Madagascar In-Depth
21 days
From
$ 3699
Duration21 days
Experience the stunning landscapes that lemurs call home on this 21-day in-depth tour through Madagascar's best sites and natural settings. At the Indri Special Reserve in Andasibe-Perinet National Park, you can spot rare species like large chameleons, the blue boa, and flowering orchids in October and November. Stop at the Anja Community Reserve, known for its ring-tailed lemurs, before driving through beautiful desert landscapes to reach the beautiful beaches of Ifaty. In between, you'll meet and chat with locals and learn about their artistic traditions and ways of life for a better appreciation of the land you're visiting.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Nosy TangaAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Antananarivo
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. If you arrive early, we recommend speaking with the hotel reception to learn more about available activities around the area.
Arrive at any time.
Please note, occasionally the following itinerary may have to be shuffled due to changes with the internal flight schedules. Typically, this results in shuffling days of the itinerary around and does not cause any missed activities, destinations or experiences.
Day 2: Antananarivo/Andasibe
Depart the capital and continue east, with stops along the scenic rainforest route of world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park.
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.
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.
Travel to Andasibe-Perinet National Park with scenic stops en route. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe and explore the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive area.
Our accommodation here are simple bungalows with shared facilities.
End place: Andasibe
Day 3: Andasibe
Start place: Andasibe
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 coua.
The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).
The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).
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.
End place: Andasibe
Day 4: Andasibe/Antsirabe
Start place: Andasibe
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.
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.
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.
Travel to the colonial city of Antsirabe, stopping to see rice paddies along the way.
Day 5: Antsirabe/Fiadanana
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.
Get to see how the villagers live by interacting with them and enjoy a chance to learn their rituals during an authentic community experience.
Visit Lake Andraikiba before continuing to the small village of Fiadanana. Opt to explore this beautiful village. Listen to a ghost talker, enjoy a stay at a community guesthouse, and dinner with a local family.
Accommodation is in a traditional style house that has been purpose-built to meet the needs of guests. There is a kitchen and a dining/lounge area to enjoy lunch or a drink, and a beautiful veranda overlooking the rice terraces. It is equipped with shared, basic shower facilities and outdoor toilets (a squat toilet and one western-style toilet). This accommodation is basic but, for one night, the experience of living like a local and staying somewhere unique and remote is worth it.
Dinner with a local family.
End place: Fiadanana
Meals: L, D
Day 6: Fiadanana/Ranomafana
Start place: Fiadanana
Enjoy a local breakfast and 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.
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.
Learn traditional rituals from the local villagers. Hike back to the bus taking in the stunning views. Continue on to Ranomafana.
An early breakfast of a soup with rice, some bread and tea/coffee.
End place: Ranomafana
Meals: B
Day 7: Ranomafana/Ambalavao
Start place: Ranomafana
In the morning go for a forest walk, a swim in a hot spring, visit the local town and market, or get a massage.
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.
If time allows, 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.
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.
If time allows, 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.
Opt for an early morning forest walk to get a feel for the incredible wildlife of the area, or explore on your own. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic journey heading south through Madagascar's wine-producing region.
Day 8: Ambalavao/Ranohira
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.
Stop at Anja Community Reserve, known for groups of ring-tailed lemurs. Continue on through the ever-changing landscape to Ranohira and Isalo National Park.
End place: Ranohira
Day 9: Ranohira
Start place: Ranohira
In the morning, pack a lunch to take into the park with you to eat during a picnic break later in the day - your CEO can help you arrange this.
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.
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.
Spend the day exploring Isalo National park on foot, stopping at a natural swimming pool and waterfalls. In the evening visit the G Adventures supported tree planting project near Ranohira, creating a green corridor to protect the biodiversity of Isalo National Park.
End place: Ranohira
Day 10: Ranohira/Ifaty
Start place: Ranohira
En route to Toliara, drive through the magnificent wide-open and vast desert landscape. Pass through several unique frontier-style sapphire mining towns, and babobab trees en route.
This drive will also pass by the tombs of the Mahafaly; a local tribe in Madagascar known predominantly for their large tombs. They were built for chiefs and kings and are covered in stones, sculptures, and horns. The more important the deceased, the more horns and statues the tomb is adorned with. One of the largest tombs has over 700 zebu horns! As this is a sacred site we will just be passing by, and photography is not permitted.
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.
This drive will also pass by the tombs of the Mahafaly; a local tribe in Madagascar known predominantly for their large tombs. They were built for chiefs and kings and are covered in stones, sculptures, and horns. The more important the deceased, the more horns and statues the tomb is adorned with. One of the largest tombs has over 700 zebu horns! As this is a sacred site we will just be passing by, and photography is not permitted.
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.
Drive through the desert landscape, viewing Mahafaly tombs and giant baobab trees en route. Continue to the beautiful Mozambican Channel beaches of Ifaty.
End place: Ifaty
Day 11-12: Ifaty
Start place: Ifaty
Spend two full days enjoying this gorgeous area. Opt to do some hiking or hit the beach.
End place: Ifaty
Day 13: Ifaty/Antananarivo
Start place: Ifaty
Due to the unpredictability of local flights, if we are unable to secure your domestic flight, we will instead transport you in 4x4 vehicles. This journey can take approximately 10 hours.
Travel to Toliara for a flight to Antananarivo and an optional last night out on the town.
Day 14: Antananarivo/Antsiranana
Fly to Antsiranana and meet your group for second part of the tour.
The limited Air Madagascar flight schedule to Antsiranana can change at any time, and your CEO will have the most up to date flight information available to you, on your tour.
Day 15: Amber Mountain National Park
Drive to Amber Mountains National Park, with a full day to explore the various forest trails. Watch for lemurs, birds and reptiles and marvel at the many waterfalls and volcanic lakes.
End place: Ambohitra
Meals: B, D
Day 16: Amber Mountain/Ankarana Reserve
Start place: Ambohitra
Continue on to Ankarana Reserve, home to spectacular limestone 'tsingy' rock formations, underground rivers and sacred caves.
Accommodation for two nights are in bungalows right at the entrance to the park. There is a small restaurant and sitting area where you can enjoy dinner or a drink. The bungalows are basic, but clean, and the location is perfect for exploring the park.
End place: Ankarana Reserve
Meals: B, D
Day 17: Ankarana Reserve
Start place: Ankarana Reserve
Continue exploring the Ankarana Reserve on foot.
End place: Ankarana Reserve
Meals: B, D
Day 18: Ankarana Reserve/Nosy Be
Start place: Ankarana Reserve
While the official name of Nosy Be, means "Big Island" in Malagasy, it is commonly referred to as Nosy Manitra, or "the Perfume Island", due to the fragrant Ylang Ylang and bougainvillea flowers found all over the island.
Enjoy the scenic journey south to the small fishing village of Ankify, where we get a boat across to the island paradise of Nosy Be.
End place: Nosy Tanga
Meals: B
Day 19: Nosy Komba & Nosy Tanikely
Start place: Nosy Tanga
Head out on a local pirogue to explore 'the lemur island' Nosy Komba, and the underwater paradise of Nosy Tanikely, a marine reserve.
End place: Nosy Tanga
Meals: B, L
Day 20: Nosy Be
Start place: Nosy Tanga
Spend the day enjoying this gorgeous area. Opt to do some hiking or hit the beach.
End place: Nosy Tanga
Meals: B
Day 21: Nosy Be
Start place: Nosy Tanga
Depart at any time.
End place: Nosy Tanga
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Soa Zara Tree Planting Project, Ranohira Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Community Guesthouse and Traditional Dinner, Fiadanana Your Discover Moment: Ifaty
- Andasibe Indri Special Reserve guided walk
- Artisan workshop visit
- Traditional healer visit
- Paper factory visits
- Anja Reserve walk
- Isalo National Park visit
- Amber Mountain National Park and Ankarana Reserve visits
- Nosy Komba & Nosy Tanikely boat tour
- Free Time in Nosy Be
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private minibus, Walking, Plane, Boat -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (17 nts), Community guesthouse (1 nt, multi-share), Huts (2 nts)