MADAGASCAR - A JOURNEY INTO CULTURE & NATURE
A cultural tour of Madagascar

The world’s fourth largest island known for its biodiversity unique wildlife and long coastline, Madagascar is probably the least of the visited islands. However, the island is home to the rare and interesting species of reptiles and animals that include Red-bellied Lemurs, the Indri, birds and the Aye-aye. This is the land of both natural and cultural attractions that few countries can offer.

Day 01 Arrive Antananarivo
Madagascar – the largest island off the coast of Africa welcomes us as we arrive at it’s rather small airport. Right from the start, it will be evident that this land is neither exclusively Africa nor Asia – it is infact, both. Rich with the cultures of both the continents. Upon arrival at what is commonly called at Tana Airport, we are cordially welcomed and assisted before transferring to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Grégoire (1 night)

Day 02 Tana / Périnet 142 kms
Our experience of Madagascar starts with a background tour of the capital city. We start with a drive to the upper town to see the Queen's palace. In the Malagasy "Rova" is the symbol of the Merina Kingdom. Sitting on the top of the tallest hill of Antananarivo, it offers a spectacular view of the administrative quarter and its surroundings. We then drive down to the Independence Avenue and the Anosy Lake. Here we get a good picture of the pluralistic ethnic communities before we take a scenic drive to Marozevo located some 72kms from Tana. The exciting begins as we visit the famous exotic farming centre of Mr.Pereyras where we see almost all the chameleon species of Madagascar including butterflies, lizards, snakes, bats and other interesting animals. After a picnic in the Parc we continue to Périnet and enjoy some nocturnal walking Nocturnal walking at the Reserve of Périnet.
Overnight: Hotel Feon'ny Ala/ Mikalo (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03 Périnet
At the Perinet Reserve, we look out for the Indri - the biggest lemur species
in the world. The Indri differ from the other species from their loud
communication calls that can be heard as far away as 4 kms. An interesting experience before we proceed to the Andasibe village. The village of Andasibe or as it is called in French, Périnet, is a good example of the typical village on the East cost of Madagascar. Houses are, for most part, built on tall woods to protect against humidity. Here we get an excellent opportunity of interacting with the village folks who are known to be very friendly and are also very proud of their schoolchildren. After an excellent cultural experience we return to our hotel.

Day 04 Périnet / Tana 170 kms
We drive back to Tana. Afternoon is free for lazing around or strolling through this interesting town. An excellent opportunity to take on craft hunting at the local bazaar.
Overnight: Hotel Grégoire (1 night)

Day 05 Tana / Ambositra 250 kms
Another interesting rural picture as we drive to Antsirabe and view the scenic highlands alongside the green rice fields. Enroute we get the background history of this town, which was first built by the Norwegian missionaries and is famous today for its rickshaws, thermal springs, semi-precious and precious stones. The visit of the stone cutter factory is a must. Ambositra has a lot to offer. It is also the capital of the Zafimaniry region - local folks are well known for the art to make sculptures paste carved wooden pattern on furniture.
Overnight: Hotel l'Artisan (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06 Antsirabe / Ranomafana 240 kms
Today we drive to the National Park of Ranomafana. We visit the National Park where the golden bamboo lemur was rediscovered in 1989. Several endemic animal species can be observed very closely: birds, chameleons, frogs, insects and lemurs. Nocturnal Walking in the Park.
Overnight: Domaine Nature (Bungalow) / Setam Lodge (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07 Ranomafana
Another interesting day at the national park. We continue with our wildlife and natural explorations and in the afternoon visit the village with a possibility to swim in the thermal swimming-pool. (B, D)

Day 08 Ranomafana / Ambalavao 300 kms
Another scenic drive which gets us to Fianarantsoa. Our tour of this administrative center of the Betsileo Land includes seeing the crafts of the tribe from Finarantsoa. Later we continue to Ambalavao, the wine-growing region and the biggest zebu (Humped oxen) market on the island. On Wednesdays the town becomes alive as it is a prime market day. We stop at the the Antaimoro paper-manufacturing centre where papers are made by hand from plants similar to papyrus. These are the so-called "Avoha" which are
decorated with many flowers. At IIhosy, capital of the mostly shepherds Bara tribe, we meet the Bara people with their spears and large zebu herds, a sign of wealth in the southern region. We continue through the grasslands of Horombe to the ruin-like massif of Isalo, home for lemurs and sapphire. Before getting dark you will enjoy the sunset at "la fenêtre de l'Isalo".
Overnight: Motel de L'Isalo Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 9 Ranohira /Tuléar - Ifaty 267 kms
Our morning starts with a walk through the National Park of Isalo, to the "natural swimming-pool"-a delightful oasis in the middle of the ruin-like massif. The tombs of the Bara people are placed between the rocks in the Park where birds, snakes and lemurs reside. The palm-trees adjacent remind you of the Arabian landscapes. We continue towards Tuléar enroute viewing the strong and hardy baobabs that are used as water reservoir for the inhabitants. We then visit the famous big Mahafaly tombs. These are particularly interesting because they show the scenes from the daily lives of the deceased.
Overnight: Hotel Lakana Vezo/ Ifaty Beach Club (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10 Ifaty
We enjoy a day of relaxation with a nice view of the sea as Ifaty is an idyllic and quiet fishers' village, a paradise for divers. Day free with optional activities available. (B, D)

Day 11 Ifaty / Tuléar - Tana
The Malagasy experience is coming to an end as we are transferred to Tana.
Overnight: Hotel Grégoire / Ivotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12 Tana / departure
We are transferred to the airport for your departure flight after what will have been an interesting journey to the Malagasy Island. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Daily
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfares Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast D=Dinner) Border/departure/airport taxes All Sightseeing and Transfers Travel Insurances / Visas Services of local English speaking driver & English speaking guides at parks.
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 1980 US $ 325
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 2200 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1800
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants.
Note
Jan – March are generally the rainy months
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.