12-Day Authentic Mid-Range Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Welcome to Madagascar

Upon arrival, your professional English-speaking guide will welcome you at the airport. Your guide will assist you in airport formalities and accompany you to your hotel. You are free to spend the rest of the day as you please. Welcome to the Big Island, Madagascar!

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

San Cristobal Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

+13 Photos

+12 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Meeting Lemurs

Since you are in the capital, let us discover an interesting eco-tourism spot. We will head for the Ankafobe Reserve and stop at the small village of Ambohimanarina to visit a workshop where clay charcoal stoves are made. In addition to farming and livestock-raising, stove-making is part of their livelihood. Continuing our journey, we reach the Ankafobe Reserve. Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover, the 30-hectare Ankafobe Forest is well worth a visit. This is where the sohisika, or schizolaena tampoketsana, one of the world's rarest trees, grows. Several animal species also live in this prodigious reserve, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, and the common brown lemur. After an exciting hike, the famous Andriamamovoka waterfall is ideal for a picnic. Of course, this outing promises breathtaking scenery and a guaranteed return to the source. Amazed by this enriching visit, return to our hotel for a restful night.

Main Destination:

Ankafobe Reserve

Accommodation:

San Cristobal Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Tana to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

This incredible journey will take us along National Route 2 towards the east of Madagascar. You will marvel at the lush green landscapes of the rainforest, rice paddies, waterfalls, villages and more. Once we arrive in Andasibe, a night tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the flora and fauna that awaken after sunset.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Best Time To Visit August to November (Less rainfall)

High Season July to August and December (The park is busy)

Best Weather April, May, October and November

Wildlife in Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Indri Common

Common
brown lemur Common

Other
chameleons Common

Leaf-tailed geckos Common

Diademed sifaka Occasional

Show more

Red-bellied
lemur Occasional

Grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

Mouse lemurs Occasional

Sportive lemurs Occasional

Parson's
chameleon Occasional

Painted mantella Occasional

Black-and-white
ruffed lemur Rare

Madagascar tree boa Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Grace Lodge Andasibe

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Visit to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Today, you will have the opportunity to discover Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. This park is a natural jewel in the east of Madagascar, offering visitors a unique experience at the heart of tropical biodiversity. Renowned for its exceptional flora and fauna, the park is a must-see destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Lemur watching is the main attraction of your visit. These majestic primates can reach a meter in height and are distinguished by their black and white coats. You will be amazed by their agility as they move between the trees, using their powerful hind legs to make impressive leaps. Afterwards, you will visit Vakona Reserve—a private reserve of the Vakona Forest Lodge Hotel, located around 6 kilometres from the village of Andasibe. It features a crocodile lake, various species of reptiles and batrachians, and several endemic plants. You will encounter Madagascar’s dancing lemurs, also called sifaka, the small bamboo lemurs, and the maki vari.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Accommodation:

Grace Lodge Andasibe

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Andasibe-Mantadia NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Return to Antananarivo (Visit to Peyrieras Reserve)

After breakfast, we get back to Antananarivo. Once again, you can enjoy the magnificent green landscape of the east throughout the journey. Stopover at Pyerieras private reserve, called Madagascar Exotique, for a 1-hour tour. Here, you will discover some endemic species of Madagascar, including reptiles, geckos, and butterflies, including the largest butterfly on Earth, called a comet.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

San Cristobal Boutique Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Drive to the City of Water

After breakfast, you will take National Road number 7 to Antsirabe, which is 171 kilometres away. On the way, you will visit Ambatolampy, where you will discover the unique know-how of the local population: the manufacture of aluminium cooking pots. The day ends in the spa town of Antsirabe. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Arotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Heading to Fianarantsoa

Today, we will be heading to Fianarantsoa. Before leaving, we will take a rickshaw ride to get to know the town of Antsirabe. Discover the city of water, starting at the majestic Independence Square Station. It is a large, green, peaceful avenue with a view of the old Antsirabe Station. Continue your tour with a visit to the 50-year-old cathedral. Nearby, you can appreciate the Hôtel des Thermes, one of Antsirabe's most emblematic buildings. Beneath its imposing structure, the hotel will plunge you back into the 80s with its European-style architecture. We then set off for Fianarantsoa.

On the way, we will discover Ambositra. Ambositra is Madagascar's most productive town for handicrafts. It is the ideal place to visit, discover ancestral art, and stock up on souvenirs! The products displayed at the many market stalls and in the various stores show the extent of the know-how of Ambositra's simple, passionate artisans. We then continue our journey to Fianarantsoa.

Main Destination:

Fianarantsoa (City)

Accommodation:

Tsara Guest House

• Budget guest house located in Fianarantsoa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Road to the Bara Village

This delightful journey will take us to Ranohira. After breakfast, we will start the day with a visit to the town of Fianarantsoa. Enjoy a splendid moment in this town brimming with treasures from the past. It has long been the city of learning and education (hence its name, the city where one learns well). You will be captivated not only by the texture of the city but also by its diverse architecture. We then set off for Ranohira. Around 70 kilometres from Fianarantsoa, the Anja Community Reserve is an ideal ecotourism destination. The 0.4 square kilometre reserve protects a population of around 400 ring-tailed lemurs and remains the best place in the country to observe and photograph these charismatic creatures. Moreover, enjoy the panoramic view from the top of this rocky mountain—a perfect countryside landscape. Finally, we will resume our travel to Ranohira.

Main Destination:

Ranohira (Town)

Accommodation:

Isalo Ranch

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Visit to Isalo National Park

Located in the Isalo Massif, the village of Ranohira is, above all, the starting point for exploring the incredible richness and diversity of Madagascar's Colorado, the Isalo National Park. Made up of rocks formed over 150 million years ago, the park alternates between desert landscapes and verdant canyons, criss-crossed by numerous rivers that rise from magnificent natural pools to create a captivating visual effect. All you need is light clothing and the essentials for this incredible adventure: good walking shoes, a short shirt, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and, above all, water! Regular hikers are treated to a refreshing dip in the park's natural pool. Afterwards, you will visit a typical Malagasy village called Village Bara. A Bara village is surrounded by layers of thorny cactus and sisal, and their houses are generally built from reeds coated with earth mixed with zebu dung. The roofs are thatched with bozaka, a grass that grows in Isalo.

Main Destination:

Isalo National Park

Best Time To Visit May to October (Cooler, sunny days)

High Season July, August and December (The park is busy)

Best Weather June to August

Wildlife in Isalo NP

Ring-tailed
lemur Common

Western
plated lizard Common

Verreaux's sifaka Occasional

Red-fronted
brown lemur Occasional

Oustalet's
chameleon Occasional

Show more

Jewel chameleon Occasional

Stump-tailed
chameleon Occasional

Merrem's
Madagascar swift Occasional

Grey
mouse lemur Rare

Red-tailed
sportive lemur Rare

Painted
burrowing frog Rare

Blue-legged
mantella Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Madagascar
tree boa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Isalo Ranch

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Back to Ambalavao

Today's program takes us to Ambalavao. We will visit a silk fabric workshop. This workshop will take you through the various stages of silk transformation, from the tree to a silky, colourful scarf. The tour begins in the courtyard, where you can see the difference between wild and farmed silk, both found in Madagascar. The workshop women will then demonstrate how to cook, spin and dye silk before moving on to the imposing weaving stage.

Main Destination:

Ambalavao (City)

Accommodation:

Tsienimparihy Lodge

• Budget hotel located in Ambalavao (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Return to Antsirabe

Today is dedicated to the return journey to the colonial city of Antsirabe. You will have stops at several points to take photos, enjoy the beautiful scenery and stretch your legs. You will reach the colonial city in the late afternoon. Our overnight stay is at Arotel.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Arotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Goodbye Madagascar

Today, you will be saying goodbye to the beautiful island of Madagascar. We will begin by driving to the capital, Antananarivo, and then you will be transferred to the airport. We hope you enjoyed the adventure with us and hope to have the opportunity to meet you again soon for a new adventure. Veloma!

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.