Tour T-31 Madagascar & Mauritius

Antananarivo - Fort Dauphin - Berenty - Lanirano Lake - Lokaro Bay - Andasibe - Perinet - Pereyrras - Mauritius

     DAY 1 Arrival in Antananarivo. Transfer to the hotel. Later departure for a sightseeing tour 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 markets stand against modern office buildings, shops and traffic.
Then we drive Northeast to visit the museum of the Queen Palace at Ambohimanga. This unique place was for long time forbidden to Europeans. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga outside the Malagasy capital is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga ("Blue Hill") consists of a royal city, burial site and an ensemble of sacred places. From here began the line of the kings and queens who were to unite Madagascar into one country and it was here that they returned for rest and relaxation among the tree covered slopes of the hill.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

     DAY 2 Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. Flight to Fort Dauphin, which lies on a pretty peninsula with a rocky mountain range.
Upon arrival at the airport, drive to Berenty. The skyline is composed of rugged green mountains and the landscape is dotted by the Travellers' trees (Ravenala). En route we will see a grove of carnivorous pitcher plants, Antanosy graveyard, a slope covered with Triangular palms in the "transition zone" which is endemic to this area and finally, in the "spiny desert", we will see endemic baobabs and remote Antandroy villages. Lemurs are abundant and very confiding in both. Possibility to find some herons and aquatic birds.
We will take a night walk in the Berenty Private Reserve to look for nocturnal lemurs (Mouse lemurs and sportive lemurs), birds (Owls, Nightjar) and chameleons. This is a small area of riverine forest in what used to be a vast sea of spiny forest, but now is surrounded by sisal fields.
Accommodation on half board basis at the Berenty Lodge.

     DAY 3 Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the gallery forest of Berenty. The reserve is dominated by the large tamarind tree (called kili in Malgache) - the preferred food of the ringtails and the fulvous - and is enclosed by spiny desert, sisal plantations and the Mandrare River. Ring tailed lemurs are easily seen in this area as well as the White Sifaka lemurs, brown lemurs. Different species of endemic birds can be also seen such as the Vangas, Couas.
In the afternoon drive back to Fort Dauphin. The area surrounding Fort Dauphin includes temperate forest, coastal mangroves, "spiny forest" desert like terrain and much more. It is bounded on the north, east and south by the Indian Ocean so golden sand beaches stretch for miles. Mountains and hills take up the eastern part so it is exiting tourist destination and an attractive place to rest and relax.
Accommodation on half board basis at the hotel.

     DAY 4 Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Lanirano Lake and a boat transfer to the fisher village of Evatraha that is situated on the mouth of a small river just south of Lokaro. We will walk to Lokaro Bay, the most beautiful spot on the south-east coast for picnic lunch and bathing. In the afternoon return to Fort Dauphin.
Accommodation on half board basis at the hotel.

     DAY 5 Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free at leisure. Transfer to the airport. Fly to Antananarivo. Arrival at the airport and drive straight to Andasibe crossing the famous cliff of La Mandraka where one can see a panoramic view of the rainforest and the Anjiro plain. Arrival in Andasibe.
Accommodation on half board basis at the hotel.

     DAY 6 After breakfast drive to visit Andasibe National Park (Perinet), the only place where one can find the biggest lemur - Indri Indri. This block of moist rain 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 colorful orchids, ferns and much more plants typical for this region.
Afternoon at leisure. Night walk in the reserve in search of 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.
Accommodation on half board basis at the hotel.

     DAY 7 After breakfast, drive back to Antananarivo. On the way we stop at Marozevo and visit the famous exotic farming centre of Mr. Pereyrras where we will see almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar, butterflies, lizards, snakes, bats and other interesting animals. 90% of reptiles in Madagascar are endemic and found nowhere else.
After visiting the farm light lunch at the Villa Vanilla restaurant and then visit to the vibrant handcraft market.
In the evening transfer to the airport and flight to Mauritius. Transfer to the hotel, overnight.

     DAY 8-10 Days at leisure on golden sandy beaches shadowed by coconut palm trees and swimming in crystal waters of the turquoise lagoons surrounding Mauritius. For adventurous there is a number of excursions, scuba diving, variety of land and water sports, deep sea fishing, golf and much more. Shopping in Mauritius is also a unique experience. In the evening there are cultural shows, live music, Sega dances etc.

     DAY 11 Day at leisure. In the afternoon transfer to the airport. Departure for Europe.

The price includes:
- 6 nights accommodation on half board basis in Madagascar
- picnic lunch during the Lokaro excursion
- all transfers as per itinerary
- visits and excursions mentioned in the program
- tourist taxes
- domestic flights inclusive of airport taxes: Antananarivo - Fort Dauphin - Antananarivo
- service of English speaking guide throughout the tour
- local guides and park fees in all parks stated in the program

The price excludes:
- accommodation in Mauritius (please refer to the price list for hotels in Mauritius)
- drinks, lunches and all personal expenses
- visa fees
- items of personal nature, tipping and souvenirs

Itinerary is based on the flight schedule of Air Mauritius.

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