1000 Views of Madagascar
WHATS INCLUDED: Accommodation, meals as stated, all transfers and transport mentioned, all entrance fees, specialist local guides in the national park, all excursions as mentioned, an English-speaking driver.
WHATS EXCLUDED: All excursions not mentioned, beverages, laundry, flights, visas and travel insurance, meals not stated and personal items.
COMMENCING: Antananarivo, Madagascar
CONCLUDING: Antananarivo, Madagascar
DEPARTURE DATES: 2010 - 9th, 23rd July, 6th, 20th Aug, 3rd, 17th Sep, 1st, 15th, 29th Oct, 12th, 26th Nov
MEAL KEY: B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: ANDASIBE NATURAL RESERVE
You will be met at the airport or your hotel today and transferred to Andasibe through a landscape composed of lush, green vegetation. Along the way you will see Merina Villages in the rocky mountains. Later this evening you will be taken on a night walk to observe the night activities of lemurs and other nocturnal animals. B
DAY 2: ANDASIBE NATURAL RESERVE
This morning you will visit the Reserve to see the Indri Indri, the largest lemurs on the island. The reserve is home to a variety of endemic flora and fauna species and this visit will provide you with an ideal opportunity to seek out as many species as possible. In the afternoon you will visit Andasibe Village, a typical Betsimisaraka village, where you will be able to interact with the local people and learn how they live. B
DAY 3: ANTSIRABE
Today you will head on to Antsirabe, stopping en route in Ambatolampy. You will arrive into Antsirabe this afternoon. The city is well known as the centre of the beer industry. B
DAY 4: RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast you will continue on to the Ranomafana National Park. Your journey will see you travelling through Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. Further on you will pass the ‘le col de tapia’, a type of tree, which resists to the bush fires of the area. B
DAY 5: RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
The park is home to an abundance of wildlife including lemurs and chameleons. In addition to its densely forested hills, the National Park's terrain is characterised by numerous small streams, which plumment down to the Namorona River. You will venture out on walks in the Park, allowing you plenty of time to spot a variety of flora and fauna species. B
DAY 6: AMBALAVAO
Your journey today will see you passing through Fianarantsoa. The city is the gate to the south and the capital of the Betsileo tribes. Heading southwards your first stop is at Ambalavao, the centre of Madagascar's wine industry. Here you will visit vineyards for some wine-tasting. From Ambalavao you will continue on to Ihosy, the capital of the Bara tribes. Your journey will see you passing spectacular natural attractions such as the 'gate of the south', the 'bishop's hat' and 'Plateaux de Horombe'. B
DAY 7: ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Today you will visit Isalo National Park comprising of the Isalo massif, truly spectacular with its eroded sandstone mountain. Your walk today will see you arriving at the 'Natural Swimming Pool' where you will have the chance to enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Along the way you will see vegetation like Uapaca bojeri, Pachypodium rosulatum or ‘elephant's foot’, Aloe isaloensis, a native species of aloe and endemic to Isalo, as well as a variety of fauna species, including sifakas, brown lemurs, ringtailed lemurs and over fifty bird species. B
DAY 8: IFATY
After breakfast you will journey on to Tuléar, travelling past different ‘Mahafaly tombs’ and the ‘Antandroy tombs’. After a short visit of Tuléar you continue on to Ifaty. Situated in the deep south, the landscape is dominated by the spiny forest like the cactus, different euphorbiacea and didieracea. B
DAY 9: IFATY
Today will be a day spent at leisure, allowing you time to relax after a busy week touring. Ifaty is an ideal location to dive, snorkel, bird watch or just relax on the beach, soaking up the sun and watching the world pass by. There are plenty of activities you can enjoy locally for those that prefer to keep busy. Excursions are payable locally and include: a visit to the 'Reserve Domergue' or whale watching trips that run from July to mid September. B
DAY 10: ANTANANARIVO
You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your early flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day will be spent at leisure. B
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred back to the airport ready for your onward flight. B
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