Your Itinerary
Days 1-2: Fly to Antananarivo
Fly to Antananarivo (also called Tana), capital
of the incredible island of Madagascar. On arrival
you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Today you will discover the heart of Malagasy
culture through its food. Start your journey at
a lively local market where, led by your top local
chef teacher, you’ll pick out fresh, seasonal
ingredients. Then, head to the kitchen to
prepare vary (rice) and laoka (tasty side dishes)
using traditional techniques. The afternoon is
free to spend as you wish.
Day 4: Travel to Antsirabe
Head out into Madagascar’s countryside,
passing through the highland territory of the
Imerina people and the Ankaratra Mountains
to reach landscapes of terraced fields and
eucalyptus forests. As you go, you’ll get
a snapshot of rural life – roadside markets,
farmers ploughing with zebus and waving
children. Spend the afternoon exploring
Antsirabe, strolling among its colonial architecture
and traditional craft workshops.
Day 5: 'Garden of Madagascar'
Spend the morning in the countryside
around Antsirabe, discovering the ‘Garden of
Madagascar’ on foot. It is here that most of the
country’s fruit and vegetables are cultivated
and the region is known for its production
of artisanal foods. Walk through villages
pausing to learn about traditional activities like
brickmaking, pottery and blacksmithing. Dinner
this evening will be at a local restaurant owned
by a Frenchman who is renowned for creating
delicious cheeses with local spices.
Day 6: Travel to Ranomafana
Leave the volcanic hills and rich soil of
Antsirabe behind on a drive that will showcase
just a fraction of Madagascar’s diversity. You’ll
pass through the territories of two more ethnic
groups, the Zafimaniry and the Betsileo,
learning more about each as you cross. You’ll
notice a change in scenery and weather as you
approach Ranomafana and descend into the
rainforest. On arrival you’ll have the option
of a night walk around the outskirts of
Ranomafana National Park before dinner.
Day 7: Explore Ranomafana
Rise early and head into the wilds of
Ranomafana National Park. The park was
created in 1991 to protect the critically
endangered golden bamboo lemur, and it is
these wonderful creatures that you are here
to spot today. Keep an eye out for red-bellied
lemurs, Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, chameleons,
frogs and plentiful colourful insects too.
This afternoon, you can continue to explore
the national park or have a relaxing soak in
Ranomafana’s thermal baths.
Day 8: Visit Valbio Research Centre
Set up by primatologist Dr Patricia Wright
in 2003, the Valbio Research Centre works
to protect and conserve Madagascar’s
ecosystems through scientific research,
sustainable development and local
empowerment. On your visit here, take
a guided tour of the centre with a researcher
or trainee, join a presentation on lemurs or
biodiversity and wander the botanical gardens.
Day 9: Discover Fianarantsoa
A surprisingly Italianate town set magnificently
on a hilltop, Fianarantsoa is a delight to
explore. The capital of the Betsileo people,
the town’s historic heart is at its highest point,
with glorious views over lush plantations; it
is here that your walking tour begins. Head
into the countryside for a gentle walk through
traditional Betsileo villages, and a special
lunch experience. Be warmly welcomed into
the home of a local family and sit down to
a typical Malagasy meal and a chat with
your hosts about their daily lives. After lunch
continue to the Antemoro paper factory where
you’ll see this traditional paper, made of the
inner bark of the native havoha tree, being
produced and hand-decorated with pressed
local flowers.
Take a short drive to the Anjà Community
Reserve. After lunch, explore this community managed
forest, set against dramatic granite
rock formations, part of a scheme that helps
prevent deforestation and generate income.
Look out for the ring-tailed lemurs!
Travel through more of Madagascar’s magical
landscapes, passing through the Bara region, home
to communities who herd zebu, and into the
desert-like scenery of the south, arriving at
Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park.
Today is dedicated to Isalo National Park. Head
deep into its landscapes on easy walking trails
that lead to natural swimming holes, dramatic
canyons and hidden oases.
There’s also plentiful wildlife like ring-tailed
and brown lemurs, hoopoes and souimanga
birds and geckos and lizards to spot. Return to
the hotel in the mid-afternoon to relax.
Spend a relaxed day in and around the hotel.
After a leisurely breakfast, follow the ‘Crest
Trail’ through the hotel’s grounds for beautiful
views of the Isalo massif and to spot birds.
Enjoy some free time before attending a meva
workshop, where you’ll learn about endemic
plants and the variety of products that can be
made from them. Then enjoy a guided tour
of the hotel’s organic garden, pausing at a
viewpoint for sunset with drinks and snacks.
Begin your journey to the coast. Travel through
Ilakaka, a sleepy village turned booming
sapphire mining town, the spiny forest of
southern Madagascar, and onto the Mahafaly
plateau. Here, among the rocky, flat and dusty
terrain, you’ll see the fascinating Mahafaly
tombs. Stop for lunch at the Antsokay
Arboretum. Arrive in the small beach town of
Ifaty, home to a nomadic fisher-people, the
Vezo.
Spend the day as you wish, enjoying the beach
or relaxing by the pool. This evening there is
anextra special experience that awaits you. In
the nearby Reniala Private Reserve, take
a twilight walk through towering baobabs, as
you keep a lookout for wildlife. Sit down to a
candlelight dinner at the foot of these mighty
trees.
Fly back to Tana. On arrival, navigate through
the busy city and out into the countryside. Pass
through the scenic Mandraka Gorge driving
along roads that hug the hillsides, passing into
wilder landscapes of ferns and misty valleys.
Continue to Andasibe, where you’ll be plunged
straight into thick rainforest. Later, take a night
walk at the Voimma Community Reserve,
where you can spot mouse lemurs, leaf-tailed
chameleons, tree frogs and much more.
Rise early and delve into Andasibe
National Park. Spend the morning in the
Analamazoatra section where the evergreen
forest is home to the iconic indri indri, one
of the largest of the lemur family, a number
of other lemurs, and is a haven for birds.
This afternoon, you have the option of a walk
in Mitsinjo Forest, another community-led
reserve.
Visit Vakona Private Reserve to meet lemurs
who have been rescued from captivity, the
illegal pet trade and private zoos. These
lemurs roam free across densely vegetated
forest but cannot be returned to the wild.
Drive back to Tana, where you’ll have time
to relax before a farewell meal at a gourmet
restaurant.
Days 19-21: Fly Antananarivo to Australia
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight
to Australia, returning home two days later. (B)
