Madagascar Classic 10 days

Day 1 Arrival in Antananarivo

1. Arrival: Welcome to the captivating city of Antananarivo, affectionately known as ‘Tana’ by locals. Upon landing at Ivato Airport, a friendly English-speaking guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel, nestled in the charming upper town of Tana.

2. Unique City: Tana is a unique city that beautifully blends tradition with a distinct Indonesian influence, setting it apart from any other place in Madagascar.

3. Accommodation at Maison Gallieni: Your accommodation, Maison Gallieni, is an elegantly restored colonial mansion that perfectly embodies this unique blend. It combines modern and traditional décor, creating an atmosphere of refined comfort.

4. Relaxation: After settling in, consider unwinding with a refreshing dip in the pool. As you relax, soak in the stunning city views that stretch out before you.

5. Dinner: As evening falls, indulge in a delicious dinner.

6. Overnight Stay: Your stay at Maison Gallieni includes a comfortable standard room on a half-board basis. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep, ready to embrace the adventures of the next day.

Day 2 : Antananarivo – Andasibe (by road)

1. Early Breakfast and Journey to Andasibe: Start your day with an early breakfast, then embark on a 5-hour scenic drive to the east, towards the breathtaking Andasibe rainforest park, a world of natural wonders.

2. Andasibe Rainforest Park: Andasibe is a sanctuary comprising two protected areas: the Perinet Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park. It’s globally renowned for its population of Indri lemurs, the largest living species of lemurs.

3. Scenic Route: As you travel to Andasibe, you’ll get a glimpse of Madagascar’s rural life. The route is adorned with lush rice fields, charming redbrick houses, and roadside stalls offering a bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

4. Arrival and Lunch: Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

5. Afternoon Visit to Mitsinjo: In the afternoon, prepare for an exciting visit to a private reserve managed by the local NGO, Mitsinjo. This organization is dedicated to reforestation, community education, and raising awareness about conservation issues. They also operate Madagascar’s first amphibian captive-breeding facility.

6. Wildlife Encounter and Reforestation: Here, you’ll encounter a stunning variety of wildlife and have the unique opportunity to plant an indigenous species along the reforestation trail.

7. Overnight Stay: Your day concludes with an overnight stay at the Mantadia Lodge in a comfortable standard room, with all meals included. Wake up refreshed and ready for your next day of adventure.

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Day 3 :  Andasibe (Mantadia National Park)

1. Breakfast and Drive to Mantadia National Park: Start your day with a nourishing breakfast, then set off on a 1.5-hour drive to the stunning Mantadia National Park. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy amidst the park’s natural beauty.

2. Explore the Park: The park is home to a variety of lemur species, including the Indri indri, diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, and white ruffed lemur. The trails might be a bit challenging, but the rewards are immense. The forest is taller, wilder, and less crowded than Perinet, offering a truly immersive nature experience.

3. Birdwatching: Birdwatchers will be delighted by the abundance of avian species, such as the scaly ground roller, the pitta-like ground roller, and the red-breasted coua.

4. Picnic Lunch by Rianasoa Waterfall: Enjoy your picnic lunch by the serene Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to your vehicle.

5. Return to Lodge: As the day winds down, return to the lodge to rest and rejuvenate.

6. Night Walk: In the late evening, a night walk will be organized in the forest surrounding the reserve. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of nocturnal lemurs, including mouse lemurs, white-footed sportive lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, and the woolly lemur.

7. Overnight Stay: Your day concludes with an overnight stay at the Mantadia Lodge in a standard room, with all meals included. Rest well and prepare for another day of adventure.

Day 4: Andasibe (Perinet Reserve ) – Tana (By road)

1. Breakfast and Guided Tour: Start your day with a delightful breakfast, followed by a guided tour of the expansive 810-hectare Perinet Reserve. This reserve is a sanctuary for the Indri indri, a lemur species known for its distinctive black and white markings and a barely visible tail.

2. Exploring the Rainforest: Wander through the lush rainforest and keep an eye out for the other 11 species of lemurs that inhabit this area. You might encounter troops of grey bamboo lemurs, common brown lemurs, diademed sifakas, and black and white ruffed lemurs.

3. Birdwatching: For birdwatchers, the reserve is a paradise. Look out for the velvet asity, the blue coua, the Nuthatch vanga, and many more endemic species.

4. Diverse Wildlife: The reserve is also home to a diverse range of reptiles, invertebrates, and over a thousand species of Madagascar’s orchids.

5. Lunch and Afternoon Journey: After your morning exploration, return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a 5-hour road journey back to Tana.

6. Hotel Amenities: Once there, indulge in the amenities offered by your hotel. Enjoy a meal at one of the two restaurants, unwind at the spa, take a dip in the swimming pool, or simply enjoy the view from the rooftop bar.

7. Overnight Stay: Your day concludes with an overnight stay at the luxurious 5-star Novotel, in a superior room. Your stay includes half-board and lunch at the Mantadia Lodge. Rest well and prepare for another day of adventure.

Day 5: Antananarivo – Tsingy de Bemaraha (private charter flight Cessna 206)

Transfer to Ivato Airport: Begin your day with a transfer to Ivato airport for your private charter flight to Amborodia airstrip. The flight will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Arrival at Amborodia Airstrip: Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your private English-speaking guide and vehicle.

Road Transfer to Hotel: Next, you’ll transfer by road to your hotel, a journey that will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Check-in and Lunch: After arriving at the hotel, you’ll check in and have lunch.

Afternoon Excursion: Post lunch, you’ll visit the otherworldly pinnacles of the Petit Tsingy. Depending on your fitness level, you’ll take either the Tantely circuit or the Andadoany forest trail. During your excursion, keep an eye out for the 53 bird species and 6 lemur species that inhabit the area. Don’t forget to take in the fabulous views of the surrounding area.

Overnight Stay: You’ll end your day with an overnight stay at Le Soleil des Tsingy in a standard room. Full board is included.

Day 6 : Visit of Grand Tsingy

1. Breakfast: Start your day with a hearty breakfast.

2. Full Day Exploration of the Grand Tsingy: Embark on a full day adventure exploring the Grand Tsingy. The journey itself is an adventure, involving tiptoeing over the sharp roof of the Tsingy, crossing a high roped-bridge, and meandering through pockets of dry deciduous forest.

3. UNESCO World Heritage Site: This unique site, a virtual forest of 50-meter high limestone peaks, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located about 20km from the village of Bekopaka.

4. The Tsingy: The Tsingy are razor-sharp pinnacles formed by the erosion of limestone massifs over millions of years.

5. Wildlife: The Tsingy is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including 11 species of lemurs (including Verreaux and Decken’s sifaka and the red-fronted brown lemurs), 103 species of terrestrial and aquatic birds, 15 species of bats, 22 species of amphibians, and a variety of reptiles.

6. Overnight Stay: End your day with an overnight stay at Le Soleil des Tsingy in a standard room. Full board is included.

Day 7 : Tsingy de Bemarha – Morondava (Private charter flight Cessna 206)

1. Morning Visit to Manambolo Gorge: Start your day with a visit to the Manambolo gorge, known for its interesting rock formations.

2. Canoe Trip: Travel by dug-out canoe to see the Tombs of the Vazimba tribe from the river. The Vazimba were the original inhabitants of Madagascar and were no more than one metre tall.

3. Transfer to Airstrip and Flight to Morondava: After the visit, drive to the airstrip (1hr 30 min) and board your private charter flight to Morondava (45 min).

4. Explore Morondava: Morondava, located in the heart of Sakalava territory, is known for its elaborately sculpted wooden royal tombs. These tombs are frequently decorated with well-executed, funerary carvings representing life and fertility.

5. Visit to Allée des Baobabs: In the late afternoon, drive to the “Allée des Baobabs” to enjoy the gorgeous sunset.

6. Overnight Stay: End your day with an overnight stay at Palissandre Côte Ouest Hotel. Half board is included.

Day 8 :  Morondava – Isalo (Private charter flight Cessna 206)

1. Transfer to Airport: Start your day with a transfer to the airport for your private charter flight to Isalo, a journey that will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

2. Arrival at Isalo: Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel.

3. Explore Isalo: Isalo, known for its combination of sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons and eroded into spectacular shapes, is one of Madagascar’s most appreciated parks. It’s also home to rare endemic plants.

4. Botanical and Wildlife Sightings: For botanists, there are Pachypodium plants and locally endemic Aloe. For lemur lovers, there are sifakas, brown lemurs, and ring tails.

5. Cultural Significance: Isalo is sacred to the Bara tribe, who have used caves in the canyon walls as burial sites for hundreds of years.

6. Afternoon Visit and Sunset: In the afternoon, visit the national park and enjoy the sunset at the beautiful Giorgio’s Window.

7. Overnight Stay: End your day with an overnight stay at Jardin Du Roy in a standard room. Full board is included.

Day 9:  Isalo National Park

1. Full Day Guided Walk: Spend the day exploring one of Madagascar’s most diverse parks with a guided walk. Isalo, unlike the lush tropical vegetation in the east, is known for its vast rolling plains and stunning rock formations.

2. Wildlife Spotting: While wildlife is not as dense as in other parks, keep an eye out for ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, sifakas, and 14 nocturnal lemur species hiding in the dense vegetation along the streams. You might also spot 80 species of birds (including the rare Benson’s rock-thrush, the knob-billed duck, or the crested ibis), 35 species of reptiles, and several endemic frogs.

3. Trail Options: Your guide will offer a variety of possible trails depending on your interests and physical abilities.

4. Canyon des Singes: A popular trail is the ‘Canyon des Singes,’ which winds through the dense foliage of the forest and brilliantly colored rock formations to reach a stunning rock pool called the ‘piscine naturelle’.

5. Overnight Stay: End your day with an overnight stay at Jardin du Roy in a standard room. Full board is included.

Day 10 : Isalo National Park – Antananarivo (Private charter flight Cessna 206 )

This morning, board your private charter flight back to Antananarivo (3hrs). On arrival your English-speaking guide will accompany you to the international terminal to check in to your outbound flight.

•	Prices are “As From”, per person sharing , and can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
•	Accommodations and other services are subject to availability at time of booking and general conditions of Coquille Bonheur Voyage.
•	Rates may change without prior notice.
•	Acceptable travel documents: Original ID cards, passports, birth certificate (child), police authorization for minors not 
         travelling with parents or one parent, residence permit.
•	Be advised that we offer a wide variety of itinerary options and combinations, all customizable to suit your specific 
        requirements and financial considerations.
•	Any further local conditions shall be communicated to you upon booking.