The island continent, without flights

Breakfast and early departure through the Highlands towards Ambatolampy to learn about the artisanal production of aluminum pots; prior stop in Behenjy, the foie gras capital, with the option of a tasting (not included). Arrival in Antsirabe after lunch (not included) and tour by pousse-pousse (Indian rickshaw) or on foot through the historic center, visiting the Atsena Kely (small market), the train station, the Notre Dame de la Salette Cathedral, the Ethnic Monument, and French colonial buildings such as the Hotel des Thermes, where King Mohammed V stayed during his exile in 1953. Check-in at the hotel and a briefing by the guide about the route and Madagascar. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure for Ambositra, the capital of Malagasy handicrafts. At an altitude of 1350 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 characters. If we travel between July and September through the highlands, we might encounter the famous "Famadihana," or return of the dead. Please note that to attend a "return of the dead," we must be invited; it is a family celebration, not a tourist event. However, if we are invited, we will try, if our itinerary allows, to attend the celebration for a short time—so as not to intrude on the family's privacy.

Early breakfast followed by a walking tour of Ranomafana National Park, a ±4-hour hike in search of lemurs such as Propithecus edwardsi, Hapalemur griseus ranomafanensis, and Varecia variegata, among the 12 species that inhabit the rainforest of tree ferns, wild orchids, and pandanus trees; nature in its purest form. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Antsinanana Rainforests, which encompass six parks along the eastern coast. Panoramic view of the waterfall on the Namorona River, then continue to the rural village of Sahambavy for a stroll through the island's only tea plantations. Lunch on your own, explanation of the production process, and tasting of its two varieties. Check-in at the hotel next to the plantation and Lake Sahambavy. Overnight stay.

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 town 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 (Hiking ± 1.5 hours). Lunch on your own and 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, desert landscapes, and towns that have sprung up in the middle of nowhere. Overnight stay

Breakfast and visit to Isalo National Park (easy-moderate level), exploring the Waterfall of the Nymphs, the Blue Pool, and the Black Pool in Namaza Canyon (picnic not included); the most visited park on the island, with deep canyons, streams, Bara tombs, and caves used by the Portuguese and Arabs, a testament to Madagascar's history, habitat of lemurs such as the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur fulvus), the rufous-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons), and the Verreaux's lemur (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi), as well as the endemic Bismarckia nobilis palm, aloes, and pachypodiums; return to the lodge. Visit to the Bara village of Antabara in Ikazandreno and sunset from the "window of Isalo," return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Early breakfast and route south, observing the Mahafaly tombs (stone tombs with sculpted or painted stelae depicting animals and everyday scenes, covered with skulls and zebu horns) and photographing the first baobabs in the south; detour before Tulear to visit the Tropic of Capricorn Monument, a work by the Belgian artist Bruno Decorte, who resides in Tulear, located on the imaginary line of the tropic, where a certificate of recognition is awarded. After lunch on your own, transfer to the Reniala Reserve, next to the Mozambique Channel and near Ifaty-Mangily, to explore its thorn forest, one of the last fragments of primary forest in the south, with more than 2,000 species of endemic plants such as the Adansonia rubrostipa baobab, including a giant specimen 13 m in diameter called “teapot” (1,500 years old), as well as Didieraceae, Pachypodium, and Euphorbias; A ±1 hour walking tour to observe these endemic trees, followed by check-in at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to the northern capital (if there are two options, book the first one in the morning); arrival, welcome in Spanish by the guide and 4x4 excursion to the 3 Bays —Sakalava Bay, Pigeons Bay and Dunes Bay— with panoramic views of the “Sugarloaf” Nosy Longo in the great bay of Diego Suarez (156 km of coastline, the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro); after lunch on your own, check-in at the hotel, adjusting the itinerary to the flight arrival time (lunch or check-in before the visits).

Breakfast and departure to Ramena Beach to begin an excursion on a traditional Sakalava schooner through the turquoise waters of the Emerald Sea to Nosy Suarez Island (a waterproof bag is recommended for photographic equipment and valuables), where we will have lunch of fish and seafood prepared by Sakalava and Antakarana sailors; free time on the beaches of Nosy Suarez and in the Emerald Sea, return in the afternoon by schooner to Ramena Beach and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and early departure in a 4x4 towards the Tsingy Rouge of Irodo to discover this unique, otherworldly landscape; continue to Montaña de Ambre National Park for an easy ±3-hour walk, observing endemic lemurs such as Eulemur coronatus and the world's smallest chameleon, Brookesia micra, in one of the country's most beautiful dense rainforests; visit to the sacred waterfall and the "thousand trees" walk, picnic lunch not included (recommended to order it the night before at the hotel) and arrival in the afternoon in Jofreville. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and free time until your transfer to Tuléar airport for your domestic flight to the capital. Arrival in Antananarivo and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.Note: If the domestic flight arrives in the capital before 12:00, a free tour will be offered, consisting of a visit to the La Digue craft market, the largest craft fair on the island and one of the largest markets in Africa, and a short visit to the city centre, Soarano station and Independence Avenue. If the flight arrives between 12:00 and 16:00, only the visit to the La Digue craft market will be offered. And if the flight arrives after 16:00, the client will not be able to benefit from the free visit scheduled for this day.

Breakfast and early departure in a 4x4 towards the Tsingy Rouge of Irodo to discover this unique, otherworldly landscape; continue to Montaña de Ambre National Park for an easy ±3-hour walk, observing endemic lemurs such as Eulemur coronatus and the world's smallest chameleon, Brookesia micra, in one of the country's most beautiful dense rainforests; visit to the sacred waterfall and the "thousand trees" walk, picnic lunch not included (recommended to order it the night before at the hotel) and arrival in the afternoon in Jofreville. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Flight from Tulear Airport to Antananarivo airport. *

* The client may choose to take the flight included in the package or buy and book it on their own.

Breakfast and departure for the port of Ankify amidst plantations of cinnamon, cocoa, coffee and ylang-ylang. Arrival at the jetty to take a speedboat to Nosy Be (approximately 45 minutes of sailing without assistance from a Spanish-speaking guide; supplement applies). Arrival at the port of Hellville, the capital of Perfume Island, and transfer to your chosen hotel.

Breakfast and at the agreed time, transfer to Fascene International Airport for your return flight.