Tour T -25 Exploring Madagascar

Antananarivo - Tulear - Ranohira - Isalo Park - Ihosy - Amabalavao - Anjaha Reserve - Fianarantsoa - Ranomafana - Antsirabe - Andasibe (Perinet) - Tamatave - Foulpointe

     DAY 1 Late in the evening arrival in Antananarivo - the capital of Madagascar. A warm greeting by the representative of Safpol Safaris and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight.

     DAY 2 Early morning flight to Tulear - a harbour under the Tropic of Capricorn - and a short city tour. There is a wonderful lagoon where one can profit by the beach and the submarine bottoms. The beautiful white beaches to the North and South of the city are protected by one of the finest coral reefs in the world, where rich marine life provides paradise for snorkeling and diving.
In the afternoon visit to the lively market, the best place in whole Madagascar for buying shells and the handicraft souvenirs.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 3 After the breakfast drive to Ranohira, situated at the skirt of Isalo Mountain range. On the way we will stop to visit the villages and the most spectacular ancestral tombs of Mahafaly tribe with its wooden carvings and colorful paintings that add an unique character to the area and provide much for cultural enthusiasts as well as nature lovers.
We will have time for taking photos of this botanists' dream world of towering baobab trees and unique spiny forest, which are typical for this area. Arrival at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight.

     DAY 4 Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by car to the National Park of Isalo - one of the biggest and most wonderful places in Madagascar. While trekking in the incredible ruin-form mountains of Isalo one will see grottos, rock gardens, canyons, blue-water swimming holes, ring-tailed lemurs, and bizarre succulents. Wandering under the trees in a gorgeous vegetation contrasting with a barrenness met inside the mountain-range, leads us to the canyon where numerous wild lemurs could be approached (e.g. White Sifaka).
The area is deeply eroded and weirdly shaped. Jurassic sandstone formations, which look like moon landscapes, form natural swimming pools and oases. Rare endemic plants make it particularly rewarding for the botanist. This is a mystical place, full of Bara tombs and sacred sites. At last we will take walk to a magic place, a natural swimming pool fed by a mini waterfall, in the shade of pandanus, which is always a welcome relief to a traveller and an unforgettable experience.
That trip gives opportunity to discover endemic fauna and flora such as the Benson's Rock Thrush bird and the elephant's foots (the miniature baobab tree), the aloes and also possibility - with a little of luck - of seeing 7 species of lemurs. The most frequently seen are acrobatic Sifaka lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs and brown ones. You can find them through ferns, pandanus and feathery palm trees in deeper canyons.
Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

     DAY 5 After breakfast drive to Ihosy - the capital of the Bara tribe situated in the central highlands. Drive through the Horombe Plateau, grasslands dotted with termite hills and telegraph poles, each with its waiting kestrel. In the afternoon visit to the paper factory (where the famous Malagasy "antaimoro" paper "Papyrus" - is made) and a wine farm. Arrival in Amabalavao that resembles a medieval European village. Although the main street is not narrow, the wooden balconies with their handsomely carved railings leaned into street give them that look of fairy - tale book tilt.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 6 After breakfast drive to the Reserve of Anjaha to look for lemurs and later visit to the local market. In the afternoon continuation to Fianarantsoa - one of the most attractive Malagasy towns - that is built on a hill, like a small-scale Antananarivo. Sightseeing of the city - the Lower Town and the Upper Town - with its narrow winding streets and plethora of churches and wonderful views. Afterwards transfer to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight.

     DAY 7 In the morning drive to the National Park of Ranomafana which is a fragment of mid - altitude rainforest, particularly rich in wildlife. The park was created thanks to the discovery of Golden Bamboo Lemurs. Reaching the park, hillsides become lovely unbroken and knobbly green of virgin, majesty forest. We walk in the forest to search for lemurs (Sifaka, Red Bellied Lemur, Brown Lemur) reptiles, colourful butterflies and birds. Among 96 species of birds found there as many as 36 are endemic. Moreover, there is enough variety in vegetation and scenery and enough pleasure in walking the well constructed trails, to make the visit to Ranomafana worthwhile.
During the second walk at night we try to find the nocturnal lemurs like Mouse Lemurs, Mongooses and more. This delightful walk will conclude the visit to the park.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 8 After breakfast departure for Antsirabe. Drive through spectacular scenery of steep hills, among thick forest of pine and past neat Batsileo rice paddies interspersed with eucalyptus. On the way we stop at Ambositra to visit the wood carving workshop. Ambositra is the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. Even the houses have ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters. We will have an opportunity to buy some souvenirs from an abundant choice of carved figures.
Afterwards we continue the drive to Antsirabe among hilly landscapes of the red island contrasting with the green of rice fields. Antsirabe is an agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar. The town was funded thanks to its cool climate and the healing properties of thermal springs. This elegant city is also famous for polishing of gemstones, colorful markets and rickshaw drives. For souvenirs from Antsirabe we visit the gems shop, where handicraftsmen can be observed as they are busy in their workshops.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 9 In the morning continuation to Antananarivo through unique scenery of Madagascar. Along this stretch of road one will see Merina tombs and can watch the labour-intensive cultivation of rice paddies and a huge, white replica of the Rova - President's palace. We stop on the way to visit the typical highlander villages. Arrival in Antananarivo - the capital city of Madagascar, called also Tana.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 10 Sightseeing of Antananarivo. Tana is built on two ridges, which combine in a V letter. This hilly area is full of contrasts. Red clay houses, steepled churches isolated on hilltops, overlooking a mosaic of green and brown paddy fields, winding streets and numerous, vibrant markets stand against modern office buildings, shops and traffic. From the right place, in the right light Antananarivo is one of the most attractive capitals in the developing world. In the evening sunshine it has the quality of child's picture book, with brightly coloured houses stacked up the hillsides, mauve jacarandas and purple bougainvillea against the dark blue of the winter sky.
After city tour drive to the Andasibe National Park (Perinet), the only place where one can find the largest of the lemur family - the mythical Indri Indri. There are various legends about the Indri, one of which links the lemur to the origin of man. Trekking in the block of moist mountain forest is exceptionally rewarding for its variety of other species of lemurs, birds, reptiles (chameleons), invertebrates and - some experts say - a higher number of frog species than any comparable rainforest on the Earth. For nature lovers the park offers colourful orchides, ferns and much more plants typical for this region. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 11 Visit to the reserve of Perinet to watch lemurs and birds. Before dinner night walk in the reserve to look for nocturnal lemurs. Walking through the forest at daybreak, as the siren-like calls emanate from the mist-enshrouded canopy, is one of the most memorable experiences one can have in Madagascar.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 12 After breakfast drive to Tamatave - second biggest town in Madagascar and a sea harbour, which is always visited with pleasure. The region where Tamatave is located is inhabited by the Betsimisaraka tribe. It has lovely looking and large avenues adorned by coco-trees and flaming plants, old buildings of the colonial style still reminding the past and a rickshaw-ride constituting a traditional way of conveyance enabling to appreciate its charm.
Tamatave is actually the heart of the country, in so far as it is a compulsory passage of people as well as goods. It is a spirited, bustling city with a good variety of bars, snack bars and restaurants.
After visit to Tamatave continuation to Foulpointe which means '' life giving ''. It is a seaside resort and a first bathing place of the East coast. It is protected by coral barrier and has got an atmosphere of small villages. Nearby is an interesting old circular fortress with mighty walls faced with an iron - hard mixture of sand, shells and eggs.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 13 Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure on the beach, swimming or a pirogue trip to the reef.
Overnight and dinner at the hotel.

     DAY 14 Breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Tamatave. Transfer to the airport and flight back to Antananarivo. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

     DAY 15 Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure or optional excursions. In the evening transfer to the airport and departure.

The itinerary is based on flight schedule of Air France.

The price include:
- accommodation on HB throughout the trip
- tourist taxes at the hotels
- transport by car from Tulear to Tamatave/Foulpointe
- all airport transfers
- service of the English speaking guide during the whole trip
- domestic flights with airport taxes: Antananarivo-Tulear and Tamatave-Antananarivo
- all visits and excursions mentioned in the program
- entry fees and local guides in the reserves according to the itinerary

The price excludes:
- lunches
- all soft and alcoholic drinks
- all personal expenses
- tips and service at the hotels
- porters at the hotels and airports
- international flight to Madagascar

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