After arriving in Antananarivo (or Tana, as it is known by the locals) late pm, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight

After breakfast you will meet your guide and we will set out by car to Antsirabe.

The journey takes approx. 3+ hours on a good, windy road, and along the way you can choose to stop off and visit Ambatolampy (the biggest town between Tana and Antisirabe) where we may get the chance to see craftsmen building aluminium pots amongst other things. Alternatively, if time allows, you can also visit lake Tritriva (2hr round trip)  – a stunning lake of volcanic origin with blue/green waters, surrounded by beautiful scenery – we can walk around the lake in approx. 1 hour and during this time we will likely meet many local Malagasy people. Where we will stop and what you will do today will depend on your preferences. Before arriving in Antsirabe, today will be a great chance to experience Malagasy life on the road.

Today we will head by car to Anraikiba Lake. This reservoir provides the drinking water for Antsirabe. We will visit the lake and see the rice fields, fruit and vegetable plantations. We then head on, as we reach the village of Belazoo we will be able to see Mount Tritriva and we continue on to reach another, more spectacular lake – Lake Tritriva.

This Crater Lake with its volcanic landscape was formed following the collapse of the now extinct volcano.
Nestled at an altitude of about 1880m to the hollow of a small mountain, Tritriva Lake is a very sacred lake with much history. We will learn about some of this history whilst we visit this area and local market. After a picnic lunch we will start our cycle – back to Antsirabe through multiple small villages and rice fields as we get to experience authentic Malagasy life

Overnight Hotel

This morning we will set off for Ranomafana National Park.

Ranomafana is particularly rich and beautiful, a mountainous
subtropical park which contains lowland moist forest, cloud
forest and high plateau forest and is the home to a large number
of lemur species (13 in total), as well as 118 birds and more than
70 amphibians and reptiles so is really a great place to see some
of the unique species living in Madagascar. Lemurs include the
brown lemur, golden bamboo lemur and the exceptionally rare
greater bamboo lemur which is relatively easy to see in
Ranomafana. Wildlife viewing is good all year round but is most
productive from mid-Sept to May.

We will stay just outside Ranomafana (just 10 minutes from the park entrance).

Overnight Hotel

Today you have the opportunity to explore the enchanting Ranomafana National Park through lush rainforest and search for lemurs along some of the many easy mountainous tracks. There will be plenty of opportunities to see lemurs and much of the other wildlife first hand, as well as to enjoy the stunning cascades and waterfalls.

Overnight Hotel

This morning we will spend a couple of hours kayaking on the Namorana River inside the National Park. This is a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and see the locals go about their daily business from the couples panning for gold, to the illegal bootleggers! It is also a perfect opportunity to see many of the water birds who inhabit on or around the river.

We then head to Amblavao.

Overnight Hotel

This morning we visit Anja Park - home of ringtailed lemurs, just a short drive from Ambalavao.

After visiting the reserve we will drive to our next destination – the Tsaranoro Valley (approx. 2 hrs away). This afternoon we can explore on a short trekking adventure or simply relax. Our accommodation here will be a traditional bungalow situated at the foot of Tsaranoro’s cliff.

Overnight Bungalow

Today we explore this stunning area on foot and meeting all of the locals.

We will also have the chance to visit the base for the reforestation effort (a passion which is shared (via wood-en-stock) by Pioneer Expeditions. Here we will have the opportunity to visit and see the reforestation effort for ourselves. Depending on the time of year we may also get to plant some young saplings.

Overnight Bungalow

Today we will drive to our next destination – Isalo National Park.

Overnight Hotel.

Today we will visit this breathtaking National Park, home of the ring-tailed lemur and white sifakas.  This extraordinarily unique area of natural beauty is unlike any other place in Madagascar.

Included will be the opportunity to swim in a natural pool with lunch on the trail.

Overnight Hotel.

Today we head to Ifaty and the Indian Ocean.
En-route we will visit Zombiste reserve for some more wildlife.

Overnight Hotel.

Today at your leisure, experiencing what beautiful Ifaty and its surrounding areas have to offer. (We can easily extend your days on the beach if you prefer)

Overnight Hotel

Overnight Bungalow

You will have a transfer to Tulear Airport, where you will catch the Air Madagascar flight from Tulear to Tana. We will meet you again at Tana airport and depending on your time of arrival, you can visit the handicraft market, before transferring to your hotel.

Transfer to airport in time for flight home. If you are on a flight which leaves early morning of day 16, you can opt to have a day use room &/or driver/guide for the day (not included).