Madagascar north west paradise

This tour, which starts from the capital to the far north of the country and crosses the Boeny region, offers the opportunity to discover the main preserved tourist assets of the big island. Exceptional biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, a warm population and its endearing cultures... The Boeny region is endowed with extremely varied ecosystems: limestone plateau (Tsingy) punctuated by Pachypodium and Baobabs, forests home to many species of lemurs, lakes and mangroves which are as many bird watching spots, caves and bats, circus and bays, the Mozambique Channel and its large marine mammals.

Highlights of this tour

v  Discovery of the capital and its unmissable historical sites

v  Visit of Ankarafantsika National Park,

v  Discovery of the great Baobab and the city of Mahajanga

v  Unparalleled view of the lighthouse

v  Discovery of the flora and fauna (lemurs, sea turtles, baobabs...)

v  Unpublished trip by boat

v  Relaxation on a heavenly beach

v  Unforgettable excursion in the islets of the Nosy Be archipelago (Tanikely, Sakatia, Iranja, Komba, Antsoha)

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival in Antananarivo.

DAY 2: Antananarivo - Ankarafantsika

DAY 3:Ankarafantsika - Mahajanga

DAY 4:Mahajanga

DAY 5:Mahajanga - Antsohihy

DAY 6:Antsohihy - Ambanja

DAY 7:Ambanja - Ankify - Nosy Be

DAY 8: Nosy Be: Excursion Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely

DAY 9: Nosy Be: Excursion Nosy Sakatia or Nosy Iranja (your choice)

DAY 10: Nosy Be: free day

DAY 11: Nosy be - Antananarivo

DAY 12: Antananarivo - Country of origin

Precise information for the tour

·         12 days / 11 nights tour

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in luxury hotels with comfort,

·         4WD car with a professional driver and a French, English, Spanish or Italian 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 fisher men.

·         Variation in transportation: Car, plane, dugout canoe, boat, rickshaw, tuc-tuc

Circuit Category

DISCOVERY, WITH FAMILY

Activities

-          Canoe or boat trip

-          Walking tour

-          Water sports: diving, snorkeling, surf kit, kayaking, etc...

-          Discovery of the fauna and flora in the national park of Ankarafantsika and in Nosy Komba

-          Enjoy beautiful dream beaches

-          Memorable excursion to the Northern Isles

-          Discovery of culture and tradition

Group Size

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

Regions

Highlands, West and North (Nosy Be Archipelago)

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo.

Our team will meet you at the airport upon your arrival, transfer to the hotel where you will spend the night, presentation of your tour program and delivery of your travel documents. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 9 min

·         Distance: 4.8 km

·         Accommodation: RELAIS DES PLATEAUX hotelor similar

Day 2: Road to Ankarafantsika

Morning departure for Ankarafantsika through the semi-desert landscapes of the Tampoketsa massif and wooded river valleys, while discovering the daily life of the people living along the National Road 4 (RN 4). Lunch at the restaurant on the way. Arrival at the destination at the end of the afternoon, check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: 7 hours

·         Distance: 440 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Lodging: BLUE VANGA LODGE or similar

Day 3: Special day to visit Ankarafantsika National Park

Early in the morning, after breakfast, departure for a visit of the great national park of Ankarafantsika which strikes by the nuances of its attractive landscapes and the diversity of its forests rich in endemic flora and fauna. This forest is located in the Boeny region, in the northwest of the Big Island. The National Park of Ankarafantsika is bordered to the east by the Mahajamba River and to the west by the Betsiboka River. The park is crossed by National Road 4 and covers an area of 136,000 hectares. Ankarafantsika was formerly known as Ampijoroa Forest Station. It is famous for its lake, its birds and its turtles. The park has a total of 129 species of birds, 75 of which are endemic. It is also home to chameleons, iguanas, snakes, tenrecs, eight species of lemurs, both diurnal and nocturnal, including the Sifaka ofCoquerel (the emblem of the park) and the Microcebusravelobensis, one of the smallest microscopic, endemic to the area. A must-see in the park is the great sacred lake Ravelobe which extends over nearly twenty-seven hectares. The Sakalava people believe that the crocodiles inhabiting this body of water are the descendants of Ravelobe and are therefore considered sacred. The lake is also the refuge of many water birds such as herons, fishing eagles, ibis, or ducks; and Reré, freshwater turtles.

In addition to Ravelobe Lake, Ankarafantsika is home to other sites sacred to the Sakalava people such as the "Doany" or royal tombs. These places are used for traditional ceremonies (such as Joro, a sacred invocation ritual, prayers) and for zebu sacrifices. The site is home to a mosaic of ecosystems: dry dense forest, savannah and the multicoloured canyon of Ankarokaroka. The latter is formed by large "lavaka" (hole) shaped by erosion. The canyon offers a spectacular view of the surrounding forests. More than 800 species of plants have been inventoried here: a species of baobab endemic to the Adansoniamadagascariensis var. boinensis park, hard and precious woods such as rosewood, herbaceous plants, euphorbiaceae, medicinal plants and woody plants. The flora of Ankarafantsika has the particularity of flourishing on a sandy massif. This is a site of birdwatching of the highest quality, this park is one of the rare places in the world that has such a wide variety of birds, such as the Madagascar Eagle, the Malagasy Dyal, the Madagascar Bulbul, the Newton's falcon, the Vanga....

After the visit, destination to Mahajanga. Once in the City of Flowers, capital of Boeny, installation at the hotel.

·         Duration: 4 hours of visit + 2 hours of drive

·         Distance: 117 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast and picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: COCO LODGE hotel or similar

Day 4: Free day in Majunga

Free day especially as Majunga offers several activities such as a walk on the beach of Amborovy, nautical activity in various places, visit of the Anjohibe cave, discovery of the city of Mahajanga, visit of the Akiba Museum, visit of a craft workshop, hike to the Red Circus, visit of the Sacred Lake of Mangatsana, discovery of Antsanitia, discovery of the Belobaka caves, discovery of Katsepy and its lighthouse, visit of Refuge Reniala and many others. The hotelier and our team will be able to advise you. Lunch and dinner at the good restaurant or in the local. Night at the hotel.

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: COCO LODGE hotel or similar

Day 5: Drive to the north of the island through beautiful scenery.

Morning departure to Antsohihy on the RN6. The Sofia region is known for the chromium mines of Andriamena and all along the way to the north of the island, we cross landscapes that surprise the view. Lunch and dinner at the restaurant on the way and arrival in Antsohihy, installation and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration:7 hours

·         Distance: 473 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: BELLE VUE hotel or similar

Day 6: City tour in Ambanja and discovery of the cocoa plantations.

After breakfast, departure for Ambanja through unusual landscapes and discover the nice villages with friendly people, the green fealds decorate the road side, arrival in the late afternoon, installation at the hotel, visit the city of Ambanja and its plantations of Cocoa, Ylang-ylang. Lunch and dinner at the restaurant and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 4 hours

·         Distance: 200 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HIBISCUS hotel or similar

Day 7: Embarkation for Nosy Be, the island of perfumes.

After breakfast, departure for Ankify where you will take the boat to join Nosy Be. Embarkation on a speed boat for a 45 min crossing towards Hell-Ville, the capital of Nosy Be. By taxi we reach our hotel. This marvellous island is well known for its dream beaches, its lush vegetation and the culture of its people, it forms a heavenly setting surrounded by beautiful small islands. Nosy Be is a land of dreams, adventure and discovery without equal. Numerous activities and sea excursions are possible. During the afternoon, visit of the town, Hell-Ville, its covered market, spices, stalls, crabs, tropical fruits, its buildings (historical monuments and colonial buildings), its table cloth market, its port and free time for some shopping. We then take the road for a cocktail on the Mount Passot, the highest point of the island, from where we will have the opportunity to admire a magnificent sunset, not to be missed.

·         Duration: 45 min.

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: MADAGASCAR RESORT NOSY BE or similar

Day 8: Nosy Be: Excursion to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely

After breakfast, departure for the exploration of the surrounding islands:

First island: Nosy Komba, the second largest island of the archipelago after Nosy Be. Visit of the Lemur Park, the fishermen's village and their traditional pirogues. Visit of the table cloth market, then cross the village for a moment of shopping with the famous sculptures of Nosy Komba, its handicraft shops, the smiling and colorful faces.

Second island: Nosy Tanikely, protected marine nature reserve. Just a mask and a snorkel to dive in a real aquarium. A few meters from the beach, you admire the magnificent spectacle of corals and anemones, myriads of multicolored fish, crustaceans, groupers and hopefully, you can observe sea turtles. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

·         Meal included: breakfast and picnic lunch.

·         Accommodation: MADAGASCAR RESORT NOSY BE or similar

Day 9: Nosy Be: Excursion to Nosy Sakatia or Nosy Iranja (at your choice)

After breakfast, departure for the visit of an island (at your choice):

Nosy Sakatia: Island with orchids; the morning discovery and the afternoon relax on the beach...

Nosy Sakatia is certainly the most authentic island of Nosy Be (protected and classified by the Ministry of the Environment). Accompanied by a local guide, discover of the interior of the island during a one and a half hour walk: old flamingos, coffee trees, pepper trees, vanilla, traveller's tree, pineapple trees, cashew trees, mango trees, jackfruit trees, guava trees, eucalyptus, raffia, orchids, medicinal plants, etc... Everything is there!!

The culture and traditional activities of the island's inhabitants (rites and customs, beliefs and legends), fishermen and farmers invite you to share their daily life to the rhythm of a generous and respected nature.

For your greatest pleasure, you will end the day on a private beach, a real corner of paradise

Having lunch on the beach in the shade of coconut trees (crab, grilled fish, zebu and shrimp skewers, coconut rice, raw vegetables, tropical fruits), possibility of snorkeling. Kayaking and beach games are at your disposal as well as a relaxation massage space.

Nosy Iranja: the paradisiac island. Nosy Iranja is located at 1h30 from Nosy Be by speedboat. These two islands are linked by a fine white sand bank which is covered at high tide and uncovered at low tide. It is a paradise island with its turquoise blue, paradise white and natural green colours. Turtles still come here to lay their eggs, hence its name "Turtle Island". You can see all kinds of birds, terns, some varieties of herons and sea eagles passing by.

Buffet lunch on table in the shade of coconut trees (crab, grilled fish, zebu and shrimp skewers, coconut rice, raw vegetables, tropical fruits). Photo shoots guaranteed. Visit of the lighthouse and the authentic village of the great Iranja.

Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: MADAGASCAR RESORT NOSY BE or similar

Day 10: Free day at Nosy Be

We let you choose your activities for the day. Our team will help you guide and facilitate your choice. Lunch and dinner at the restaurant and night at the hotel.

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: MADAGASCAR RESORT NOSY BE or similar

Day 11: Return to Antananarivo by plane

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, welcome by our team and installation at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to stop by the handicraft market for your last purchases or take a tour of the city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes’ flight time

·         Distance: 615 Km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: RELAIS DES PLATEAUX hotelor similar

Day 12: Discovery of the Capital and departure for the international flight.

After breakfast, take the national road RN3 for a cultural and historical discovery by visiting the Royal Palace in AmbohimangaRova. On the way, 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. Depending on your flight schedule, possibility to discover Malagasy handicrafts at the dam market. Dinner offert and meeting with our team. Day use at the hotel then transfer to the airport, flight back to your home country.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: more than 20 Km

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

·         Accommodation: RELAIS DES PLATEAUX hotelor similar

************************ end of our services*******************