General
Day 1. Paris – Antananarivo
Flight to Antananarivo. Arrival in the evening.
Accommodation and breakfast at the Combava Hotel – in Suite.
Day 2. Antananarivo – Sainte Marie
Flight duration: 01:25 (Caravan) / 01:50 (Cessna)
Good breakfast.
Transfer to the airport then flight to Sainte Marie. Pick up on arrival, then transfer to the hotel. Installation.
We will join the southern tip of the island, where we will board a traditional pirogue to reach Ile aux Nattes. Then, we will walk along a small path through small villages. The journey takes us to the top of an old lighthouse to admire the huge lagoon of the south of the island unfolding before our eyes. We will then cross magnificent beaches to reach the restaurant. After lunch, laze on the beautiful sandy white beach. Return to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon.
Half board accommodation at Princesse Bora Lodge.
Day 3. Sainte Marie
Enjoy your breakfast with a view on the Indian Ocean.
A day dedicated to the discovery of the island of Sainte Marie: its beautiful landscapes, authentic villages, lush forests, magnificent beaches, mangroves, plantations, fauna, nature and joyful population. We will start our walk through the capital called Ambodifotatra. Then, we will head north. Short stop at Coco-Bay, a beautiful property of the lodge that has a coconut plantation. After that, we will move east towards Ampanihy, on the wild coast, famous for its barrier reef. Aboard a traditional canoe, we will sail in the middle of a mangrove forest, along the beautiful Ampanihy bay. We will reach the paradise of Clipper Bay: kilometers of sandy beach, coconut palms, a lagoon with crystal clear waters, property of the lodge also. Bathing and lazing around. After lunch in Ampanihy, visit the plantations before returning to the hotel.
Half board accommodation at Princesse Bora Lodge.
Day 4. Sainte Marie – Ivato – Isalo
Total flight duration with refueling: 03h45 (Caravan) / 04h35 (Cessna).
Refueling at Ivato.
After breakfast, we are leaving for Antananarivo and continuation to the Isalo massif. Installation and lunch at the Jardin du Roy.
Visit of Isalo National Park.
We will then go to the natural pool through a path that crosses beautiful rock walls where tombs of the Baras are hidden. Stops at some points of view to enjoy the stunning panoramas on the massif.
3h walk, 350m to 500m accumulated difference in height, medium difficulty level, hiking trail.
Make sure to pack: walking shoes or good sneakers, sun protection items, mosquito repellent, water bottle.
Half board accommodation at the Jardin du Roy.
Day 5. Isalo – Amborodia – Morondava / Tsingy of Bemaraha
Total flight duration with refueling: 03h05 (Caravan) – 03h40 (Cessna)
Refueling in Morondava.
Flight to Amborodia, private trail near Bekopaka after breakfast.
One-hour transfer by 4*4 to the starting point of the hike to explore the great Tsingy. The journey offers a magnificent show of gigantic limestone cathedrals, deep crevasses, blocks carved in blades or sharp points. It is an immense field of Tsingy. The passages on the roof of the Tsingy offer a stunning panorama over the whole massif. A visit of 5 to 6 hours, including breaks. Level of difficulty: average. A few technical passages, mini climbs, crossings of monkey bridges, climbs of ramps through labyrinths. Good physical condition required. Not recommended for claustrophobic and/or dizzy people. Make sure to pack: walking shoes or good sneakers, items to protect from the sun, mosquito repellent and water bottle. Picnic lunch prepared by us.
After the tour, flight to Morondava.
In the late afternoon, we will take the time to join the Avenue of Baobab to admire a magnificent sunset through these majestic mythical trees.
Half board accommodation at the Palissandre Côte Ouest.
Day 6. Morondava – Nosy Be or Nosy Komba
Total flight duration with refueling: 03h50 (Caravan) / 05h20.
Refueling in Majunga.
Buffet berakfast.
We will leave the Malagasy West to reach the perfumed island in the North. Flight to Nosy Be. Stop at Majunga for refueling (about 20 minutes). Free stay by the sea. We offer two selections of luxury lodges:
Manga Soa Lodge in Nosy Be
Manga Soa Lodge is built on the beautiful bay of Befefika, in the middle of a generous nature. In addition to its five prestigious lodges, lodge suite and villa, the property features a swimming pool, a restaurant and a private beach. Here, luxury rhymes with serenity. The lodges and the villa are designed to ensure maximum comfort: sitting area, queen or king size bed, minibar, television and tea service in room, mosquito net, private bathroom … The rooms have been set up in height to allow guests to appreciate the magnificent view over the bay of Befefika. They have a rosewood-based refined decoration that blends marvelously with furniture from Indonesia or from Sakalava workshops, a testimony to the rich Malagasy cultural heritage. Its restaurant can accommodate 60 guests and serves delicious traditional Malagasy dishes and some classic flavors of the world, always made with fresh products.
Tsara Komba Lodge in Nosy Komba
Tsara Komba Lodge is a luxurious lodge nestled in a lush forest on the island of Nosy Komba, an ancient volcano. Its eight lodges with terrace and sea view open on an exceptional biodiversity that is still preserved and wild. Endemic plants, vanilla, wild pepper, lemurs, chameleons, birds will be your pleasant neighbors. Combining luxury, charm and eco-style, the lodges have a unique beauty: a subtle blend of noble woods and traditional materials, a decor carefully tailored to match the grandiose nature and tranquility of the premises. The lodge pays particular attention to the well-being of its guests: a four-poster king size bed with a large mosquito net, a large bathroom, a fan, a safe, a cotton linen honeycomb woven cloth, essential oils from Madagascar to be diffused in the whole suite to welcome you. Tsara Komba is also one of the best tables on the Big Island. The lodge provides quality services and an exclusive experience.
Half board accommodation at Manga Soa Lodge –
Or full board at Tsara Komba Lodge.
Days 7-8. Nosy Be or Nosy Komba
Free stay by the sea.
Several sea or land activities can be organized from the hotel:
- land activities: tour of the island, discovery of fauna and flora …
- sea activities: discovery of paradisiac islands and islets, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, water sports …
Half board accommodation at Manga Soa Lodge.
Or full board at Tsara Komba Lodge.
Day 9. Nosy Be – Antananarivo – Paris
Flight duration: 02h30 (Caravan) / 03h20 (Cessna).
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Tana. Dinner and Day Use at Combava. Return to the airport in the evening then check in for the flight to France.
NOTES
Flights depend on weather conditions as well as the availability of the plane at the time of booking.
All transfers with a private plane are done only in the morning.
The Tsingy trails can be quite physical and technical. It is not recommended to people suffering from dizziness pr claustrophobia.
The Tsingy can be visited only during the dry season: mid-June to mid-November
Make sure to pack good hiking shoes, a large quantity of mineral water (especially from October), mosquito repellent, items to protect from the rain and the sun.
If you pick the Nosy Komba option, stay of at least 04 nights if between July 10 and August 31, 05 nights at least if between December 19 and January 10.
Additional charges for Christmas : 100 Euros per person, 50 Euros per child.
Additional charges for New Year : 100 Euros per person, 50 Euros per child.
Season: April to December, in case of hurricane, it is not recommended to have this trip.
Best season: austral winter (June – Late August)
Anyway, the best time to watch whales is from July to mid-September. The first whales get to the island’s coasts as early as the second week of June, but they are still hard to find.
Prices include:
– Transfers by private plane
– Accommodation in the hotels mentioned above or similar hotels
– Breakfasts from D2 to D9
– Lunches from D2 to D5, and Tsara Komba Lodge (if Nosy Komba option)
– All dinners except D1 day of the program
– Transportation by 4×4 car with driver in Bekopaka, fuel included
– All transfers as foreseen in the program
– All the visits and excursions mentioned in the program: Ile aux Nattes, Tour of Sainte Maire, Allée des Baobabs
– Entrance fees and mandatory fees for local guides in the parks and reserves mentioned in the program: Isalo National Park, Bemaraha National Park
– Tourist sticker in hotels and tourist taxes
Prices do not include:
– International flights and corresponding airport taxes
– Activities with the words “free” and “possibility of/to“
– Services (visits and excursions) not mentioned in the program
– Lunches at Nosy Be, if Manga Soa Lodge option
– Dinner on day D1 of the program
– Drinks, tips and extras
-Multi-risk insurance (interruption, repatriation, cancellation, assistance, luggage …)
