Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

Upon your arrival in Antananarivo, you’ll receive a meet-and-greet service at the airport. A transfer will take you to the designated group hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Please provide your flight details in advance to help us make arrangements. If you arrive before Day 1, transportation to the hotel will be at your expense, though private transfers can be arranged for an additional cost.

Day 2: Antananarivo to Andasibe (130 km)

After a leisurely breakfast, your knowledgeable driver, a wildlife expert, will pick you up from your hotel to start the 3.5-hour drive eastward to Vakona Lodge in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. En route, you’ll stop at the Peyreiras reptile farm to observe various indigenous species such as chameleons, lizards, geckos, and frogs. You’ll arrive in Andasibe by late morning. Lunch will be at your discretion. Dinner and an overnight stay will be arranged at the hotel.

Day 3: Andasibe (Analamazaotra & Vakona Visit)

Following breakfast, you’ll visit the Andasibe-Mantadia Analamazaotra National Park Special Reserve, home to the Indri Indri lemur. Known as “babakoto” in Malagasy, these lemurs are the largest of their kind and are notable for their short tails and loud territorial calls, which can be heard over a kilometer away. The trek through the park includes scenic landscapes, waterfalls, and natural swimming pools where swimming is allowed. The rainforest setting also features many orchids. There are several trekking circuits to choose from, with the easiest covering up to 3 km over 2-3 hours on paved paths.

In the afternoon, you have the option to visit Lemur Island for a close-up interaction with lemurs. Dinner and overnight stay will be provided at the hotel.

Day 4: Andasibe to Manambato – Palmarium

After breakfast, your journey to Manambato continues along the national road, bordered by lush tropical rainforest. Upon arrival in Manambato, you’ll board a motorized canoe that will take you through the scenic lakes of Rasoabe, Rasoamasay, and Ampitambe, part of the Pangalanes canal system. This shallow lagoon channel, which runs parallel to coastal dunes, spans around 600 km along Madagascar’s east coast and holds great importance to the local communities. A complimentary lunch will be provided, with dinner and overnight accommodations at the hotel.

Day 5: Palmarium

Today’s schedule includes a morning excursion to observe Népenthes (a species of carnivorous plant) and the Palmarium Reserve, a 46-hectare private peninsula rich in indigenous flora and fauna. Lemurs roam freely here in the presence of humans, making it an ideal place to observe Madagascar’s wildlife. The afternoon is free for leisure activities.

At 5:30 p.m., an optional excursion is available to a nearby island where you may spot aye-ayes. The one-hour tour includes roundtrip boat transfers. Dinner and an overnight stay are arranged at the hotel.

Day 6: Palmarium to Tamatave to Foulpointe

After breakfast, you’ll take a boat across the Pangalane Channel to reach Tamatave, then travel by road to Foulpointe, a popular coastal resort. Here, you can explore a historic fortress or go on a canoe excursion along the coast. Dinner and an overnight stay will be provided at the hotel.

Day 7: Foulpointe

This day is free for leisure activities at Foulpointe. You can relax on the beach, explore the town, or enjoy water-based activities. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at the hotel.

Day 8: Foulpointe to Sainte Marie

A one-hour drive from Foulpointe brings you to the port town of Mahambo, where you’ll board a ferry to Sainte Marie Island. Once there, you can settle into your hotel. Sainte Marie Island is known for its pirate history, including the pirate cemetery, and other intriguing sights like the natural swimming pool in the north and the islets of Ile-aux-Nattes and Ilot-Madame in the south. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at the hotel.

Days 9-10: Sainte Marie

These two days are free for you to relax or further explore Sainte Marie Island, also known as Nosy Boraha. This island is a tropical paradise, spanning 57 kilometers along the eastern coast of Madagascar. Known for its palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs, the island is also home to diverse flora and fauna. You’ll find a magnificent lagoon at Ile aux Nattes, mangroves, natural swimming pools, and dense forests. The island’s flora includes orchids, clove trees, cinnamon, vanilla, and other treasures. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be provided at the hotel.

Day 11: Sainte Marie to Antananarivo

After lunch, you’ll board a flight to Antananarivo. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, which takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. In the evening, enjoy a breathtaking sunset with sundowner drinks at Lakonga, offering a picturesque view of the city. Dinner and an overnight stay are provided at the hotel.

Day 12: Ambohimanga & Departure

Following breakfast, you’ll visit Ambohimanga, a World Heritage site located about 21 kilometers from the capital. Known as a royal city, burial site, and sacred area, Ambohimanga was historically closed to foreigners until the French occupation in 1895. Enter through the ancient gate, once blocked by a massive stone that completely sealed the entrance.

During a traditional Malagasy lunch, you’ll engage with a historian to learn about the island’s fascinating past while enjoying the scenic blue hills that grace modern-day Madagascar. In the late evening, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight, concluding the tour.