Highlights of Madagascar
14 days, Antananarivo to Antananarivo
Itinerary
Day 1Antananarivo
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. If you arrive early, we recommend speaking with the hotel reception to learn more about available activities around the area.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Queen’s Palace Visit
15000MGA per personBelonging to a complex of seven monuments, the Queen's Palace (also called Manjakamiadana) was destroyed in a fire in 1995. Take a wander around the lasting stone walls of this site, 200m above the city centre. Admission includes entry fee and guide.
The Prime Minister’s Palace Visit
20000MGA per personLocated on the highest hill in Antananarivo, the Andafiavaratra Palace was the residency of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony of Madagascar, who governed the island kingdom in the late 19th century. The site has now transitioned into a museum boasting over 1400 artifacts rescued from the fire at the Rova of Antananarivo, giving visitors insight into Malagasy history.
Tsarasaotra Bird Park
25000MGA per personTake a wander around this quiet park located near the city centre. Hang around the lake to catch a glimpse of this park's abundant aquatic bird life.
Antananarivo City Tour
Follow a local guide on a tour of history-rich Antananarivo, the vibrant capital of Madagascar. Get to know the real "Tana" (as locals call it) on a 3-hour walking tour. Explore the colorful, bustling market, and sites such as the Cathedral, and Queen's Palace.
*Note: You will need to book pre-night to do this activity, due to this activity starts at 8 am on Day One. *
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Belvedere Hotel (or similar)
Day 2Antananarivo/Ifaty
Travel by private vehicle to the airport for your flight to Ifaty. Upon arrival there will be free time for optional activities in this gorgeous beach area. From diving and snorkelling, to quad biking and the well-known Spiny Forest, there are so many opportunities for adventure.
Continue on to Ifaty today via plane where you will get to relax and enjoy the breathtaking beaches of the Mozambican Channel.
While in Ifaty, opt to ride in a dugout canoe, visit the spiny forest reserve, go snorkelling or diving on the reef, or simply relax on the beach.
Please note that flight times between these destinations will change depending on the month of travel. Sometimes you will be rising very early, before the sun, and other times the wake-up will be at a normal time.
Free Time
Spend a free afternoon getting to know the area and participating in optional activities. Find local spots for lunch and dinner while soaking up the sun and epic coastal views.
Plane
Sit back and enjoy the ride on your flight from Antananarivo to Ifaty.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Snorkelling
65000MGA per personGrab a mask and some fins and check out what's living just under the water.
Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve Visit
65000MGA per personVisit this unique ecosystem belonging to the last pieces of primary forests of Southern Madagascar. Learn more about the plant and animal life in the area, and gaze upon the largest baobab tree in Ifaty. Price includes entry fee.
Dugout Canoe Ride
55000MGA per personHead out in a traditional dugout canoe to see the area from a new perspective.
Quad Biking
290000MGA per personHop on an ATV to explore Ifaty. Rates will depend on duration, and if you'd like a guide to accompany you.
Accommodation
Bamboo Club (or similar)
Day 3Ifaty
Sit back for a full day of free time for optional activities in paradise. Opt for some hiking or hit the beach.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Ifaty, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like Spiny Forest Reserve visit, dugout canoe ride, and snorkelling. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Quad Biking
290000MGA per personHop on an ATV to explore Ifaty. Rates will depend on duration, and if you'd like a guide to accompany you.
Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve Visit
65000MGA per personVisit this unique ecosystem belonging to the last pieces of primary forests of Southern Madagascar. Learn more about the plant and animal life in the area, and gaze upon the largest baobab tree in Ifaty. Price includes entry fee.
Dugout Canoe Ride
55000MGA per personHead out in a traditional dugout canoe to see the area from a new perspective.
Snorkelling
65000MGA per personGrab a mask and some fins and check out what's living just under the water.
Accommodation
Bamboo Club (or similar)
Day 4Ifaty
Take advantage of one last free day in Ifaty and participate in one of the many area excursions. Perhaps try some diving off the coast in search of colourful life under the sea, or simply relax in the sand for one more awesome beach day.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Ifaty, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like Spiny Forest Reserve visit, dugout canoe ride, and snorkelling. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Snorkelling
65000MGA per personGrab a mask and some fins and check out what's living just under the water.
Diving
Hook up with a local outfitter and get up close and personal with the marine life in the area.
Quad Biking
290000MGA per personHop on an ATV to explore Ifaty. Rates will depend on duration, and if you'd like a guide to accompany you.
Dugout Canoe Ride
55000MGA per personHead out in a traditional dugout canoe to see the area from a new perspective.
Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve Visit
65000MGA per personVisit this unique ecosystem belonging to the last pieces of primary forests of Southern Madagascar. Learn more about the plant and animal life in the area, and gaze upon the largest baobab tree in Ifaty. Price includes entry fee.
Accommodation
Bamboo Club (or similar)
Day 5Ifaty/Ranohira
Drive through the desert landscape, viewing Mahafaly tombs and giant baobab trees en route from the beautiful Mozambican Channel beaches of Ifaty to Ranohira. In the afternoon, visit the G Adventures supported tree planting project which is creating a green corridor to protect the biodiversity of Isalo National Park.
Drive to Ranohira and through a landscape characterized by vast Savannah stretching to the horizon and lined by impressive mountain ranges crossing the centre of the sapphire region. According to experts of precious stones, this area is among the few places on Earth that is still rich in precious stones. On the way, you will also notice a number of Mahafaly tombs—belonging to a local tribe in Madagascar—they 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 tomb is adorned with. As those tombs ares sacred sites, we will just be passing by, and photography is not/rarely permitted. While here, please follow the instructions of your CEO carefully.
Your G for Good Moment: Soa Zara Tree Planting Project
Help address one of Madagascar's biggest environmental concerns during today's tree planting activity. You'll learn about why deforestation is such a big problem in Madagascar, how it threatens to wipe out the country's unique biodiversity, and what we can do to stop it. Get hands-on as you plant indigenous trees alongside the rest of the group as part of a project initiated by local organization Soa Zara, who are working to protect the environment around the town of Ranohira through tree planting, conservation education, sanitation projects, and other initiatives.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle and cross impressive mountain ranges into the centre of the sapphire region.
Accommodation
ITC Hotel (or similar)
Day 6Ranohira
Spend the day exploring Isalo National park on foot. After a short trek in a small canyon, the group will take a break from the sun and stop at a fresh natural swimming pool. Then, continue walking to the "cascades", considered among the best waterfalls in Madagascar and boasting another large natural swimming pool. If you are lucky you may see sifaka, brown lemurs, or ring-tailed lemurs.
In the morning, pack a lunch to take into the park with you to eat during a picnic break later in the day - your CEO can help you arrange this. Between September and October (in the most arid zones), you can witness the pachypodium blooms.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time back at the hotel property in the afternoon and evening to relax and recharge.
Isalo National Park Visit
Spend a full day exploring this fantastic park on foot. After a short trek within a small canyon, take a break from the sun and stop at a fresh natural swimming pool. We continue on to the "cascades", which are considered to be amongst the best waterfalls in Madagascar and boasts a large natural swimming pool.
If you are lucky, you may see sifaka, brown lemurs, or ring-tailed lemurs. Between September and October (in the most arid zones), you can witness the pachypodium blooms.
You will be able to choose between a shorter and longer section of the trail depending on ability and the group will be split into group accordingly.
Accommodation
ITC Hotel (or similar)
Day 7Ranohira/Ambalavao
Enjoy a scenic journey heading north. Stop along the way at Anja Park to observe the wildlife in a reserve managed by the local community with many historical and cultural ties.
As you travel to your next destination, stop for a visit of Anja Park and enjoy the area's wildlife. Continue enjoying the wonderful changes of landscape along the way to the pleasant rural town of Ambalavao.
Visit a little paper factory where the locals will share their traditional methods of producing this unique, hand-made paper.
If time allows, opt to visit a silk factory in town and learn about the local way of making fabric or clothing from silk, and the process of dyeing it with natural dyes.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Anja Reserve Walk
Stop at the Anja Community Reserve, which known for having some of the most accessible groups of ring-tailed lemurs in the country. Enjoy looking at these fascinating creatures. Breathe in the fresh air and take in the view of the rice paddies.
Paper Factory Visit
Ambalavao is famous for its "Papier Antemoro", a papyrus-type paper impregnated with dried flowers and sold throughout the island. Visit a little paper factory where the locals will tell us about the traditional methods used to produce this unique, hand-made paper. You can even buy some and use it to write letters to your friends and family back home.
Free Time
Spend free time in Ambalavao. Opt to visit the silk factory near the hotel.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Silk Factory Visit
2EUR per personVisit a silk factory in town to learn about the local way of making fabric or clothing from silk and the process of dyeing cloth with natural dyes.
Accommodation
Aux Bougainvillees (or similar)
Day 8Ambalavao/Ranomafana
Travel to Ranomafana today, a little village named after the hot springs in the valley. The nearby national park is one of the most important mammal sites in Madagascar. Set out on a short or long hike through the forest of the park and get a feel for the incredible wildlife of the area. In the afternoon enjoy free time to soak in one of the hot springs, explore on your own, or relax at your accommodations.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Choose to visit the nearby town or soak in the thermal springs after a day of hiking.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Ranomafana National Park Visit
Visit Ranomafana National Park where you will have the option to participate in either a 2 or 4 hour walk through the landscape. The terrain in the park is often slippery and covers a large area in mid-altitude rainforest with an incredible, unrivalled diversity of flora and fauna. The park was designated as part of the Unesco World Heritage Sites list in 2007.
Thermal Pool Swim
15000MGA per personTake a dip into a pool heated naturally by the hot springs surrounding the Namorona River. Opt for a massage on site to deepen your relaxation.
Town Visit
Take a trip into town to get a feel for the local hustle and bustle. Stroll around the open market, or shop for a locally-made handicraft.
Accommodation
Manja Hotel (or similar)
Day 9Ranomafana/Antsirabe
Leave the rainforest of Ranomafana behind and travel by private vehicle to the colonial town of Antsirabe passing rice paddies along the way. To break up the drive the group will stop in Ambositra, a quaint town known for its woodcrafts. Spend free time here and eat lunch on your own before continuing onwards to the thermal city surrounded by volcanic lakes.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and enjoy the scenery from your private vehicle between Ranomafana and Antsirabe. The drive will take most of the day, but there will be stops along the way like to the city of Ambositra. This place is know for their wood crafts and you will have some free time here to explore on your own and grab lunch at a local spot.
Accommodation
Hotel VATOLAHY (or similar)
Day 10Antsirabe
Spend the whole day exploring the local life and communities of the Antsirabe highlands. Travel to Anjazafotsy for the start of the group walk. Choose between the longer or shorter option for this trail and visit villages along the route where you'll witness daily activities. Enjoy a traditional Madagascar lunch and in the afternoon opt for a cooking lesson to learn how to prepare famous Koba. Arrive back to Antsirabe in the early evening for free time.
Please note the cooking class is only available for those who choose to do the shorter walking option today. If you choose the longer hike, you will meet up with the rest of the group back at the hotel in the evening.
Walking Near Antsirabe
Walk from Antsirabe to Anjazafotsy there will be two options to choose from a 9km walk with about 700m of uphill or a 7km walk with about 500m of uphill. The path is relatively easy and a short part will go through rice fields and along muddy terrain. The group will stop and visit villages along the route and observe the daily activities of local residents. There will also be opportunities to spot wildlife like the reptiles, amphibians, and birds in the area.
Cooking Class - Antsirabe
After enjoying the traditional lunch, attend a cooking class in town where you will learn all of the steps needed to prepare the famous Koba dish (a kind of peanut dessert paté). Once finished the group will taste their creations.
Accommodation
Hotel VATOLAHY (or similar)
Meals included:
LunchDay 11Antsirabe/Andasibe
Travel to Andasibe and Perinet National Park with scenic stops en route. Stay in a quiet area near Andasibe which is great base for exploring the Indri Special Reserve section of this massive landscape. The journey will take most of the day, but upon arrival, the group will have the option to go on an easy night walk alongside the park to observe wildlife like, frogs, reptiles, mice, and lemurs.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Andasibe and Andasibe. There will be multiple stops along the route to make the drive more enjoyable.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in Andasibe in the evening. Opt for a night walk in the nearby reserve.
Accommodation
Feon'ny Ala (or similar)
Day 12Andasibe
Spend the day exploring Andasibe-Analamazaotra national park and the Indri Special Reserve located 1.5km (0.93 mi) from the town of Andasibe. One of the park’s primary purposes is to protect the natural habitat of the indri, a large black and white diurnal species that feeds on leaves and fruit. In addition to the indri, the park has 10 other diurnal and nocturnal lemur species, large chameleons, and the rarely seen blue coua.
The flora in this park is just as spectacular, with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).
Andasibe-Perinet National Park Guided Walk
Explore the Indri Special Reserve and national park located 1.5km (0.93 mi) from the town of Andasibe. One of the park’s primary purposes is to protect the natural habitat of the indri, a large black and white diurnal species that feeds on leaves and fruit. In addition to the indri, the park has 10 other diurnal and nocturnal lemur species, large chameleons, and the rarely seen blue boa.
The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).
Free Time
Keep exploring or start relaxing— the choice is yours.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Vondron’olona Ifotony Reserve
45000MGA per personTake a walk through this nature reserve. Managed by the locals in the area, this area works to preserve species of native plants and animals.
Andasibe-Perinet National Park Guided Walk
75000MGA per personWant to continue your rainforest exploration? Return to Andasibe-Perinet National Park in the afternoon for a walking tour led by a local guide for a chance to spot more animals.
Mitsinjo Park
35000-50000MGA per personExperience the Analamazaotra rainforest. Take a walk through the paths and enjoy the native trees and flowers. Opt to take a view of the park from the top along the tree top canopies, and zip-line back down! Please note that operational hours are irregular; speak to your CEO about booking this activity in advance.
Accommodation
Feon'ny Ala (or similar)
Day 13Andasibe/Antananarivo
Travel by private vehicle to Antananarivo. Spend free time here before an optional last night out on the town with the whole group. There are many places to choose from and your CEO can help you with suggestions.
Free Time
Spend time getting to know Antananarivo on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Tsarasaotra Bird Park
25000MGA per personTake a wander around this quiet park located near the city centre. Hang around the lake to catch a glimpse of this park's abundant aquatic bird life.
The Prime Minister’s Palace Visit
20000MGA per personLocated on the highest hill in Antananarivo, the Andafiavaratra Palace was the residency of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony of Madagascar, who governed the island kingdom in the late 19th century. The site has now transitioned into a museum boasting over 1400 artifacts rescued from the fire at the Rova of Antananarivo, giving visitors insight into Malagasy history.
Queen’s Palace Visit
15000MGA per personBelonging to a complex of seven monuments, the Queen's Palace (also called Manjakamiadana) was destroyed in a fire in 1995. Take a wander around the lasting stone walls of this site, 200m above the city centre. Admission includes entry fee and guide.
Accommodation
Belvedere Hotel (or similar)
Day 14Antananarivo
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Queen’s Palace Visit
15000MGA per personBelonging to a complex of seven monuments, the Queen's Palace (also called Manjakamiadana) was destroyed in a fire in 1995. Take a wander around the lasting stone walls of this site, 200m above the city centre. Admission includes entry fee and guide.
The Prime Minister’s Palace Visit
20000MGA per personLocated on the highest hill in Antananarivo, the Andafiavaratra Palace was the residency of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony of Madagascar, who governed the island kingdom in the late 19th century. The site has now transitioned into a museum boasting over 1400 artifacts rescued from the fire at the Rova of Antananarivo, giving visitors insight into Malagasy history.
Tsarasaotra Bird Park
25000MGA per personTake a wander around this quiet park located near the city centre. Hang around the lake to catch a glimpse of this park's abundant aquatic bird life.