SUMMARY
In Madagascar, you will have the chance to take part in a reforestation project in Antanetibe. Then, dive into the heart of the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, home to many species of lemur, including the indri-indri, the largest lemur in the world. Once you arrive on the eastern coast of the island, you will be awed by the stunning landscape of Manambato and the serenity of the Akanin’ny Nofy reserve on the banks of Lake Ampitabe. Akanin’ny Nofy literally translates as, ‘nest of dreams’. Before returning to the Central Highlands, why not see if you can spot the mysterious aye-aye, a nocturnal lemur under threat of extinction ? The volcanic terrain in Ampefy makes for a fascinating trip. While in Ampefy, enjoy the charms of Lily’s Waterfall and the Analavory Geysers before flying to your next destination, the island of Mauritius.
After you escape the mainland, you will enjoy Mauritius, the pearl of the Indian Ocean. The diversity of its population highlights its rich history. Your stay on Mauritius will be full of unforgettable moments. Explore the island’s culture and history buried in the 18th century ruins. During the trip, a host of fun activities await you, such as hiking or an electric bike ride — or, if the mood takes you, why not go kayaking or snorkelling ? Admire the contrast between this very dense green space and the steadily growing urban environment. You cannot fail to enjoy the breathtaking views, the beautiful beaches and the warm turquoise lagoons, typical of the Vanilla Islands.
18
DAYS
17
NIGHTS
From
€3,495
(Including taxes)
per person
(Based on 8 people sharing)
| Getting in touch with nature | 4/5 |
|
| Meeting the locals | 4/5 |
|
| Eco-responsibility | 3/5 |
|
| Comfort | 4/5 |
|
| Accessibility | 3/5 |
A ECOTOURISTIC CIRCUIT CHARACTERIZED BY
A visit to a fishing village and a chance to meet the locals.
Discovering biodiversity and its importance.
Participating in the conservation of lemurs in the private Vakona reserve.
Environmentally friendly lodges and the private Palmarium reserve.
A historical and cultural visit to the village of Ampefy.
COMBINED ITINERARY
The visits, meetings and transfers mentioned may vary depending on the availability of participants and local constraints.
Day 1 : Europe – Antananarivo
Leave Paris for Antananarivo. Dinner will be served on board. Upon arrival, a team will organise your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome cocktail while listening to a speed-briefing about your trip. You will then take a guided hike through the quintessential Madagascan village of Sarimanina. Admire the fields of aloe macroclada, a species of aloe plant native to Madagascar. Ornithology enthusiasts will find much to delight in. Enjoy the sunset on your lodge’s terrace before dining on fresh local produce.
Day 2 : Antananarivo
At dawn, enjoy a short walk along an ornithology discovery trail. Learn about the various species indigenous to the region. Return to the lodge for breakfast before travelling to Antanetibe to take part in a reforestation project. A regional dish will be served for lunch at the home of locals, Richard and Christine. In the afternoon, Mount Ampananina awaits you. At the summit, enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire city of Antananarivo. As the day draws to a close, you will return to the lodge to be entertained by folklore shows performed by the local villagers.
Day 3 : Antananarivo
Breakfast will be followed by a trip to Andasibe. Discover the region’s natural, cultural and historical heritage. You will take a short tour of Moramanga to visit the historic gendarmerie museum and the market, as well as having an opportunity to meet people from the local Bezanozano community. The Vakôna Forest Lodge Hotel awaits you, providing full-board accommodation.
Day 4 : Andasibe
After breakfast, the day will begin with an exploration of the Analamazaotra reserve, a forest corridor home to dessifaka and indri indri lemurs, and various bird and reptile species. You will also be able to admire the beautiful orchids. You will then savour regional dishes over lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to visit the lemur island in the private Vakona park, a few hours away by canoe. At the end of the afternoon, you will return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 5 : Andasibe – Mantadia
A very early start is in order as you embark on a visit to the dense and humid forest of the Andasibe National Park. The stunning rainforest is home to many rare native species. Before nightfall, you will return to the lodge to dine and unwind.
Day 6 : Andasibe – Akanin’ny Nofy
Breakfast will be served before you leave the natural charm of Andasibe to travel to the village of Manambato. Enjoy this little piece of paradise bordering Lake Rasoabe with its fine sand beach. From there, a boat awaits you for a trip to the Palmarium Hotel, which will welcome you with full-board accommodation. Prepare to be awed by the spectacular and breathtaking landscapes along the Pangales canal.
Day 7 : Akanin’ny Nofy
After breakfast, enjoy a stroll through the tropical rainforest. At least ten species of lemur roam freely around the reserve. It is also home to magnificent fauna and flora : orchids, carnivorous plants and the most beautiful palm trees, native to Madagascar. After lunch at the hotel, you will have an opportunity to take part in a reforestation project led by the local community. Traditional Malagasy “vakodrazana” music will provide the rhythm for your dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 : Akanin’ny Nofy
On your final day in Akanin’ny Nofy, why not take advantage of the beach and some aquatic activities ? After lunch, your guide will take you to Andranokoditra where you can admire the local artisanal workshops organised by the women’s association of this fishing village. As night falls, you will return to the Hotel Palmarium’s private reserve to go in search of the aye-aye lemur, a rare and endangered species.
Day 9 : Akanin’ny Nofy – Antananarivo
After breakfast, you will return to Antananarivo, via Manambato. En route, you will stop in the private Pèreirras reserve to discover the amphibian and reptile species of the eastern part of the country. Then enjoy a night of relaxation in one of the island capital’s ecolodges.
Day 10 : Antananarivo – Ampefy
After breakfast, you will set out for a village two and a half hours from Antananarivo. Ampefy is highly prized for its air of calm and its beautiful landscapes. Several stops are planned along the route to allow you to admire the stunning vistas of the western part of the Central Highlands. Upon arrival, lunch will be served at the Kintana Fleuron lodge, after which you will embark on a canoe on tripLake Itsay. Take the chance to explore this natural resource before returning to the lodge.
Day 11 : Ampefy
Breakfast is served before a mountain bike ride to the Lily Waterfall. From here, a car will take you to the Analavory Geysers, around 20 km from the village of Ampefy. There, you will enjoy a picnic lunch, before taking part in a reforestation and conservation programme with a local association. At the end of the day you will return to the lodge in Ampefy.
Day 12 : Ampefy – Antananarivo – Mauritius
After breakfast, you will return to Antananarivo for a flight to Mauritius. Upon arrival, a welcome team will take care of your transfer to the Otentic Eco Tent Experience, perfectly situated on the banks of the Grand River, where you will dine and spend the night.
Day 13 : Île aux Cerfs
For this beautiful morning aboard a boat, you will head to the Île aux Cerfs, with its magnificent beach and turquoise water. You will return at 1 pm for lunch. In the afternoon, why not while away the hours before dinner by enjoying the many activities offered by the hotel ?
Day 14 : Île Aux Aigrettes – Blue Bay – Mahébourg
Kick start the day with a good breakfast. You will then visit the Île aux Aigrettes to take part in a conservation and restoration project. Your next port of call is the Blue Bay Marine Park, a Unesco heritage site, where you will go snorkelling. A glass-bottomed boat will allow for an up-close exploration of the beauty of the underwater world. You will then journey to Mahéburg for a Sino-Mauritian lunch before rounding off the day with a visit to a traditional biscuit factory, the oldest in the country. Finally, you will return to the Otentic for the evening.
Day 15 : St Antoine – Île d’Ambre – Le Morne
After breakfast at the Otentic, head to Saint-Antoine for a day of kayaking. Take advantage of a snorkelling break, then take part in the conservation of species native to l’île d’Ambre, the Amber Island. From here you will cross to l’îlot de Bernache, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch. Back in St. Antoine, your driver will take you to the Lux le Morne Hotel, situated on the south-west coast of the island.
Day 15 : Le Morne
After breakfast, you will discover a whole host of activities at the Lux Le Morne. Or, why not take advantage of this luxurious setting to relax and unwind ?
Day 16 : Chamarel
After breakfast, you will head for the village of Chamarel for half a day of electrobiking. Savour a flavour of Mauritian coffee at the panoramic Le Chamarel restaurant. Before moving on to the Terres des Sept Couleurs area, take a moment to admire the Vieille Cheminée lodge. Next, you will visit a monument laid in honour of shipwrecked Australian sailors, before rounding off the journey at the “Place du Moulin” in Bel Ombre, a charming little village where you will have a chance to buy some souvenirs. You will then return to the hotel for a free afternoon.
Day 16 : Mauritius – Paris
Your trip to the Vanilla Islands ends here.
EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Meeting with the village association of Atanetibe
• Preparing lunch with Richard and Christine’s family
• A nighttime trip to meet some endangered indigenous species
• Exciting and eco-responsible activities
• A visit to the oldest biscuit factory on the island of Mauritius
• Dive into the heart of UNESCO’s heritage Blue Bay
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Insurance
No insurance is required for French nationals. However, it is possible to take out insurance at your own expense.
Tips
Tips are not mandatory, but left at the client’s discretion.
Transport
Madagascar : Clients are transported by 9-seater minibus.
Mauritius : Clients are transported by car or minibus.
Trip management in both countries
You will be accompanied by experienced drivers-guides. Local guides will participate where necessary.
Accommodation
The charming accommodation proposed for this trip reflects the local heritage and is run by welcoming hosts who are eco-friendly. They are involved in the sustainable management of their site.
Health
Madagascar : No vaccinations are required. Vaccines against hepatitis A and B, and typhoid fever are recommended
Mauritius : No vaccinations required
Time difference (from UK)
Madagascar
• Summer : BST+2
• Winter : GMT+3
Mauritius
• Summer : BST+3
• Winter : GMT+4
Meals and drinks
Madagascar : The typical Malagasy cuisine of each region is served during your trip.
Mauritius : Your Mauritius stay is on a full-board basis (excluding drinks). During excursions you will be able to taste Mauritian cuisine
Bring with you
Located in the southern hemisphere, Madagascar and Mauritius have a tropical climate tempered by the proximity of the Indian Ocean. It is hot and sunny all year round but each region has its own microclimate. Seasons are reversed from those in the northern hemisphere.
Essentials : Mosquito repellent, sun cream (in compliance with environmental standards) and walking shoes, windproof and waterproof clothing, swimsuit and hat.
Bank cards
Mauritius : You can use your credit card to make a payment in many places, as well as to withdraw money from ATMs.
Madagascar : All bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are accepted by ATMs located in big cities and medium-sized towns.
Flights
Four airlines (Air France, Air Austral, Air Mauritius, Air Madagascar) fly directly to Madagascar from the French mainland. Regional services also operate from Réunion, Mauritius and Comoros.
Mauritius is easily accessible by plane, with several direct flights and connections from France.
A few airlines operating services to Mauritius :
Mauritius
Direct flights
• Air France
• Air Mauritius (direct night flight, operates daily)
Flight with stopover
• Emirates
• Turkish Airlines
• British Airways
• Air Austral
Useful information
Documentation
Madagascar : For French nationals travelling to Madagascar, it is essential to have a passport with at least six months of validity remaining. A visa will be issued at the airport. You will need 2 identification photos. For a stay of less than 30 days the cost is €35, payable in person and in cash, upon presentation of passport.
Mauritius : For French nationals travelling to Mauritius, it is essential to have a passport or identity card (valid for at least six months after return date). You are also required to provide an address for your stay
TARIF
Madagascar rate : price per person
Based on two people sharing*
4 people : €1550 inc. tax
6 people : €1573 inc. tax
8 people : €1459 inc. tax
10 people : €1492 inc. tax
Mauritius
€1620
per person including taxes,
based on two sharing. Minimum 4 people.
Flight cost : €325
This price includes
• Half-board accommodation
• Lunches
• All transfers
• Specialist tour guides
• Access to a trip advisor
• Tourist tax and administration fees
• Assistance
This price does not include
• International plane tickets
• Deposits required for accommodation (specified upon confirmation of booking)
• All activities and optional visits
This price includes
• Accommodation at the Otentic Eco Tent Experience and full-board accommodation at the Lux Le Morne
• Pick up service (transport and accompanying driver/guide)
• Assistance
• All meals (extra charge for drinks)
This price does not include
• Plane tickets
• All activities and optional visits
• Drinks (unless otherwise stated)
*Price includes : Accommodation, meals excluding drinks, listed activities, internal flights, visas, water and land transfers
CONTACT
MADAGASCAR
Name : Ramartour Madagascar
Tel : +261 (0)202248723
Email : sales@ramartour.com
Mauritius
Name : PROMOTOUR
Tel : +230 465 8935
Email : audrey@promotourmauritius.com
The Vanilla Islands
info@vanilla-islands.org
www.vanilla-islands.org
