Overview

• AVAILABLE ALL YEAR
• BEST TIME: July to September

DAY 01: ARRIVAL TIME
Arrival at Ivato International Airport (Arrival at … : …). You will be welcomed by HT Agency Tours Staff. Once you have cleared customs formalities, our Guide will smooth through the rest of the arrivals process – currency exchange, setting up your phone with a new SIM card, and anything else you need. We will provide 1 SIM cards with Data + National Call + 5mn International call during your stay in Madagascar. It will make our contact easier. Check in at the hotel.
Night at the PIETRA (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 02: ANTANANARIVO - ANDASIBE (PERINET)
After breakfast, we explore Madagascar's capital, known simply as "Tana". We drive to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of a royal city and an ensemble of sacred places. The Queen's Palace here is a symbol of the Merina Kingdom, the dynasty that made Madagascar a modern state. This is a place of pilgrimage and the burial ground for its sovereigns since 1817. Sitting atop the highest hill in Antananarivo, it offers spectacular views of the surroundings. We then drive down to Independence Avenue and Anosy Lake. Here we get a good picture of the
diverse communities that come together from all over the island in the capital, before we take a scenic drive to Marozevo. We visit the famous exotic animal breeding centre owned by naturalist Andre Pereyras, where we see almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar – as well as butterflies, leaf tailed geckos, lemurs and other interesting animals. On the RN2 "highway" east we enjoy panoramic views of the stepped rice fields and the Merina Tombs of the Highlands of Madagascar. We see villages of the Merina tribe in the rocky hills and then continue east through green and luxuriant vegetation, with stops along the scenic rainforest route in world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park, seeing primary forests and lakes.
Night at MANTADIA LODGE (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 03 : ANDASIBE (PERINET)
After breakfast, you start with a guided visit at Analamazaotra National Park. It is better to leave the hotel early (about 7:30AM) to meet easily the Indri-Indri and the Diademed Sifaka in their forest home. The visit takes about 3 hours. Within a mile of the park you can hear the peculiar call of the indri very early in the morning until noon and again in the late afternoon. Indris (called Babakoto in Malagasy) are the largest living lemurs at all reaching up to 1 meter. Andasibe is the best place to observe the Indris given that there are a couple of families habituated to humans. It lives in small groups and cannot survive in captivity. There are several legends trying to explain its origins since it is considered a sacred animal in the whole Madagascar. Apart from the Indri, another 13 lemur species inhabit these forests, such as woody lemur, grey bamboo lemur, diademed sifaka, brown lemur, red mouse-lemur, red-bellied lemur, black and white ruffed lemur and even aye-aye. In the afternoon we visit Andasibe village, known as "the City of Waters", and stroll through the local market to see some Malagasy craftspeople working. Then, you will enjoy an amazing up close and personal experience with lemurs on the private Lemurs Island and then on to view many other species in the Vakona Reserve Zoo, where you will see many crocodiles in the huge river enclosure, native birds, and other wildlife in well-kept surroundings.
Around 6:30PM, you end this day with a guided night visits which will take 1 hour and half, and then drive back to the hotel.
Night at MANTADIA LODGE (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 04 : ANDASIBE – PALMARIUM
After breakfast, you are going to join the Palmarium Reserve. Your trip will take around seven hours with some stops for photos or breaks if it is necessary. You need to take boat to get there (From Manambato to Palmarium).You will arrive there at the end of the day so you will check-in at the hotel and then begin the guided night walk.
Night at PALMARIUM BEACH (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 05 : PALMARIUM
In the morning, you will start a guided day walk at the Palmarium Reserve. It is a little island where inhabit ten species of lemur as Indri, Sifaka, Coronatus, Varécia, variegata, Propithèques, particularly the wellknown Aye-Aye. There is also the best and endemic Madagascar palm tree as Dypsis, Ravenea, Orania, Voanioala and Lemurophoenix).
Night at PALMARIUM BEACH (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 06 : PALMARIUM – ANTANANARIVO
This day is dedicated to transfer you to Tamatave by following the Pangalane Chanel and to Mahambo by Car. So after breakfast, embarkation on a motor boat. On this boulevard, we will cross barges, "bush-boats" (taxis-bush fluvial), canoes ..., local transport ... Spontaneous greetings between sailors ... The shouts of joy of the children on the banks accompany us all along our navigation. We are spectators of unusual and unforgettable scenes of life.
Night at PIETRA (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 07 : ANTANANARIVO – MORONDAVA – KIRINDY (Domestic flight)
Breakfast, 45mn visit of the Queen’s Palace (Rova Manjakamiadana), transfer to the airport for flight (Departure at 12:20am) to the west coast of the island, destination to Morondava (Arrival at 13:20pm). On the arrival, get in 4x4 car directly to reach the North of the menabe area, about 42 km following the secondary road which a bit winding, to reach the famous Kirindy Park. Check-in at your hotel (Relais du Kirindy). Around 6:30 PM, beginning of the Guided night walks at Kirindy. Kirindy is the best place in the whole island to observe fosa. Other nocturnal species includes: the rare Coquerel's giant mouse lemur and pygmy mouse-lemur, fork-crowned lemur, grey mouse lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur and red-tailed sportive lemur. Several bats, tenrecs, mongoose and rodents complete the mammal population.
Night at the RELAIS DE KIRINDY (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 08 : MORONDAVA - BEKOPAKA
After breakfast, On the road to go to the North, about 200km following the secondary road which a bit winding, to reach the village of Bekopaka, located at the entry of the park. After few hours of drive, you will discover beautiful landscape through the baobab streets, then the forest of Kirindy, to continue by a ferry crossing to reach the small village of Belo sur Tsiribihina, where we stop for lunch. Then, continue to the North through a landscape of rice fields and small village, to arrive at the end of the afternoon at Bekopaka.
Night at SOLEIL DU TSINGY (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 09 : BEKOPAKA
After breakfast, guided visit to the Bemaraha National Park (Grand Tsingy), you can choose whichever tour you want to do on this day, in consultation with your local guide and your driver, depending on your energy levels and enthusiasm on the day. There are circuits for all levels of fitness here at this World Heritage park. Here nature seems to be in perfect harmony with this wild and sharp limestone mountain. The flora consists of a dry western deciduous forest, plants typical of these dry limestone areas, such as species of Aloe and baobab Andasonia, the red-flowered flamboyant tree, Madagascar’s native banana Musa perrier. You can also see typical plants growing in the rocky area such pachypodium, orchids Concerning the fauna we can see the stump-tailed chameleon Brookesia perarmata, 53 bird, 7 lemur species including Decken’s sifaka Propithecus verreauxi deckeni. For your lunch, you will have picnic organized by the guide. You will continue your visit to the Small Tsingy.
Night at the SOLEIL DU TSINGY (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 10 : BEKOPAKA - MORONDAVA
After breakfast, back to the road to reach Morondava with two special stops, the first in Baobab Amoureux and the second in the famous Baobab Avenue to appreciate a beautiful sunset. Arrival at Morondava in early evening, transfer to the hotel.
Night at the PALISSANDRE (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 11 : MORONDAVA - ANTSIRABE
Today you will have a very long drive so it’s better to leave Morondava Early (07:30AM). So after breakfast, drive directly to Antsirabe with some stops on the road for photos and breaks if it is necessary. Lunch in the city in the city of MIandrivazo. Then continue to Antsirabe.
Night at the ROYAL PALACE (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 12 : ANTSIRABE – RANOMAFANA
Early in the morning, after breakfast, city tour in Antsirabe by rickshaw (visit: Independence Avenue, the famous Hotel des Thermes, the stone market and the horn small factory). Direction towards the South enjoying the beautiful landscape Betsileo composed of terraced ricefields. Main stop at Ambositra for lunch, followed by a small tour of the city to discover the typical Malagasy craft of the region : the marquetry, weaving, and especially wood carving. Then, continue to the village of Ifanadiana, well known for the Ranomafana National Park.
Night at the THERMAL HOTEL (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 13 : RANOMAFANA
In the morning, departure for a visit at the heart of the wet forest of Ranomafana National Park, a reserved area typical and belonging to the remaining forest corridor longing the East part of the great island. Discovery of the wealth of the endemic biodiversity of the region, such as the rare species and gravely threatened lemurs, many species of rare plants and endemic used by the local population for traditional medecine… Trekking in the forest by following a track longing the forest passing through beautiful waterfall, meeting the rare species on the way. Back to the hotel for lunch. After the long day of tiring morning or visit of the spa source, nap and rest for the end of the day.
Night at the THERMAL HOTEL (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 14 : RANOMAFANA – ISALO
After breakfast, back to the road for the South to reach the city of Ranohira to meet Isalo National Park. By passing through the city of Ambalavao for lunch, with a small visit of product factory where you have the opportunity to learn the history of the famous Antemoro paper. During the journey, we can often stop to notice the various change of the mountain and rice field landscape. Arrival at Isalo at the end of the day.
Night at the RELAIS DE LA REINE (Half Board)

DAY 15 : ISALO
After breakfast, a day dedicated to trekking and discovery of the parc, composed of massif in form of ruin dating from jurassic, discovery of the most beautiful landscape of Madagascar. Hike and visit accross : the canyon of makis, the natural pool, where you can go for a dip, etc… picnic lunch in the park. At the end of the afternoon, back to the hotel, with a stop at the famous window of Isalo to appreciate a breathtaking and spectacular scene of the color of the sun.
Night at the RELAIS DE LA REINE (Half Board)

DAY 16 : ISALO – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO (Domestic flight)
This part of our journey continues down the paved RN7 to its end in Tulear on the Southwest coast, introducing us to new scenery among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south. We pass through the sapphire mining boom town of Ilakaka, a frontier town vaguely reminiscent of the Wild West. En-route today we see the locations of different ornate hillside 'Mahafaly Tombs', which were built for chiefs and kings and are covered in stones, sculptures and horns. The more important the deceased, the more horns and statues the with. One of the largest tombs has over 700 horns of zebu cattle! As this is a sacred site we will just be passing by. tomb is adorned Photography is not permitted. We also pass the area of the 'Antandroy Tombs'. This is the driest part of the country - called the "Deep South" – where the landscape is dominated by cactus-like, spiny forests of different euphorbias. In this area giant baobab trees, which can be hundreds of years old, grow. For most of the year these hardy trees have no leaves, so their bare branches look like roots – giving them the name "upside-down trees." This is an area of dry and sandy soil where the local people battle to find drinking water. When we reach Tuléar (also known as "Toliara"), we drive up the RN9 to the little fishing village of Ifaty with its breathtaking beaches on the Mozambican Channel. Here mangrove trees line the coast dotted with Vezo communities which earn their living from fishing. We can see many small pirogue dugout canoes with men who go out fishing twice a day, while the children and women wait on the coast to collect the fish before taking them to Tuléar for sale. Later this afternoon we transfer to Tulear's airport and fly back to the Antananarivo, where we transfer to our hotel.
Night at PIETRA (Bed and Breakfast)

DAY 17: ANTANANARIVO (Departure)
This last day is dedicated for a shopping and purchases some souvenirs at the craft market of La Digue (Depending on your international departure time, there may be time for last-minute).