$1,610 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Upon arrival we will meet and greet you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel. Antananarivo means City of Thousands. Its story began 500 years ago, when the king Andrianjaka sent over 1,000 soldiers to cut the forest and conquer the land. Then the great King Andrianampoinimerina decided to build a palace there, which later became his successor's main palace. From here the same king started to unify the different kingdoms of the island. During King Radama's reign, Antananarivo became the capital of Madagascar. Antananarivo is built on three levels: the high city where the queen's palace is situated (which was the first area occupied during the royal period), the mid-city where all the administrative buildings and boutiques are found, and finally the low city, which is the primary commercial area of the town.
- Main Destination:
- Antananarivo (City)
- Accommodation:
- Le Chat'o Park Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Antananarivo - Antsirabe
Antananarivo - Antsirabe
After breakfast, if time permits, we have a city tour of Tana, the capital of Madagascar. Then with a private car, a 3 to 4 hour drive southward to Antsirabe across the highland landscape with its beautiful terraced rice-fields and its spectacular eroded hills called "lavaka". Optional stop in Ambatolampy, an agricultural city, also known for its aluminum recycling workshops that we might visit during the weekdays. The next hour, we'll drive among rural scenery with thatched roof villages, valleys, rivers, rice and vegetable fields. This region supplies vegetables and rice to almost the whole country. Arrival in Antsirabe, if time permits, well have a short city tours, visit a lapidary of semi-precious gem, then a workshop making "pousse pousse'' and cars in miniature.
Day 3
Antsirabe - Miandrivazo
Antsirabe - Miandrivazo
We continue to Miandrivazo, the landscape is changing, we will be on the highland during our drive we will see, Highland villages, erosion called « lavaka ». Situated on the Tsiribihina River, Miandrivazo is a very fertile region for cotton, corn, manioc, beans, tobacco and rice. The rest of the day is at leisure either to enjoy the countryside or relax at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Miandrivazo (Town)
- Accommodation:
-
Princesse Tsiribihina Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Miandrivazo - Kirindy
Miandrivazo - Kirindy
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive six hours to Morondava. The landscape along the way is dominated by baobabs, rice fields that give way to empty hills, and red soil. Just before entering Morondava, we’ll see our first couple of baobabs. As the center of the Sakalava kingdom, Morondava is a prosperous rice-growing area. It is also known as a seaside resort with a laid-back atmosphere. Many different cultures and religions manage to intermingle in this region, which makes it special.
We’ll then drive another 60km through the “Allée des baobabs” to the town of Kirindy. After check-in, we will have a one-hour hike in Kirindy Park with a guide. This park is rich in wildlife and home to eight species of lemurs that are active during the day. At around 6pm, we’ll meet our guide again for a nighttime walk to see nocturnal animals.
- Main Destination:
- Kirindy Forest
- Accommodation:
- Relais du Kirindy
Wildlife in Kirindy Forest
giant rat Common
Northern
bokiboky
mouse lemur Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Kirindy - Bekopaka Bemaraha
Kirindy - Bekopaka Bemaraha
The Kirindy boasts more than 60 species of birds, so early morning we have 2 hours hike to look for birds before we take our breakfast. Then around 9.00am, 2 hours’ drive to Tsimafana through the Baobabs forest and the red soil of the west. We take a Ferry boat transfer to reach Belo. Then head on to Bekopaka for another 4 hours adventure in a dirt track. This drive brings us to Madagascar profound, the bush African side of the country with its dry and red soil. One can experience the real life of Malagasy people in the driest part of the country. Arrival in Bekopaka by end of the afternoon, check-in and overnight in Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Bekopaka (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Olympe De Bemaraha
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Bekopaka Bemaraha
Bekopaka Bemaraha
Day excursion to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its spectacular limestone pinnacles and unique karst formations. The park is home to exceptional biodiversity, including endemic plants, baobabs, orchids, chameleons, birds and several species of lemurs.
Visitors can choose between the Grand Tsingy, a more challenging hike for adventurous travellers, or the Small Tsingy, an easier walk combined with a traditional pirogue ride on the Manambolo River.
Overnight at the same hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Bekopaka (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Olympe De Bemaraha
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Bekopaka - Morondava
Bekopaka - Morondava
Breakfast at hotel then, cross Manambolo river and take the dirt road to Morondava. Stop in Belo sur Tsiribihina where we cross the Tsiribihina river with a local ferry to reach Tsimafana. From there another 4 hours to reach Morondava. We are in the region of splendid Grandidiers baobab, Andasonia grandidieri. We stop in « Allée des Baobabs » and enjoy the sunset picture of this unique moment, with its different colours and lights. Night in Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Morondava (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Laguna Beach
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Morondava - Miandrivazo
Morondava - Miandrivazo
After breakfast, drive towards Miandrivazo. En route experience varied landscapes and the transition from the very dry west to the red soil and rice fields around Miandrivazo. Situated on the Tsiribihina River, Miandrivazo is a very fertile region for cotton, corn, manioc, beans, tobacco and rice. The rest of the day is at leisure either to enjoy the countryside or relax at the hotel. Overnight in hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Miandrivazo (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Princesse Tsiribihina Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Miandrivazo - Antsirabe
Miandrivazo - Antsirabe
Continue the journey to Antsirabe. You will also notice changes on the features of the local people as Asian heritage becomes more prominent. We finish the day in Antsirabe, The city of Antsirabe has about 100,000 inhabitants, and was founded by Norwegian missionaries in the late 18th century, who were attracted by the pleasant climate. It lies on the slopes of the nation's second highest peak, Tsiafajavona, in the Ankaratra Mountains, and has nearby thermal springs, locally renowned for their healing properties. The city is also known as the centre of Madagascar’s brewing industry, and indeed you will smell the brewery on the way into town, overinght in hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Antsirabe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Le Royal Palace Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Antsirabe - Andasibe
Antsirabe - Andasibe
After breakfast, we head on to Tana, the end of National Road 7. From here we take the National Road 2 and we head eastwards to Andasibe, through the green landscape and luxuriant vegetation of the east. This second step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way we'll see Merina village on the hill, in the Rocky Mountains. We stop in Moramanga for a short visit to the local market. On the way, on option, we may stop in “Pyereras Reptiles Park” to see farmed chameleons and other species of reptiles. Then we drive for another 2 hours to reach Andasibe.
- Main Destination:
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Accommodation:
- Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
Wildlife in Andasibe-Mantadia NP
brown lemur Common
chameleons Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Andasibe
Andasibe
In the morning, 3 to 4 hours hike to Andasibe National Park, a huge tropical rain forest in the east. 9 species of lemurs can be spotted there. The highlight is the Indri Indri which is the largest lemur of the island. This 810-ha reserve is also home to numerous unique species. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds.
In the afternoon we will visit the private par of Vakona in the islands of lemurs which is the best spot to take pictures of lemurs. Back to your Hotel where you stay overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Accommodation:
- Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Andasibe - Antananarivo
Andasibe - Antananarivo
Very early in the morning, 5 to 6 hours drive back to Tana, transfer to the airport to catch your international flight.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
