Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Madagascar
You'll depart from Germany with a connection through Addis Ababa on your way to Madagascar. This is mainly travel time, so settle in for the long international flights ahead.
- Day 2
Antananarivo
After landing in Antananarivo, you'll get oriented with a short city tour before checking into your hotel. This gives you a first look at Madagascar's capital and its vibrant energy.
Included Activities
- City tour of Antananarivo
Landmarks Antananarivo - Day 3
Antsirabe
Leave early in the morning and drive through winding highland roads lined with rice fields and vegetable farms. You'll pass traditional villages and hike through rolling hills near Betafo to experience local life before returning to Antsirabe for the night.
Included Activities
- Afternoon hike through rolling hills in Betafo (approximately 3 hours walking time)
Landmarks Antsirabe Betafo - Day 4
Fianarantsoa
Drive to Ambositra to see Malagasy woodcarving by the Zafimaniry tribe. Visit woodcarvers' workshops and studios, then stop at a village reserve in Ankazomivady to see the highland rainforest. You'll arrive in Fianarantsoa as evening sets in.
Included Activities
- Visit to woodcarvers' workshops and studios in Ambositra
- Visit to village reserve in Ankazomivady
Landmarks Ambositra Ankazomivady Fianarantsoa - Day 5
Isalo National Park
Travel to Isalo National Park, one of the tour's key highlights. Stop at the Anja Reserve in Ambalavao to observe ring-tailed lemurs in their natural habitat, then continue to Ranohira to see the distinctive sandstone formations of the Isalo massif.
Included Activities
- Visit to Anja Reserve with ring-tailed lemurs observation
- Hike in Isalo National Park area (approximately 1.5 hours walking time)
Landmarks Anja Reserve Isalo National Park Ambalavao Ranohira - Day 6
Isalo National Park
Hike through Isalo mountains to the natural swimming pool at Piscine Naturelle. Along the way, you'll spot ring-tailed lemurs and chameleons. In the afternoon, visit a typical Bara village to learn about their traditions and cultural practices.
Included Activities
- Hike to Piscine Naturelle natural swimming pool (approximately 3-5 hours walking time)
- Visit to Bara village with village chief presentation
Optional Activities
- Extended hike option (5 hours total instead of 3 hours)
Landmarks Isalo National Park Piscine Naturelle - Days 7 - 8
Ifaty
Travel early to Ifaty on the southwest coast. You'll visit a Swiss immigrant's arboretum featuring thorn forest vegetation. The next morning, explore the Fonyala Reserve with endemic baobab trees and rare bird species. Afternoon time is free to relax or snorkel in the Indian Ocean.
Included Activities
- Visit to arboretum near Tulear with thorn forest vegetation
- Visit to Fonyala Reserve with endemic baobab trees and bird species observation
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean
Landmarks Ifaty Tulear Fonyala Reserve - Day 9
Antananarivo
Fly back to Antananarivo. Depending on your flight timing, you might have time at the beach beforehand or explore the capital later in the afternoon and evening.
Optional Activities
- Explore Antananarivo capital city in late afternoon/evening
Landmarks Antananarivo - Day 10
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Head east through rice fields and wooded hills to reach Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. You'll visit a private reptile park to see geckos and chameleons, then explore the Vakona Reserve where giant ferns and lianas fill the jungle landscape.
Included Activities
- Visit to private reptile park in Marazevo
- Visit to private Vakona Reserve with jungle exploration
Landmarks Marazevo Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Vakona Reserve - Day 11
Pangalanes Canal
Start your morning listening to the distinctive calls of indri-indris as you hike through the tropical rainforest of Analamazaotra Reserve. You'll search for rare indri-indris, diademed sifakas and gray bamboo lemurs. Later, board a boat along the Pangalanes Canal to reach your jungle lodge.
Included Activities
- Hike in Analamazaotra Reserve tropical rainforest (approximately 3 hours walking time)
- Boat trip along Pangalanes Canal
Landmarks Analamazaotra Reserve Pangalanes Canal Akanin'ny Nofy - Day 12
Palmarium Reserve
Spend the day at the Palmarium lemur reserve observing red-bellied lemurs, black and white varis and larval sifakas. Walk through the grounds where you'll see ebony trees, giant bean trees, carnivorous plants and vanilla orchids. At dusk, take a boat to search for the rare nocturnal aye-aye lemur.
Included Activities
- Walk through Palmarium lemur reserve and indigenous flora
- Adventurous boat trip at dusk to nearby island for aye-aye observation
Landmarks Palmarium Reserve - Day 13
Antananarivo
Begin your journey back to Antananarivo by boat along the Pangalanes Canal. You'll pass charming fishing villages and watch the Betsimisaraka tribe going about their daily life. After the boat trip and long drive, you'll arrive in the capital by evening.
Included Activities
- Boat trip along Pangalanes Canal to Manambato
Landmarks Pangalanes Canal Manambato - Day 14
Antsiranana
Fly early to Antsiranana at Madagascar's northern tip. Explore this cosmopolitan city shaped by East African, Arab and Asian influences. You'll take an excursion with a short hike to three famous bays: Sakalava Bay, Mer d'Emeraude and Ramena Bay.
Included Activities
- Excursion with short hike to three famous bays: Sakalava Bay, Mer d'Emeraude and Ramena Bay (approximately 2.5 hours walking time, 6 km)
Landmarks Antsiranana Sakalava Bay Mer d'Emeraude Ramena Bay - Day 15
Montagne d'Ambre National Park
Drive to Joffreville and explore Montagne d'Ambre National Park in a volcanic zone. Hike through mountain rainforest, discover hidden crater lakes and impressive waterfalls. With some luck, you might spot the world's smallest chameleon.
Included Activities
- Visit to Montagne d'Ambre National Park mountain rainforest
- Hike to hidden crater lakes and waterfalls
Landmarks Joffreville Montagne d'Ambre National Park 
- Day 16
Tsingy Rouge
Visit the striking Tsingy Rouge formations in the north, where changing sunlight makes the bizarre red and sand-colored rock formations shimmer. Continue on a dirt road through typical African landscape to reach Ankarana National Park.
Included Activities
- Tour of Tsingy Rouge formations (approximately 2 hours walking time, 5 km)
Landmarks Tsingy Rouge Ankarana National Park - Day 17
Ankarana National Park
Hike through Ankarana National Park to explore Tsingy du Nord, the gray limestone formations that rise to sharp points. The name 'Tsingy' means 'walking on tiptoe' for good reason. You'll spot lemurs, butterflies, birds and colorful plant species throughout the park.
Included Activities
- Hike in Ankarana National Park through Tsingy du Nord limestone formations (approximately 4 hours walking time, 5 km)
Landmarks Ankarana National Park Tsingy du Nord - Day 18
Nosy Be
Leave Ankarana early and visit a cocoa plantation to learn about cocoa fruits and spice plants like ylang ylang. Take a short boat trip to Nosy Be, then drive to the west side to settle into your hotel.
Included Activities
- Tour of cocoa plantation with information about cocoa fruits, spice plants and ylang ylang
Landmarks Nosy Be - Day 19
Nosy Be
You have a free day on Nosy Be. If you're interested, hike through the Lokobe Reserve where coffee, vanilla and clove plantations dot the landscape. The reserve has endemic plant species and you might see boas, rare birds and shy black lemurs.
Optional Activities
- Hike through Lokobe Reserve with endemic plants and wildlife observation (several hours)
Landmarks Lokobe Reserve - Day 20
Departure
Your final day is free until departure. You'll transfer to Nosy Be airport for your return flight to Germany via Addis Ababa.
- Day 21
Arrival
You've returned home after your Madagascar adventure.
