Madagascar Adventure
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Overview
Highlights
- Hike the colourful sandstone canyons and swim in natural pools in Isalo National Park
- Traverse the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha
- Search for lemurs in Ranomafana Nature Reserve and Kirindy Forest
- Trek amongst the granite peaks and valleys of Andringitra National Park
- Enjoy the magnificent sunset colours at the Baobabs Alley
- Canoe and beach camping along the Manambolo River
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- 20 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 18 dinners
- airport transfers (day 1 and 21 only)
- 9 nights in 2 star hotels on a twinshare basis
- 11 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare tent basis
- group camping equipment including tent and sleeping mat (sleeping bag and pillow not included)
- English speaking local guide (or driver-guide only for groups of 2-4 people)
- porters and cook/camp crew for trek in Bongalava
- canoe assistants and cook/camp crew on Manambolo River
- permits and entry fees as listed in itinerary
- local guide in Isalo, Tsingy, Andringitra, Ranomafana National Parks
- private vehicle transport throughout
- tourist taxes
Itinerary
On arrival in Antananarivo on Day 1 you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight. The rest of the day is at leisure. Please be sure to advise us of your flight details. If you are arriving earlier than Day 1, please make your own way to the hotel. Alternatively, we can assist with private transfers (additional cost applies)
meals : Array
We begin our exploration of Madagascar with a drive through typical landscape of mid-west Madagascar, a land of volcanic origin with rich soil and abundant agriculture. We will stop for lunch and explore the area around Ampefy before completing the days journey in Tsiroanomandidy, leaving us well placed for tomorrow's adventure. Overnight hotel. (approx 220 kms by 4WD, 4 hrs)
meals : B,L,D
As we drive further west, the landscape is dominated by starkly eroded hills that serve as pasture land to the numerous cattle (or 'zebu') in this part of the country. The road to Belobaka is very rough but makes for an interesting journey. We have a short break here ...
We begin walking through a small rocky trail along the massif. We follow a natural spring where cascades have formed a natural swimming pool. Arrival and lunch in the village of Ankavandra in the region of Menabe (big red). In the afternoon we begin Manambolo river descent. Overnight camping on the river bank. (walk approx 3 hrs)
meals : B,L,D
This is a spectacular and isolated part of Madagascar that is only accessible by boat or by foot. We pass through scenic riverscapes of low hills, exposed low cliffs and bamboo thickets. Red, orange and yellow are the dominant colours of the cliffs due to erosion expo...
After breakfast we continue our way through this imposing gorge, between limestone walls, craggy caves and overhangs on which we can see unusual vegetation, much birdlife and many colours. We may also hear the shrill cries of black parrots resounding against the rock ...
After breakfast we visit the “Tsingy of Bemaraha”. The World Heritage listed Tsingy is the largest reserve in Madagascar and is home to diverse wildlife including many species of Lemur. This fascinating raised limestone plateau is a complex of countless chaotic razor ...
Today is a rugged 4WD journey (a rough and dusty road!) through the remote west of Madagascar. We stop for lunch at Belo Tsiribihina before crossing the Tsiribihina River by local car ferry. The drive beyond passes through Madagascar's endemic western dry deciduous f...
After breakfast we take another guided walk in the forest while the animals are active in the early morning period. Kirindy Forest is the only place in Madagascar where we may see Fosa (the island's largest carnivore). Striped mongoose, the giant jumping rat, the popu...
Today is a long day of driving but we are rewarded by spectacular scenery. From Morondava we drive to Miandrivazo, a small town on the edge of the Tsirbihina River. We have a picnic lunch near here before continuing our drive to Antsirabe, known as the rickshaw (or ...
Today we travel to Ranomafana Rainforest National Park located on the eastern mountain slopes of the island and dominated by a humid tropical climate - quite a contrast to the dry western regions. En route we stop for lunch at Ambositra, home of woodcarving (marquetry...
Today we have a whole day exploring this evergreen primary forest. This is one of the most extensive wildlife areas. It‘s the only locality for the recently discovered Golden bamboo lemur as well as the world‘s rarest primate, the giant bamboo lemur. There, we can appreciate the views of the tumbling waters of the Namorona river. Picnic lunch. Diner and overnight in hotel.
meals : B,L,D
In the morning we will drive to Ambalavao to visit the factory of Antemoro paper and the market. After lunch drive to Andringitra. We arrive to our camp just outside the park in the evening to settle in for dinner and a rest ready for tomorrows adventure. (approx 200 kms, 6 hrs)
meals : B,L,D
There are 2 different trekking excursions for this day, however the entire group stays at the same campsite (2050m) tonight - OPTION 1 - We pass through the village of Ambalamanandray before climbing a ridge with panoramic views over the valley. We cross the Zomandao...
This morning we farewell our guides, porters and crew, and drive back to Ambalavao (about 3 hrs) for lunch. In the afternoon, we travel on good road via Ihosy (zebu territory) across the Horombe plateau with its grasslands dotted with termite mounds. We reach the dram...
Today we explore the colourful and deeply eroded sandstone plateau of the Isalo National Park. We have a great day excursion, walking in "the Canyon des Makis" where we may discover some lemurs, exploring the rugged canyons with their abstract erosion sculpturing, and...
As we leave the Isalo region today we drive through a semi-arid landscape known as the "Spiny Desert" and the famous "Mahafaly Tombs". We keep driving southwards, passing through wealthy sapphire mining towns, to reach the coastal town of Toliara. Overnight hotel. (approx 240 kms, 4 hrs driving)
meals : B,L,D
Today we say our final goodbyes to our guide/driver and make our way to the airport for our flight back to Antananarivo. (Please note: flight at own expense - schedule is subject to change and availability, and the flight is unescorted). Upon arrival in the capital ci...
After breakfast, the trip concludes. You will be transferred to the airport for onward travel if you leave Tana today. For departures on any other day, airport transfers can be arranged for an additional cost.
meals : B
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
I enjoyed the whole experience
My recent trip was really great. I enjoyed the whole experience and was very pleased with the overall composition of the itinerary and the organisation. Our main gui...
Great experience
What an awesome place and people. 21 days of exploring only part of this country was a great experience. We were looked after extremely well by the many people invol...
Absolutely fantastic
Being my first group tour experience I was slightly hesitant at first but the trip was a great experience to see some of the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar.The...
The most memorable part was rowing along the Manombolo river and camping outdoors.
I would definitely recommend this trip to others. I am a 26 year old female traveling solo. I always felt safe. The guides were fantastic and everyone was friendly. ...
This was an excellent trip which fulfilled our expectations
This was an excellent trip which fulfilled our expectations and gave us many “WOW” moments. We were blessed with an excellent guide in Fhurisco and a careful, safe a...
Other World Expeditions Reviews
I had to leave the tour early because of illness
My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave...
An amazing experience that was made truly possible by booking through World Expeditions
. The team in Nepal went above and beyond to ensure our every requirement was met within their control.. The sherpas, guides, cook, and porters were exemplary, very ...
My wife and I had a wonderful trek in the Annapurna region
We are both 80 but fit and the route was designed to be less exacting than on our last visit to the same area. This allowed ample time to look at the flowering Rhodo...
Tour Operator
Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975
Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Internal flight Toliara/Antananarivo is NOT included
- International flights and airport taxes
- Arrival and departure transfers if not arriving/ departing on Days 1 & 21
- Sleeping bag
- Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks.
- Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
- Tips
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Visa
Accommodation
- 21 day trip
- 4 days canoeing
- 5 days trekking
- day walks
- 9 nights hotel
- 11 nights camping/ permanent safari camp
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