Madagascar, the island continent

Scheduled flight departure to Madagascar. Overnight on board.

Breakfast and departure for Ambositra, the capital of Malagasy handicrafts. At an altitude of 1,350 meters, this Malagasy town is renowned for its Zafimaniry artisans, masters of wood carving, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Located in the heart of the highlands, Ambositra is the cradle of the Betsileo ethnic group. We can visit various marquetry workshops or stroll through its streets and mingle with its diverse inhabitants. If we travel between July and September, we might encounter the famous "Famadihana," or return of the dead, in the highlands. However, to attend a "return of the dead," we must be invited, as it is a family celebration, not a tourist event. Should we receive an invitation, and if the itinerary allows, we would attend only briefly so as not to intrude on the family's privacy. After lunch (not included), we continue to Ranomafana National Park. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Early breakfast followed by a hike through part of Ranomafana National Park. During this approximately four-hour trek, we'll search for lemurs such as the Edward's lemur (Propithecus edwardsi), the gray-headed lemur (Hapalemur griseus ranomafanensis), and the variegata (Varecia variegata), among the 12 different lemur species that inhabit the rainforest teeming with tree ferns, wild orchids, and pandanus trees. Ranomafana is nature in its purest form. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Antsinanana Rainforests, which comprises six national parks stretching along the island's eastern coast. We'll make a brief stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the waterfall on the Namorona River, before continuing to the rural village of Sahambavy, where we'll stroll through the island's only tea plantations. Free time for lunch (not included). We will learn firsthand about the production process and taste the two varieties of tea produced in the area. Accommodation in the hotel next to the plantation and overlooking Lake Sahambavy.

Breakfast and very early departure for Ranohira. Visit to the "old town" of Fianarantsoa and panoramic view from the "Haute Ville" (Town Hall). Continue to the village of Ambalavao, where we will discover the curious production of Antemoro paper and the Anjà Nature Reserve, an ideal place for easily observing the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), as well as chameleons and Betsileo-South tombs. The walk will last approximately one and a half hours. Free time for lunch (not included). Afterwards, continue to Isalo National Park. This stage marks the end of our journey through the highlands and the beginning of our descent through the Malagasy savanna, with its desert landscapes and settlements scattered in the middle of nowhere. Arrival at the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

Breakfast and visit to Isalo National Park (easy-moderate level). The tour will take us to the Waterfall of the Nymphs, the Blue Pool, and the Black Pool in Namaza Canyon (picnic lunch not included). This is the most visited park on the island, with deep canyons where water flows in the form of streams, Bara tombs, and caves where the Portuguese and Arabs hid. It is a living testament to the history of Madagascar, home to several species of lemurs such as Eulemur fulvus, Eulemur rufifrons, and Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi, among others, as well as the endemic Bismarckia nobilis palm, aloes, and pachypodiums. We will visit the Bara village of Antabara in Ikazandreno and enjoy the sunset from the "window of Isalo." Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Early breakfast and departure south, observing along the way the famous Mahafaly tombs (stone tombs with stelae carved or painted with animals and everyday scenes, mostly covered with skulls and zebu horns) and photographing the first baobabs of the south. En route, we will make a detour to visit the Tropic of Capricorn Monument, a work by the Belgian artist Bruno Decorte, who resides in Tulear, as we will be at the exact spot where the imaginary curved line of the Tropic of Capricorn crosses, and where we will be presented with a certificate acknowledging our passage along one of the great parallels of the planet. After lunch (not included), transfer to the Reniala Reserve and its baobab forest. Just 1 kilometer from the Mozambique Channel and near the picturesque village of Ifaty-Mangily, the Reniala Reserve is home to an amazing, strange, and unique ecosystem found only in southern Madagascar: the spiny forest. This particular forest forms part of the last remaining fragments of primary forest in the south. The imposing spiny shrubs are home to more than 2,000 plant species, many of them endemic, such as some spectacular baobabs (Adansonia rubrostipa), including a giant baobab 13 meters in diameter, which locals affectionately call "teapot" due to its appearance. This tree is said to be 1,500 years old. The reserve also boasts an entire family of endemic plants, the Didieraceae, as well as Pachypodium, Euphorbias, and others. We will take an approximately one-hour walk to observe these endemic trees of the island. Finally, arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast and transfer to Tulear Airport. Arrival at Antananarivo Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay.

Note:the Tulear-Antananarivo flight must be the first one in the morning.

Breakfast and transfer to Antananarivo airport for your flight to the northern capital. Arrival at Diego Suarez airport and departure for an excursion (in a 4x4 vehicle) to visit the area known as the Three Bays (Sakalava Bay, Pigeon Bay, and Dunes Bay). We will also have a panoramic view of Sugarloaf Mountain (Nosy Longo) in the vast Diego Suarez Bay, which, with a coastline of 156 km, is the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Arrival at the hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay.

Note:The Antananarivo-Diego Suarez flight must be the first one in the morning.

Breakfast and early departure in a 4x4 vehicle towards the Red Tsingys of Irodo, where we will discover a magnificent, otherworldly landscape, unique in the world. Continue to Ambre Mountain National Park for an easy walk of approximately 3 hours, where we will observe some of the island's endemic lemur species, such as the Eulemur coronatus, the world's smallest chameleon, and the Brookesia micra, as well as one of the most beautiful dense tropical forests in the country. Visit the sacred waterfall and the "Thousand Trees" walk. Picnic lunch not included (we recommend ordering a picnic lunch at the hotel the night before). In the afternoon, arrival in Jofreville. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and free time until your transfer to Tulear Airport. Arrival in Antananarivo and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.Note: If the Tulear-Antananarivo flight arrives in the capital before 12:00 PM, a complimentary tour will be offered, consisting of a visit to the La Digue Handicraft Market, the largest handicraft market on the island and one of the largest markets in Africa, as well as a short visit to the city center, Soarano Station, and Independence Avenue. If the flight arrives between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, only the visit to the La Digue Handicraft Market will be offered. If the flight arrives after 4:00 PM, the complimentary tour will not be available.

Early breakfast and departure in a 4x4 vehicle to Ankarana National Park, where we will take an approximately two-and-a-half-hour hike to observe one of the island's most stunning landscapes: the “tsingys”, the famous limestone “needles” that rise to a height of one hundred meters. We will discover the park's flora and fauna, including Canarium madagascariensis, Pachypodium baronia, Adansonia perrieri baobab, orchids, pandanus, Eulemur coronatus, Eulemur sanfordi, and bats, among other species. Picnic lunch not included (we recommend ordering a picnic lunch at the hotel the night before). Continue to Ambilobe. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast and transfer by regular service to Antananarivo International Airport.

Flight from Tulear Airport to Antananarivo airport.

Breakfast and departure for the port of Ankify, passing through plantations of cinnamon, cacao, coffee, and ylang-ylang. Arrival at the jetty to depart by speedboat (without a guide) towards Nosy Be Island. After approximately 45 minutes of sailing, arrival at the port of Hellville, the capital of Perfume Island, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and free time until your transfer to Fascene International Airport.

Flight from Nosy Be-Fascene International Airport to your hometown.

Arrival in the city of origin and end of the trip.