Madagascar Off the Beaten Path

Madagascar Off the Beaten Path

13 days – 12 nights

Antananarivo, Andasibe, Ankanin'ny Nofy, Ambatomanga, Antsirabe, Ranomafana, Fianarantsoa, Sahambavy, Ranohira, Isalo. Ambositra, Ambalavao

Eco-tourism, Adventure, Discovery

This program may be operated for individuals or for groups

This is a suggested itinerary

Day 1: Antananarivo

Upon arrival you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Some time to rest. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [D]

Day 2: Antananarivo, Andasibe

Panoramic tour of the Malagasy capital and visit the Queen's Palace with a historian guide. Continue to the forest town of Moramanga and visit its historical museum. Lunch at a local restaurant and departure to Andasibe. Check-in and some free time before dinner at the hotel. After dinner, visit to the Mitsinjo park to meet nocturnal species such as the grey-mouse lemur, chameleons, butterflies, birds and frogs. {B/L/D]

Day 3: Andasibe, Ankanin'ny Nofy

This morning we head north towards Ankanin'ny Nofy stopping for lunch along the way. When arriving at Manambato, switch to a boat for a 1-hour crossing through the Pangalanes canal to the village of Ankanin'ny Nofy. Cruising by boat on the calm waters is a fascinating journey through time and history. Many traditional villages can be seen along the banks, as well as pirogues, local fishermen, over-crowded ferries and rafts with straw huts carrying timber. Villagers wave and shout at the passing boats and fishermen yell from the other bank. Dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 4: Ankanin'ny Nofy

After breakfast we depart to explore the Pangalanes Canal, an extraordinary complex of more than 435 miles of communicating canals along the Indian Ocean, laid out by French settlers at the start of the 20th century. Visit fishing villages including Andranokoditra and their distillery, permaculture (sustainable agriculture), beekeeping and fish farming project. Picnic lunch on an island. Free time with the possibility of swimming. Visit the Vohibola reserve, a primary forest with exceptional flora and fauna including. New chameleon species discovered in 2009 and named for the reserve. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. [B/P/D]

Day 5: Ankanin'ny Nofy, Ambatomanga

Prepare yourself for a long drive to Ambatomanga dotted with some interesting stops. First, we go through the forest town of Moramanga and visit its historical museum. Then we visit Mandraka Parc that resulted from the conversion of an old forest exploitation into ecotourism. Lunch along the way. Arrival at Ambatomanga for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 6: Ambatomanga, Antsirabe

Today enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we take the road towards Behenjy stopping there for a tasting of foie gras, a renowned specialty of the village, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the spa town of Antsirabe perched at an altitude of 4,920 feet and renowned for its fresh products and mineral water called "visygasy". Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 7: Antsirabe, Ranomafana

Discover Antsirabe in "posy posy", local rickshaw. Visit a workshop for miniatures and one for embroidery. Departure for Ranomafana, passing through Bara territory, a people of semi-nomadic pastoralists from the plateaus of southern Madagascar. Lunch along the way. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 8: Ranomafana, Fianarantsoa, Sahambavy

We start the day with an excursion to the primary forest of Ranomafana Park. This park has a very rugged terrain and one of the most diverse and unique flora and fauna in the world. Then, we drive to Ambositra with stop at Ambatovaky, to visit a blacksmith village. Lunch in the village. Continue to the town of Fianarantsoa to meet a Betsileo ethnic group. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 9: Sahambabvy, Fianarantsoa, Ranohira

This morning visit of the only tea plantation in Madagascar, in Sahambavy, and continue Fianarantsoa to visit the city and, in particular, the photo lab of the famous photographer Pierrot Men. Continue douth on Route 7 stopping at Ambalavao to visit the Antemoro paper-making workshop, a local craftsmanship whose paper leaves are decorated with dried flower petals. Lunch at a local restaurant and continuation to Ranohira for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 10: Ranohira, Isalo Massif, Fianarantosa

Today’s target is the Isalo park more specifically the Isalo massif which ends in a natural swimming pool bordered by megalithic monuments. You may take a deep in the natural pool. Then, we discover Namaza canyon and a superb green panorama. Country lunch in the heart of the park. In the afternoon we leave for the Anja village reserve, where you can discover the famous ring-tailed lemur (Lemur Catta), the only existing on the island. Continue to Fianarantosa for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 11: Fianarantsoa, Ambositra

We are now in the heart of a region rich in rice, tea and market gardening. Visit the Upper Town of Fianarantsoa consisting of an intertwining of small houses with tiled roofs, cobbled alleys and numerous churches. Lunch with traditional music before continuing to Ambositra for dinner and overnight. [B/LD]

Day 12: Ambositra, Antananarivo

Discovery of local recycling from zebu horn and materials recovered in dairy factories. Lunch at Ambatolampy. Then continue to Antananarivo. Rest of the day free. Farwell typical dinner at a restaurant in Antananarivo. [B/L/D]

Day 13: Antananarivo, USA

Depending on your flight schedule you may have some free time in the city. At the appointed time you’ll be picked-up for your transfer to the airport to board you connecting flight home. [B]

[B] Breakfast | [B/D] = Breakfast and Dinner | [L/D] = Lunch and Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Tour includes

The welcome and assistance at the airport
Arrival and departure transfers
11 nights’ accommodation:
- Antananarivo 2 nights
- Andasibe 1 night
- Ankanin’ny Nofy 2 nights
- Ambatomanga 1 night
- Antsirabe 1 night
- Ranomafana 1 night
- Sahambavy 1 night
- Ranohira 1 night
- Ambalavao 1 night
- Ambositra 1 night
Meals
- Breakfast daily
- 10 lunches
- 1 picnic lunch
- Dinner daily
Panoramic tour of Tananarivo
Night visit to Mitsinjo Park
Explore Pangalanes Canal
Vohibola reserve
Foie Gras tasting
Ranomafana Forest park
Backsmith Village
Meet a Betsileo ethnic group
Isalo Massif
Namaza Canyon
Transportation by 4x4 vehicle
English-speaking driver/guide
Local English-speaking guides
Entrance fees for sites visited
Hotel taxes and service

Not included in tour

International airfares
Any taxes related to airfares or airports
Meals not mentioned under inclusions
Travel Insurance
Visas
Tips to guides or drivers
Expenses of a personal nature
Any item not mentioned as “Included”

Hotels

Category	Hotel Name	Tripadvisor
Antananarivo	Carlton Madagascar	4
Andasibe	Mantadia Lodge	4.5
Ankanin'ny Nofy	Pangalanes Jungle Nofy	4.5
Ambatomanga	La Maison Fi	4.5
Antsirabe	Souimanga Hotel	5
Ranomafama	Foret Australe	3
Sahambavy	Lac Hotel	4
Ranohira	Isalo Rock Lodge	5
Fianarantsoa	La Casa Madrigal	4.5
Ambositra	La Piscine Escapade Ambositra	n/a

Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking

Prices

These programs can be customized for individuals and groups.

Changes to this program may be requested by phone (1855-55-TOURS) or using the web FIT Quote Request

Airfare

We also be glad to add the necessary airfare from your gateway so you take advantage of our special discounted leisure fares

Program

You may add or remove;

- Trip days
- Cities and sites
- Meals

Other options
- The program was designed with private services, however, we may substitute shared sightseeing where available
- If you prefer deluxe services we may operate this program including private driver, private guide and concierge service.

Quotation

Once we have designed the program the way you want we'll give you a quote within 2 business days.

Tour Code: MG02TNR20VT

Options

Lunches and dinners can be arranged for individuals, families and groups at top restaurants or any restaurant requested by you.
We can revise the itinerary to spend more time and provide more depth in those areas that you are interested on.
Any other changes to the itinerary will be accommodated depending on the facilities available in the area.

Group Quotations

If you wish to use these programs for your group or as the basis for a customized journey please either call us (1-855-55-TOURS or use the web Group Quote Request.
In either case our specialists will work with to refine all the details and they will get you a quote with 2 business days. Quotes may be obtained for the air and land portions of just for the lad journey.
Booking both air and land with us will represent savings for you because of our buying power and longtime relationship with the airlines.
We will also may have the choice between regular fares and special leisure fares not available to the public.

Madagascar Off the Beaten Path

Madagascar Off the Beaten Path

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