Experience Madagascar
Overview
Highlights
- Stay in a cottage deep within the Ranomafana National Park – surrounded by lush rainforest and countless species of flora and fauna.
- See how many species of lemur you can spot in Isalo, Anadsibe and Ranomafana National Parks (there are 33 different types!).
- Learn how sapphires are mined from the experts: the people of Ilakaka – the world’s largest sapphire exporter!
- Explore the sandstone formations, deep canyons, palm-lined oases and vast grasslands of Isalo National Park – just some of its awesome variety of landscapes.
- Take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean from the relatively untouched paradise of Ill Sainte Marie.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
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Itinerary
Tonga soa Bienvenue! Welcome to Madagascar. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wis...
Rise early and depart for Ambositra on the National road number 7 ( approx 260km, 6hrs ). On the way, we will briefly stop at Ambatolampy, a small town well known for its aluminium pot workshops. Continue our journey making another short stop in Antsirabe. With the t...
Depart early this morning for the nearby Manandriana villages, to explore the silk process. Each village is specialised in one step of the production, fully handmade. Enjoy a traditional homestead lunch in the village before travelling on to Ranomafana National Park (...
Explore Ranomafana National Park on a guided walk, keeping your eyes peeled for lemurs, striped civets, mongooses, goshawks, geckos, frogs and butterflies. You may get a chance to spot a net-casting spider, or the world's smallest chameleon.
Drive to Isalo National Park ( 330km, approx 8hrs ). On the way we will stop at the ANJà community reserve, a very good spot for observing lemurs and discovering the local culture. Villagers will be your guides for this excursion. Your tour leader will translate all the knowledge they have to give you. Continue on to the small city of Ambalavao, and visit of the Antemoro paper factory.
Today we have a full day to explore the park and discover its inhabitants with a local guide. Isalo National Park is known for its contrasting scenery of deep canyons, crazy sandstone formations and open grasslands. The park is home to over 80 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and 14 species of mammals including 3 lemur species (ring-tailed, red-fronted and Verreaux's sifakas lemur).
Start the day with a visit to the nearby mining town of Ilakaka, where we'll go on a guided tour of the sapphire mines. When sapphire was discovered in Ilakaka in 1999, this small village of a dozen houses grew into a mining boomtown, driving Madagascar to become the ...
From Isalo, we depart for the city of Fianarantsoa, known as the south door ( 320km, approx 7.5hrs ). This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the heritage-rich old city. Soak in the 19th-century charm by walking along labrythine paths and admire the flower-studded balconies of local houses.
The colourful town of Fianarantsoa is known for its markets and handcrafts. This heritage site is a must-see with its long paved road, labyrinths of small paths and old houses with flower-studded balconies and gleaming tiled roofs. Take a day to visit a typical Magas...
Drive to Antsirabe where we have free time upon arrival to discover the city ( 255km, approx 6.5hrs ) With the tranquillity of a small European town, Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch, which it reveals in its markets and traditional quarters. Founded in the 19th ce...
Drive to Andasibe ( 300km, approx 7hrs). On your way, stop at the Pereyras exotic park, for a visit. This private reserve is a great spot to observe chameleons, frogs, snakes and some lemurs as well. For those who want to head out and explore the forest at night, we...
Andasibe National Park, the most visited park in Madagascar, is famous for its 11 species of lemur but this tropical forest is also home to unique endemic birds such as the long-eared owl and the rufous-headed ground-roller, and the smallest living chameleon, Brookesia minima, plus many types of reptiles, insects and frogs.
Head off early to reach Tamatave, the biggest commercial harbour of Madagascar ( 300km, approx 7hrs ). Please note that the roads in this area are particuarly bad and driving times can vary. On arrival we have free time to explore the city. Continue on to the coastal ...
Travel along the coast to the small river port of Soanierana-Ivongo and board a boat to the island of Sainte-Marie ( 105km, approx 2.5hrs ). We arrive at around 11.30am and transfer to Vanivola hotel. Rooms are basic without air conditioning. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own leisure.
The romantic island of Ile Sainte-Marie was once a shelter for pirates and sea-faring vagabonds. Today its green hills hide a wealth of bays and coves sheltered by coral reefs, with shipwrecks to dive in, remnant primary forests with cascading waterfalls, rare orchids...
You are free to depart any time today as there are no activities planned. Checkout time is 10am. To get back to the mainland from Sainte-Marie you can take either a flight to Antananarivo or public transport in the form of coach, boat and taxi. A direct oneway fligh...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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