Starting at 1050 € / Person
Madagascar Island is known for being exotic and quirky. Madagascar has its own unique cargo of endemic plants and animals. Lemurs have occupied most mammal ecological niches in forests, and chameleons are iconic reptiles. The vegetation varies from a dry Spiny Forest in the south to a tropical rainforest in the north and east. We take in the full diversity of the island's national parks, including the Isalo, Andringitra and Ranomafana National Parks. Our daily wildlife adventures contrast with the comfort of pleasant hotels and tented accommodation.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Isalo National Park: Made up of huge canyons and gorges, imposing rock towers and Jurassic highlands. Isalo National Park is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places to visit on holidays to Madagascar. Among the untamed scenery, you’ll see incredible wildlife such as ring-tailed lemurs, the Malagasy rainbow frog and the native, white-lipped bright-eyed frog.
Andringitra National Park: Andringitra National Park and the surrounding Tsaranoro Valley are the mountain ranges that most people associate with rainforests, lemurs, and sandy shores. In south-central Mada, the peaks are spectacular and the hiking superlative, with climbers and walkers travelling from afar to scale the rocky outcrops and granite walls in dramatic multi-day treks or more scenic one-day climbs. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, visit for the scenery. There are plenty of lizards, chameleons and lemurs to be seen in the surroundings of the arid valley.
Ranomafana National Park: Home to natural hot springs, waterfalls and tropical rainforest, Ranomafana is a magnificent park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans for 161 square miles and plays host to a wealth of endemic animal and plant species, with 12 species of lemur alone, including the famous golden bamboo lemur. Also, keep your eyes peeled for bats, tenrecs and mongoose.
DAILY ITINERIES
DAY1: ANTANANARIVO
On Day 1, upon arrival at Antananarivo international airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Since this is normally late in the evening, there will be a briefing tomorrow. Please check with the hotel reception for the pickup time tomorrow for your trip to Antsirabe. If you are arriving on a different day, private airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. Overnight accommodation in a hotel.
DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE
We head to Antsirabe, the capital of pousse-pousse, a hill-station and spa town in the central highlands, after breakfast. You can take a look at the beautiful landscape of the highlands decorated by rice fields and green fields along the way. A city tour and a trip to the market are planned after lunch. There is a meeting with the group this afternoon and dinner and overnight in the hotel.
DAY 3: ANTSIRABE – RANOMAFANA
We start our journey to Ranomafana Rainforest National Park in the morning, located on the eastern mountain slope of the island and dominated by a humid tropical climate. We grab a picnic lunch and stop by Ambositra to check out the tiny wood carving capital of Madagascar. We get to check out and shop at some of the famous local artisans' wood carvings. After that, we continue driving to Ranomafana National Park. Overnight hotel stay.
DAY 4: RANOMAFANA
Ranomafana National Park was established in 1991 to safeguard the natural habitat of the endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur, a species that is extremely rare. It is the only locality for the Golden Bamboo Lemur, which was recently discovered, as well as the world's rarest primate, the Giant Bamboo Lemur. We're going to explore this evergreen forest today, hoping to see these fascinating creatures and the other 13 species of lemurs only found here. The river's waters and a picnic lunch are worth taking in the views. Hotel stay for the night.
DAY 5: RANOMAFANA-AMBALAVAO-TSARANORO VALLEY
We commence early today due to the slowness of the road and the duration of our day. We drive towards Andringitra Tsaranoro Valley. Our journey will conclude in the town of Ambalavao, with its colourful houses and local craftspeople who manufacture Antaimoro paper from the bark of Ahova trees. We continue from here until we arrive in the Tsaranoro Valley. Overnight at the hotel
DAY 6: TSARANORO VALLEY
There are three excursions possible for, picnic is included.
Circuit Hara Aravatra :
A small (half a day) climb on a little distance. We start form the camp throughout the rice fields, then up the hill during an hour. On our way down, we take a detour by a little, intricate forest where several families of Lemur Catta have settled. Another hour to go before heading back. You’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the surrounding villages
Circuit Sacred Forest and Village: 4 hour long.
This circuit starts on an easy ground, taken by the locals to cross the cultures of manioc and rice. We’ll cross the village of Andonaka and visit the green school of Tsaranoro. After the village, a small track we reach the sacred forest inhabited by Lemur Catta, who wander and sun bath on the big flat rocks. The forest is also filled with tombs of ancestors for the Betsileo and the Bara people. We’ll visit some and reach a natural pool that brings a magical aspect to the forest.
After a little break, we head to the Soavahiny village, literally “where the strangers are welcome”, not far from the forest. On our way back to the camp, you’ll see the free clinic, the only way for everyone around to get medicines in the whole area. The visit is really interesting and you may want to support the program by giving away some of your extra pills and medicines.
Circuit Tsaranoro :
We leave early the camp and start by crossing the sacred forest of Tsaranoro, graveyard of the locals of the valley. Many lemurs chill out here, have sunbaths on the flat rocks. We have to climb a little towards the foot of the cliff and cross a water stream and then walk alongside the water to reach the plateau of Tsaranoro. A little break and we go meet with the Chameleon, the Langera summit. It’s a little steep and care is needed to reach the top, but when we get there, you won’t regret a thing. The 360 panorama is just breath taking. You will have all lunch (or just a snack depending on the hour) to appreciate it. We head back to the village of Morarano then, and to the camp. It’s a hot time of the day and a big effort back, so you might appreciate a little bath in the river.
Paragliding not included:
There is also the opportunity to do paragliding in these mountains. There are 5 spots, and incredible thrills are guaranteed, even if you’ve never done it. It is important though to tell us in advance, at least 48 hours before so that we can prepare it all for you in an efficient way.
DAY 7: TSARANORO VALLEY- RANOHIRA
Time to leave the Tsaranoro Valley, it’s a 3 hour and a half ride to the city of Ranohira, and its famous national park; Isalo.
As we head South on the road the landscapes drastically change. Pretty fast, the panorama flattens and immense tall grass fields surround us. This is the plateau of Ihorombe, land of the zebu farmers and of the golden horizon. Only one road goes through, the RN7, and people walk huge distances to meet in different villages in these savannah-looking plains.
Finally, we get to Ranohira, and the Isalo, a deserted mountain barrier.
Free lunch.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 8: RANOHIRA – ISALO NATIONAL PARK
6 hours of walking and 500m of difference in height. Transfer to the lower Ranohira.
We need to walk a little to reach the foot of this huge cliffs, where the remnants of an old forest have survived, hosting a couple families of Lemur Catta, recognizable at their black and white tail, and the pure white Sifaka.
With luck, and silence, you might meet a couple of them after a bend of the track that runs between dry trees and rock. But the canyons eventually open their gates and reveals their treasures to the curious explorers who dare enter the narrow path.
Back in the sun, and up the crest of the cliff where you will admire a beautiful panorama of the North. Once inside these walls, you’ll be struck by the weird shapes, consequence of thousands of years of erosion. The colors, vegetation and profiles are exceptional and some see animals and patterns on the rock.
After 4 hours of walking in this mineral desert, under a hot sun, you’ll be rewarded with water. A small oasis lies in the middle of nowhere, for those who can find it. A good bath and the sunset will appease your day and conclude this visit.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 9: ISALO – TULEAR – IFATY
Transfert to Ifaty.
On the way, a look at some familial tombs of the Antandroy and the Mahafaly tribes and the sapphire cities that popped out of nowhere in the desert, where the thirst for blue stones is just too strong.
After that, Mangily, a tiny village on the coast, south of the island, facing one of the most beautiful lagoon of the planet.
2 Nights at the hôtel on the seashore.
DAY 10: IFATY
Today is a free day to relax or explore the area. Ifaty Beach is a vast sandy bay that overlooks a lagoon that is safeguarded by a barrier reef that extends up to a distance of 7 kilometers/4.40 miles from the shore. Several traditional fishing villages are scattered along the bay, and fishing is still done in sail-powered outrigger canoes. There exists the option of visiting the reef for snorkeling. There exists an exceptional forest walk within the Reniala Reserve located inland from the beach area, where a peculiar spiny forest can be encountered and some of the most captivating endemic bird species, including the long-tailed ground roller, sub-desert mesite, and sickle-billed vanga.
DAY 11: IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Antananarivo. The flight is on your own expense, the schedule is subject to change and availability, and it's unaccompanied. End of our service.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Upon your arrival in Antananarivo on the first day of the "TREK IN MADAGASCAR", you will be greeted at the airport and taken on a tour.
If you arrive before the first day, you can arrange for a hotel room for the tour. You will be picked up from your hotel on the morning of the first day. The time will be decided upon your arrival.
The transport will depend on the group size for the "TREK IN MADAGASCAR" tour, based on the size of the group.
A small car that can accommodate two to three people.
A minibus that can accommodate between 4 and 8 people.
A bus with a capacity of 10 people or more.
A 4x4 vehicle is provided for the day trip to Andringitra and Tsaranoro.
A visa is required to enter Madagascar and can be easily obtained upon arrival at Antananarivo airport, with a validity of up to 60 days. Tourists planning to stay for less than a month can obtain a visa for a sum of 115,000 Ariary (approximately 35 €). It is advisable to pay with the exact amount or small change. No photograph is required; however, it is imperative that passports are valid for at least 6 months after the return date.
Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is required for each person traveling with Tribu Nomady. Any insurance costs are the responsibility of the client. Please ensure the validity of your insurance.
You must have your own insurance with coverage for the entire duration of your trip to cover personal injury, damage, and loss of personal belongings, including but not limited to photography equipment and other electronics, medical expenses, repatriation costs, and lost luggage. Please contact your travel agent if you need additional assistance.
