To see the best of MADAGASCAR, I suggest you the following trip :
Madagascar, island of emotions, is a very special world. As an island, it could keep its traditions, its manners, its fauna and flora which have a highly endemic character.
Madagascar has become very attractive for people in search of discovery, emotion and trekkings.
As a professional - since 1993 - in organizing and realizing trips in Madagascar, I make the following proposal to you. A proposal where you discover the National Parks of the Great Island through its wonders. A special Trekking proposal.
A trip to Madagascar proves to be an authentic and natural experience for one who is able to do it in a sensible and intelligent way. Shall we see each other soon ? Thank you for your trust.
Day 1 : Paris – Tana – Pangalans
Arrival in Tana. Reception at the airport and foreign exchange operation. Direction East of Madagascar in order to discover the region and the lush vegetation of the Canal of the North Pangalans. Along the road, you will visit a private reserve ( crocodiles, butterflies, insects and you will see a great variety of chameleons of all sizes and colours ; it is the place in Madagascar where you can best observe the largest number of different species ). Cruise on the Pangalans Canal in the late afternoon ( with a small vedette motorboat ).
Day 2 : Pangalans
Trekking to visit a lemur reserve ( many species in the wild ; here, you will have an opportunity to see the largest species in the world, the Indri-Indri ). Splendid views and visit of a typical village in the East coast of Madagascar. Also discovery of the carnivorous Nepenthes plants.
Day 3 : Pangalans – Tana
Return by boat via Manambato along the Pangalans through lakes, rivers and lagunas with traps for fish ; you will occasionally see local canoes, rafts and bush-taxi boats.
Day 4 : Tana –Ambositra
Direction South of Madagascar so as to discover this region and its varied landscapes ( its red laterite houses, its innumerable terraced ricefields etc. ). Visit of workshops and stores of miniature bikes and rickshaws, of embroidery and precious and semi-precious stones along the road.
Day 5 : Ambositra
Trekking with early departure so as to discover the Zafimaniry region ( Antoetra and Ifasina ). Two very typical villages that are located far from the beaten track. You will feel completely removed from your usual surroundings in this landscapes full of valleys, hills and mountains. Zafimaniry art, due to its beauty, has been classified as World Heritage of UNESCO since 2003.
Day 6 : Ambositra – Ranomafana
Continuation on South-Eastern Madagascar through secondary and primary forests, with waterfalls and panoramic views along the road. Possibility of massage and bathing in a thermal spa in the late afternoon.
Day 7 : Ranomafana
Trekking to visit Ranomafana National Park ( to see other lemurs ) through a humid and dense tropical forest, through rivers and cascades.
Day 8 : Ranomafana – Andringitra
Continuation on South Madagascar through big granite rocks and superb terraced ricefields, on the way you discover the wonderful Betsileo region.
Day 9 : Andringitra
Trekking to visit Andringitra National Park, a mountainous region of bare granite plateau with xerophite mosses – panoramic views and waterfalls.
Day 10 : Andringitra – Isalo
Continuation on South Madagascar through its vast deserted plateaux and its large herds of zebu cattle in transhumance.
Day 11 : Isalo
Trekking to visit the Isalo National Park, a moonlike landscape, sandstone carved through the ages, similar to the Grand Canyon in the USA. Bathing in natural pools and oases along the trek.
Day 12 : Isalo – Ifaty
Continuation on South Madagascar through semi-deserted landscapes of thorn bush, through villages and Mahafaly tombs, through saphire mining villages and through sand dunes and typical Vezo fishing villages on the South-West coast of the Great Island. Possibility of bathing in the afternoon, or discovery of the typical Baobab forest of Ifaty.
Day 13 : Ifaty – Toliara – Tana
Free morning with bathing ad lib in one of the lagoons of the Mozambique Canal. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon and flight to Tana.
Day 14 : Tana- Paris
Tour of the Malagasy capital with shopping in the crafts market and visit of the Botanic and Zoological Park where you can find an almost complete range of the fauna and flora of Madagascar, as well as of its ways and customs. Discovery of the upper and lower part of the city, as well as the monuments of the city prior to transfer for the return journey to Paris.
Approximate cost : 1915 euros per person ( based on 2 persons )
Approximate cost : 1370 euros per person ( based on 4 persons )
Approximate cost : 1255 euros per person ( based on 8 persons )
All included EXCEPT : your international flights, visa, insurance, your personal expenses, tips for porters, for waiters etc., and all sorts of drinks.
You will settle ALL, once you are on the spot, as we progress ( cash, in euros ).
TO TAKE WITH YOU :
Anti-mosquito spray and cream, pocket torch and spare batteries, head torch if possible, swimsuits, light clothes as well as clothes to keep you warm ( for the high grounds ), cameras, small padlocks for your luggage, your personal medicines ( current antibiotics, antidiarrhoea, antiseptics, Betadine, compresses and cotton, ointment for sprains, lip salve and other personal medicines, protect yourself against malaria, e.g. follow a treatment ) sun cream, walking shoes or closed sports shoes, binoculars if necessary, old clothes ( children’s and adults’ ) to give here and there during the trip ( also biros, colour pencils, old dolls, teddy-bears, small balloons, etc. ) swiss knife, k-way or windcheater, hat or cap, etc. AND cash money = euros.