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 everyoneโs 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
Day 1: Start Antananarivo
- Day 2 Day 2: Morning City Tour In Antananarivo; Afternoon Drive To Andasibe; Guided Night Walk (Breakfast)
Day 2: Morning City Tour In Antananarivo; Afternoon Drive To Andasibe; Guided Night Walk (Breakfast)
- Day 3 Day 3: Morning Trek In Andasibe National Park; Return To Antananarivo (Breakfast)
Day 3: Morning Trek In Andasibe National Park; Return To Antananarivo (Breakfast)
Experience Style
Mixed
There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโre also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.
Accomodation level
Medium
This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.
Experience Type
Small Group
Youโll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.
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
Min: 16 / Max: 80
Age range allowed for this experience.
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