Itinerary
DAY 1: Ivato Airport / Antananarivo
- Welcome at Ivato airport (depending on flight schedule).
- Transfer to the hotel.
- Full board or half board and overnight at Le Louvre Hotel.
DAY 2: Antananarivo / Andasibe
- In the morning, visit of the upper town of Antananarivo (the capital of Madagascar) and its Queen's Palace.
- Lunch at La Varangue restaurant.
- Early afternoon, departure by car towards Andasibe.
- Stop at Moramanga.
- Depending on the day, optional visit to the gendarmerie museum where old automobiles from the early 20th century and various period weapons are on display.
- Arrival in Andasibe in the afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight at Vakona Forest Lodge.
DAY 3: Andasibe
- Visit to Andasibe Park and its rainforest, home to the largest lemur species, the rare "Indri Indri." Several nocturnal lemur species, including the tiny Microcebus, also inhabit the park. The flora is characterized by lush tropical vegetation: tree ferns, epiphytic orchids, sacred lianas, dwarf palms, over a hundred numbered trees reaching up to 30 meters high, and medicinal plants. An orchid garden is arranged in the park. Picnic lunch in the forest.
- In the afternoon, canoe trip to visit Vakona Reserve.
- Dinner and overnight at Vakona Forest Lodge.
DAY 5: Ankanin'ny Nofy
- Day dedicated to visiting the Palmarium to discover about ten species of lemurs living freely in the reserve: Indri, Sifaka, Coronatus, Varecia, Variegata, Propithecus, etc. The reserve is also home to rare and endemic terrestrial and arboreal fauna and stunning flora (orchids, carnivorous plants, ebony, mahogany, traveler’s tree), including Madagascar's most beautiful and rare palm species (Dypsis, Ravenea, Orania, Voanioala, and Lemurophoenix).
- Lunch in a restaurant.
- Dinner and overnight at Palmarium Hotel.
DAY 6: Ankanin'ny Nofy / Tamatave
- Continue navigating the Pangalanes Canal to Tamatave, the largest port and economic capital of Madagascar.
- Lunch at a restaurant.
- In the afternoon (optional): historical, cultural, and artisanal walking or rickshaw tour of Tamatave, including the port museum and the university museum.
- Dinner and overnight at Java Hotel.
DAY 7: Tamatave / Mahambo
- Departure by 4x4 to Mahambo, with its lush and varied vegetation, vast beaches, and almost untouched coves.
- Stop at Foulpointe, lunch on the beach.
- Traditional canoe ride to explore Foulpointe’s underwater world.
- Continue to Mahambo.
- Dinner and overnight at La Pirogue Hotel.
DAY 8: Mahambo / Sainte Marie
- Drive to Soanierana Ivongo.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Boat transfer to Sainte Marie Island.
- Dinner and overnight at Tipaniers Lodge.
DAY 9 - Day 10: Sainte Marie
- Sainte Marie, a wild island with stunning beaches, surrounded by other small islands like Île aux Nattes, Île aux Forbans, and Îlot Madame. Historical tour to explore the island’s pirate legends from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Optional: visit the pirate cemetery on Île aux Nattes, and sea excursions to observe humpback whales (from June to September).
- Picnic lunches.
- Dinners and overnight stays at Tipaniers Lodge.
DAY 11: Sainte Marie / Antananarivo
- Transfer to Sainte Marie Airport, flight to Antananarivo.
- Reception at Ivato Airport.
- Transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time,
- Full board or half board and overnight at Le Louvre Hotel.
DAY 12: Antananarivo / Ivato Airport
- After breakfast, if flight schedule allows, visit of the blue hill "Ambohimanga" for an introduction to Imerina’s royal history.
- Lunch in a restaurant.
- Visit the handicraft market at La Digue in the afternoon.
- After dinner, transfer to the airport (depending on flight time).
This rate includes
- Mentioned airport transfers
- 4x4 vehicle rental with driver and fuel included during Days 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10
- A tour guide for the entire stay
- Entrance fees to sites, parks, and nature reserves
- Two bottles of water per person per day during excursions
- Lunches and dinners mentioned in the program
- Overnight stays in the mentioned hotels or camps
This rate does not include
- Extras and guide tips
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
- Flights