Authentic Madagascar: Small Group Tour

Upon your arrival at Antananarivo International Airport (commonly known as Tana), you will be warmly greeted and transferred to the charming Hotel Belvedere, (or a similar) located in the heart of the city. Enjoy a restful overnight stay in this central location.

Start your morning with a delightful breakfast around 7:30 AM. Then, embark on a scenic drive along National Road 1 towards the captivating "Wild West," with plenty of chances to capture beautiful photos along the way. After 21 kilometers, you'll visit a lemur park where seven species of lemurs roam freely across 5 hectares. Continue your journey to Ampefy, where you'll enjoy an overnight stay at the charming Hotel Kintana Fleuron (or a similar).

In the morning we visit the stunning waterfall or the intriguing cold water geysers at Analavory, if you didn’t get the chance the previous day. Continue your journey traveling on a newly renovated road that winds through mountainous landscapes. Pass through Soavinandriana and Faratsiho, and marvel at the picturesque coniferous forests as you head towards Sambaina, where the road meets National Road No. 7. This area is also known for its rice cultivation, with fields beautifully terraced on the slopes. Finally, drive to Antsirabe (37 km) for an overnight stay at the hotel Flower Palace (or a similar).

Explore the vibrant city of Antsirabe, often called the "City of Water" for its hot springs and crater lakes. Discover its unique charm, including the many colorful bicycle rickshaws that add to the city's character. After your city tour, travel along a picturesque, winding road to the renowned woodcarving town of Ambositra. Continue your journey to Fianarantsoa. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at the Hotel Ambalakely.

Embark on a captivating 2-4 hour hike from the hotel to the traditional Betsileo village of Antsolaitra. Here, you’ll experience the distinctive architecture of local houses and explore a "valabe" (a traditional stable), as well as observe zebus and rice fields. Visit the royal residence of Prince Ramaharo and explore local workshops where you’ll see blacksmithing, weaving, tire recycling, and brick-making, with bricks shaped by hand and fired. Gain insight into daily village life, including rice field work, laundry, and coal stove production. Enjoy a panoramic view from a scenic viewpoint and savor lunch with the villagers. After your hike, return to Hotel Ambalakely, then drive to Ranomafana, known for its own thermal swimming pool thanks to the natural hot springs. Spend the night at the charming Chez Gaspard lodge. In the early evening, join a guided walk outside the village along the main road to spot nocturnal wildlife such as active mouse lemurs, resting chameleons, and croaking frogs.

In the morning, explore the Ranomafana Rainforest National Park, a vast 41,000-hectare sanctuary along the Namorona River. Discover its rich biodiversity, including the elusive golden bamboo lemurs, first identified by German researcher Bernhard Meier in 1986. Keep an eye out for other species like red-bellied lemurs, red-fronted lemurs, and sifakas. The adventurous hike, which takes around three to four hours, is quite challenging, the terrain is varied and requires fitness, endurance and a sure foot. After your rainforest adventure, drive a short 25 km back to National Road No. 7 and continue north to Ambositra. Known for their expertise in landscape architecture, the Betsileo people cultivate rice in terraced fields extending to high altitudes. Enjoy an overnight stay at the charming L'Artisan Hotel in Ambositra.

After breakfast, visit a Zafimaniry carving studio to appreciate their woodwork. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the village before heading north on a scenic, winding road through the highlands. Travel via Antsirabe and Ambatolampy on your way back to Antananarivo. Spend the night at the Hotel Belvedere.

Embark on a 142 km drive along National Road 2 to the renowned Andasibe National Park (Analamazaotra - Mantadia). Along the way, stop at a private reptile park to explore the fascinating diversity of Madagascar's small wildlife, offering a chance for exciting discoveries. In the morning, stock up on supplies for a delightful outdoor picnic lunch at a supermarket in Tana. As evening falls, join an experienced local guide for a flashlight walk of about an hour along a flat road in search of nocturnal creatures, including active Goodman’s mouse lemurs, larger woolly lemurs, and tiny fat-tailed lemurs, as well as sleeping chameleons and vibrant tree frogs. Overnight at Feon’ny Ala Lodge.

After breakfast, set off on National Road 2 towards Brickaville. Shortly after crossing the large railroad bridge, turn off onto a dirt road, which we’ll navigate with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, heading towards Manambato on Lake Rasoabe. There, a motorboat will greet you and transport you to the Hotel Palmarium, located on the Pangalanes Canal with its own lemur park and the beautiful "Palmarium Beach" on Lake Ampitabe. Enjoy your first night at either Hotel Palmarium or Palmarium Beach (power is supplied by a generator and typically shuts off from about 11pm to 6am).

In the morning, embark on a several-hour hike through the park, where you'll have the chance to encounter various lemur species up close. These curious creatures may approach you, allowing for relatively intimate contact. In the evening, enjoy a boat excursion to a nearby island to observe the rare nocturnal lemur, the Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), also known as the fingered lemur. Eight of these unique lemurs inhabit the island, where they love to crack coconuts wedged between tree trunks and spoon them up with their long middle finger. If weather permits, this exciting excursion may be scheduled for the first day, as we are flexible with our plans. Return for another night with breakfast at the same hotel.

After breakfast, take a boat transfer along the Pangalanes Canal back to Manambato. From there, continue your journey by car to Andasibe. Enjoy an overnight stay at Hotel Feon'ny Ala (or a similar).

Start your day with a three-hour morning hike, beginning around 7:30 AM. The trek, which starts with an uphill climb before leveling out, takes you through the lush secondary forest of Analamazaotra National Park on the "Indri 2" trail, guided by a local guide. With some luck, you might spot two of the 63 families of the largest lemur species, the Indri, known for their distinctive calls, along with other native semi-monkeys such as diademed sifakas, brown lemurs, and bamboo lemurs. Birdwatchers and reptile enthusiasts will also find plenty to admire, provided the weather is favorable. After the hike, return to Antananarivo for an overnight stay at Hotel Le Chat'o (or a similar), near the airport.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sainte Marie. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay on half board basis at Hotel Lakana (or a similar).

Enjoy your free days on the island with a range of activities to choose from. Explore the southern part of the island and visit the nearby island Ile aux Nattes by boat, hike through the eastern region, or venture north. You can also cycle, take a tuk-tuk, or choose from other local transportation options. Don’t miss the pirate cemetery just outside the capital, which is now easily accessible (entrance fee with guide is approximately 4 euros per person). Whale watching tours are available for booking on-site between July and September. Return each evening for a relaxing overnight stay with half board at Hotel Lakana (or a similar).

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at Hotel Belvedere (or a similar).

Visit the historic site of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. This sacred city of the Merina people was once the residence of the powerful King Andrianampoinimerina. Until its conquest by the French in 1896, no foreigners were allowed entry. Ambohimanga was fortified with seven city gates, with the most impressive one still serving as the entrance today. Beside the gate is a large, smoothly polished circular stone slab that was traditionally rolled in front of the gate each evening. From the "Blue Hill," as Ambohimanga is translated, you can enjoy stunning views of Antananarivo and the surrounding area. Return for an overnight stay at Hotel Belvedere (or a similar).

Today you will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight.