Madagascar is a World apart… a beautiful island, ringed by golden beaches and palm trees, and with an interior that is resplendent in its variety, from grassy plateaus to volcanoes and opaque forests and natural reserves. The Island dazzles with its rich wildlife, with a large majority of its species unique to the Island, and found nowhere else on Earth. Of the popular creature, the lemur, there are over 10 different species alone.
The island is a mass of unusual and colorful flowers and other flora. In terms of biodiversity alone, Madagascar really is one of a kind… 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.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Antananarivo
After meeting at Ivato International Airport with our guide and driver, we are transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon – if time permitting – we’ll have our first city sightseeing, including a visit to the Ambohimanga Palace, the cradle of Merina Kingdom.
Overnight: Hotel Tana Plaza, Antananarivo (1 night)
Day 2: Antananarivo / Antsirabe (drive)
We depart after breakfast to Antsirabe, passing through typical Merina villages, fertile mountains and rice fields. After arriving, we tour Antsirabe, a popular hot-spring city, also having some bathing experience while here.
Overnight: Residence Camelia, Antsirabe (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Antsirabe / Ranomafana (drive)
After breakfast we’ll drive to Ranomafana, a National Park known and appreciated for its rainforests, which is also home to various species of lemurs such as the golden bamboo lemurs, brown lemurs, birds, chameleons and frogs. En route we’ll stop in Ambositra and visit the ‘Zafimaniry’ workshop (a tribe which is specialized in woodcarving). From here continue to Ranomafana Village, a village of Tanala people (people who live in forest). Later we check-in to our hotel and after dark we take a ‘night walk’ to see some nocturnal species of lemurs.
Overnight: Hotel Centrest, Ranomafana (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Ranomafana / Fianarantsoa (drive)
After an early breakfast we visit the Park again, with its lemurs, chameleons, spiders, frogs, varieties of orchids and medicinal plants. After lunch, we ‘take off’ to Fianarantsoa - the capital of the Betsileo tribe.
Overnight: Hotel Tombontsoa, Fianarantsoa (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Fianarantsoa / Ranohira (drive)
We leave early in the morning for Ranohira. En route we’ll stop in Ambalavao - the commercial centre of the southern Betsileo region, renowned for its folks, arts and crafts. Later we stop to visit a wine maker, including wine tasting and atop at the ‘Antemoro Paper’ factory as well. The paper made here is delicate, handmade, flower-decorated paper and made of the fibers of a tree called ‘Avoha’. Another stop, 12 km south of Ambalavao, is to visit the Anja Park, where we can see some families of ring-tailed lemurs in their natural habitat. Later we arrive in Ranohira – one of the main villages of the Bara Tribe, the strongest tribe in Madagascar.
Overnight: Isalo Ranch, Ranohira (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Ranohira
Have a full day visit of Isalo National Park, also to discover the massif of Isalo, to see Bara tombs on rocky mountains, to admire the canyons and endemic fauna. Swim in the natural swimming pool of the park. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Ranohira / Toliary (drive)
After breakfast, we drive to Tuléar (Toliary) along a straight paved road. The landscape is composed of dry and spiny forests, baobabs and some proudly decorated Mahafaly tombs - huge colorful tombs decorated with sculpted wood known as ‘Aloalo’ and zebu horns. We’ll arrival in Toliary late in the afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel Paille en Queue, Toliary (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Toliary / Antananarivo (flight)
After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our short flight back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, we are met at the airport and taken to our hotel. Balance of the day is free to explore the city on our own.
Overnight: Hotel Tana Plaza, Antananarivo (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Antananarivo / Andasibe (drive)
After breakfast we take a leisurely drive to Andasibe, the village of the Bezanozano tribe. 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’ again, 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: Grace Lodge, Andasibe (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Andasibe
This morning we’ll visit the Reserve again 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. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Andasibe / Antananarivo (drive)
We drive back today to Antananarivo and have ourselves prepared for the Northern ‘experience’. Balance of the day is free to explore the city on our own.
Overnight: Hotel Tana Plaza, Antananarivo (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Antananarivo / Antsiranana (flight) & Ankarana Reserve (drive)
Early in the morning we go to the airport for our flight to Antsiranana. Upon arrival we meet our guide and 4 WD vehicle driver, who will transfer us to ‘Ankarana Reserve’. En route we stop in Anivorano Village to see some sacred crocodiles in Anivorano Lake. If lucky enough, we will see some Antakarana people offering some zebu meats to those crocodiles who are believed to be their Ancestors. From here we continue our drive to Ankarana Reserve on sharp limestone pinnacles, sheltering many endemic fauna and flora. Once here, we’ll visit the Reserve. This is one of the most exciting reserves in Madagascar, with the dramatic landscape of limestone pinnacles (tsingy), caves, untouched forest and a wealth of wildlife. Ankarana is thought to contain the highest density of primates of any forest in the world. Our overnight stay will be at a Campsite at the Reserve or at a basic lodge.
Overnight: Camping or Lodge (1 night). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Ankarana Reserve / Ankify (drive) & Nosy Be (boat)
After having spent a few hours exploring the Reserve, we drive to Ankify Village. After a short visit here and meeting with the friendly local fisherman, we’ll take a short boat ride to Nosy Be.
Overnight: Hotel Gerard & Francine, Nosy Be (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 14: Nosy Be
Today we 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 town. From here, we take a short boat trip by a Pirogue for a short crossing 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. Afternoon we return to Nosy be and the rest of the day is at leisure, by the beach. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 15: Nosy Be / Antananarivo (flight)
After having a relaxing morning on the beach, we check out and have an afternoon transfer to the airport for tour flight back to Antananarivo. Here we’ll connect with our Int’l flight back home or toward our next destination. Includes: (B).
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS):
* The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga (WHS)
* Antsirabe, the popular hot-spring city
* Parc National de Ranomafana (WHS)
* Fianarantsoa - the capital of the Betsileo tribe
* Isalo National Park
* The proudly decorated Mahafaly tombs
* Andasibe Reserve
* Ankarana Reserve
* Nosy Be and area.
Tour Price Includes:
* Accommodation at the hotels/lodges mentioned in the itinerary (or similar category) including all taxes and service charges
* 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
* All Domestic and Regional airfares (as per the flight segments mentioned in the itinerary)
* Boat ride, ferry ride where mentioned
Tour Price Excludes:
* International airfare and airport taxes
* Insurance (highly recommended)
* Airport taxes for Domestic flights
* Visa fees (if any) on arrival
* Excess baggage fee on local carriers
* Any personal expenses such as laundry bills, phone bills, drinks, etc.
* Meals not mentioned in itinerary
* Tips or other such costs
* All other costs not mentioned
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour price for 2008:
USD: 3,550.00 / CAD: 3,730.00 – per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement cost is USD: 540.00 / CAD: 570.00
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Madagascar
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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