East tour passing through foulpointe and sainte marie

 This 12-days tour from Antananarivo to Tamatave promises an original discovery of the east coast of Madagascar. One of the parts whose primary forest was still preserved, containing extraordinary fauna as well as green and richly colored flora. This discovery will make you surprise more and more so would be memorable and unforgettable in your life.

Highlights of this tour

v  Discovery of historical and cultural sites in the Capital City

v  Discovery of the Analamazaotra National Park in Andasibe.

v  Discovery of the private reserve of Vakona in Andasibe, to see the lemurs closer

v  Discovery of the paradisiac and historical place of the East (Plum Island)

v  Canoe trip to discover the coral dam.

v  Relaxation on the beautiful beach of Foulpointe and Mahambo

v  Visit of the Ivoloina Zoological Park to meet the 13 species of lemurs including the Aye Aye

v  Visit of the Fort Manda reserves at Foulpointe

v  Stay and relaxation in Sainte-Marie Island

v  Meeting with the local people.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 : Arrival in Antananarivo

DAY 2 : Antananarivo - Marozevo - Andasibe

DAY 3: Andasibe

DAY 4: Andasibe - Tamatave

DAY 5 : Visit the city of Tamatave - Plum Island 

DAY 6:Tamatave - Ivoloina - Foulpointe

DAY 7 :Foulpointe - Mahabo

DAY 8:Mahabo - 

Sainte Marie

DAY 9: 

Sainte Marie

DAY 10: Sainte Marie

DAY 11 : Sainte Marie- Antananarivo

DAY 12 : Antananarivo - Country of origin

Specific information for the tour

·         12 days / 11 nights tour

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in comfort hotels

·         4WD car with a professional driver and an English, French, Italian or Spanish speaking guide according to your choice.

·         Accessible all year round except during intense cyclone season

·         Hiking in dugout canoe or boat, possibility of meeting and exchanging with fishermen.

·         Variation of transportation: Car, plane, dugout, boat, rickshaw,

Activities

-          Walking tour

-          A rickshaw ride in the city

-          Stroll in dugout canoe

-          Featured Courses

-          Coral Reef Diving

-          Discovery of culture and tradition

-          Discovery of fauna and flora in parks and reserves

Group Size

Unlimited number but at least 2 people for a guaranteed departure, if solo, youjust have to pay the extra indicated in the program.

Regions

Highlands, East

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

Welcome by our team at Ivato International Airport. Transfer to the hotel to rest after the long trip. Night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 30 minutes

·         Distance: 15 km

·         Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or similar

Day 2: Departure for a view of the beauty of Andasibe via Marozevo.

Our team will pick you up at the hotel, presentation of your tour program and your travel documents. After breakfast, your adventure begins: on your way to the East. You will leave the highlands to PK72 in Marozevo at the Peyrieras reserve where we will make a stop to visit reptiles and lizards: chameleons and butterflies, one of the impressive natural wonders of Madagascar, varying in size and color.

After lunch, we will continue our drive to Andasibe (87km). You will be pleased to pass by the site of Torotorofotsy, 11km from Andasibe, to admire the carnivorous plants around its 4 natural marshes of 9600 ha and its extraordinary pandanus forest. After visit, installation at the hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 3 hours

·         Distance: 145 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA HOTEL or similar

Day 3: Discover the great lemurs of Madagascar.

After breakfast, discovery of the special reserve of Analamazaotra where we can find the biggest lemur of the country: the Indri indri. The altitude (1 000 meters on average, the park is staged between 900 and 1 250 meters) explains the presence in these places of an amazing and rare species of lemurs: the Indri indri. Large on average from 75 cm to 1 m (its tail is tiny in comparison: at most 5 cm), weighing from 7 to 10 kg and exhibiting a black and white coat, it is the largest of all the congeners. You should see it stretch at sunrise, or when it is short on its feet: its behaviour strangely reminds us of one of its well-known cousins. It is a herbivore (it likes fruits very much), and it lives during the day, in groups of few individuals. The female can have up to three young per litter. He is also known as "amboanala" (forest dog), probably because of his eyes and his strange cry which evokes the howling of a human being. Indeed, the Indri indri is best known for its spellbinding vocal prowess: howling? Siren? No one really knows. But the charm works.

The special reserve (not to be confused with the park) has about eight hundred of them. To see them, you have to arrive very early in the morning (around 5 am from September to December, 8 am from March to August).

The rest of the fauna. Several varieties of lemurs live in the park: there are 14 in total, including the aye-aye and the varikamavo or cathedral lemur. We also admire about 108 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles (including the boa manditra) and 84 species of amphibians.

The flora: the forest is mainly composed of ravinalas, pandanus and eucalyptus. With its abundance of majestic orchids (more than a hundred species), tree ferns, lichens, sacred lianas, nature here is royal. Let us specify that it rains a lot: the average annual rainfall is around 1,700 mm (the humidity level is over 90%). The only more or less dry season is from September to mid-November: the rest of the year, it is often rain, fog or spittle that will accompany you during your visit! A raincoat is therefore essential. From July to September, it is not very hot either. After the visit, free lunch at the restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit of the private park Vakona to see the lemurs closely, by canoe ride. You can discover fauna and flora in the park. Dinner and night at the hotel

·         Duration: All day

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA HOTEL or similar

Day 4: Departure from Andasibe to go to the Avenue of Independence in Tamatave.

After breakfast, we will start to enter the Betsimisaraka territory towards an even greener road. Small photo stop in Ivondro, to discover the surprising palm groves alleys which indicate us that we will soon arrive in Tamatave. Have lunch at the restaurant. Installation at the hotel. In the afternoon, rickshaw ride on the Avenue of Independence and towards the port. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 4 hours

·         Distance: 219 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HOTEL H1 or similar

Day 5: Discovery of Plum Island

Tamatave is a city of a thousand facets. After breakfast, we will go directly to the small excursion on the lighthouse island of Tamatave: the Plum Island. A heavenly and historical place. Exotic fruits are unlimited. Back to Tamatave, a small detour to the Bazar Be market to discover the handicraft and agricultural products of the region.

At the end of the afternoon, iced coconut by the sea and we will allow ourselves to taste the Tamatave soup at the Restaurant Pacifique/ Fortunat. One of the culinary specialties of this city.

Return to the hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: 45 minutes by boat

·         Meals included: Breakfast and picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: HOTEL H1 or similar

Day 6:Discovery of the Ivoloina Zoological Park and drive to Foulpointe.

After breakfast, on the way to Foulpointe. We will make a first stop at the Ivoloina Zoological Park 12 km from the town, to meet the 13 species of lemurs including the Aye Aye, the endemic nocturnal lemur. A second stop at Ambodiatafana to enjoy the landscape and the view of the port of Toamasina and the coconut juices are not deprived. Lunch. Let's continue the road, arriving in late afternoon at Foulpointe. Relaxation on the beach. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: Approximately 3 hours

·         Distance: 62 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HÔTEL LE LAGON or similar

Day 7: Expedition to FortManda in Foulpointe

The morning is reserved to visit Fort Manda of Foulpointe, built in 1826 by King Radama I. It ismade from dry stones and coral powder mixed with egg white, once protected Madagascar from naval attacks. And still resistant to this day. Cannons and secret passages can be seen in this moving citadel. With an incredible story too. Take lunch at the restaurant.

In the afternoon, pirogue ride to discover the coral dam, sea urchins, starfish and sea snakes. Enjoy also the beach.

In the late afternoon, on the way to Mahambo. Dinner and night at the hotel

·         Duration: Approximately 2 hours

·         Distance: 31 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HIBISCUS HOTEL or similar

Day 8: Relaxation on the beautiful sandy beach of Mahambo before heading to Sainte-Marie Island.

Breakfast taken and after a short hike and relaxation on the beautiful beach at the fine sands of Mahambo, head towards Sainte-Marie Island by speed boat. Welcome by the hotel staff and end of the day free. Lunch and dinner. Night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 1 hour by boat

·         Distance: 82 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: MONIQUE RESIDENCE or similar

Day 9 and 10: Free days at Sainte-Marie

These two days give you the opportunity to visit the island, to do many activities and to meet the inhabitants of Sainte-Marie (smiling people), to go diving, to go for a ride in a dugout canoe and to enjoy swimming in the azure sea of the island.

Let yourself be amazed by its beauty, through its luxuriant vegetation containing medicinal plants. Without forgetting the visit of the historical sites of the bay up to the water falls and the pirate cemetery and its history.

·         Meal included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: MONIQUE RESIDENCE or similar

Day 11: Flight back to the capital Antananarivo

After breakfast, free morning. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Antananarivo. Welcome by our team at Ivato airport.  Lunch at the restaurant. According to the flight schedule, visit of the city and the handicraft market. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 1 hour flight

·         Distance: 336 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or similar

Day 12: Discovery of the capital and return to the country of origin.

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the King's palace in Ambohimanga (literally called the Blue Hill) to discover the historical remains of the Merina kingdom. After the visit,  lunch at the restaurant. If it's a working day, on the way, a stop to visit a center that takes care of autistic children and young people. This is the Padre Pio Charity House, supported by our Tour Operator in its charitable activities. Continuation of the exploration of the capital: a visit to the Rova Manjakamiadana or Queen's Palace, one of the artistic curiosities of the Big Island, with all its history. Residence of the former Sovereigns of Madagascar, it is located at 1463 m altitude promising an excellent panoramic view of the entire city.

Descent to Andohalo for "Le Musée de la photographie": The Photography Museum which will make us relive and understand the history of Madagascar through photos taken between 1868 and 1960 and through projections. But also to see the talents of contemporary photographers, sharing their views of Madagascar. You will take beautiful pictures in the garden of the museum.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: More than 50 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

·         Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or similar

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