Classic Madagascar
€1050 per person
The Classic Tour of Madagascar, from the Rainforest of Andasibe to the dry Southwest coast on the Mozambique Channel through the Central Highlands of the Merina and the Betsileo. A magical trip to discover some of the most iconic sights of Madagascar including the Parks of Ranomafana and Isalo.
Highlights
Andasibe National Park, Antsirabe, Ambositra, Ranomafana National Park, Ambalavao, Anja Reserve, Isalo National Park and Anakao
Departure/Arrival
Antananarivo
When to Go
March - December
Included
Domestic Flight Toulear - Antananarivo | Private Car Throughout The Tour | Driver guide from Antananarivo to Toliara | Entry Fee of Mentioned Excursions | Hotels on Dinner and Bed and Breakfast basis | Public ferry Toliara - Anakao rtn | Transfer Toliara Port to Toliara Airport
Not Included
Entry Visa (€35 pp) | Lunches | Drinks | Personal Expenses | Anything not Mentioned in Included
What to Bring
Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes , hat and warm light jacket and light trench coat.
Options
Add an expert guide for €300, from day 1 to day 9
Prices per person
- 1 Traveler €2600, 1 single
- 2 Travelers €1550, 1 tw/dbl
- 3 Travelers €1300, 1 tpl
- 4 Travelers €1200, 2 tw/dbl
- 5 Travelers €1125, 1 tw/dbl + 1 tpl
- 6 Travelers €1050, 3 tw/dbl
For more options, please contact us
12 Days
From Our Gallery
Be our gest and see it for your self
Some of the sight waiting for you
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Day 1 Antananarivo – Andasibe 140 km, 4 hours' drive
Meet and greet at your hotel after breakfast and we depart east to our first stop, Andasibe. In about 2 hours we stop at the Private reserve of Payrieras where we can admire beautiful butterflies, chameleons and other insects to the amazing appearance, all endemic to Madagascar. We then continue towards Andasibe, just another hour away. Upon arrival, we will visit Mitsinjo Private reserve, where the locals have been able to recover part of the old primary forest through conservation programs and reforestation of endemic trees and plants. Part of what is now Mitsinjo Reserve, used to be part of slash and burn agricultural land.The reserve is also work for over 40 people. After dark we will walk the perimeter of the Park of Andasibe looking for nocturnal lemurs. Hotel Lemurs Lodge or similar.
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Day 2 Andasibe
A true paradise for nature lovers, the Andasibe Mantadia National Park enjoys a rich and incredible flora and fauna. Hopefully we will see some of the 14 species of lemurs, 51 species of reptiles and 84 species of amphibian. Among the lemurs we will probably see and hear the biggest of all, the indri, then with some effort we Should see the black and white ruffed lemur and the sifaka diademed to mention a few. With a little bit of luck we will also see some chameleons. The hike is not too difficult but expect mud and mosquitoes and will last approximately 4/5 hours. The afternoon, we will visit Vakona Reserve where we will have the chance to see different species of lemurs from very close range. Hotel Lemurs Lodge or similar.
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Day 3 Andasibe – Antsirabe 300 km, 7 hours' drive
Long traveling day ahead, we will head south of Antananarivo to get to Antsirabe, seven hours away. We will drive through typical highlands villages and rice fields. The RN 7 is incredibly beautiful and authentic, Madagascar at its best. We will pass cars and trucks that in States would not even be considered worthy of a wreck yard, souvenir vendors, barnyard animals feeding just by the side of the road, cyclists and much more. Five hours into our drive, and we should be in Ambatolampy, where we will stop to visit a foundry that produce kitchen utensils. By 3 in the afternoon, we arrive in Antsirabe, for a short visit of the large local market of Tsara Sabotsy. Hotel H1 or similar.
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Day 4 Antsirabe - Ambositra 140 km, 4 hours' drive
In the morning we will take the scenic drive and a short hike to Lake Titriva, a beautiful lake that fills the extinct crater of a volcanic cone surrounded by majestic metamorphic cliffs. After Tritriva we continue with our journey along the RN7, Ambositra is our next stop, a 3 hours' drive from Lake Tritriva. In Ambositra we will visit the old Royal Palace and learn more about the history of the Betsileo people and this area. Hotel Artisan or similar.
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Day 5 Ambositra - Ranomafana 140 km, 4 hours' drive
We leave Ambositra in the morning to reach Ranomafana, again it will be a scenic drive. By lunch we are in Ranomafana. We will visit the Arboretum of Ranomafana, an old degraded site now dedicated to the conservation of more than 200 species of tropical endemic trees. After the Arboretum we will visit the village of Ranomafana. Hotel Centrest Séjour or similar.
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Day 6 Ranomafana – Ambalavao 120 km, 3 hours' drive
Today in the morning before it is too hot, we will take a sightseeing hike in Ranomafana National Park, one of the most beautiful Rainforests in the World. The Park of Ranomafana is known for its wildlife albeit some of it, is very tricky to see. Let's mention the lemurs, the endemic golden bamboo lemur, the black and white ruffed lemur and the Milne Edward's sifaka just to mention few. Many reptiles and amphibians can be seen in this lush environment during the hikes. Birdlife is also extraordinary, however the thick vegetation makes a large number of the winged creatures difficult to see. Noteworthy the flora with an incredible numbers of endemic plants and trees that can be seen visiting Ranomafana. After our hike and lunch, we will head south to Ambalavao, a large subtropical town in east-central Madagascar. If on time, we will visit the Antaimoro Paper factory. This papyrus type paper, made from the bark of a tree called avoha, is impregnated with dried flowers and sold into such items as wall hangings and lampshade. Hotel Aux Bougainvillees or similar.
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Day 7 Ambalavao - Ranohira 230 km, 3 hours' drive
About 10 km south of Ambalavao, we will visit the Anja Community Reserve, a gorgeous 30 ha. wonderland. Designated a protected reserve in 1999, this fascinating park has breathtaking views, beautiful plant life and hosts more than 300 not camera-shy ring tailed lemurs. Here in Anja, nature and humans coexist and flourish. After our visit to Anja Reserve, we will drive to Ranohira. We should arrive in Ranohira by lunch. After our lunch break we will visit a typical bara village, learn more about their habits and believes. Hotel Isalo Ranch or similar.
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Day 8 Ranohira
Today, another breathtaking National Park of Madagascar. The National Park of Isalo is truly a unique park with incredibly diverse landscapes, including prairie-like grasslands, mountains, deep canyons and tropical oases with picturesque waterfalls dropping into inviting pools. You may consider taking a dip after a long hike, here temperatures can easily reach 30 degrees Celsius before midday. Wear good walking shoes and bring plenty of water. Before sunset we will head to the famous Window of Isalo, a rock formation for one of the best sunset photo opportunities of the tour. Hotel Isalo Ranch or similar.
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Day 9/11 Ranohira - Toliara - Anakao 230 km, 4 hours' drive
Very early depart, by 5 AM we should be moving to be in Toliara by 9AM. In Toliara we board the direct ferry to Anakao. Arrival before midday. In Anakao we will spend the next 3 nights. Possible activities not included in the price in Anakao: Nosy Ve, a small island in front (4 km) of Anakao. Nosy Ve is a sacred place for the Vezo people, where locals sacrifice zebu as a gift to their ancestors every year. The island is also home to a herd of red-tailed tropical birds, which attracts many bird watchers from all over the world. Endemic birds sightings, beautiful white sandy beaches and excellent snorkelling. We also suggest the magnificent Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, a place that attracts more scientists than tourists because of the very high endemicity index that goes over 75%. There are also baobabs over 1000 years old, pachypodium, banyan trees with parrots, turtles, lemurs and especially from April to October pink flamingos in the blue salty lake (saturated sulphate). Another sea excursion could be Nosy Satrana, an uninhabited island. The excursion could be done in a traditional motor boat or in a rowing canoe. The journey consists of walking along the coast through the transparent lagoon furrowed by Vezo canoes. During low tide, the island is very close to the shore, herds of di zebu come looking for their food. In season (June to September), whale watching is also a great activity not to miss in Anakao. Hotel Safari Vezo or similar.
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Day 12 Anakao - Toliara - Antananarivo
The ferry to Toliara from Anakao will leave at 7AM to be in Toliara by 8AM. From the port, transfert to the airport to catch the local flight to Antananarivo. In Toliara airport, end of our services.
