Whether you wish to spend your time underwater exploring the wonders of the Indian Ocean, or catching the rays of the sun, or to explore the nature and its unique fauna and flora, you will love it here. The people are amongst the world's friendliest - a polyglot of nationalities and religions co-existing in harmony. Hospitality is their game and these islands boast some of the world's most unique sites.
Reunion - a Tropical Department of France - this small island appeals to those who are looking for an Indian Ocean experience with a difference! There is magnificent scenery in the mountainous interior, an active volcano and a wonderful rugged coastline with beautiful protected coves. An extraordinary mix of sub-tropical and alpine, activity and relaxation awaits…
Madagascar - the world's fourth largest island, a naturalist's paradise with flora and fauna long extinct elsewhere on Earth. The incredible number of unique species is due to Madagascar's early separation from the mainland, and the survival of mammals, such as lemurs, is partly due to the absence of big predators. It is a land of stark contrasts, both scenically and culturally, home to a wonderful mix of beautiful people whose laughter rings above the poverty, which pervades the lives of many.
There are officially 18 main 'tribes' or clans of Afro-Indonesian origin, but their society is united by complicated and fascinating customs and beliefs. It is not a place for all travelers but, for those with a sense of adventure and a dose of determination, this country will repay you a hundred-fold. And there is Mayotte…
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Thursday (!) - Arrive St. Denis, Reunion Islands (from Paris, London or Mauritius)
After our flight over the Indian Ocean we arrive to St. Denis – Reunion Island. Upon arrival we are cordially received and transferred to Saint Gilles les Bains (also called Reunion Island's Saint Tropez). Balance of the day is free to rest and enjoy the island. Dinner is at a local restaurant with specific local dishes.
Overnight: Hotel Boucan Canot (2 nights)
Day 2: Reunion Island
Today we’ll dave a full-day tour of Reunion and visit Cilaos, the heart of the Island. Surrounded by the highest mountains, Cilaos is well known as a mountain resort with its hot spring spa. The centre of Reunion it is dominated by three ‘cirques’, or natural amphitheaters, which were previously the craters of volcanoes, long since dormant. The Cirque de Cilaos is the largest of the three, with a beauty akin to the Alps in summer. Access to the cirque is on an incredible mountain road, winding up and up from the coastal plain, with more than one hundred hairpin bends! It’s a most scenic drive, which leads you to the Village of Cilaos, inside the cirque. It is an attractive, tranquil village with several fine restaurants. In the traditional Village of Cilaos, native people make famous embroideries, typical wine, and grow lentils, that we’ll will taste-it at lunch, while having a delicious traditional meal. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3: St. Denis / Nosy Be – Madagascar (flight)
Today we leave Reunion Island to a whole different world as we take a short flight to Nosy Be, in Madagascar. Upon arrival at this small airport we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening we enjoy some specific Madagascar cuisines for dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Nosy Bé (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Nosy Be
The Nosy Be Archipelago is situated off the north west coast of Madagascar. Commonly known as the “Big Island” the Archipelago includes numerous smaller surrounding islands. It’s tropical climate and classical ‘Indian Ocean holiday Island’ appeal makes it a leading sea, sun & sand destination. After a leisurely breakfast we’ll go to explore the Nosy Be area, famous for its natural wonder. We start with a day excursion of Lokobe, a typical fishing village situated in the middle of an Ylang-Ylang Plantation in the south east part of the Island.
From here, we take a short boat trip by a Pirogue to the Beach of Lokobe (only reachable by boat). We then take an easy-guided walking tour in the tropical forest to discover the fascinating fauna and flora, while searching for lemurs, chameleons, boas and much more. Nosy Sakatia (Orchid Island), a small lush island, is just a short boat trip from the mainland offering excellent snorkeling, diving and moderate hiking opportunities as well as Nosy Komba, the Lemur sanctuary, which allows us to get up close and personal to these endearing animals. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Nosy Be / Antananarivo (flight)
After breakfast we take a short domestic flight to Antananarivo. We will meet our local hosts who will transfer us to our hotel. The rest of day is free to explore the city and its people. It is said that there are three kinds of people in Antananarivo (Tana). Antananarivo, meaning "City of Thousands", is now a city of 1.2 million. Sounds little. But when everybody is on the streets, you wonder if it is 1.2 or 12 million people who live here. It virtually consists of its people, with some ‘houses’ and cars in between. Everybody is outside doing something, going somewhere. Walking people and driving people.
The third kinds are the sales people. Everybody is selling something somewhere. Peanuts to the kids, samosas to old men, meat and vegetables to women, newspapers to the people on the bus, vanilla to tourists, and all kinds of useless stuff to anyone willing to pay for it. They are everywhere and if you are a ‘vazaha’, you won't get rid of them. If you really want to buy something, you go to the Analakely Market. But you must bargain. Bargain hard, it's worth it (and it's expected). They make the first offer and then you answer with at least less than half of it. If you are persistent, you may be able to get a huge djembe for USD 30 (retail price in the US: around $600). Ask "how much?" only if you intend to buy it. They will follow you back home to hear your counter-offer. Evening we take on the local cuisine with local folk and get an interesting exposure to the local culture.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Palissandre, Tana (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Antananarivo / Andasibe (drive)
This day is reserved for an interesting excursion to Andasibe Reserve. At three hours driving time from the capital, this reserve of 810 habitants offers you all the characteristic of a humid tropical forest. Our road will pass through a landscape dotted with rice fields, waterfalls, and scarce forest stations. After our arrival and before dinner, we’ll have a ‘night walk’, to see some nocturnal species like brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur (summer only). Also red-forest rat and streaked tenrec can be spotted. If lucky, diademed sifaka and black and white ruffed lemur. We return later to the hotel.
Overnight: Vakona Lodge, Andasibe (1 night). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Andasibe / Tana (drive)
We’ll visit again the Reserve and discover the species inside this forest, like Indri - the largest species of lemurs, brown lemur, grey bamboo lemur, or eastern woolly lemur. The area is also famous for its Reptiles and frogs: all chameleons, including Parson’s chameleon, nose-horned chameleon, short-horned chameleon, etc., the leaf tailed gecko and the Madagascar tree boa. Frogs include the golden mantella, which is found in areas close to the reserve. Later we return to Antananarivo.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Palissandre (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Tana
Today we'll spend valuable time visiting in Antananarivo, the capital, also called by both locals and tourists: Tana. We’ll visit first the Queens Palace ‘Palais de la Reine ‘, overlooking the city and the region of the lake Anosy. Its original architecture, its warm colors and the magnificent view from the high plateau, forms a unique environment, which we will entirely explore. Little walk thru the handicraft market will end our day. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Tana / Dzaoudzi – Mayotte Island (flights via RUN)
We leave today Madagascar and after our flights (via RUN) arrive to Dzaoudzi - Mayotte. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Time permitting, we will take a tour of this island known for it’s friendly people and scenic sites.
Overnight: Mamoudzou and Sakouli Hotel, (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Mayotte Island
Another full-day excursion ahead of us, as we depart for the south, to the famous Beach of N’Gouja. En-route we stop at the ‘musical plage’ to have a look at the largest Baobab tree on the Island. We will also discover the dense tropical forest in the heart of the Island at Kani Keli, have a look at the Ylang-Ylang Plantation (the ‘Jardin Maore’). Here will be able to Lunch and watch the friendly Lemurian colony living in the garden of the Hotel and experience a swim with the turtles. Later we return to the Sakouli Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11: Dzaoudzi / Reunion Island (flight)
This morning we will first drive to Mamoudzou and later take a boat back to Dzaoudzi, where we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Reunion Island. We are transferred, upon arrival, to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Bellepierre, Reunion (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Reunion Island
After breakfast we take another day-excursion into this beautiful Island and visit this time ‘circus of Salazie’. Here we will enjoy the greenest cirque of the Island and the charming village of Hellburg. Lunch is set for us in a typical ‘table d'hôte’ with delicious creole meal. We return to Saint Denis and have a short visit of the city. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: St. Denis / Homebound
After our breakfast and after this impressive and thrilling journey, we bid farewell to this precious Indian Ocean area as we’re transferred to the airport for our flight back home. Includes: (B).
"Or – why not – better stay with us for an extra 3 nights / 4 days for a ‘Reunion Island Explorer’ tour…
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS):
* Reunion and Cilaos
* The Nosy Be Archipelago
* The Analakely Market in Tana
* Andasibe Reserve
* Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
* Dzaoudzi & Mayotte Island
* Reunion and the charming village of Hellburg
Tour price for 2008:
USD: 3,415.00 / CAD: 3,585.00 – per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement is USD: 750.00 / CAD: 790.00
Price Includes:
* Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, including tax and service charge at hotels
* Return airport transfers with Air Conditioned cars (where available)
* Meals as stated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
* English speaking local guide for the mentioned sightseeing
* Air Conditioned transportation during Tours and Sightseeing (where available)
* Entrance fees to parks, tourist objects, museums, monuments
* Parking fees, road taxes, drivers overnight wages
* Boat ride, ferry ride where mentioned
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Price Excludes:
* International airfare (must be on Air Seychelles & Air Mauritius)
* Airport taxes for Domestic / Regional flights and border taxes (if any)
* Visa fees (if any) on arrival
* All Domestic and Regional (inter-island) airfares (as per flights mentioned in the itinerary)
* Excess baggage fee on local carriers
* Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, phone bills, drinks
* Meals not mentioned in itinerary
* Tips or other such costs
* All other costs not mentioned
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Madagascar
Reunion
Mayotte
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
