Madagascar In-Depth

The adventure

Experience the stunning landscapes that lemurs call home on this 21-day in-depth tour through Madagascar's best sites and natural settings. At the Indri Special Reserve in Andasibe-Perinet National Park, you can spot rare species like large chameleons, the blue boa, and flowering orchids in October and November. Stop at the Anja Community Reserve, known for its ring-tailed lemurs, before driving through beautiful desert landscapes to reach the beautiful beaches of Ifaty. In between, you'll meet and chat with locals and learn about their artistic traditions and ways of life for a better appreciation of the land you're visiting.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Madagascar

Showing Days 1-7

21-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere 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.

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.

Day 2Travel to Andasibe-Perinet National Park with scenic stops…Depart the capital and continue east, with stops along the scenic rainforest route of world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park. Continue on to the national park. With free time over the next two days, opt to visit other small private or community reserves around Andasibe, and go on guided night walks inside those reserves or along the main road. Walk to the little town of Andasibe or simply enjoy the relaxing tranquility of the surrounding forest.

Depart the capital and continue east, with stops along the scenic rainforest route of world-renowned Andasibe-Perinet National Park. Continue on to the national park. With free time over the next two days, opt to visit other small private or community reserves around Andasibe, and go on guided night walks inside those reserves or along the main road. Walk to the little town of Andasibe or simply enjoy the relaxing tranquility of the surrounding forest.

Day 3Spend the day exploring this national parkExplore 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 coua. The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).

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 coua. The flora is just as spectacular with numerous species of trees, palms, and orchids (which flower in October/November).

Day 4Travel to the colonial city of AntsirabeTravel to the ancient colonial town of Antsirabe. Along this stretch of road you will see Merina tombs and the labour-intensive cultivation of rice paddies. Antsirabe is known as a thermal city because of its volcanic lakes. It's also famous for its precious and semi-precious stones and handicrafts. Opt to explore this quaint little city upon arrival.

Travel to the ancient colonial town of Antsirabe. Along this stretch of road you will see Merina tombs and the labour-intensive cultivation of rice paddies. Antsirabe is known as a thermal city because of its volcanic lakes. It's also famous for its precious and semi-precious stones and handicrafts. Opt to explore this quaint little city upon arrival.

Day 5Visit Lake Andraikiba before continuing to the small…After a short visit to Lake Andraikiba, continue on to the small village of Fiadanana. This beautiful village is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of rice fields and panoramic views of the nearby mountains. Get to see how the villagers live by interacting with them and enjoy a chance to learn their rituals during an authentic community experience.

After a short visit to Lake Andraikiba, continue on to the small village of Fiadanana. This beautiful village is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of rice fields and panoramic views of the nearby mountains. Get to see how the villagers live by interacting with them and enjoy a chance to learn their rituals during an authentic community experience.

Day 6Learn traditional rituals from the local villagersEnjoy a local breakfast and take in stunning views of Mt Ifasina. After, hike back out to the bus (about 3.5km/2.2 mi) and continue to Ranomafana, 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.

Enjoy a local breakfast and take in stunning views of Mt Ifasina. After, hike back out to the bus (about 3.5km/2.2 mi) and continue to Ranomafana, 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.

Day 7Opt for an early morning forest walk…In the morning go for a forest walk, a swim in a hot spring, visit the local town and market, or get a massage. Enjoy 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.

In the morning go for a forest walk, a swim in a hot spring, visit the local town and market, or get a massage. Enjoy 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.

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