12-Day The Island of a Thousand Facets

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

Antananarivo

You will arrive in Tana and have a meet and greet at the airport then transfer to your hotel. Our reps will meet you at your hotel to hand you all your travel documents and to make a briefing for the whole tour. You'll spend the night in a hotel.

Antananarivo, commonly known as Tana, is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. The name Antananarivo means ‘the City of the Thousands’, a reference to the thousand warriors of King Andrianjaka, who established Tana as the capital city of the Merina tribe and accorded it a sacred status. The city was largely chosen for its privileged location. Being on high ground (1,370m) and surrounded by marsh made it easy to defend and thus a natural choice for the capital. Tana has unusual French and Asian-inspired architecture with winding cobblestone streets and staircases that create a medieval impression.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Gassy Country House

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Antananarivo - Andasibe

Today we head eastwards to Andasibe through the green landscape of the East. Because of the heavy traffic in this RN2 ( the first harbour of Madagascar) and its winding road, the 145 km distance will take us 4 to 5 hours' drive. This step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forest and lakes. On the way, we stop in Pyereras Reptiles Park to see farmed chameleons and other species of reptiles. Then we drive for another 2 hours to reach Andasibe. Check-in and overnight in your hotel.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Best Time To Visit April, May, October and November (Best weather, less rain)

High Season July, August and December holidays (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:

Andasibe Lemurs Lodge

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

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+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Andasibe

Morning, 3 to 4 hours guided walk in the Andasibe National Park, a huge tropical rainy forest in the east. 9 species of lemurs can be spotted; the highlight is the "Indri Indri" which is the largest lemurs of the island. This 810 ha reserve is also home to numerous unique wildlife. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. After the hike, visit to Andasibe village, a typical Betsimisaraka village; who mainly lives on agriculture. Then visit the private park of Vakona in the "islands of lemurs" which the best spot to take photo of lemurs.

Main Destination:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Accommodation:

Andasibe Lemurs Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Andasibe - Antsirabe

Breakfast at the hotel, then head to Antananarivo. Although the distance is only 145 km, the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours due to winding roads and heavy traffic on National Road 2. Along the way, enjoy green landscapes of tropical rainforest, eucalyptus and pine trees, hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, and traditional villages with thatched houses. From Antananarivo, continue south on National Road 7 for 4 to 5 hours to Antsirabe. Cross the highlands with mountainous scenery, terraced rice fields, and the famous eroded hills called “lavaka”. Optional stop in Ambatolampy, known for its aluminum workshops (weekdays only). Continue through rural landscapes before arriving in Antsirabe. If time permits, enjoy a short city tour, including a visit to a lapidary and local workshops.

Main Destination:

Antsirabe (City)

Accommodation:

Le Royal Palace Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Antsirabe (City)

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Antsirabe - Ranomafana

You will be continuing south, stopping in Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar’s wood carving industry and home to the Zafimaniry tribe. You will then continue to Ranomafana National Park for the night.
You'll spend the night in a hotel.

Ambositra
Ambositra, meaning 'the place of the eunuchs' (supposedly because the Merina tribe castrated all defeated warriors of the local tribe), is an excellent place to see examples of Malagasy wood carvings, and is the capital of the Zafimaniry tribe. The local houses boast intricately carved balconies, panels and shutters.

Main Destination:

Ranomafana National Park

Best Time To Visit April, May, September, October and November (Mild weather, fewer rainy days)

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

Best Weather April, May, September, October and November

Wildlife in Ranomafana NP

Golden
Bamboo Lemur Common

Red-fronted
Brown Lemur Common

Red-bellied
Lemur Common

Greater
Bamboo Lemur Common

Grey
Bamboo Lemur Common

Show more

Giraffe-necked
Weevil Common

Parson’s
Chameleon Common

Milne-Edwards’s
Sifaka Occasional

Rufous
Mouse Lemur Occasional

Satanic
Leaf-tailed Gecko Occasional

Painted
Mantella Occasional

Spotted
Fanaloka Rare

Ring-tailed
Mongoose Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Accommodation:

Ny Tanana Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Ranomafana NP

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ranomafana

We spend the morning exploring the rainforests of Ranomafana in search of its many species of lemurs, reptiles and birds. This afternoon you have some time at leisure before an optional night walk on the on the outskirts of the park to search for nocturnal creatures. Night in hotel

Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana is considered to be one of Madagascar’s most beautiful National Parks, and was established in the early 1990s to protect the newly discovered golden bamboo lemur, as well as the very rare greater bamboo lemur. The park is covered with forest, and in higher areas moss and lichens cover the trees, giving it a prehistoric feel. Exotic plants such as orchids, as well as mountains, waterfalls and natural hot springs, make this endangered forest a charming and unusual place to discover.

Main Destination:

Ranomafana National Park

Accommodation:

Ny Tanana Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located just outside Ranomafana NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ranomafana - Isalo

Leaving Ranomafana behind, we travel south towards the spectacular landscapes of Isalo. Along the way, we stop at Anja Park, a community-run reserve nestled among impressive granite formations, where you will have excellent chances to observe ring-tailed lemurs in their natural habitat. After this enriching visit, we continue our journey through changing scenery before reaching Isalo in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Isalo National Park

Best Time To Visit April to October (Best hiking conditions)

High Season July, August and December holidays (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:

Satrana Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

+10 Photos

+9 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Isalo

Enjoy a 4 to 6 hours hike in Isalo National Park, famous for its spectacular sandstone formations and unique landscapes. Explore canyons, natural pools, and endemic vegetation while spotting lemurs and birds along the way. After the hike, return to the hotel. In the late afternoon, visit the “Fenêtre de l’Isalo” for a beautiful sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Isalo National Park

Accommodation:

Satrana Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Isalo NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Isalo - Ifaty

Leaving Isalo behind we head to Tulear. Travelling through the land of the Mahafaly people, we can stop to see the traditional tombs used for burying their dead. From Tulear we transfer to Ifaty on the coast. The region around Ifaty is extremely dry and dominated by ‘spiny forest’ of cacti and other plants that thrive in arid environments. Our accommodation is situated idyllically on a gorgeous beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, where we can watch the local fishermen take boats out as the sun sets. This is a truly beautiful part of Madagascar and a great place to relax or explore. Night in hotel.

Main Destination:

Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Accommodation:

Bamboo Club

• Mid-range hotel located in Ifaty (Town & Beach)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ifaty

A day at leisure to relax or explore. Ifaty is also home to coral reef and offers good diving and snorkelling opportunities. It’s also possible to take a walk to the nearby village of Mangily where we can get a good insight into the life of the local Vezo fishing community. All excursions can be booked through the hotel and are payable locally. July and August are the best months to see the migration of the humpback whales.

Main Destination:

Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Accommodation:

Bamboo Club

• Mid-range hotel located in Ifaty (Town & Beach)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ifaty - Tulear - Antananarivo

You will be transferred to Tulear airport in ample time to catch your flight back to Antananarivo. During the short flight, enjoy aerial views of Madagascar’s unique landscapes. Upon arrival, transfert to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure to rest.

Main Destination:

Antananarivo (City)

Accommodation:

Gassy Country House

• Mid-range hotel located in Antananarivo (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Antananarivo - Out

You will be transferred to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight back home. Take a last look at the beautiful landscapes of Madagascar as you depart, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and memories from your journey across the island.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

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