Project Description

Explore the wild, Embrace the culture

~ MADAGASCAR ~

November 13 to December 6, 2019

 Contact tours@tyw.ca or 780 739 2245 for alternate travel dates.

Home to mind-blowing scenery, lush rainforests, curious lemurs that hang on the edge of distinction, and more outdoor splendour than you can dream of.  Madagascar was made for adventure travel! It’s home to a harmonious, multi-ethnic population that creates an amalgamation of various cultures.  This comprehensive tour takes you deep inside Africa’s amazing jungle island for close encounters with both the wildlife and the people. Sit down for dinner with a ghost-talker at a homestay near Lake Andraikiba, swim in natural pools and splash about under waterfalls, encounter the unique trees of Baobab Alley, and soak up nature at its finest in some of the island’s national parks. Madagascar is so incredible it feels like another planet. You must experience it to believe it!

Experience an unforgettable sunset at Baobab Alley, discover nocturnal creatures on a night walk in Kirindy Reserve, explore the peculiar rock formations of the UNESCO-classified Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, explore the Manambolo River in a canoe, search for lemurs and unique wildlife, learn about native flora and fauna in world-famous national parks, savour a local dinner in a rural village.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – (Antananarivo)

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening group gathering.

Optional Activity:

Antananarivo City Tour: Follow a local guide on a tour of history-rich Antananarivo, the vibrant capital of Madagascar. Get to know the real “Tana” (as locals call it) on a 3-hour walking tour. Explore the colorful, bustling market, and sites such as the Cathedral, and Queen’s Palace.

Overnight at Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 – (Antananarivo/Miandrivazo)

Travel through the Madagascar Highlands to the village of Miandrivazo for the night.

Journey through Antsirabe, the spectacular eroded hills called ‘lavaka’, and the lush green landscape before arriving at the farming town of Miandrivazo for the night.

Overnight at Princesse Tsiribihina (or similar)

Day 3 – (Miandrivazo/Kirindy Forest)

Drive to Kirindy Forest Reserve, where you may be lucky enough to spot the giant jumping rat, or Fossa, the largest carnivore on the island. This evening, enjoy a night walk, the highlight of a visit to Kirindy.

Overnight at Princesse Tsiribihina (or similar)

Day 4 – (Kirindy Forest/Bekopaka)

Continue to Bekopaka, our gateway to the National Park of Tsingy de Bemaraha.

Load into 4×4’s and head out on sandy roads heading north to Bekopaka, before arriving cross the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers by local ferry.

Overnight at Camp Croco (or similar)

Day 5 – (Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park)

Morning canoe adventure on the Manambolo River, with an afternoon exploring the Little Tsingy’s.

Overnight at Camp Croco (or similar)

Day 6 – (Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park)

Enjoy a full day exploring the peculiar rock formations of the ‘Great Tsingy’.

Overnight at Camp Croco (or similar)

Day 7 – (Bekopaka/Morondava)

A full day driving back to Morondava, stopping for sunset at the Baobab Alley.

The sandy track leads back to Morondava passing through Baobab Alley in time for sunset.

Overnight at Hotel Trecicogne  (or similar)

Day 8 – (Morondava)

Free day in Morondava to relax on the beach, visit the local market, or explore five species of mangroves in a dugout canoe.

Opt for a group farewell dinner as the trip draws to an end.

Overnight at Hotel Trecicogne  (or similar)

Day 9 – (Morondava/Antananarivo)

Free morning in Morondava, then fly to Tana.

Meet the group for the rest of your trip, at a welcome meeting in the evening.

Overnight at Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 – (Antananarivo/Andasibe)

Travel to Andasibe-Perinet National Park with scenic stops en route. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe and explore the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive area.

Depart the capital and continue east, with stops along the scenic rainforest route of world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park.

Continue on to the national park. With free time over the next two days, opt to visit other small private or community reserves around Andasibe, and go on guided night walks inside those reserves or along the main road. Walk to the little town of Andasibe or simply enjoy the relaxing tranquility of the surrounding forest.

Overnight at Feon’ny Ala (or similar)

Day 11 – (Andasibe)

Spend the day exploring this national park. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe and explore the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive area.

Explore the Indri Special Reserve and national park located 1.5km (0.93 mi) from the town of Andasibe. One of the park’s primary purposes is to protect the natural habitat of the indri, a large black and white diurnal species that feeds on leaves and fruit. In addition to the indri, the park has 10 other diurnal and nocturnal lemur species, large chameleons, and the rarely seen blue coua.

The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).

Overnight at Feon’ny Ala (or similar)

Day 12 – (Andasibe/Antsirabe)

Travel to the colonial city of Antsirabe, stopping to see rice paddies along the way.

Travel to the ancient colonial town of Antsirabe. Along this stretch of road you will see Merina tombs and the labour-intensive cultivation of rice paddies.

Antsirabe is known as a thermal city because of its volcanic lakes. It’s also famous for its precious and semi-precious stones and handicrafts.

Opt to explore this quaint little city upon arrival.

Overnight at Hasina Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 – (Antsirabe/Fiadanana)

Visit Lake Andraikiba before continuing to the small village of Fiadanana. Opt to explore this beautiful village. Listen to a ghost talker, enjoy a stay at a community guesthouse, and dinner with a local family.

After a short visit to Lake Andraikiba, continue on to the small village of Fiadanana. This beautiful village is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of rice fields and panoramic views of the nearby mountains.

Get to see how the villagers live by interacting with them and enjoy a chance to learn their rituals during an authentic community experience.

Overnight at Gite Rural (or similar)

Day 14 – (Fiadanana/Ranomafana)

Learn traditional rituals from the local villagers. Hike back to the bus taking in the stunning views. Continue on to Ranomafana.

Enjoy a local breakfast and take in stunning views of Mt Ifasina.

After, hike back out to the bus (about 3.5km/2.2 mi) and continue to Ranomafana, a little village named after the hot springs in the valley.

The nearby national park is one of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar.

Overnight at Manja Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 – (Ranomafana/Ambalavao)

Opt for an early morning forest walk to get a feel for the incredible wildlife of the area, or explore on your own. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic journey heading south through Madagascar’s wine-producing region.

In the morning go for a forest walk, a swim in a hot spring, visit the local town and market, or get a massage.

Enjoy the wonderful changes of landscape along the way to the pleasant rural town of Ambalavao.

Visit a little paper factory where the locals will share their traditional methods of producing this unique, hand-made paper.

If time allows, opt to visit a silk factory in town and learn about the local way of making fabric or clothing from silk, and the process of dyeing it with natural dyes.

Overnight at Aux Bougainvillees (or similar)

Day 16 – (Ranomafana/Ambalavao)

Stop at Anja Community Reserve, known for groups of ring-tailed lemurs. Continue on through the ever-changing landscape to Ranohira and Isalo National Park.

Journey from Ambalavao to the Anja Community Reserve and on through diverse scenery. Travel through the savannah before the massif of Isalo becomes clearly visible.

Overnight at ITC Hotel  (or similar)

Day 17 – (Ranohira)

Spend the day exploring Isalo National park on foot, stopping at a natural swimming pool and waterfalls. In the evening visit the G Adventures supported tree planting project near Ranohira, creating a green corridor to protect the biodiversity of Isalo National Park.

In the morning, pack a lunch to take into the park with you to eat during a picnic break later in the day – your CEO can help you arrange this.

After a short trek within a small canyon, take a break from the sun and stop at fresh natural swimming pool. Continue on to the “cascades”, considered to be amongst the best waterfalls in Madagascar and has a large natural swimming pool.

With a little luck, you may see sifaka, brown lemurs, or ring-tailed lemurs.

Overnight at ITC Hotel  (or similar)

Day 18 – (Ranohira/Ifaty)

Drive through the desert landscape, viewing Mahafaly tombs and giant baobab trees en route. Continue to the beautiful Mozambican Channel beaches of Ifaty.

En route to Toliara, drive through the magnificent wide-open and vast desert landscape. Pass through several unique frontier-style sapphire mining towns, and babobab trees en route.

This drive will also pass by the tombs of the Mahafaly; a local tribe in Madagascar known predominantly for their large tombs. They were built for chiefs and kings and are covered in stones, sculptures, and horns. The more important the deceased, the more horns and statues the tomb is adorned with. One of the largest tombs has over 700 zebu horns! As this is a sacred site we will just be passing by, and photography is not permitted.

Continue on to Ifaty to relax and enjoy the breathtaking beaches of the Mozambican Channel.

While in Ifaty, opt to ride in a dugout canoe, visit the spiny forest reserve, go snorkelling or diving on the reef, or simply relax on the beach.

Overnight at Bamboo Club (or similar)

Day 19/20 – (Ifaty)

Spend two full days enjoying this gorgeous area. Opt to do some hiking or hit the beach.

Overnight at Bamboo Club (or similar)

Day 21 – (Ifaty/Antananarivo)

Travel to Toliara for a flight to Antananarivo and an optional last night out on the town.

Due to the unpredictability of local flights, if we are unable to secure your domestic flight, we will instead transport you in 4×4 vehicles. This journey can take approximately 10 hours.

Overnight at Chalets des Roses (or similar)

Day 22 – (Antananarivo)

Depart at any time.

Optional Activities

Antananarivo
– Antananarivo City Tour
– Mitsinjo Park (35000-50000MGA per person)
– Queen’s Palace Visit (15000MGA per person)
– The Prime Minister’s Palace Visit (20000MGA per person)
– Tsarasaotra Bird Park (25000MGA per person)

Andasibe
– Vondron’olona Ifotony Reserve (45000MGA per person)
– Andasibe-Perinet National Park Guided Walk (Afternoon) (75000MGA per person)

Ambalavao
– Silk Factory Visit (2EUR per person)

Ranomafana National Park
– Thermal Pool Swim (15000MGA per person)
– Town Visit
– Morning Forest Walk (20-25EUR per person)

Ifaty
– Snorkelling (320000MGA per person)
– Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve Visit (35000MGA per person)
– Quad Biking (230000MGA per person)
– Fishing (30000-800000MGA per person)
– Dugout Canoe Ride (30000MGA per person)

Inclusions

  • Soa Zara Tree Planting Project, Ranohira
  • Community Guesthouse and Traditional Dinner, Fiadanana
  • Ifaty. Sunset at Baobab Alley. 4×4 journey between Morondava, Kirindy and Bekopaka.
  • Guided night walk in Kirindy Reserve.
  • Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve guided visit.
  • Canoe excursion on the Manambolo River.
  • Andasibe Indri Special Reserve guided walk.
  • Artisan workshop visit.
  • Traditional healer visit.
  • Paper factory visits.
  • Anja Reserve walk.
  • Isalo National Park visit.
  • Internal flights.
  • All transport between destinations and to/from activities.
  • 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Exclusions

  • International flights and luggage fees
  • Travel VISA’s
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Various optional activities
  • Tipping and gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Travel Facts

COUNTRIES VISITED:  Madagascar

TRAVEL VISA:  Required

VACCINATONS:  Please consult your local Traveller’s Health Clinic.

CLIMATE: Minimum approximately 23 C / maximum approximately 32 C.

Rainfall is much higher at this time of year, averaging around 16 inches per month on the northwest and east coasts.

Madagascar has a hot and subtropical climate with colder temperatures in the mountains. The seasons are mainly divided into two main periods: the rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. The length of each period varies from one region to another.

PACKAGE PRICE

Contact Travel Your World International Ltd. for pricing and/or optional itineraries.

tours@tyw.ca or 780-739-2245

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