10-Day Madagascar Land of Contrast

Itineraries

• 

  Day 1

  Arrival in Antananarivo

  Arrival in Tana, meet and greet at the airport then transfer to your hotel. Antananarivo Antananarivo means City of thousands. Its story began 500 years ago, the king Andrianjaka sent over 1000 soldiers to cut the forest and conquer the land. Then the great King Andrianampoinimerina, attracted by the beauty of the city, decided to build a palace there, which later became his successor's main palace. From here the same king started to unify the different kingdoms of the island. During King Radama's reign Antananarivo became the capital of all Madagascar. Antananarivo is build on 3 levels, the high city where the queen's palace is situated, the first area occupied during the royal period, then the mid-city, the administrative area where all the better boutiques of the capital are found, then the low city which is the commercial area of the town.

    Destination

  Antananarivo (City)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Gassy Country House
  

  Mid-range hotel located in or near Antananarivo

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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  Day 2

  Antananarivo - Antsirabe

  After breakfast, if time permits, we have a city tour of Tana, the capital of Madagascar. Then with a private car, a 3 to 4 hour drive southward to Antsirabe across the highland landscape with its beautiful terraced rice-fields and its spectacular eroded hills called "lavaka". Optional stop in Ambatolampy, an agricultural city, also known for its aluminum recycling workshops that we might visit during the weekdays. The next hour, we'll drive among rural scenery with thatched roof villages, valleys, rivers, rice and vegetable fields. This region supplies vegetables and rice to almost the whole country. Arrival in Antsirabe, if time permits, well have a short city tours, visit a lapidary of semi-precious gem, then a workshop making "pousse pousse'' and cars in miniature.

    Destination

  Antsirabe (City)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Hotel Royal Palace
  

  Mid-range hotel located in or near Antsirabe

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 3

  Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

  We continue to Miandrivazo, the landscape is changing, we will be on the highland during our drive we will see, Highland villages, erosion called « lavaka ». Situated on the Tsiribihina River, Miandrivazo is a very fertile region for cotton, corn, manioc, beans, tobacco and rice. The rest of the day is at leisure either to enjoy the countryside or relax at the hotel.

    Destination

  Miandrivazo (Town)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Princesse Tsiribihina Hotel
  

  Budget hotel located in or near Miandrivazo

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 4

  Miandrivazo - Kirindy

  Breakfast at the hotel, then departing for a 6 hours drive to Morondava, the landscape is dominated by baobabs, rice fields will give place to empty hills, and red soil. Just before entering Morondava, we see our first couple of baobabs. Centre of the Sakalava kingdom, Morondava is a prosperous rice-growing area, it is also known as a seaside resort, with a laid-back atmosphere. Many different cultures and religions manage to intermingle in this region, which makes it special. Continuation to Kirindy, 60 km of track from Morondava. we pass through the "Allée des baobabs". Arriving in Kirindy, after check-in, we will have a 1-hour hike in Kirindy Park with a guide. Rich on wildlife and home to 8 species of day active lemurs, at around 6pm, we meet our guide again for a night walk to see night actival animals, night at hotel.

    Destination

  Kirindy Forest
  
   

    Accommodation

  Relais Du Kirindy
  

  Mid-range bungalow located just outside Kirindy Forest

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 5

  Kirindy - Morondava

  Morning visit of Kirindy Parivate Park. After lunch, drive back to Morondava, we will have plenty of time to enjoy the area and take our beautiful sunset photo of the “ Allée des Baobabs. This is the region of splendid Grandidier's baobab, “Andasonia Grandidieri”.

    Destination

  Morondava (Town)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Laguna Beach
  

  Mid-range hotel located in or near Morondava

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 6

  Morondava

  Day free. Morondava lies on the beach. The Morondava area was the center of the Sakalava kingdom, a prosperous rice-growing area, it is also known as a seaside resort, with a laid-back atmosphere many different cultures and religions manage to intermingle in this region which makes it very special.

    Destination

  Morondava (Town)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Laguna Beach
  

  Mid-range hotel located in or near Morondava

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 7

  Morondava - Antsirabe

  After breakfast, we have a 4 hour drive to Miandrivazo then another 5 hour's drive to Antsirabe. Arrival late in the afternoon, overnight in hotel Antsirabe Also known for its beer brewing, Antsirabe is the main malt, barley and hops growing region in Madagascar. With its temperate climate and volcanic soil, all fruits and vegetables which grow in temperate/cold climates are found in Antsirabe. Surrounded by mines of semi-precious stones, Antsirabe is also known for gems and semi-precious stones factories and is a good place to buy gems and semi-precious stones.

    Destination

  Antsirabe (City)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Hotel Royal Palace
  

  Mid-range hotel located in or near Antsirabe

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 8

  Antsirabe - Andasibe

  After breakfast, we head on to Tana, the end of National Road 7. From here we take the National road 2 and we head eastwards to Andasibe, through the green landscape and luxuriant vegetation of the east. This second step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way we'll see Merina village on the hill, in the Rocky Mountains. We stop in Moramanga for a short visit to the local market. On the way, on option, we may stop in “Pyeras Reptiles Park” to see farmed chameleons and other species of reptiles. Then we drive for another 2 hours to reach Andasibe.

    Destination

  Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
  
   

    Accommodation

  Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
  

  Luxury resort bordering Anjajavy without fences

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 9

  Andasibe National parc

  In the morning, 3 to 4 hours hike to Andasibe National Park, a huge tropical rain forest in the east. 9 species of lemurs can be spotted there. The highlight is the Indri Indri which is the largest lemur of the island. This 810-ha reserve is also home to numerous unique species. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. In the afternoon we will visit the private par of Vakona in the islands of lemurs which is the best spot to take pictures of lemurs. Back to your Hotel where you stay overnight.

    Destination

  Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
  
   

    Accommodation

  Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
  

  Luxury resort bordering Anjajavy without fences

  If the hotel is unavailable, a similar hotel will be provided

  Meals

   -All meals included

   -Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
• 

  Day 10

  Andasibe - Antananarivo

  Very early in the morning, 5 to 6 hours drive back to Tana, airtransfert to go back home.

    Destination

  Antananarivo (City)
  
   

    Accommodation

  Not Specified

  Meals

   -Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

   -Drinks not included