2 hotel nights included in land package in Amsterdam
NL-MA
Madagascar & Maruritius - Lodges 1
Depart US 2
Arrive Amsterdam - overnight - independent 3
1.Meet group- (Group departs Amtdm 1:40 PM) Antananarivo 4
2. arrival Antananarivo- 6:10 AM 5
3. Antananarivo - Andasibe - Périnet Reserve 6
4 Périnet Reserve 7
5. Périnet - Mandrakandrina – Antsirabe 8
6. Antsirabe 9
7. Antsirabe - Ambositra 10
8. Ambositra 11
9. Ambositra - Ialatsara National Park 12
10. Ialatsara NP – Ranomafana NP 13
11. Ranomafana NP 14
12. Ranomafana NP - Fianarantsoa 15
13. Fianarantsoa - Ranohira 16
14. Isalo NP 17
15. Isalo NP - Ranohira 18
16. Ranohira - Ifaty 19
17. Ifaty 20
18. Ifaty - Antananarivo - Mauritius 21
19. Mauritius 22
20. Mauritius 23
21. Mauritius - depart 24
22. arrival Amsterdam 12:55 AM (Overnight Amsterdam - hotel included) 25
Depart Amsterdam - arrival US.
Day 1 Depart from US
Day 2 Arrival Amsterdam - Hotel overnight - not a guided day
Day 3 Meet Dutch travelers at airport 1:40 PM
Day 4 Arrival Antananarivo 6:10 AM -
After the long flight, you can walk around Antananarivo.The city has been built on twelve hills, that are connected by wide staircases. It lends itself superbly to rambling through the characteristic districts with churches, squares, alleys and lively marketplaces. You will find that the unique culture here fuses Asian and African influences while maintaining French influences from the colonial period. The ruins from the old palace, named Rova, and the Tsimbazaza botanical gardens are also certainly worth a visit.
Périnet
Day 5 Antananarivo – Andasibe – Périnet
Day 6 Périnet Reservation
With our own bus, we begin traveling around this intriguing island. We stop in Mandrakandrina, where chameleons, tree frogs and various insects are raised for export. The island is home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, over 80% of which are indigenous to the area. Via the nearby barren Moramanga and Andasibe, we reach one of the oldest reservations of Madagascar, the Périnet Reservation. We spend the night here in a house by the Analamazoatra River. The reservation lies on the other side of the water. During a walk through the spectacular rain forest, you can take in the penetrating trill of the Indri Indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, which hides itself well in the upper canopies of the rainforest. It is possible to take a night walk to go in search of typical nocturnal animals. Do not forget to take your flashlight with you! The next day, under accompaniment of a guide, we take a close look at the unique flora and fauna. With luck can you will see the beautifully color chamelons or one of the particular endemic bird species that reside here.
Antsirabe
Day 7 Périnet – Mandrakandrina – Antsirabe
Day 8 Antsirabe
A ride of approximately 5 hours takes us by bus to the following destrination, Antsirabe, located on the central highlands. Because of the cool climate and presence of thermal baths, this was a beautiful, luxuruious spa retreat for the French. The many colonial buildings and the grandeur of the impressive Hotel Thermes are evidence of the past. Antsirabe inhabititants are mainly Merina, a community with a striking Asian appearance, with their typical brick homes. It is worth your time to visit the restored cathedral where you find beautiful stained glass windows. A good way to explore the city is a ride on a pousse-pousse, a foot pulled rickshaw. The sun-weathered and peristant drivers gladly take you for a tour so that you can visit lively markets well-known in Antsirabe. The next morning you can explore the city on foot or rent a bicycle to visit the nearby Andraikibi. Here can you walk along the shore, you can buy semi-precious stones, take a look at Lac Tritriva, where curious children will approach you.
Ambositra
Day 9 Antsirabe – Ambositra
Day 10 Ambositra
In the afternoon we travel off to the place Ambositra. The road there is spectacular. We pass large rock formations and forests of mimosa and eucalyptus. It is unclear what the name, Ambrositra means. One theory suggests it was a '' place of the eunuchs''. The next day, under supervision of a guide, we take a beautiful walk through the surrounding rice fields and in the adjoining forest. Male walkers are recommended to stay close to the guide. In the forest, the towns of the Zamfimaniry, a community of artistic woodworkers. Their houses have been decorated with the familiar geometric patterns and their woodcarvings are known throughout Madagascar. You can buy amazing souvenirs in town including woodcarvings in small shops in Ambositra
Ranomafana
Day 11 Ambositra – Ialatsara National Park
Day 12 Ialatsara National Park - Ranomafana National Park
Day 13 Ranomafana National Park
The recently opened Ialatsara National Park was created as a protection of the primary forest in the highlands. Here several varieties of lemur reside, including the largest of Madagascar, the Propitheque Diademe Edwarsi. You can take gorgeous walks in the park. We stay the night here in simple bungalows. Ranomafana, our next stop, forms the base for a visit to the famous Ranomafana Parc National. Ranomafana is a calm town that also has a thermal bath. Adjoined to a park by the same name, you can choose from different walks, with the possibility of spotting some of the twelve different varieties of lemur, many quite rare. The shortest walk lasts about two hours, the longest a half day. Walks are accompanied by a hired guide and participants. The journey through the rain forest to find the beautiful diadeem-sifaki, the red belly-lemuur and the golden bamboo-lemur, once thought to be extinct, will make an unforgettable impression. The park is an ornothologist’s paradise.The park knows over 96 species of birds, many endemic to the area. Specific night inhabitants such as the striped civet cat can be located at night with our flashlights. In addition to the unusual fauna, there are eye-popping orchids, giant-bamboo, spectacular palms and tree ferns, that will hold our attention.
Fianarantsoa
Day 14 Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa
Day 15 Fianarantsoa – Ranohira
The centrally located Fianarantsoa is the capital of the Betsileo and enjoys a reputation as the intellectual center Madagascar. It is surrounded by tea plantations, rice fields and vineyards. The city knows restaurants, where you can sample the locally produced wines. In the hectic Bass-Ville is it always bustling and you will be approached by children, selling postcards. Fianar (as Fianarantsoa is known by the locals) is dominated by the 4200 ft hight Mt. Kianjasoa. In the evenings, it cools off substantially. The next day we interrupt the long beautiful ride to Ranohira with a stop in Ambalavao. This city has typical Betsileo architecture and a factory where the famous Antaimoro paper is produced. This paper is decorated artfully with fresh flowers. Outside the factory, the pieces of paper hang to dry. The bus rides travels via impressive black granite formations with unique vegetation in the direction of Ihosy, the capital of the Barons-stem. After a steep climb we reach the steppe meadow, the Horombe tray. A part of the road here is unpaved. The Barons combined their Malaysian-Polynesian origin with strong African influences. Cattle is important for the status of the Barons man. The more zeboes (cows) he has, the higher his position in the social hierarchy. The Barons are the only polygamous tribe, however the number of wives does not effect the status of the males. At the end of the day, we reach Ranohira in the Isalo mountains.
Isalo National Park
Day 16 Isalo National Park
Day 17 Isalo National Park - Ranohira
From Ranohira, we explore the Isalo National Park. The images vary from vast plains to classic wild west landscapes. With a guide and a carrier, we will trek through the park. (Those who wish to forgo this portion of the trip may stay behind for the night. There is a small, additional room charge). We take a challenging walk through the rough and hilly landscape. Some of the highlights are the sandstone formations, that from erosion have taken on unusual shapes, the Piscine Naturelle, an attractive natural pool. It is a deep green pool surrounded by exotic, vegetation and the Canyon of the Singes, a cliff which allows you the the chance to see different kinds of lemur, such as the famous ring-tailed lemur. In the park we spend the night in tents and cook our own meals. In the afternoon we return to our accommodation in Ranohira, where you can wash the dust out of your hair with a bucket of sun warmed water. From you well-situated little house you have a beautiful view of the park.
Ifaty
Day 18 Ranohira - Ifaty
Day 19 Ifaty
Day 20 Ifaty - Antananarivo - Mauritius (2 flights)
The next morning we ride further to the south. We come along a palm valley and see the typical African money breadtree of baobab. The Mahafaly, a traditional tribe who have great respect for their ancestors, have made beautifully decorated graves with images that portray episodes from the life of the deceased. Our bungalows north of Ifaty are situated by the ocean. Take a beautiful beach walk along the coast and snorkel along the coral reefs during your boat trip . However, be aware that the water life is not only colorful, but have a few dangerous inhabitants. Sharks are spotted regularly in this area.
In the evening, when it is relatively cool, you can visit the backlands. It has suffered from years of droughts. But the “spiny forest” although it portrays an inhospitable impression, offers unique beauty. Especially in the evening, it is worthwhile to observe this semi-desert with the usual cactus-like plant life, the Didiera plant, and the alluaudia, species unique to this area. You will also find many varieties of healing herbs. With a little bit luck see you here typical bird species and the three-eyed lizard. The next day, we travel from Ifaty over a rocky road back to Tuléar, where we board the airplane to Antananarivo. We continue our journey to Port Louis on Mauritius.
Mauritius
Day 21 Mauritius
Day 22 Mauritius
Day 23 Mauritius - Depart
Day 24 Arrival Amsterdam 12:55 AM overnight hotel included
Day 25 Depart Amsterdam - US
The population of the island Mauritius in the Indian ocean forms a melting pot of African, Arabic and Asian cultures that co-exit in harmony. An important source of income is the production of sugarcane. But this beautiful island is especially known for its pristine beaches and clear blue sea in which you can dive and go snorkeling. We spend the night in a charming hotel at the eastern coast by the barren Belle Mare. The hotel is located on one of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons of Mauritius. The hotel has 2 pools, a spa, various game and entertainment possibilities. The boat, belonging to the hotel offers the possibilities for diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing and water skiing. After three days, we fly back to Amsterdam. At this time you will separate from the group members and spend a night at a hotel in Amsterdam (included in cost) and will then fly out the following day to return to the U.S.
