HIGHLIGHTS OF MADAGASCAR
14 DAYS, ANTANANARIVO to ANTANANARIVO

Lemurs, wild landscapes, village culture, beaches – Madagascar might be an island but there’s nothing small about it. For those who like to get remote, this isolated island is packed with wildlife, landscapes and people you’ll find nowhere else. (And everybody loves lemurs!) You’ll get to embrace local life and still have time to relax at the beach. Best of all, there’s always a local CEO there to lead the way and provide a link to the unusual and extraordinary.

 

 

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

TRAVEL STYLE: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

SERVICE LEVEL: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

PHYSICAL RATING: Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

TRIP TYPE: SMALL GROUP

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 10

 

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

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• Search for lemurs and unique wildlife

• Learn about endemic flora and fauna in world-famous national parks

• Visit local artisan workshops

• Lounge on the beautiful beaches

• Savour dinner with a local family

 

 

DAY 1 Antananarivo

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Accommodation: Hotel Chalets des Roses (or similar)

 

DAY 2 Antananarivo/Mantadia National Park

Travel to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park with stops en route. Visit the upland rainforest. Enjoy a guided walk in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park for the first glimpse at Madagascar's famous lemurs. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe and explore the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive area.

Depart the capital and continue east, with stops along the scenic rainforest route of world-renowned Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Opt to stop en route to spot some lemurs, along with other animals like chameleons and leaf-tailed geckos.

Continue on to the national park. With free time over the next two days, opt to visit other small private or community reserves around Andasibe, and go on guided night walks inside those reserves or along the main road. Walk to the little town of Andasibe or simply enjoy the relaxing tranquility of the surrounding forest.

Accommodation: Feon'ny Ala (or similar)

 

DAY 3 Mantadia National Park

Spend the day exploring this national park. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe and explore the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive area.

Explore the Indri Special Reserve and national park located 1.5km (0.93 mi) from the town of Andasibe. One of the park’s primary purposes is to protect the natural habitat of the indri, a large black and white diurnal species that feeds on leaves and fruit. In addition to the indri, the park has 10 other diurnal and nocturnal lemur species, large chameleons, and the rarely seen blue boa.

The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).

Accommodation: Feon'ny Ala (or similar)

 

DAY 4 Mantadia National Park/Antsirabe

Travel to the colonial city of Antsirabe, stopping to see rice paddies and artisan workshops along the way.

Travel to the ancient colonial town of Antsirabe. Along this stretch of road you will see Merina tombs and the labour-intensive cultivation of rice paddies. Stop at Ambatolampy to visit a traditional family-run aluminum cookware factory.

Antsirabe is known as a thermal city because of its volcanic lakes. It's also famous for its precious and semi-precious stones and handicrafts.

Opt to explore this quaint little city upon arrival or the next morning.

Accommodation: Hasina Hotel (or similar)

 

DAY 5 Antsirabe/Fiadanana

Visit Lake Andraikiba before continuing to the small village of Fiadanana. Opt to explore this beautiful village by foot, bicycle, or in a famous "pousse-pousse". Listen to a ghost talker and enjoy a homestay and dinner with a local family.

After a short visit to Lake Andraikiba, continue on to the small village of Fiadanana. This beautiful village is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of rice fields and panoramic views of the nearby mountains.

Get to see how the villagers live by interacting with them and enjoy a chance to learn their rituals during an authentic community experience.

Accommodation: Arc en Cie - Gite Rural (or similar)

 

DAY 6 Fiadanana/Ranomafana

Hike back to the bus taking in the stunning views. Continue on to Ranomafana. Learn traditional rituals from the local villagers.

Enjoy a local breakfast then opt for a scenic hike in the area to take in stunning views of Mt Ifasina.

After, hike back out to the bus (about 3.5km/2.2 mi) and continue to Ranomafana, a little village named after the hot springs in the valley.

The nearby national park is one of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar.

Accommodation: Manja Hotel (or similar)

 

DAY 7 Ranomafana/Ambalavao

Embark on an early morning forest walk to get a feel for the incredible wildlife of the area. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic travel day heading south through Madagascar's wine-producing region.

Enjoy the wonderful changes of landscape along the way to the pleasant rural town of Ambalavao.

Visit a little paper factory where the locals will share their traditional methods of producing this unique, hand-made paper.

With free time, opt to visit a silk factory in town and learn about the local way of making fabric or clothing from silk, and the process of dyeing it with natural dyes.

Accommodation: Aux Bougainvillees (or similar)

 

DAY 8 Ambalavao/Ranohira

Stop at Anja Community Reserve, known for groups of ring-tailed lemurs. Continue on through the changing landscape to Ranohira and Isalo National Park.

Journey from Ambalavao to the Anja Community Reserve and on through diverse scenery. Travel through the savannah before the massif of Isalo becomes clearly visible.

Accommodation: ITC Hotel (or similar)

 

DAY 9 Ranohira

Spend a full day exploring the park on foot, stopping at a natural swimming pool and waterfalls.

Spend the day exploring Isalo. After a short trek within a small canyon, take a break from the sun and stop at fresh natural swimming pool. Continue on to the "cascades", considered to be amongst the best waterfalls in Madagascar and has a large natural swimming pool.

With a little luck, you may see sifaka, brown lemurs, or ring-tailed lemurs.

Accommodation: ITC Hotel (or similar)

 

DAY 10 Ranohira/Ifaty

Drive through the desert landscape, viewing Mahafaly tombs and giant baobab trees en route. Continue to the beautiful Mozambican Channel beaches of Ifaty.

En route to Toliara, drive through the magnificent wide-open and vast desert landscape. Pass through several unique frontier-style sapphire mining towns. See the babobab trees and Mahafaly tombs en route.

Continue on to Ifaty to relax and enjoy the breathtaking beaches of the Mozambican Channel.

While in Ifaty, opt to ride in a dugout canoe, visit the spiny forest reserve, go snorkelling or diving on the reef, or simply relax on the beach.

Accommodation: Bamboo Club (or similar)

 

DAY 11 - 12 Ifaty

Spend two full days enjoying this gorgeous area. Opt to do some hiking or hit the beach.

Accommodation: Bamboo Club (or similar)

 

DAY 13 Ifaty/Antananarivo

Travel to Toliara for a flight to Antananarivo and an optional last night out on the town.

 

DAY 14 Antananarivo
Depart at any time

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CALL US NOW ON 0333 1234 246 OR

 

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INCLUDING:

• Andasibe Indri Special Reserve guided walk

• Artisan workshop visit

• Traditional healer visit

• Homestay and traditional dinner

• Ranomafana National Park guided walk

• Paper factory visits

• Anja Reserve walk

• Isalo National Park visit

• Beach time in Ifaty

• Internal flight

• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

 

NOT INCLUDING:
- Air tickets international (we will be holding a set number of flights - enquire for details)
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
- Visa fees and/or visa authorization
- Tips
- Porterage Fee
- Other expenses that not mentioned on the itinerary 

- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON REQUEST

 

10 Great reasons to join us...

• You will be inspired like never before. We passionately believe that one of the best ways to inspire people about the natural world and to get them interested in conservation - is to take them into the natural world.

• By joining this trip you will be helping us make a direct contribution to the vital work of the Katala foundation in their efforts to conserve the critically endangered Palawan forest turtle.

• You will get back in touch with nature and learn wildlife tracking skills from the Batak tribe.

• You will be able to learn all about Nigel Marven’s wildlife documentary making adventures from around the world 

• Our trips have been known to change peoples lives….check out the feedback below

• You need a holiday! But not all holidays are the same. Our trips are the perfect combination of wildlife viewing, exploration, relaxation & fun.

• You will make lasting friendships…. that will most likely last a lifetime.

• Wilderness is therapy. Absolutely nothing is better for the soul than getting out in the natural world. And exploring some of the most beautiful locations on the planet will leave you feeling more rejuvenated and alive than ever.

• You don’t have to rough it. Who said you have to rough it on a wildlife tour anyway? Far from it, we have selected some really nice little hotels in some incredible locations. So that at the end of the day, you can relax in comfort.

• Our wildlife trips are for pretty much everyone with a serious passion for wildlife and the natural world. You don’t have to be a biologist or researcher or a student - as long as you have a passion for wildlife and the natural world, then our trips are definitely for you.

 

Don't just take our word for it, just check out the sample feedback from clients who have travelled with us before....

 

“UK-based Greig Smith Travels specialises in ecotourism and wildlife holidays. Naturepixel has been on three expeditions organised by Greig Smith Travels and each of them has been outstanding”

 

Daniel Holloway - Australia,Naturepixel, Agilethinking.com.au

 

"you have given us the best holidays of our lives".

Iain Mackay, UK

 

“As I said, we both had a great time and it's right up there as one of the best holiday experiences we've had!”

Clint Evans & Sally Kettle (read about Sally's Galapagos trip in the BBC article below)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35663084?SThisFB

 

“ An Incredible bespoke travel company” 
Abigail Michalski Food Content & Community Manager - The Jamie Oliver Group

"Driver/guide (Dani) was one of the best ever experienced; courteous, knowledgeable most relaxed driving and obliging, Vehicle was always immaculately clean and felt safe all the time. Excellent in all aspects; Managed from initial inquiry through booking and finally return home with efficiency and attention to detail often beyond expectations. We know that the idea is to grow business but please don’t let that be a reason to lose the perfect personalised service you currently have.

Barry Clare UK (Madagascar trip)

“ thank you for organising a diverse and interesting experience with a marvellous infrastructure second to none. Your ground agents and wider team are a real credit to you and certainly excelled on our previous experiences with both Transindus and Audley........I am have already been already been singing your praises re your excellent services and look forward to recommending more business whenever possible for you. With very warm wishes and many thanks from both of us”
Dr Susan Oliver OBE. UK www.susanoliver.com

"Dear Paul

We are just back from our trip, and I have to tell you, it was absolutely marvellous. Nothing went wrong, and apart from a few very minor niggles, everything was perfect"

Dr Dinah Bisdee, UK, www.theguardian.com/profile/dinah-bisdee

“All in all, a spectacular holiday!”
Charles Carey UK, www.oilmerchant.co.uk

“The whole trip was utterly amazing, a most memorable experience in every way, thank you Paul”

Susan Pullman, UK

"If I had to sum up the trip in a couple of words it would simply be 'blown away. You really nailed it. To every detail. Not a thing was missed or not thought of. From the pick ups to the late check outs to the temples to the cooking. We will never forget this trip…..

...Again the planning, tours, timing, friendliness of guides and just overall itinerary was excellent.  Not a thing went wrong, and we loved every minute of it.
A huge thank you to you, and your team, and the guides for this trip.  The fact that you and your team go out and vet these hotels and do the tours just makes all the difference and makes the holiday stand out from anything we have ever experienced.  Well done, Thank you and I’ll be in touch to organize the trip for 2016 very soon.

 

Sanjay & Ruby Hunjan, UK

 

"Congratulations on a thoroughly successful trip that exceeded all of my expectations" 

Rowland Griffin, Griffin Ecological, UK Ecologist, Founder Project Chiccan,

 

"You should be applauded for providing a satisfying, sustainable and professional ecotourism experience and be proud to have directly influenced greater conservation movements. I would highly recommend your expeditions"

 

Dr. Todd Lewis B.Sc. AIBiol. (Senior Ecological Consultant)”. UK www.drtoddlewis.weebly.com