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16 days tour

Madagascan Discoverer

$ 5,400 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $5,400.00

Madagascan Discoverer

This tour includes:

Others

All listed activities

Transport

Travel is mainly by small private bus. Road conditions are far worse than in Europe and North America and you should expect many narrow, winding and uneven sections. Many of the roads away from the population centers and main routes are unpaved dirt roads which can be very bumpy. There are several days where the drives are long, with a maximum drive time of approximately 12 hours, but we make plenty of stops along the way. There are two internal flights, one from Antananarivo to Morondava and one from Tulear to Antananarivo. We also take 4x4 vehicles from Morondava to Bekopaka and back again. We use 4x4 vehicles on this section of the trip as the road is a dirt road and particularly uneven; however, the surrounding landscape and destination more than make up for it. This itinerary also includes the use of pontoon ferries, which do not (typically) offer emergency safety equipment such as flotation devices. We have risk assessed these crossings and find them to be low risk. However, if you are concerned about this aspect please consider an alternative trip, as we are unable to facilitate the provision of Western safety equipment. The driving distances are as follows. Approximate driving time including stops in brackets: Antananarivo to Andasibe: 85mi (135km); four to five hours Morondava to Kirindy: 37mi (60km); dirt road, two hours Kirindy to Bekopaka: 110mi (175km); dirt road, seven hoursโ€™ driving plus one-hour ferry crossing Bekopaka to Morondava: 145mi (235km); dirt road, 10 hoursโ€™ driving plus one-hour ferry crossing Morondava to Antsirabe: 295mi (475km); 12 hours Antsirabe to Ranomafana: 155mi (250km); 8 hours Ranomafana to Fianarantsoa to Ranohira: 230mi (370km); 11 hours Ranohira to Ifaty: 170mi (275km); six hours

Accommodation

For this Madagascan adventure, we spend 15 nights in a range of hotels, each well located for our activities and in beautiful settings. Below are some of the standout accommodations. Antsirabe: Les Chambres du Voyageur (night 8) In Antsirabe, we stay at this husband and wife-owned hotel. They exhibit arts and crafts from the Zafimaniry ethnic group and there is a beautiful garden home to many endemic plants. Near Isalo National Park: Isalo Ranch (nights 11-12) This lodge close to Isalo National Park was one of the first hotels in Madagascar to run primarily on solar power. There are incredible mountain views and the owner has a collection of rhum arrange (rum with fruits, spices and herbs) that are available to sample at dinner. Ifaty beach: Hotel de la Plage (nights 13-14) With an enviable beachside location, Hotel de la Plage is the perfect destination for downtime following a thorough tour of Madagascar. Owners George and Myriam created this arrangement of simple bungalows by the beach and have hired helpful staff and a great chef to make their guestsโ€™ stay as comfortable as possible. Their son, Yannick, has a passion for water sports and knows the area very well. Worth knowing Some properties are not connected to the electricity grid and use instead use generators that are turned off at night.

Guide

Tour leader/support staff throughout

Meals

Food standards in Madagascar can vary and are probably not of the same standard you are used to at home. A restaurant meal can cost between 30,000-50,000 ariary (US$7-US$12) plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and readily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyoneโ€™s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced. Please note, if you do not eat fish or meat, your food options will be rather limited (ie omelette, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfasts are usually simple: eggs, a baguette, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (spread, peanut butter etc).

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations โ€” Flights

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Madagascan Discoverer

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Antananarivo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Antananarivo

      Our adventure starts in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner for those who would like to join. Accommodation: Hotel Le Chato (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Morning City Tour In Antananarivo; Afternoon Drive To Andasibe; Guided Night Walk (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Morning City Tour In Antananarivo; Afternoon Drive To Andasibe; Guided Night Walk (Breakfast)

      We embark on a short bus tour of Tana this morning. With bustling markets and a hilltop ancient town with freestone churches and old royal places, it is unique among world capitals. We then set off for Andasibe, arriving around 3pm, where we visit the community-run Vondronโ€™olona Miaro Mitia Ala Reserve. Here we hope to see groups of the teddy bear-like indris in their natural habitat, while their white-headed relatives, diademed sifakas, jump between the treetops. There are also countless frogs along the crystalline river here and several forest-dwelling chameleons. In the early evening, we take a twilight/night walk and look for nocturnal lemur species. Accommodation: Sahatandra River Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Morning Trek In Andasibe National Park; Return To Antananarivo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Morning Trek In Andasibe National Park; Return To Antananarivo (Breakfast)

      Today we explore Andasibe National Park (also known as Perinet) on a four-hour wildlife walk. The park is home to indri, the largest of lemur in Madagascar, plus other flora and fauna and a wide array of birdlife. Listening to the piercing yet melancholy cry of the indri in the morning is an evocative sound and for those prepared to follow them through the thick rainforest, the reward is often a close-up view. A group of five diademed sifaka have recently been re-introduced to Andasibe from Mantadia and we may spot one of these unusual creatures if we are lucky. We return to Tana in the afternoon. Accommodation: Au Bois Vert Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Fly To Morondava; Visit Alley Of Baobabs (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Fly To Morondava; Visit Alley Of Baobabs (Breakfast)

      We depart early today to catch a flight west to the coastal town of Morondava, known for having one of the finest climates in Madagascar. We then pick up 4x4 vehicles in the afternoon and visit the Alley of Baobabs, where ancient baobab trees line an unpaved road known as the most scenic in the country. We then drive to Kirindy dry forest reserve where we spend the night. Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy (or similar)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Drive To Bekopaka, With A Visit To Kirindy Dry Forest Reserve (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Drive To Bekopaka, With A Visit To Kirindy Dry Forest Reserve (Breakfast)

      Today we visit Kirindy Reserve, home to the giant jumping rat, seven lemur species and the fossa, an endemic creature that looks like a cat-weasel cross. Then we travel approximately nine hours on a dirt road to Bekopaka, passing baobab forests, desert and local villages, and crossing the Tsiribihina river by ferry. The western landscape is arid but beautiful. Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha (or similar)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Morning Trekking In Tsingy National Park; Afternoon Return To Bekopaka (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Morning Trekking In Tsingy National Park; Afternoon Return To Bekopaka (Breakfast)

      We depart early this morning to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1990, the area has unique geography and well-preserved mangrove forests, but is best known for its spectacular pinnacles: a forest of limestone pillars, some up to 165ft (50m) high. The karst landscape and deciduous forest are a refuge for rare and endangered species and there are more than 11 types of lemur, 90 bird species and 50 reptile species, some of which we might be lucky to spot on our hike. In the afternoon, we head back to Bekopaka and relax at the hotel, perhaps with a swim at the pool. Please note, while our time in this area is a real highlight for most, it involves a demanding walk. Those suffering from vertigo and claustrophobia may find parts of the trek challenging. In some places, we go through caves and narrow chasms; harnesses are used for the more challenging parts of the climb for safety reasons. Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha (or similar)

  • Day 7 Day 7: Take A 4X4 To Morondava; Sunset At Alley Of Baobabs (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Take A 4X4 To Morondava; Sunset At Alley Of Baobabs (Breakfast)

      We return south after breakfast, taking 4x4s to Morondava by road and ferry. The journey takes approximately 12 hours. We pass by the Sakalava tribe tombs along the way, known for the unusual paintings and carvings that decorate the outside of each tomb. We stop at the Alley of Baobabs again where we plan to spend sunset. This is the best time to see these amazing trees as the colours at this time of day are spectacular, making for a perfect photo opportunity. After sunset, we spend the night in Morondava. Accommodation: Renala au Sable dโ€™Or (or similar)

  • Day 8 Day 8: Drive To Antsirabe (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Drive To Antsirabe (Breakfast)

      Today is one of the longest travelling days of the itinerary with a drive time of approximately 12 hours. We pass through the fascinating scenery of Betsiriry Plateau and the savannah plains as well as the many villages interspersed along the way. We arrive at our destination by early evening. Antsirabe is at an altitude of 4,920ft (1,500m) and has a cooler climate. The warm springs and thermal baths here were a real draw in the 19th century. Accommodation: Chambres du Voyageur (or similar)

  • Day 9 Day 9: Drive To Ranomafana (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Drive To Ranomafana (Breakfast)

      We depart early this morning with a short rickshaw tour along Independence Avenue then a sightseeing tour of Antsirabe, including a visit to craft centres. From here, we continue to drive to Ranomafana. With rainforested hills and abundant wildlife, Ranomafana National Park has long been considered one of the highlights in Madagascar, and is one of the most visited national parks in the country. The entrance lies about 4mi (7km) from Ranomafana village. In addition to densely forested hills, the terrain is characterised by numerous small streams, which plummet to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 10 Day 10: Morning Visit Ranomafana National Park; Afternoon Visit Ranomafana Village (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Morning Visit Ranomafana National Park; Afternoon Visit Ranomafana Village (Breakfast)

      We spend the morning (approximately five hours) exploring Ranomafana National Park, hoping to spot golden bamboo lemurs, which are unique to this park, plus other lemurs, including eastern woolly, red-bellied, grey bamboo and red-fronted brown. This park is also home to other mammals including tenrecs, bats, mongoose and the Malagasy striped civet. In the afternoon, we visit Ranomafana village, where we see typical Tanala tribe houses and the public thermal bath. The evening is spent on a night walk along the roads in the hope of spotting nocturnal lemurs, chameleons and other animals. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 11 Day 11: Drive To Ranohira, Visiting Anja National Park En Route (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Drive To Ranohira, Visiting Anja National Park En Route (Breakfast)

      The scenery changes dramatically today as we drive to the small town of Ranohira, a journey of approximately 11 hours. We stop in Ambalavao to visit Anja National Park along the way, a small reserve where several families of ring-tailed lemurs can be seen in the wild. Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Full-Day Trek In Isalo National Park (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Full-Day Trek In Isalo National Park (Breakfast)

      We spend the day exploring Isalo National Park, a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. If the conditions are right, we walk in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreauxโ€™s sifaka. We also visit the Piscine Naturelle (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot within an arid landscape, where we can swim and relax. The combination of coloured rock formations, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. (Please note, Isalo is a big national park and there will be a certain amount of driving involved today. Driving to the Canyon des Makis takes around 1hr 30min to two hours). Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13: To West Coast And Beaches; Overnight In Ifaty (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: To West Coast And Beaches; Overnight In Ifaty (Breakfast)

      We drive to Tulear, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south, and we pass both the Mahafaly tombs and the Antandroy tombs, briefly observing their ornate decorations. Antandroy and Mahafaly are reputed to be the most impressive of all Malagasy tombs, with the Antandroy tombs large and brightly painted, relating to the life story and wishes of the deceased. They are also topped with the skulls of zebu sacrificed during the funeral festivity, a ceremony of great significance. Mahafaly tombs are characterised by their wooden sculptures known as aloalo, relating to the life of the deceased and their unfulfilled dreams, as well as their rank within the clan. After a brief stop in Tulear, we continue past the coastal town of Ifaty to Ifaty beach where we spend the night. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)

  • Day 14 Day 14: Free Time For Relaxation Or Optional Activities At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Free Time For Relaxation Or Optional Activities At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)

      Today we have a free day. Running all the way around the southwest Malagasy coastline, Ifaty beach lies on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and is an excellent venue for scuba diving. Between late June and early September, whales swim off the beautiful white beaches and the offshore islet of Nosy Ve is a terrific place for snorkelling. Protected by coral reefs, the beach and waters beyond the hotel offer a welcome place to rest. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)

  • Day 15 Day 15: Fly To Antananarivo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Fly To Antananarivo (Breakfast)

      Today we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo, which typically arrives in the afternoon. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have free time to explore Antananarivo on your own. Accommodation: Le Chato (or similar)

  • Day 16 Day 16: End Antananarivo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: End Antananarivo (Breakfast)

      Depending on flight times there may be the opportunity to embark on an optional short visit to Ambohimanga, the fortified village and its royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was once forbidden to Europeans; the local kings and queens returning to this hilltop village to rest and relax. From here began the line of kings and queens who united Madagascar into one country. Ambohimanga remains of spiritual significance for the Malagasy people with ceremonies and rituals still taking place here.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.

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