Day 1 – Fly to Antananarivo

Today you will start your adventure, you will fly to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city.

Day 2 – Arrival → Antananarivo

‘’Manao ahoana’’ & ‘’Salama’’ Welcome to tropical paradise. You will be welcomed & greeted by your guide or representative on arrival at Antananarivo Ivato International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo. The travel time will be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the road traffic.

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Le Pavillon de l’Emyrne

The Pavillon de l’Emyrne totally reveals the soul of its owner, who put all her feeling and energy to rehabilitate this establishment. Restored old furniture and antiques, selected from the capital of Antananarivo, are combined in an extraordinary and unique atmosphere.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 3 – Antananarivo → Antsirabe

After an early breakfast you will travel to Antsirabe, the travel time will be approximately 3 hours.

En route to Antsirabe you will have tea with a Malagasy family in an authentic highland house. Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar situated in the high altitude (about 1,500m). The cool temperatures in the high altitude are the reason why the Norwegian Missionaries chose this city in 1872. Antsirabe is the home of one of the award winning beers in Madagascar THB (Three Horses Beer). Its name means “where there is salt” honouring the large number of hot springs the town has, a fact that has given the city the nickname of “Malagasy Vichy”. The thermal baths had been long appreciated for their curative effects by the local population when French colonists decided to locate a thermal bath here in the 19th century.

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Plumeria Hotel

Plumeria Hotel is a charming hotel in the colourful town of Antsirabe.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 4 –  Antsirabe → Ambositra → Ranomafana

Today you will take a pousse-pousse rickshaw tour of Antsirabe to discover this interesting city mixed with architectural styles of the colonial and evangelical past. In the European district, French cottage-style houses are built next to Scandinavian villas with English style gardens. The tree-lined avenues always give some freshness whenever the sun is too bright.

After you will travel to Ambositra to discover a Zafimaniry village (UNESCO – Intangible Cultural Heritage site). It is famous for its wood carvings and they are known as people of the forest. The Zafimaniry community is the sole remaining community with the unique wood crafting culture previously widespread on the island. For generations, Zafimaniry foresters, carpenters and craft workers have developed a body of practical knowledge and skills revolving around wood. This has been passed down from generation to generation. Practically all wooden surfaces – walls, window frames, posts, beams, stools, chests, tools – display elaborate ornamentation. Geometric designs and rosettes show relationships that people have with their environment, ancestors and therefore the world of beyond.

After you will continue to travel to Ranomafana. It is a scenic route with many viewpoints to enjoy the breathtaking views. As you travel through the rural highlands, you will have breathtaking views of everyday activities of locals. Depending on the time of the year, visitors can witness the rice harvest, natural silk weaving and jewel manufacturing.

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Thermal Hotel

The spacious rooms are decorated in a sylvan atmosphere located near the local spa and national park of Ranomafana.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 5 –  Ranomafana National Park

After breakfast you will explore this wonderful rainforest. Ranomafana is a conservation success story in many ways. Today Ranomafana plays a crucial role in education and scientific research with the help of Centre ValBio Research Centre.  Ranomafana National Park’s success is because of one woman’s vision and dedication to preserve the nature and wildlife. Dr. Patricia Wright is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts on lemurs, Wright is best known for her 26-year study of social and family interactions of wild lemurs in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.

Ranomafana is a rainforest and spreads over 41,601 hectares in the high altitudes. There are many different forest types, from lowland rainforests to cloud forests and high plateau forests. It was classified a World Natural Heritage site of Atsinanana in 2007. It shelters a big wealth of endemic biodiversity with challenges. You can see the rare species and seriously threatened lemurs. The park is also the genetic reservoir of some rare and endemic plant species. There are many rivers and streams passing through the forest. Several animal species have been recorded, 12 species of lemurs, including golden bamboo lemur, greater bamboo lemur, Milne-Edward’s shifaka, red bellied lemur plus 115 species of birds. About thirty amongst them exist exclusively in the primary forest of the park.  There are also 90 species of butterflies, 98 species of amphibian and 62 species of reptiles; chameleons, lizards and fish.

Your specialist park guide will explain to you the circuits available to you before based on your fitness, expectation and the circuits. The shortest trek, Circuit Varibolomena, takes about 2-3 hours. This soft circuit is about 3 kilometres long but there are also medium to hard circuits to choose from.

During the evening there will be lectures about conservation in the ValBio Centre. You can also visit the centre during the opening hours.

When it gets dark you will take a night walk with a guide to observe the nocturnal lemurs (active only during night time).

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Thermal Hotel

The spacious rooms are decorated in a sylvan atmosphere located near the local spa and national park of Ranomafana.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 6 –  Fianarantsoa tour & Ambalavao

After breakfast you will travel to Fianarantsoa. On your way you will stop at the old royal city which was founded in 1830. Anatirova is the old historic centre formerly occupied by the Betsileo Rova called Ivœnava (where the dead are hidden). From here you can enjoy a nice panoramic view of the city below.

Fianarantsoa once used to be the administrative capital during colonial times. The name Fianarantsoa means “the place where one can learn something good” and was given by Queen Ranavalona 1st honouring the many academic institutions and reputed schools that are based here. It has a reputation as the academic, intellectual and religious capital of the country with the largest number of churches per square metre of the country.

Fianarantsoa is the wine capital of Madagascar. It produces some excellent red and white wines in the terraced vineyards surrounding the town. The most famous is the one produced by a large association of vine-farmers called Lazan’i Betsileo. Maromby (4km to the North), is a small peaceful village in the vicinity of vineyards, where wine can be bought at the monastery.

Here you will have an opportunity to enjoy the tastes of Madagascar wines. You can also buy some to take home as souvenirs.

Afterwards you will travel to Ambalavao for short tour to explore this beautiful town. Ambalavao is a fascinating little town in the central highlands south of Fianarantsoa. The town is known for its paper-making, silk making and wines. The striking feature of this town is the architecture because of the old town houses with wooden balconies. From the centre of the market you can get a good view of the town houses and the church.

Ambalavao is famous for Antaimoro paper-making and you can visit the paper factory. You can interact with the workers and try your own decoration with inlayed flowers, leaves and petals. From simple decorative paper, it is turned into postcards, wall hangings, gift bags, lampshades and many more items. This town is the centre for Zebu (Malagasy horned cattle) trading for all the surrounding countryside. Many tribes bring their herds of cattle here to the weekly Zebu market (every Wednesday).

You will then travel to your accommodation in Tsaranoro Valley.

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Tsara Camp

Tsaranoro valley is paradise for nature, mountain, and photography lovers.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 7- Tsaranoro Valley → Isalo

After breakfast you will begin trekking towards the sacred Forest of Tsaranoro and its ring-tailed lemurs. Starting from the camp; you are entering into lush vegetation where different species of endemic trees abound that are infected by the “Ficus Strangler” (tall fig trees). You can also observe termite nests. After crossing a small stream, take the path up to the right and do not miss out on climbing up to see a great view of the overhanging vegetation. This forest is now the habitat of the ring-tailed lemurs. You may able to be see them jump from tree to tree.

Tsaranoro’s cliff has a path that leads you in several directions. If you go down the path for a few minutes you will arrive in the grasslands of the lower part of the forest. In the zebu’s grazing areas, you can still make out heaps of stones constituting ancient ruins. Throughout this trip, many tombs are visible. Malagasy tombs are usually far more elaborate than the homes they live in and are topped with carved wooden memorial posts called “aloalo” and often decorated with horns from a sacrificed zebu. This forest is still the cemetery of the inhabitants of the valley. Continue your way up to a small stream from which you will soon reach the camp.

After a picnic lunch you will continue your visit to the village of Sahanambo to discover the daily life of the inhabitants. Take the path that joins the track and visit the village of Andonaka. You will first pass through the “Tsaranoro’s School ” where on weekdays, you can visit the students and the two teachers.  In the village you will come across women pounding rice in traditional method.  You will see the traditional architecture of the Bara and Betsileo tribes with houses without flooring. Coloured balconies with drying sweetcorn are signs of wealth. You will pass the villages, rice fields and waterfalls to reach Sahanambo River. Afterwards you will take the path towards your hotel.

You will then travel to your accommodation in Isalo.

Superior

Madagascar • Tulear & the South

Satrana Lodge

Why not enjoy the stars while having a drink at your terrace? The night sky is great here if you like the stars and night sky.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 8 –  Isalo Hike

Today you will explore Isalo National Park with your park guide. It is the Grand Canyon of Madagascar. Kingdom of the Queen of Isalo, cradle of a particular wild nature and an exceptional landscape, the lovers of the big escapes will be seduced by this park. The appeal is the remarkable landscape of the Jurassic Era eroded ruiniform sandstone, canyons and rare plants as well as the wildlife.

The highlights of the trekking circuits include the natural swimming pool and the canyons. The soft trekking circuit of Isalo covers approximately 3 kms in 3-4 hours. There are several circuits and you can talk to the guide for the best option that suits your expectations and fitness. Most hiking circuits include the natural swimming pool. It’s really worth a dip in the natural swimming pool as it’s an oasis.

These are 80 species of birds living in Isalo among which the Benson’s rock-thrush (pseudocossyphus bensoni), an endemic species of Madagascar is well protected. You can also find 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, as well as ring-tailed, Verreaux’s Shifakas and red-fronted brown lemurs.

In the late afternoon, you will visit the Window of Isalo to see the sunset for a spectacular view.

In the evening enjoy a romantic dinner beneath the stars overlooking the impressive canyons.

Superior

Madagascar • Tulear & the South

Satrana Lodge

Why not enjoy the stars while having a drink at your terrace? The night sky is great here if you like the stars and night sky.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 9 –  Isalo →Tulear

After breakfast you will travel to Tulear, en route you can explore the Reef Doctor Honko Project (Mangrove Conservation Project). During this tour you can learn about the project that is helping to protect mangroves and its ecosystems. You can walk on the elevated boardwalk to observe nature. The trained local guides can show you many wonders and explain how this unique ecosystem works as well as how local people truly depend on nature for their survival. There are many wetland bird species found here, including several threatened and endangered species. In fact, a study found that Ambondrolava (where the site is located) has the highest recorded wetland bird diversity in Madagascar’s south and southwest region. Even since that study, new species have been sighted here, including the endangered Humblot’s Heron.

Superior

Madagascar • Tulear & the South

Le Paradisier

Facing the breathtaking lagoon of Ifaty, Le Paradisier is situated in the deep south of Madagascar. The infinity pool is the perfect place to relax with a cocktail whilst taking in the sunset.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 10 – Fly to Antananarivo

Today from Tulear you will take a flight to the capital of Antananarivo. Flight time is approximately an hour to Tana.

Antananarivo ‘City of Thousand Warriors‘ is the capital situated 1500 metres above sea level with a pleasant cool climate. It is known as ‘Tana’ by locals and it offers rich cultural and historical sites of the Merina people. After lunch you will explore the city in the upper town (“La Haute ville”), where you can find Palaces (the Queen’s Palace, the ancient Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony Palace and the ancient Justice Palace), cathedrals and the residential area of (mostly) ancient noblemen families. From here, visitors enjoy a pleasant perspective of the city below far away from the bustling downtown.  This is a great place to purchase last-minute souvenirs.

In the evening, witness the best sunset with Sundowner drinks at Lokanga. It is the best place to say “cheers” to a great trip around Madagascar with a glass of wine, a beautiful view of Antananarivo and to look back at the great memories you have made.

Mid-range

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Le Pavillon de l’Emyrne

The Pavillon de l’Emyrne totally reveals the soul of its owner, who put all her feeling and energy to rehabilitate this establishment. Restored old furniture and antiques, selected from the capital of Antananarivo, are combined in an extraordinary and unique atmosphere.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 11 – Fly to Mauritius

In the morning if you like you can do shopping to buy souvenirs or explore the city.

Depending on your flight time you will travel to the airport to fly to Mauritius. Travel to the airport takes about an hour depending on the traffic.

Upon arrival at Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, you will be met by our
representative and transferred to your hotel.

Superior

Mauritius

Shanti Maurice

One of the best beaches in Mauritius, the most elegant and extensive collection of private Villas, the warmest of welcomes and an array of pursuits providing opportunities to do everything or absolutely nothing. All accompanied by sincere service that comes straight from the heart.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 12, 13 & 14- Relax at Shanti Maurice

Full days at leisure.

Shanti Maurice is perfectly placed to offer the best sporting activities both on land and at sea, ranging from golf on the nearby 18 hole Avalon Golf Estate, twin tennis courts, and water sports in the calm seas surrounding the resort.
Between the still green mountains and the crystal-clear sea, the curved beach is the perfect place to curl up under a parasol with a good book and a classic cocktail. The beach is always tranquil, since they only offer non-motorised water sports, such as windsurfing, sailing, pedal boats, snorkelling and kayaking.

Superior

Mauritius

Shanti Maurice

One of the best beaches in Mauritius, the most elegant and extensive collection of private Villas, the warmest of welcomes and an array of pursuits providing opportunities to do everything or absolutely nothing. All accompanied by sincere service that comes straight from the heart.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Day 15 – End of your tour

Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.