Itinerary
- Day 1
Antananarivo
After you land at Ivato Airport in Antananarivo, your driver will be waiting for you at customs. Get to your hotel and settle in so you can rest up from the flight.
- Day 2
Antananarivo to Tulear to Ifaty
You'll take a domestic flight from Antananarivo down to Tulear, then drive about 30 minutes north to reach Ifaty/Mangily, a coastal village near the Spiny Forest. Check into your accommodation and get oriented to the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Spiny Forest - Day 3
Ifaty
You have the day to yourself in Ifaty, so you can do what appeals to you most. Relax on the white sand beaches and watch the sunset, go diving or snorkeling at the coral reef, walk through Reniala Nature Reserve to see baobab trees and a turtle village, or spend time getting to know the local Vezo community.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach and lagoon swimming in Ifaty
- Diving or snorkeling at Ifaty coral reef
- Deep-sea fishing
- Sailing and boat trips
- Visit Reniala Nature Reserve with baobab trees and turtle village
- Explore Vezo community culture, traditional activities, handicrafts, gastronomy, music and dance
Landmarks Ifaty Beach and Lagoon Reniala Nature Reserve - Day 4
Ifaty to Tulear to Ranohira
After breakfast, you'll head to Reniala Reserve, a private nature reserve where you can see baobab trees and species found nowhere else. Then you'll take a boat to Tulear and drive north through landscapes dotted with baobabs and typical southern villages to reach Ranohira near Isalo National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Reniala Reserve with endemic flora and fauna, baobab trees including the giant 'teapot' baobab, and endemic bird species
Landmarks Reniala Reserve Zombitse National Park 
- Day 5
Ranohira - Isalo
You'll spend the day in Isalo National Park exploring its 80,000 hectares of sandstone cliffs and canyons. Hike through the gallery forests and look for calico lemurs, verreaux lemurs, sifaka, brown lemurs, birds, and chameleons. The Namaza trail takes you to a natural swimming pool if you want to add that to your route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike in Isalo National Park with opportunity to see lemurs, birds, and chameleons in gallery forests
- Namaza trail walk to natural swimming pool
Landmarks Isalo National Park - Day 6
Ranohira to Ambalavao
After breakfast, drive through the Ihorombe region across Madagascar's largest plateau with its grass steppe and big termite nests. The 4-hour drive covers 216 kilometers to Ambalavao. Along the way, you have the option to stop at Anja Park where you can see lots of maki lemurs, birds, chameleons, and a waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Anja Park private reserve with approximately 300 maki lemurs, birds, chameleons, royal carp, and rocky promontory views
Landmarks Anja Park - Day 7
Ambalavao to Ranomafana
You'll drive from Ambalavao to Ranomafana, passing through Fianarantsoa, an old town with rice terraces on hillsides and Madagascar's only tea plantation nearby. The road continues 60 kilometers to Ranomafana National Park where you'll check in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Fianarantsoa - Day 8
Ranomafana
At Ranomafana National Park, a local guide will take you hiking through 40,000 hectares of primary forest. You'll look for 12 different lemur species, various birds, around 70 reptile species, and roughly 90 butterfly species throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Ranomafana National Park with local guide to observe endemic fauna and flora including 12 lemur species, birds, reptiles, and butterfly species
Landmarks Ranomafana National Park - Day 9
Ranomafana to Ambositra to Antsirabe
After breakfast, you'll leave the rainforest and head to Ambositra by 4WD, which takes about 4 hours. In Ambositra, you can watch Zafimaniry people doing decorative wood carvings. Then you'll continue to Antsirabe to finish the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zafimaniry woodcarving artists in Ambositra
Landmarks Ambositra - Day 10
Antsirabe to Andasibe
Leaving Antsirabe after breakfast, you drive through low mountains with rice terraces and vegetable farms. Stop in Ambatolampy, the coldest town in Madagascar at 1500m, to visit a family business making aluminum pots. Later you'll head east toward Andasibe forest. An optional night hike lets you see nocturnal animals like lepilemurs and gray mouse lemurs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit family aluminum pot and kitchen utensil manufacturing business in Ambatolampy
Optional Activities
- Night walk in Andasibe to observe nocturnal animals such as lepilemurs and gray mouse lemurs
Landmarks Ambatolampy - Day 11
Andasibe
You'll explore Maromizaha Reserve, a 1880-hectare dense moist forest. Pick a short walk or go for a full-day hike to see Sifaka, Indri Indri lemurs, and a waterfall. The reserve has 14 species of Afrosoricida, 8 species of Rodentia, 3 species of Carnivora, 3 bat species, and 12 lemur species. An optional evening night walk is available too.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Maromizaha Reserve with hike to observe endemic fauna including 12 lemur species, various mammals, birds, and chameleons
Optional Activities
- Full-day hike in Maromizaha Reserve to see Sifaka, Indri Indri lemurs, and waterfall near research center
- Night walk in Andasibe to observe nocturnal animals such as lepilemurs and gray mouse lemurs
Landmarks Maromizaha Reserve - Day 12
Andasibe to Antananarivo
Visit Analamazaotra National Park in the morning when animals are most active. Hike through the rainforest looking for 11 lemur species including the indri, birds, chameleons, rare orchids, and precious woods. Most hikes run about 4 hours. After, you'll drive back to Antananarivo and check into a hotel near the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Analamazaotra National Park with hike to observe 11 lemur species including indri, birds, chameleons, rare orchids, and precious woods
Landmarks Analamazaotra National Park - Day 13
Antananarivo to Diego to Ramena
Take a domestic flight from Antananarivo to Diego Suarez. Once you arrive, visit Montagne des Français, a protected area with floral diversity just a few kilometers away. Climb around 600 steps to see French Foreign Legion fortifications carved into rock, baobabs, and views of Pain de Sucre, Cap d'Ambre, and the Emerald Sea. Then transfer to Ramena.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Montagne des Français nature reserve with mandatory guide to see panoramic views, French Foreign Legion fortifications, and baobabs
Landmarks Montagne des Français - Day 14
Ramena
Ramena is yours to explore freely. The beach sits in a bay about 20 kilometers from Diego with emerald green water, wide sandy stretches, and a nice sea breeze keeping things mild. Pick up exotic fruits like papayas, mangoes, oranges, and prickly pears from vendors. Boat excursions are available if you want to check out the Emerald Sea lagoon or the three bays for swimming and snorkeling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Emerald Sea, a large emerald-colored shallow lagoon
- Day-long boat excursion to three bays: Sakalava Bay (largest, popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing), Pigeon Bay, and Bay of Dunes with coastal walk approximately 2.5 hours, swimming, snorkeling, and picnic
Landmarks Ramena Beach Emerald Sea - Day 15
Diego to Montagne d'Ambre
You'll transfer to Joffreville and then head to Montagne d'Ambre National Park, a montane rainforest with its own cooler, wetter climate. The volcanic area has altitudes from 800 to 1475 meters. Decide between a half-day easy hike or a full-day hike. You'll see large tree ferns, bird's nest ferns, pandanus, endemic cycad palms, lemurs, and some of the smallest chameleons in Madagascar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Montagne d'Ambre National Park with choice of half-day easy hike or full-day hike to observe montane rainforest flora including tree ferns and endemic palms, plus lemurs and smallest chameleons in Madagascar
Landmarks Montagne d'Ambre National Park - Day 16
Joffreville to Red Tsingys to Ankarana
After breakfast, take an excursion to the Red Tsingys, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. These unique spire-shaped rock formations with rounded tips were created by wind and rain, and different rock types give them varied colors. Then you'll drive south to Ankarana National Park, also called Tsingy of the North, famous for its distinctive karst formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Excursion to Red Tsingys with approximately 2-2.5 hour walk to observe unique spire-shaped formations with rounded rock tips
Landmarks Red Tsingys Ankarana National Park - Day 17
Ankarana
Explore the eastern side of Ankarana Reserve and see the 'Gray Tsingy of Ankarana' with its impressive limestone peaks and sharp-edged rocks. The Benavony trail leads to a suspension bridge going down into the famous Tsingy. Take a picnic break and spot endemic lemurs and plants like pachypodium and baobabs. If you're up for more, you can visit the Bat Cave and Lost River gulf.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of eastern side of Ankarana Reserve with Benavony trail and suspension bridge access to Gray Tsingy limestone formations, endemic species observation, and optional Bat Cave and Lost River visits
Landmarks Ankarana National Park - Day 18
Ankarana to Nosy Komba
After breakfast, leave Ankarana heading for Ambanja, a town surrounded by cocoa, coffee, and vanilla fields under old criss-crossing trees. Continue to Ankify, a small seaside village with a harbor. From there, take a 25-minute boat crossing to Nosy Komba island and settle into your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Ambanja - Days 19 - 20
Nosy Komba
Spend free days on Nosy Komba, a large mountain island covered in dense tropical vegetation that looks like a turtle shell. Small beaches have emerald green waters and diverse plants and animals. Macaque lemurs live here in groups led by females. With no roads, cars, or electricity, life on the island follows the sun and sailing canoes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Diving and snorkeling at Nosy Be coral reefs including Nosy Tanikely marine reserve with colorful fish, turtles, and manta rays
- Snorkeling at Nosy Sakatia and Nosy Iranja
- Guided hike in Lokobe Mountain nature reserve to observe rare fauna and flora including black lemur of Nosy Be and tropical rainforest
- Beach vacation and swimming at Nosy Be beaches
- Sunset strolls and waterfront dining in bars and restaurants
- Deep-sea fishing for marlin, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, trevallies at recognized sport fishing spots
- Relaxation at hotel beach
Landmarks Nosy Komba Nosy Be Nosy Tanikely Lokobe Mountain - Day 21
Nosy Komba to Nosy Be - Departure
Head to the airport for your intercontinental flight home, carrying memories of Madagascar with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
