In an effort to support the recovery of the Madagascar tourism sector, the government has announced that the visa to visit Madagascar for holidays lasting less than 30 days remains free of charge.

That tourist visa can be obtained at the airport upon your arrival.

If you wish to stay more than 30 days, please contact the embassy of Madagascar serving your territory. A list of the embassies of Madagascar can be found here.

A great tour to experience the culture, the wildlife and the landscapes during your holidays in Madagascar. 15 days. The best hotels in each location, guaranteed departures from 2 participants , maximum group size is 8 persons, comfortable and air conditioned vehicles, experienced guides, price includes domestic flight. Tour Madagascar with our team !

Price:

USD 2975 or EUR 2275 per person. See inclusions below the itinerary.

Single supplement : USD 950 or EUR 725.

Departures for 2012:

Jul 4th; July 25th ; August 1st ;   August 22nd

Summary:

The RN7 connects Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital to the city port of Toliara, along the Mozambique Channel on nearly 935 km. It runs through the highlands and rice fields, a forest sheltering lemurs, chameleons and other curiosities endemic to Madagascar. Mountains, savannas and canyons of the Malagasy “Wild West” ,the lagoons in the Mozambique Channel make this tour an unforgettable experience. Different landscapes and different ethnic groups can be seen along the way.

This is a 15-day journey, which allows experiencing the landscapes and unique biodiversity of Madagascar. Customers will evolve in a small group, enter through 4 different microclimates and go out to meet the lemurs in the forest. In brief, a tour that combines discovery, authenticity, fun, humanity, and a Malagasy gastronomic experience. Connecting with local communities is possible along the route.

Our itinerary:

Day 1: Antananarivo. 

Arrival in the morning or in the evening depending on your flight. You will be greeted at the airport by our team. We will transfer you to your hotel located in downtown Antananarivo.

Day 2: Antananarivo. City Tour 

Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 09:00 for a City Tour of Antananarivo and its surroundings. It begins with the old upper town and we gradually end up toward the center and the colorful neighborhoods of the Lower Town. In the afternoon, we will visit the Royal Citadel of Ambohimanga to discover the country’s history.

Day 3: Antananarivo – Andasibe: 135 km, 3.5 hour drive 

Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 8:00 am for Andasibe. We stop in Marozevo for a visit in the Pereyras Reserve where we can discover butterflies and reptiles which are endemic to Madagascar. We will have lunch in Moramanga.

We will continue our way to Andasibe National Park. At night, we will visit the park to discover nocturnal animals including some species of lemurs, chameleons, frogs.

Day 4: Visit of the Andasibe National Park 

Early breakfast at hotel. Departure at 7:30 am to get to the Analamazaotra National Park entrance.

We will seek or the largest lemur of Madagascar : the famous “Indri Indri” aka “Babakoto” in Malagasy. This lemur is endemic to the site and is its icon. Through a 3-hour easy hike, we’ll discover at least two groups of Indri Indri. We will also find various species of lemurs, birds, chameleons and the endemic flora including orchids, medicinal plants, etc..

After lunch, we will visit the island of Vakona to see other species of lemurs, crocodiles, fosa and birds.

Day 5: Andasibe – Ambatolampy – Antsirabe: 305 km, 6-hour drive 

We will cross the highlands to take the famous national RN7, which leads to the South of Madagascar. Our first lunch-stop will be in Ambatolampy where we will meet passionate forgers and villagers who make handmade pots. In the afternoon, we will reach the town of Antsirabe, known as the “Vichy Malgache” and famous for its thermal waters and rickshaws.

Day 6: Antsirabe – Ranomafana: 250 km, 4-hour drive 

Breakfast at the hotel. We continue our journey heading south across the highlands to reach Ambositra, the Malagasy handicrafts’capital located 105 km from Antsirabe. In this city known for its Zafimaniry Art, we will visit different handcrafter workshops, wood carvers who make beautiful statues, furnitures and souvenirs.

After lunch in Ambositra, we will drive to the rainforest of Ranomafana.

Day 7: Visit of the Ranomafana National Park Ranomafana 

We have to wake up early in the morning and have breakfast at the hotel. At 07:00, accompanied by a tracker and a ranger, we will hike through the national park of Ranomafana to see other species of lemurs, birds and the unique flora.

After the visit, we will return to the hotel for lunch. We have a free afternoon.

We finally get ready for a nocturnal visit along the national road. We will seek for nocturnal lemurs, such as the microcebe and other chameleons.

Day 8: Ranomafana – Ambalavao: 143km 2-hour drive (Friday)

After breakfast, we will leave around 09:00 to continue the road heading south. We will admire the terraced rice fields and the colorful clothing style of the Betsileo. We will then tour the town of Fianarantsoa, which, thanks to the richness of the architecture of its old buildings, shows the different stages of colonization and evangelization of Madagascar. With the majestic Andringitra in the background, we will end up crossing the highlands and enter a new microclimate in dry bush and semi desert of southern Madagascar.

After lunch, we will drive to Ambalavao to be there in the afternoon. Its inhabitants are specialized in producing silk and greeting cards made by a very old process. We will visit these traditional mills.

Day 9: Ambalavao – Ranohira: 240 km, 5-hour drive 

After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave at 8:30 and go towards the Anja Reserve, managed by the local community of villagers. This reserve is home to many unique species of lemurs including the very famous Lemur catta.

After lunch, we will transfer you to your hotel in Isalo.

Day 10 Isalo – Visit of the Isalo National Park (Tuesday)

Breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 am, accompanied by your park ranger, we will hike through the canyons and oases of Isalo and its lunar landscape. After a short-drive of 17km, we’ll do the remaining 2km by foot in order to reach the site.

Once at the Canyon des Makis, we’ll do the additional 2 km to reach the Namaza point and then we will have the opportunity to swim in the natural pool and watch the few waterfalls. This environment was formed during the Jurassic age and where the unique flora has evolved adapting to the existing conditions.

By late afternoon, we will contemplate the sunset over the famous window of Isalo.

Day 11: Ranohira – Ifaty: 240 km 5 hour drive

After breakfast, we will set off at 07:00 for the shores of the Mozambique Channel. Before that, we will cross one at a time the numerous villages formed by the sapphire rush.

We will stop at the Zombitse National Park for a visit before continuing our journey to the city port of Toliara.

Lunch break around 12:30 pm, the vehicles will take us to a fishing village of Vezo nomads: Ifaty.

Day 12: Ifaty (Tuesday)

At 6am, we will visit the Reniala reserve before breakfast. Then we will drive to the forest of baobab trees and medicinal plants. In the afternoon, you can relax enjoy the beach. You can take advantage of that time to do various activities such as a pirogue excursion with the Vezo fishermen ( this is an extra ) .

Day 13: Ifaty 

Breakfast at the hotel. You have the day off. Please use this day at your leasure to schedule any extra activities. The hotel facing the Mozambique Channel and the beautiful reef of Ifaty, is located about 25km from Toliara. Its architectural style blends perfectly into its environment. The structure is made with local materials: stone, thatch and rosewood.

Day 14: Ifaty – Toliara 

Breakfast at the hotel. We then head to Toliara for a city tour.

Day 15: Toliara – Antananarivo 

You will be transferred to the airport of Toliara to take your flight to Antananarivo. Depending on the flight’s arrival time, you will be able to make final purchases at the handcraft market before we get to the Hotel. The tour comes to an end. You will be transferred to the airport to take your international flight or any connection to other parts of Madagascar. Veloma!

This package includes:

• The pick up and assistance at the airport upon arrival

• Transportation in an air conditioned vehicle.

• The English speaking driver – guide ’s per diem (for any group of more than 4 people, the assistance of an additional guide is included)

• Overnight stays in hotels listed or equivalent in half board (breakfast and dinner)

• 1 domestic flight between Antananarivo and Tulear

• Transfers Airport – hotels and vice versa.

• Tourist taxes on rooms.

• Entrance and guiding fees when visiting parks and sites listed in the itinerary

Classified UNESCO National Heritage, the Tsingy of Bemaraha keep on fascinating every traveler. This year, visit these spectacular cathedrals with us. Have a safe journey!

Day 1: Antananarivo – Miandrivazo (Monday)

We leave the meeting point at 7am: 2nd Floor, Tower Forello, Tanjombato. Participants are invited to drop by our office at 6am for setup.

We begin our journey through the highlands leaving Antananarivo. We will make a stop at Antsirabe known as the “Malagasy Vichy”, for its thermal springs and rickshaws. In the afternoon, we head Middle West to reach the shores of the Tsiribihina in Miandrivazo.

Dinner and overnight at La Pirogue

Day 2: Miandrivazo – Morondava (Tuesday)

It is our second day’s drive with these dry and arid landscapes of the Middle West. We will spot the first Baobabs, and stop in few villages. Night in Morondava

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Trécigogne

Day 3: Morondava – Bekopaka (Wednesday)

Early departure as we want to get the village of Bekopaka before sunset. Welcome to the gateway to the Tsingy.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Tanankoay

Day 4: Tsingy (Thursday)

We will be hiking and spelunking through caves, mazes and peaks of the great mass of the Tsingy. After several hours of walking, we go to the hotel to rest and freshen up.

If time permits, we will visit the gorges of the Manambolo in small pirogues.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Tanankoay

Day 5: Bekopaka – Morondava (Friday)

We spend the day alternating rivers crossings and pure drive through the dry forest of Kirindy. By late afternoon, we reach the famous alley of baobabs at sunset.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Trécigogne

Day 6: Morondava – Miandrovazo (Saturday)

We make our way back to the capital. A stopover is mandatory in Miandrovazo as it is not recommended to drive during nighttime.

Dinner and overnight at La Pirogue

Day 7: Miandrovazo – Antananarivo (Sunday)

We leave Miandrovazo and make a few stops along the way in Ambositra, known for its leather goods, and handicrafts.

We will be at the meeting point / starting by 4 pm. We ask you to be picked up by friends or family at the Tower Forello parking.

Thank you for traveling with Asisten Travel

Price: 1.300.000 Ariary / person (EUR 500 / USD 685)

Price based on 4 pax (double occupancy)

Child supplement: 120,000 Ar per child
Single supplement : 145,000 Ar per person

Including:

• 4×4 rental
• Fuel
• Driver- guide perdiem
• Overnight stays in bed and breakfast format expect Day 7
• Boat transfers in Belo and Bekopaka
• Tourist taxes.
• Entrance and guiding fees when visiting parks and sites listed in the itinerary

Price does not include:

• Personal needs
• Tips
• Visits not mentioned in the program
• Breakfast on day 1 in Antananarivo
• Dinner D7 Antananarivo
• Lunches during Tour

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

May 9, 2011
May 23, 2011
June 6, 2011
June 20, 2011

Means of transportation

The road trips are made in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles.

Accommodation

Customers will stay in high quality accommodations that offer all expected services from a hotel. (Restaurant with western and local menus, Hot water, Multilingual staff, etc.). They are generally charming hotels or ecolodges.

Guiding

Each group will have a Francophone or Anglophone driver/guide. During the visits in the parks and reserves, an affiliated guide of National Parks of Madagascar will accompany the groups.

Group size

For convenience and comfort and in order to minimize disruption in the different natural environments we visit, groups are limited to a maximum of 10 (ten) participants. We provide departures from 2 participants.

*Terms and conditions apply – Based on 4 Pax – Price for Malagasy Nationals. Please contact us for a specific enquiry.

This offer applies for rental within the region of Antananarivo. For rental outside of the region of Antananarivo, pricing starts at $69/day. Insurances and Driver’s per diem are included. Gas is not included. English and french speaking drivers are available.

ASISTEN Travel offers car rental services for on-road and off-road trip all over the island of Madagascar. Drivers are generally mandatory with every rental and they are also qualified to act as your guides and translators. We also offer rentals without drivers for persons who are familiar with the road conditions in Madagascar. Some conditions apply. Please contact us for more details.

Start planning your holidays in Madagascar now!