EXPLORE THE WILD HEART OF MADAGASCAR
$1970
/ per person
(0 Reviews)
Number of days: 12 Days/11 Nights
Dates : From 15 August to 26 August 2024
Are you an avid adventurer, outdoor enthusiast, or a fond of photography, natural wonders and cultural exchanges in remote destinations?
While Madagascar is not the easiest country for traveling, trust us, this kind of adventure exploding with indigenous wildlife will take your breath away. You will be completely immersed in the world of Lemurs, local lifestyle, Rainforests, and Island life.
From riding the 12 hour FCE train to Manakara, and crossing the Pangalanes river for two days on traditional canoe to learn about essential oils and vanilla you will discover some of the most remote areas and villages of Madagascar, witness luxuriant pristine nature and dense forests including species you will see nowhere else in the world and most importantly meet the kindest most welcoming people.
You will finally dive in the crystal clear waters of Ile Sainte Marie during austral season where humpback whales lay down in shallow waters to breed.
Cities & Towns Visited:
Antananarivo – Manandona – Ambositra – Sahambavy – Manakara – Vohipeno – Mangatsiotra – Vohipeno – Ambositra – Andasibe – Mahambo – Ile Sainte Marie
12 Days/11 Nights
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Destination
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Departure Time
15 August -
Return Time
26 August -
Included
Upcoming Small Group Trips -
Not Included
DifficultPrivate Customized Lebanon Trips
From our gallery
Tour Plan
1
DAY 1: Antananarivo - Manandona
Arrival to Ivato International Airport and Airport
Pickup. (If you are taking different flight times we
can arrange meet up).
Sleeping Arragements: Homestay Guesthouse in Manandona.
- Time for SIM cards purchase if needed and Money exchange
- Welcome Dinner, Muscial Night and festive Welcome to the group in the village of Manandona.
2
Day 2: Antsirabe – Manandona - Ambositra – Sahambavy
Full day road trip reaching Sahambavy in the south
east side of the highlands.
Sleeping Arrangements: Ecolodge in Sahambavy
- Breakfast at local family guesthouse in Manandona
- Visit local wood artisans shops in Ambositra with scenic stops and pic nic lunch break.
- Arrival to Sahambavy around sunset time and rest.
- Dinner at the Ecolodge
3
Day 3: Sahambavy - Manakara
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Take the 12 hour FCE train from Sahambavy to Manakara
- Tuk Tuk transfer from train station to ecolodge upon arrival to Manakara
4
Day 4: Manakara – Mangatsiotra
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Start of the Pangalanes river trip
- On this 1st day of expedition you will sit back in the canoe, relax and enjoy the full day ride crossing the canal and admiring the pristine landscape and wildlife (lemurs, birds, herons, wild ducks, parrots, raptors, kingfishers, chameleons, insects and butterflies).
- We will first stop at the morning fish and seafood market to buy our fresh lunch picnic, visit local villages, essential oils and vanilla manufacturers until we reach Mangatsiotra by end of the afternoon to settle our camp.
- In the evening we will settle a camp on the river sand bank and have a cooked dinner around the campfire.
5
Day 5: Mangatsiotra – Vohipeno - Ambositra
- Wild pic nic breakfast and proceed on our second day cruising slowly on the river to discover remote villages passing through rice fields on the riverbanks. We will have a pic nick lunch on the way. The canoe will finally stop at the village of Vohitsijy by early afternoon.
- Transfer to Sadrandahy and dinner at guesthouse.
6
Day 6 : Ambositra - Andasibe
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Morning visit of the silk making workshop of the local community association.
- Rest day on a full day drive to Andasibe.
7
Day 7 : Mantadia – Andasibe
- Breakfast at guestouse homestay.
- Unique hike in the Mantadia National Park’s rain forest known for its rare orchids, waterfalls, birds and most importantly lemurs. Around 4-5 hours medium level trail. (Pic Nic lunch included)
- Nocturnal walking tour to see the fauna that only goes out at night
8
Day 8: Andasibe – Mahambo.
- Breakfast at guestouse homestay.
- Road trip from Andasibe towards Mahambo.
- Free afternoon in Mahambo and dinner at the Ecolodge.
9
DAY 9: Mahambo – Ile Sainte Marie.
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Transfer ferry boat from nearby port Soaniera Ivongo to Ile Sainte Marie.
- Check in and rest ar Ecolodge.
- Sunset SUP/Kayak trip to les bancs de sable (sandy empty islands in the middle of the ocean) with snorkelling.
10
Day 10: Ile Sainte Marie - Ile aux Nattes
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Morning Whale watching tour OR OPTIONAL Scuba diving activity
- Most humpback whales of the Indian Ocean pass through the narrow channel separating the mainland from Sainte Marie Island between late June and mid-October. the shallow depth (35- 40m) and the tranquility of the waters offer ideal conditions for giving birth and for the first weeks of life of the calves. It is estimated that several thousand humpback whales pass through the austral winter. Note that they are around 15 m, they reach a maximum of 40 tons and can live up to 50 years.
- Afternoon boat tour and fishing trip + Sunset Campfire and seafood dinner
11
DAY 11: Ile Sainte Marie - Antananarivo.
- Breakfast at the Ecolodge.
- Free morning to rest on the beach.
12
Day 12: Antananarivo.
- Breakfast at Guesthouse.
- Morning walk around the local street market in Antananarivo
- Transfer to Ivato International Airport for International flights
Gallery
Nature & Ecology
This is a 100% carbon free emission trip. Within this trip fee each participant is donating an amount equal to your flights CO2 emissions (international and national flights) to plant trees in Madagascar through a local reforestation NGO.Local Community:
We particularly teamed up with Malagasy rural tourism NGOs to accommodate you in family Homestays. In addition 70% out of the trip cost is directly generating income to the local communities working in the tourism sector, from accommodations to services, activities and small businessesPrices
Option 1: 12 Days / 11 Nights
From 15 August Until 26 August 2024- 1970$/Person
Rate Includes:
- Professional 24/7 ASSISTANCE - Pia ABBOUD: Tour Operator, Travel Expert and Heritage management specialist.
- Domestic FLIGHT from Ile Sainte Marie to Antananarivo.
- Full 12 days TOUR, ACTIVITIES, VISITS & SITE ENTREES. (referring to the program)
- All Airport PICK UPS and TRANSFERS.
- Private and Public TRANSPORTATION with all fuel expenses throughout all the journey according to the program. 4X4 Jeeps on off roads, minivan and tuk-tuks on asphalted roads.
- 11 Nights ACCOMODATION in lodges, guesthouse, or camp as mentioned in the program.
- MEALS: 11 Breakfasts + 8 Lunches + 10 Dinners
- Local GUIDES and scouts when needed.
- Donation pour the carbon compensation of your flights during the trip
Rate Excludes:
- International Flights
- Optional Travel Insurance covering daily activities and tours (Ask for the price depending on the option you choose)
- Visa FEES upon arrival (cost 35€)
- Any Alcoholic drinks during all mentioned meals
- Laundry service
- Personal expenses and souvenirs.
- Meals not mentioned in the program.
- Optional Scuba Diving
- Any other Item not included under “RATE INCLUDES”
Essentials to provide:
- A BIG smile and POSITIVE attitude!
- 6 months valid Passport after the date of travel.
- All needed vaccinations before traveling to Madagascar (consult your doctor)
- Backpack
- Small and light sleeping bag
- Modest summer clothes (expect warm summer weather during the day and cold in the night with expectations of rain at any time)
- Reusable water bottle
- Poncho (For unexpected occasional rains)
- Towel for personal use
- Sweater and/or Jacket for the cold nights or rains
- Sun protection: sun screen, sunglasses, lip balm
- Personal Expenses Money (Exchanged into Ariary upon arrival)
- Overnight clothes and personal supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo...)
- Insect repellant
- Small token gifts (candies, clothes, books, paper & pen) for the children
Registration policy:
- 100$ DISCOUNT for groups of 4 and above.
- 100$ DISCOUNT for early bird registrations (Prior to 1 st of April 2024)
- Registration will not be taken into consideration or confirmed unless you pay at least 25% DEPOSIT out of the total amount for confirmation.
- DEADLINE for registration is 1 July 2024
- DEADLINE to complete the full trip settlement is 1 July 2024
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the departure date.
Cancellation policy:
- IF you cancel your reservation BEFORE 25 January 2024, The full amount you paid will be refunded, minus the transfer charges.
- IF cancellation occurs STARTING and AFTER 25 January 2024 Half of the amount you paid will be refunded. (Subject to case by case)
- IF cancellation occurs STARTING and AFTER 10 February 2024 the full amount will be unrefunded. (Subject to case by case)