MADAGASCAR

Departures

By virtue of its island location, rugged terrain and limited foreign influences, Madagascar has remained a world apart. It is a land that can truly be called extraordinary, containing wildlife and vegetation that have developed completely outside the influences of the rest of the world. Our journey has been planned to explore the many facets of this land, from its deserts to its rainforests, from its magnificent beaches to its mountain peaks. But mostly we are going to see its unique wildlife, the magnificent littler lemurs that have developed uniquely on this island nation.

This will be an exciting in-depth journey, one that is planned to cover the depth and breadth of this island. We have carefully selected the best that Madagascar has to offer both in accommodations and in transportation, including a number of internal flights to avoid long uncomfortable drives over terrible roads. We have secured the best available hotels, some of which will be truly memorable. Virtually everything is included while we travel, so you can simply sit back and absorb the surroundings.

However this will not be your usual escorted tour - Madagascar is a relatively new destination and conditions in the countryside will be basic and at times may be primitive. As Madagascar is definitely a developing nation, we must be prepared for unscheduled adjustments to the program. You can expect a fascinating adventure - you should not expect a pampered travel itinerary. Members do need to be fit and active to enjoy this journey.

Group size will be strictly limited to just 17 persons - if you want to join us, we urge you to enroll as soon as possible.

Itinerary

October 19, Monday: Depart CANADA
Tour members from across Canada gather for the overnight flights via Paris to Madagascar.

October 20, Tuesday: PARIS / ANTANANARIVO
Arriving in the capital Antananarivo (Tana for short) late this evening (or early tomorrow morning), we are transferred to the nearby Relais des Plateaux Hotel (1 night).

October 21, Wednesday: TANA / ANTSIRABE
We journey southward today through the typical landscape of the Central Highlands, terraced rice paddies, quaint villages and brick homes of the Merina tribe. By mid afternoon we are in Antsirabe, an attractive spa town founded by Norwegian missionaries. Hotel des Thermes (1 night)
[BLD]

October 22, Thursday: RANOMAFANA NAT. PARK
Today we continue south to Ambositra, a centre of woodworking and gateway to Zafimaniry country, home to people skilled at weaving the “landikely” and “landibe” silks. This afternoon we reach Ranomafana National Park, a high-altitude rain forest reserve where the golden bamboo lemur was discovered in 1986. The forest is home to eleven other lemur species, endemic chameleons, leaf-tailed geckoes, Mantella frogs, and a myriad of birds. Setam Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

October 23, Friday: RANOMAFANA NAT. PARK
Enjoy a full day to explore the rain forest. By day we will search for lemurs, rare birds and reptiles such as the Madagascar tree boa and Parson’s chameleon. On an evening visit we may see the rufous mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur and other nocturnal mammals. This day includes strenuous walks.
[BLD]

October 24, Saturday: ISALO NAT. PARK
Early this morning we drive on to Fianarantsoa, cultural capital of the Central Highlands. In Ambalavao we visit a traditional “Antemoro” papermaking workshop. After lunch, we drive onto the desolate expanse of the Horombe plateau, with the volcanic peaks of the Andringitra massif looming to the south. Late this afternoon, we reach Ranohira, gateway to Isalo National Park. Relais de la Reine (2 nights)
[BLD]

October 25, Sunday: ISALO NAT. PARK
The combination of abstract eroded sandstone rocks, rare endemic plants and the absolute silence, make this park particularly rewarding. Verreaux’s sifakas, brown lemurs, and ring-tailed lemurs may be found during our strenuous hike into the imposing Canyon of the Makis. Later (weather permitting), we will watch the sun set through the Window of Isalo.
[BLD]

October 26, Monday: TOLIARA / FORT DAUPHIN
Early today we pass through the sapphire town of Ilakaka, the frontier town vaguely reminiscent of the Wild West. Travel through Mahafaly with its striking baobabs and ornate tombs to Toliara, set on the Tropic of Capricorn, where we catch our midday flight to Fort Dauphin. Hotel Croix du Sud
[BLD]

October 27, Tuesday: FORT DAUPHIN / BERENTY
We head west from Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) for the two-hour drive from the coastal rainforest through spiny thickets and past elaborate Antandroy and Antanosy tombs, to the private Berenty Reserve by the Mandrare River. Enjoy an evening walk through the spiny forest in search of the tiny grey mouse lemur and the white footed sportive lemur. Gîte de Berenty (2 nights)
[BLD]

October 28, Wednesday: BERENTY
Today will be a highlight of our adventure. Enjoy the full day to explore this beautiful private reserve, famous for its population of fearless ring-tailed lemurs and the awkwardly graceful sifakas as well as a variety of birds. Visit the local museum within the grounds of our hotel which is set in a former sisal plantation. All the trails are wide and well maintained.
[BLD]

October 29, Thursday: BERENTY / TANA / ANDASIBE
Very early this morning we return to Fort Dauphin and fly back to Tana, the capital. From here we continue to the eastern rain forest and the small village of Andasibe (Perinet). This afternoon we can visit the small reserve on the premises of the lodge, which contains several rare species of lemur. This evening we shall have a nocturnal visit in the forest in search of a variety of small lemurs. Vakona Forest Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

October 30, Friday: ANDASIBE
Our morning will be spent in the Mantadia National Park where we hope to see diurnal lemur species like the Indri Indri, Black & White ruffed lemur, the Diademed sifaka, amongst others. In the afternoon, enjoy a hike into Analamazaotra Reserve in search of the Indri Indri (babakoto), the world’s largest lemur.
[BLD]

October 31, Saturday: ANDASIBE / TANA
Rising early, we drive back to Tana for a brief orientation tour of the old city centre. Following lunch we head north into the countryside passing typical two storey brick homes of the highlanders for a visit the sacred hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage site which is home to the former Royal Palace. Relais Des Plateaux (1 night)
[BLD]

November 1, Sunday: DIEGO / JOFFREVILLE
This morning we fly to the north coast and Diego Suarez where we will be met by our local drivers and taken up the Amber Mountain where we will spend two nights by the hill station of Joffreville. Nature Lodge
[BLD]

November 2, Monday: AMBER MOUNTAIN
In the lush Montagne d’Ambre (the park receives 3,500 mm of rain annually) we shall find tree ferns, huge bird’s-nest ferns, strangler figs, orchids, and the endemic cycad as well as two species of diurnal lemurs and numerous birds. In the afternoon, we visit the Benedictine convent, noted for its fine crafts and panoramic views of the plains and the surrounding sea.
[BLD]

November 3, Tuesday: AMBER / ANKIFY / NOSY BE
Departing early this morning we drive through a country rich French influences and former plantations where we will see cocoa, pepper and other crops being grown. At Ankify, we transfer to a speed boat that will take us through a maze of islands to the village of Hell Ville, the capital of the delightful island of Nosy Be the “perfumed isle” with its aromas of ylang-ylang, plumeria and assorted spices. Our next three nights will be at the Vanilla Resort Hotel (or similar).
[BLD]

November 4, Wednesday: NOSY BE
Setting off by fast boat once again we shall visit the small island of Nosy Komba, known for its very friendly black lemurs which will sit on your shoulder for a piece of banana. Enjoy some retail therapy while we wander through the village before we continue to Tanikely, a underwater reserve known for its excellent snorkeling where we will have a wonderful beach picnic.
[BLD]

November 5, Thursday: NOSY BE
Our final day on Nosy Be has been left free. Swim from the resorts private beach, relax under a shade tree or explore the local markets.
[BLD]

November 6, Friday: NOSY BE / TANA
Following a final leisurely morning, we fly back to Tana where we return to the comfortable Relais Des Plateaux for a leisurely dinner. We then return to the airport to check in for our overnight flight to Paris.
[BLD]

November 7, Saturday: PARIS
Arriving Paris this morning we have a forced overnight at an airport hotel. Members can explore the city if they wish.

November 8, Sunday: PARIS / CANADA
Return to the airport this morning for our trans-Atlantic flight to Toronto.
[B]

Tour Costs (CDN$/person)

Rates from other cities are available on request.

*Land only price includes flights within Madagascar.
**Single rooms can NOT be guaranteed. Due to limited size of some hotels singles may be required to share twin rooms.

Airfares in Canada are based on best local fares currently available and are subject to change. Members may wish to use points for flights to/from Toronto.
Note: the order of the itinerary and hotels may be changed due to unforeseen schedule changes in Madagascar.
Prices are based on airfares, fees and exchange rates effective January 2009 and are subject to change. Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room at hotels and lodges. Singles are extremely limited - book early. Tour cost and deposit includes the cost of comprehensive insurance coverage ($225 pp) for passengers under 86 years of age at time of travel. Cancellations of any booking prior to July 17, 2009 will be subject to an Administration Fee of $50pp – this fee will not be covered by our insurance. Insurance coverage will begin on the above date and will cover penalties from that date forward. Contact our office for full details. Final payment will be due on August 19, 2009.

Inclusive Features

To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $800 per person to Craig Travel's office.