Adventure in Madagascar from Barcelona

Departure on an international flight to Istanbul. Transit and connection with an international flight to Antananarivo. Overnight on board.

Breakfast at the hotel. Very early, we depart for the town of Miandrivazo, crossing the impressive Malagasy Highlands until we reach the colonial city of Antsirabe. From there to Miandrivazo, the landscape surprises us with the "lavaka," deep gullies of uncertain origin, caused by overgrazing, deforestation, or road construction. We finally arrive in Miandrivazo, on the banks of the Tsiribihina River. Check-in at the lodge and a presentation, where we will receive an introduction to both our route and the destination in general. Overnight stay.

Early breakfast and transfer by 4x4 to the Masiakampy pier, where we will board our Chaland, a traditional motorboat adapted for groups of travelers. It features a common deck equipped with tables and chairs shaded from the sun, a sunbathing area, and other shared facilities. While there are no cabins, we will camp in tents on the riverbanks at night, and there is a space for our cook to prepare lunches and dinners for the group. Thus begins our expedition along the Tsiribihina River, a two-day journey. The first leg will take us about two hours to Sahambano, where we will enjoy lunch. After replenishing our energy, we will continue for approximately another hour to the sacred waterfall, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim in Nosin' Ampela. Finally, we will continue sailing to our first campsite, located near the village of Begidro. Overnight in tents on the riverbanks.

Early breakfast. Continue the final leg of your journey along the river to the authentic town of Belo sur Tsiribihina, enjoying lunch on board. From there, we'll begin a 4x4 journey along the dusty tracks of western Malagasy, arriving in the afternoon in Bekopaka, at the gateway to the Tsingy de Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the journey, we'll cross the Manambolo River by ferry as it passes through Bekopaka. Arrival and check-in at the lodge. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by 4x4, crossing sandy tracks to the fishing village of Belo sur Mer, located 80 kilometers from Morondava, facing the Mozambique Channel. This town, inhabited by the Vezo ethnic group, nicknamed "the last nomads of the wind," is famous for the construction of traditional Malagasy boats and schooners. In the afternoon, we can observe the artisanal construction of these vessels, explore the Vezo village, and, if we are lucky, witness a launching, a unique experience marked by the fervor of the crowd pulling the ropes in unison and by the celebrations that mark the completion of the vessel. Belo sur Mer is also known for its salt pans, where numerous families, generation after generation, extract the salt necessary to preserve food in the absence of refrigeration. Check-in at the lodge. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure by motorboat to the paradisiacal coral islet of Nosy Andravoho, part of the Kirindy Mite National Park Marine Reserve. There, we can snorkel in a veritable tropical aquarium, observing turtles, dolphins, and, on August and September trips, the impressive humpback whales that roam freely through the waters of the Mozambique Channel. Lunch on the islet, featuring a delicious fish barbecue. Return to Belo sur Mer and free afternoon. Overnight stay.

Early breakfast and departure for the city of Miandrivazo, crossing the Menabe region and entering the Highlands, passing through Malaimbandy and Mahambo, ancient settlements that were once Sakalava royal villages. We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch in Miandrivazo and continue through the unique landscape of the lavakas to the village of Mandoto, where we can stretch our legs. Arrival in Antsirabe in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Early breakfast and departure by road to Andasibe National Park, passing through Behenjy, known as the foie gras capital, and Ambatolampy, where we can witness the traditional production of aluminum pots, found in practically every Malagasy home. Observing the curious technique used at each stage of the process and, if we wish, purchasing some of the aluminum figurines on offer will allow us to leave a small sustainable footprint. Lunch on your own en route at a local restaurant. Arrival in the afternoon at the entrance to Andasibe National Park and free time. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and a 4-hour walking tour of Analamazaotra National Park, within the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, where we will observe the island's largest primate, the famous Andean Indri, as well as other species of lemurs, chameleons, frogs, tree ferns, the Madagascarian Pandanus, orchids, and more. After lunch, we will take a walk through the village of Andasibe to meet the Betsimisaraka people. In the evening, equipped with headlamps, we will go on a game drive in the Andasibe Private Reserve, where we will see various endemic species of the rainforest, including the endearing microcebo. Return to the lodge. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and very early departure for Antananarivo, “the city of a thousand,” from Antana (place or town), -n- (of), and -arivo (thousand), in honor of the thousand soldiers who protected the queen during the Merina monarchy. Antananarivo is a historic city: in the 17th century, King Andrianjaka conquered the city of Analamanga, built a palace on the highest point (present-day Rova de Manjakamiadana), and made the town the capital of the kingdom, renaming it “Antananarivo,” the city of a thousand warriors. Upon arrival, lunch and a tour of the city center with the Tanà City Tour, which includes Soarano Station, Independence Avenue, the Isoraka and Analakely neighborhoods, and a panoramic view from the famous “Haute-Ville” (Old Town). After the tour, check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Arrival in Istanbul and connection with flight to city of origin.