The shrieking call of a lemur rings out through the rainforest and a chorus of birdsong breaks the early morning silence. A crashing waterfall cascades into a tropical pool and the rich scent of vanilla and cloves fill the air. Evolution that started millions of years ago continues along its own unique path resulting in a staggering array of animals and plants, a land of dramatic mountain ranges, lush tropical rainforest and dazzling beaches. Madagascar is truly unspoilt and just waiting to be discovered.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Antananarivo and transfer to your hotel. Your tour guide and local specialist guide will be on hand. Overnight Antananarivo.

• Local Flora And Fauna - 2
  

  The first sight of the landscape takes your breath away as you head eastwards through the stunning highlands. Lemurs are quite literally everywhere on the island and are distinguished by their size, colour and behaviour. Your specialist guide will introduce you to the many species throughout the tour, as well as leaping frogs and the tricky to spot chameleon, even the two foot long parson’s variety. We visit Vakona private reserve for more close encounters of the lemur kind. An evening walk in Mitsinjo forest is the perfect time to see the nocturnal mouse, greater dwarf and eastern woolly lemur. Take in the sights and sounds and listen to the distinctive calls of croaking frogs and toads that fill the night air. Overnight Andasibe.

• Giant Lemur And Forest Walks - 3
  

  Take a trip to Analamazaotra reserve and get to know the Indri Lemur, the largest of the species, with distinctive panda-like features. Listen out for spine tingling calls as these human-like creatures signal to each other. Take a dip in the pool at your hotel or join a walking tour through the primary forest of Mantadia national park, the perfect spot for bird watching. Look out for blue and red breasted Coua, Pitta-like and scaly ground roller and Madagascar buzzard. Your specialist guide is sure to point out many other species. After dinner we are joined by a member of the mitsinjo forest association for a talk about wildlife in the area. Your questions on local flora and fauna will be welcomed. Overnight Andasibe.

• Return To ‘Tana’ - 4
  

  Known affectionately as ‘Tana’, the Malagasy capital of Antananarivo is a chaotic mix of French colonial architecture. As you return to the city look out for church spires, simple red-roofed houses and herds of zebu cattle that graze in the green paddy fields that intersperse with city streets. Local minibuses zip along the cobbles and jostling traders sell everything from bananas to broom handles. Ask your tour guide and local specialist guide for recommendations for the afternoon. Pop into a patisserie for afternoon tea, or shop in the boutiques in the upper town. Buy natural beauty products scented with locally grown vanilla, sample zebu milk cheese and sip a refreshing ‘Betsa-Betsa’, a drink made from fermented sugar cane juice. As the afternoon draws to a close find a cool terrace and watch the sun set over the city. This is the perfect time of day to see tana. Overnight Tana.

• Local Villages And Rickshaw Rides - 5
  

  Journey through stunning terraced countryside to the central plateau and stop at villages inhabited by the Merina tribe. Watch as leaf fibre is skilfully made into rope, and raffia woven into colourful baskets, often seen carried on the heads of local women as they return from the market. Signs of French influence can still be seen in the wide boulevards and crumbling white villas of Antsirabe. Jump aboard a colourful Pousse-Pousse, a type of rickshaw, for a ride around the streets. Zebu horn carvings, tiny model bicycles and cars made from recycled metal are all made and sold in the town. Visit families who specialise in the production of these handicrafts. Overnight Antsirabe.

• Handicrafts And Folklore - 6
  

  Palissandre rose and ebony wood from the nearby Tanala forest are carved into small boxes, toys and larger pieces. Visit local artisans in Ambositra and watch them at work using skills that have been handed from generation to generation. Drive through colourful villages where the red dirt houses contrast with green rice plantations and the fluorescent yellow dresses and striped shirts of men and women working in the fields catch your eye. Stop for a Malagasy lunch with folklore entertainment in Ambohimahasoa with stunning valley views. Join in with the entertainment from a local folklore group, the lively rhythm will have you swaying. Overnight Ranomafana.

• Back To Nature - 7
  

  Seek out endangered species of lemurs in ranomafana national park. The steep hills are covered in lush green vegetation; mountain streams and waterfalls cascade to the forest floor. Usually found grazing amongst the bamboo thickets we’ll hope to spot the golden bamboo lemur, a once rare species now protected in the safety of the park. these creatures are the main attraction but don’t overlook other wildlife. Milne Edwards Sifaka leaps through the thick forest canopy, and brown mouse lemurs race up and down tree trunks. The silence of the forest is broken by the screeching call of crossleys babbler and cuckoo rollers. Keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars ready for the pigmy kingfisher or a glimpse of a leaf-tailed gecko. For more ornithological activities join an optional walk in Vohiparara forest. Overnight Ranomafana.

• Paper Making And Granite Domes - 8
  

  Drive into the central highlands, homeland of the Betsileo tribe whose ancestors arrived by boat from Indonesia 2000 years ago. Watch paper being created at a local producer, a vestige of Arabian civilisation. Seek out the spotted ring tailed lemur in Anja reserve and drive through the huge granite domes of the ‘gate of the south’. Stop at the ‘bishop’s hat’, a sacred place for local people, and pass through the remarkable red soiled landscape of the ‘Plateaux de Horombe’. Overnight Ranohira.

• Waterfalls And Tropical Pools - 9
  

  Encounter a barren land of sandstone and jagged rock formations where succulent aloes thrive in the shimmering heat and dry grasses blow in the wind. This is magnificent Isalo national park. Follow your specialist guide on a trail through deep gorges where shafts of sunlight penetrate to the streams below. Wander past tropical pools and look out for brown lemurs feeding on the leaves of deciduous trees. Have your camera ready, this could be your last opportunity to spot the ring tailed lemur. At the Piscine Naturelle a waterfall tumbles into a deep green pool surrounded by overhanging pandanus trees. Take a dip in the cooling waters and soak in the atmosphere of this quite stunning location. The longer and more challenging Namaza trail rewards you with the deeply beautiful ‘blue’ and ‘black’ pools and the sparkling ‘waterfall of nymphs’. When darkness falls seek out torotoroka and white browed owls on an optional nocturnal forest walk. overnight Ranohira.

• Forest Trails - 10
  

  Catch the sun rise with a walk in unique Zombitse forest. Look out for rare Apperts Greenbul, only ever sighted here, and red-tailed sportive lemurs. In the town of Tulear mingle with local shoppers in the vibrant markets; admire the Lamba - a traditional type of woven cloth, and the fabulous mohair rugs which are made nearby. Transfer to 4x4 vehicles for the drive along sandy tracks to the coast and Ifaty. The beaches are lined with canoes made by the local fishermen from hollowed out tree trunks and swooping plovers greet you on the approach to the hotel. Overnight Ifaty.

• A Day At The Beach - 11
  

  The day is yours. Maybe walk to the beach, go bird watching in Reniala spiny forest, or just relax by the pool. Make sure you try ‘punch aux cocos’, a delicious but potent cocktail of rum and coconut milk. Overnight Ifaty.

• Travelling - 12 to 13
  

  Fly from tulear to Antananarivo to connect with your flight back to London. Arrival in the UK will be on day 13.

Accommodation

• Royal Palissandre Hotel, Antananarivo (3-Star) - 2 Nights (Days 1 & 4)

• Vakona Forest Lodge, Andasibe (3-Star) - 2 Nights

• Arotel Hotel, Antsirabe (3-Star) - 1 Night

• Setam Lodge, Ranomafana (2.5-Star) - 2 Nights

• Jardin Du Roy, Ranohira (3-Star) - 2 Nights

• Le Paradisier Hotel, Ifaty (3-Star) - 2 Nights

• Flights are scheduled services of AirFrance
• Flights depart at 6:00 am and return at 10:35 am

Includes

Not Included