Last updated: 2011-08-22

Itinerary

Day 1

Gathering: The group will gather at the hotel Raphia in central Antananarivo (the capital of Madagascar and most often called Tana). The hotel is situated in the upper part of the city, in the area of Isoraka. There is also one Hotel Raphia in Ambatonakanga, but it is to Isokara you must go. Just inform the taxi driver and everything will be fine. The hotels belong to the same company and are not situated very far apart.

Transport from the airport: Some of you will probably be on the same flight from Paris arriving on the above date. Go together by taxi straight to the hotel. You can ask at the information desk, 'Taxi Agrées', about the fixed price, all taxi's have one price and it should be around 30 000 MGA (Malagasy Ariary) equivalent to about 12 EUR (2008-06-02).

Flight delays: In case your flight is very much delayed and you will not be able to reach the hotel in time for the gathering, you must try to contact the tour leader (i.e. if you have the opportunity), Rivo Rarivosoa.

Check in: Upon arrival at the hotel, you should report to the hotel reception as "Study and Travel". The tour leader, Rivo Rarivosoa, has made reservation of rooms and there will be a list with your names and room numbers in the reception.

Meeting: Since most participants will arrive late in the evening there will be a big board with information about the meeting in the morning, the rooms and so forth (as mentioned above).

Day 2

In the morning there will be an introduction meeting at 09.00 am on the roof of the building. The rest of the day will be spent in Tana together with the tour leader Rivo Rarivosoa and / or the assigned local guides.

Day 3 to 5

Trekking in farmed landscape, between villages in the vicinity of Tana. (Some may go as far as 100 km though - depending on the home country of the interpreter - but still stay within the highland area.) Groups will be small, maximum 4 travelers. A local interpreter will accompany each group as guide. It may be a student at the university speaking reasonable English. The guide will maybe bring you to his/her home village. This part is a little tough, probably the toughest part of the whole tour! But for you, this will most likely be the most interesting part of the tour. And unique as tourism in Madagascar. Make sure to be adventurous and ambitious - to really utilize the time given, 3 days including transport from and return to Tana. Bring a few small things as gifts to give to the family you stayed with. Maybe a T-shirt with Swedish text, photos of yourself, your house, your family, of snow and why not the Royal Family. Your guide and his costs are included in the price of the tour. But you pay for food and accommodation. How much you should pay can only be a clever guess. Rivo guess that a good payment for food on arrival in the evening, basic accommodation and food next morning should be around 10 000 - 17 000 MGA (Malagasy Ariary) equivalent to between 4,5 - 7,5 EUR / 45 - 75 SEK (2008-10-28) per day and person. (OBS Rate is floating, you must check yourself.) Usually you stay two nights, then you pay twice the amount. Lunch is not counted as you are supposed to go on a hike and visit the village and the surroundings in daytime. You will be treated as guests. It is likely that your host will refuse to take money from you. Malagasy are proud people. Still it is very important that you do pay. You may say that your money is not a payment, just as a token of thanks, or that they can use your money as a contribution for the school etc. Your diplomatic skills will be put to a test, but you must pay! In the afternoon you return to the same hotel as previously in Tana and say goodbye to your guide.

Day 6

Taxi brousse (a minibus used as locals transport) to Antsirabe and bus to Myandrivaso. It will take you three hours to Antsirabe and another five to reach Myandrivaso. Count on a rough journey for the second leg. Unfortunately, there will be no stops for photography on the way to Antsirabe since it is a local transport.

Day 7 to 8

By river boat to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. The Tsiribihina river cruise will slowly take you to the coast and you will eat on the boat and camp on the riverbed. The goal is to start quite early in the mornings in order to arrive mid afternoon the second day.

Day 9 to 10

Transport to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. During these two days you will have an exciting time in a very unique area. In 1987 National Geographic magazine published photograph's from the area and until then few, even amongst the Malagasy, new of the place. Before 1998 it was only scientists who could do visits, but now it is open to all. The scenery is spectacular with an abundance of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, some as high as 50 meters. These formations are known as tsingy's. The pinnacles are not the only attraction, the area is also known as a treasure house for botanists.

Day 11 to 12

By car to Morondava. In this small town you will have time to get re-organized and some rest. Morondava is a small, friendly coastal town and an old center of the Sakalava kingdom. While re-grouping, take it easy and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Day 13-14

By air to Toliara. Departure at 08.30 arrival 09.30, but timings can be changed. At arrival you go straight to Ifaty at the coast north of Toliara. Toliara, the town it self is surrounded by mangroves, but just north and south of the town you find beaches made of fine, white sand. Though the extensive coral reefs nowadays are somewhat bleached you will most likely find them good enough for snorkeling. For those who are not so keen on beach you can go to the Reniala Nature Reserve (not included).

Day 15 to 17

Early morning drive to Isalo National Park (in case you didn't go the day before). In Isalo you will get time to do a lot of trekking. From the base camp you will make excursions and you can make your own decisions of where and how far you go. It is advisable to do extensive treks so that you get the most out of Isalo. You will be provided with food for the day. There will be English-speaking guides available. Isalo National Park is known for its sandstone formations and canyons, a moon like landscape. The flora contains several endemic plants and the fauna offers the sifaka lemur, brown lemur and ring tail lemur.

Day 18

The tour continues by bus all the way to Fianarantsoa. It is a 300 km trip and quite challenging. Arrival in the evening.

Day 19

Train to Manakara on the East Coast. It is Sunday and if you have not done it before, try to go to church. It is a fantastic experience!

Day 20

Even though you stay two nights on the East Coast, you have only one day visiting the Pangalanes. You will make a shorter excursion on the Pangalanes, a system of canals and natural lakes that stretches 665 km from Toamasina to Vangaindrano. It is still the end of the rainy season (rain season ends April, but the water level is always good except during cyclone time) and this mean all plans will be made when the water level is checked.

Day 21 to 23

Drive to Ranomafana and then spend two and a half-day in the vicinity of Ranomafana, including Parc Nationale Ranomafana. Parc Nationale Ranomafana is one of the most famous national parks in the country, receiving lots of visitors. It is part of the small belt of rain forest that runs along the steep eastern slopes of the mountain chain making the backbone of the island from north to south. The altitude is between 800 to 1000 meters and the forest classifies as mid altitude rain forest. You are likely to get some rain during the stay. To get to the primary forest you will have to walk a while, but it is worth while.You will not only discover the rain forest you will also visit villages and the famous hot spring. Ranomafana means 'hot spring'. If you wish we can arrange for you to spend one night sleeping out in the forest.

Day 24

In the morning you continue by bus to Antsirabe, a small interesting town and also the agricultural and industrial center of Madagascar. Here you move around with pousse-pousse (the equivalent of India's rickshaw) and you can visit the thermal baths (in the morning).

Day 25

Friday will be your last, full day on Madagascar. Take care of it and don't hesitate to ask Rivo about what to do to fully enjoy Antsirabe. This is the day of departure for most travelers and the bus will go straight from Antsirabe to the airport from in the evening for those who leaves with the night flight around 01:00 a m on Day 26. OBS This ending is adjusted to Air France with departures after midnight.
Those who stays a little longer will be brought to town, to the hotel in Tana. If you travel with any other company with other time tables you should book your return ticket on Day 26 and also book one extra night at the hotel.