take National Road 2 and head eastwards to Andasibe, through the green landscape and luxuriant vegetation of the east. This second step brings you to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way, you'll see Merina village on the hill, in the Rocky Mountains. You will stop in Moramanga for a short visit to the local market. On the way, you may stop in Pyereras Reptiles Park (optional) to see farmed chameleons and other species of reptiles. Then, you will drive for another 2 hours to reach Andasibe.
- Main Destination:
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Accommodation:
- Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
Wildlife in Andasibe-Mantadia NP
brown lemur Common
chameleons Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 17
Andasibe- Mantadia National Park
Andasibe- Mantadia National Park
In the morning, you will go on a 3 to 4 hours hike to Andasibe National Park, a huge tropical rain forest in the east. 9 species of lemurs can be spotted there. The highlight is the Indri Indri which is the largest lemur on the island. This 810-ha reserve is also home to numerous unique species. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds.
In the afternoon, you will visit the private park of Vakona in the islands of lemurs which is the best spot to take pictures of lemurs. You will go back to your hotel where you stayed overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Accommodation:
- Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 18
Andasibe - Antananarivo
Andasibe - Antananarivo
You will have breakfast at a hotel, then a 4- to 5-hour drive back to Tana. Then an air transfer back home.
- Main Destination:
- Antananarivo (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
