Eco-exploration and biodiversity of the Vanilla Islands

SUMMARY

With its fragrant plantations, Réunion is the Vanilla island par excellence. Birthplace of Edmond Albius, the first person to hand-fertilise a vanilla pod, the island remains rich in human and natural diversity. A subtle mix of spices and flavours from Asia and Madagascar, Réunion, the “Intense Island” is your next stop in the Vanilla Islands. But before that, throb to the heartbeat of the young Piton de la Fournaise.

In Madagascar, first explore the transition forest that separates the east and west of the Big Island, in the mountains. Then fly north to reach the Amber Mountain. Deep in the forest, marvel at Canarium madagascariensis : a rare and precious tree native to the country. During your trip through volcanic terrain you will be amazed by the Red Tsingy and the Mandresy Cave decorated with stalagmites and the fruit bats that live there. With your 4X4, go to Ramena and its fine white-sand beach surrounded by a clear and sparkling sea. Freshly caught seafood will be available for lunch. Travel on the water to three small bays : a beautiful way to end your stay.

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17
DAYS

16
NIGHTS

From
€3700
(including all taxes and VAT)
per person
(Based on 2 people sharing)

Getting in touch with nature		4/5
Meeting the locals		4/5
Eco-responsibility		3/5
Comfort		3/5
Accessibility		3/5

A ECOTOURISTIC CIRCUIT CHARACTERIZED BY

A guided and educational discovery of one of the most active volcanoes in the world : le Piton de la Fournaise.

Native botanical hikes in Belouve (Réunion) and Ambohitantely (Madagascar)

Participation in conservation and biodiversity projects.

i-v-ecotourisme-reunion-foret-de-belouve

A guided visit of the main forest in Amber Mountain.

A hike in the Tsingy de l’Ankarana

COMBINED ITINERARY

The visits, meetings and transfers mentioned may vary depending on the availability of participants and local constraints.

WEEK 1

Day 1 : Paris – Saint-Denis

After a pleasant flight, we welcome you to Saint-Denis. After a brief briefing, head for the Cirque de Salazie. On the road, make sure you see the Niagara waterfall, visit a vanilla factory and meet the farmers, the inheritors of the expertise of previous generations. Once in Hell-Bourg, one of the most beautiful French villages. Visit Maison Folio and tour the authentic Creole huts. A guesthouse will provide you will dinner and a restful night.

Day 2 : Hell-Bourg

Accompanied by a naturalist guide and a renowned botanist, this unforgettable walk in the heart of the primal Bélouve forest will stimulate your senses. Weave your way through the tree-like ferns, the highland tamarinds and the colourful forest. The trail will take you to the island’s largest waterfall: Trou de Fer. A picnic at the heart of the forest will make you forget the rest of the world. Then you will return to Hell-Bourg for a night in a guest house.

Day 3 : Hell-Bourg – Saint Philippe

In the morning, take a trip on one of the most beautiful rivers in the East. Discover the natural heritage of plants, invertŽbrŽs, birds and many other species these. Around noon, a little break for lunch. After lunch, walk along the Route des Laves separating Saint-Rose from Saint-Philippe and wonder at the impressive ancient lava flows before entering the Piton de La Fournaise lava tunnels. Head to a charming guest house for dinner and stay for the night.

Day 4 : Saint Philippe – La Plaine des Cafres

Welcome to the real Réunion. Saint-Philippe is home to great wealth: the Mare Longue tropical rainforest. Visit the Garden of Perfume and Spices in the heart of the forest and eat your lunch amidst nature. After, head to Manapany to see the green gecko. Take part in the preservation of this critically-endangered small lizard, which can only be found in the south of the island. La Plaine des Cafres welcomes you at the end of the day for dinner and the night.

Day 5 : La Plaine des Cafres – La Saline les Bains

After breakfast, set off for the Piton de la Fournaise. Having stopped off a few times to admire unique views of the south’s volcanic panorama, cross the magnificent lunar landscape before arriving at the volcano’s main crater. At noon, arrive at a traditional restaurant where you will receive a good lunch. Then, explore the science and education area to learn about the volcano’s activity and Réunion’s geological formation. Following this busy day, you will head to the hotel on the west coast in the early evening for a well-deserved rest.

Day 6 : La Saline les bains

Time for a morning where you get stuck in: you will go to a beach and take part in conservation activities for sea turtle nesting areas. The project involves reintroducing heritage plant species that protect the nests from harm. sound and light, heat and trampling, and also the olfactory attraction of sea turtles. Then visit the Kélonia museum to meet the protected turtles themselves. After a typical Creole lunch, you will venture out onto the island’s largest lagoon in transparent kayaks to see the coral reef up close. A guide will take you to the most beautiful areas of the lagoon, which will no doubt keep you enthralled until dinner in La Saline les Bains.

Day 7 : La Saline les bains – Saint-Denis – Antananarivo

After breakfast, get ready to travel to Mauritius. On arrival, our team will take care of your transfer to the Lodge, where a welcome cocktail and a typical mountain lunch will be waiting. A briefing on the trip before leaving for the village of Sarimanina. Marvel at the beauty of the Aloe macroclada field, the tight-knit flocks of birds and the terraced rice fields. Watch the sunset from your lodge before dinner.

WEEK 2

Day 8 : Antananarivo

Before breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a morning walk with an ornithological focus. A native species reforestation programme awaits in the village of Antanetibe. A couple will serve you a typical lunch. In the afternoon, Mount Ampananina awaits you. At the summit, enjoy a breathtaking view of the city of Antananarivo. The villagers will provide you with folk entertainment before dinner.

Day 9 : Antananarivo – Ambohitantely

Start your day with breakfast, then go to the Ambohitantely Special Reserve. Along the way, admire the beautiful landscapes until you reach the camp in Madagascar National Park. You will then have lunch at the campsite before marvelling at the region’s exceptional flora : native orchids, triangle palms (Dypsis decaryi) and many other species. Dinner will be by the campfire near your tent.

Day 10 : Ambohitantely

Early in the morning you will hike to the Special Reserve, which contains one of the few remaining areas of central plateau forest. You will then stop at the sacred waterfall, where you will enjoy spectacular views of this transition forest between the east and west of the country. In the early evening, return to the ecolodge to spend the night half-board.

Day 11 : Antananarivo – Flight to Antsiranana – Amber Mountain

After breakfast, go to the airport and fly to the northern end of Madagascar. On arrival, you will meet our Amber Mountain team for lunch before exploring the village of Joffreville and the private nature reserve. Dinner and night at the Lodge

Day 12 : Ambre Mountain

After breakfast, go to the Amber Mountain National Park, with its dense and humid forest brimming with native precious species, where you will see Dalbergia chlorocarpa and Canarium madagascariensis. The dazzling waterfalls, each as stunning as the next, will be a memorable part of your day. In the evening, watch the sunset from your lodge.

Day 13 : Amber Mountain – Ankarana

During the next part of your trip you will feel like you have been transported to a lunar landscape as you visit the Red Tsingy : one of the most impressive sites in the north. You will arrive at the Iharana Forest Camp around noon for a memorable lakeside lunch. Once you are sated, head to the enormous Mandresy Cave where you can admire the stalagmites and fruit bats that live there. Back to camp for a sunset aperitif.

Day 14 : Ankarana

Have a good breakfast before trekking to the heart of the Tsingy. Be guided to the Chameleon Cave. You will be amazed by the biodiversity and ecosystem in Ankarana’s Tsingy region during this adventure. You will have lunch in natural surroundings abundant in lush vegetation and incredible fauna (lemurs, butterflies, invertebrates). Return to camp for dinner and the night.

WEEK 3

Day 15 : Ankarana – Ramena

Once breakfast is over, head to Ramena Bay. You will see the “sugar loaf” island in the middle of Andovobazaha Bay (also known as French Bay). Lunch is seafood at Hotel Meva Plage. In the afternoon, follow the guide to explore a two-mile beach typical of coral seas and the fishing village nearby.

Day 16 : Ramena – Three bay visits

Leaving Ramena, continue your trip on the water and visit Dune Bay, Pigeon Bay and the idyllic Sakalava Bay. Pigeon Bay to the idyllic Sakalava Bay. You will taste the results of the local catch during a picnic at lunch. Return to your hotel to dine at nightfall.

Day 17 : Ramena – Antsiranana – Antananarivo – flight to Paris

You will end your stay with a last breakfast before the transfer from Antananarivo Airport to Antananarivo before returning to Paris.

MAP

EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

REUNION

• Involvement in a project to rehabilitate sea turtle nesting areas,
• A typically Creole lunch at the heart of the forest
• Participation in saving the green gecko.
• A walk in the last unharmed areas of the tropical rainforest.

MADAGASCAR

• Themed native wildlife and plant hike in the transition forest
• A guided visit of the main forest in Amber Mountain
• A hike in the Tsingy de l’Ankarana
• Participation in the saving of endemic species

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The visits, meetings and transfers mentioned may vary depending on the availability of the participants and local constraints.

Insurance

Réunion & Madagascar : No compulsory insurance for French nationals. However, it is possible to purchase insurance for your expenses.

Tips

Tips are not mandatory, but left at the client’s discretion.

Time difference (from UK)

Réunion
• Summer : UTC +4 (BST +3)
• Winter : UTC +4 (GMT +4)

Madagascar
• Summer : GMT+2
• Winter : GMT+3

Supervision

In Réunion : A guide will accompany you during the whole stay. Specialist guides work on the sites

Madagascar : You will be accompanied by a general tour guide and local guides

Transports

In Réunion : Transport is in 9-seater minibuses for the whole trip.

In Madagascar
• In the capital : 9-seater minibus
• In the northern part of the island : 4X4

Health

No vaccinations are required. There are no cases of malaria on the island of Réunion. For Madagascar, no vaccination is required, unless you have recently (in the last 3 months) travelled to continental Africa, in which case the vaccine against yellow fever is required.

Bring with you

Located in the southern hemisphere, Réunion has a mild tropical climate. There is heat and sunshine all year round, but each region has its own microclimate.

Essentials : hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, swimwear and walking shoes.

For Madagascar’s rainforests, don’t forget a raincoat and a torch for night visits. Even if you forget something, you will find everything you need in shops there.

Accommodation

The charming accommodation proposed for this trip reflect the local heritage and are kept by welcoming hosts who are eco-friendly. They are involved in the sustainable management of their site.

Depending on the local context, or for logistical reasons, it is possible to study in better located hotels.

Meals and drinks

In Réunion : Reunionnais cuisine is the result of an influence of Malagasy, French, Indian, East African and Chinese cuisines brought to the island by immigrants. Naturally spiced, tasty and relatively consistent, Cari is the traditional dish. It is made up of rice, leguminous plants and meat or fish (chicken, octopus, sea bream, swordfish, sausage).

Half-board stay, lunches at very affordable prices, and drinks are not included.

In Madagascar : The typical cuisine of each region will be served. During excursions, dishes are prepared using fresh local produce.

Bank cards

Réunion : As with any French territory, you can use your credit card on the Réunion island for payments and to withdraw money from ATMs.

There are many ATMs on the whole island, although some banks are not represented and withdrawal fees may sometimes apply (contact your bank for more details).

Madagascar : All bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc. ) are accepted by ATMs located in big cities and medium-sized towns. It is recommended to bring currencies and exchange them for local currency upon arrival at the airport.

Flights

Five airlines (Air France, Air Austral, Corsair, XL Airways, French Bee) fly directly to Réunion from the French mainland. The island is also reachable via Mauritius.

Air France
• Number of flights per week : 12 between Orly West and Saint-Denis de La Rèunion
• Flight duration : Paris – Réunion : 10 hours 50 minutes

Air Austral
• Number of flights per week : 12 direct flights to Saint-Denis and a daily flight to Saint-Pierre
• Flight duration : Paris – Réunion: 10 hours 55 minutes

Corsair
• Direct daily and night flights between Saint-Denis de La Rèunion and Paris
• Flight duration : Paris – Réunion : 11 hours

XL Airways France
• Number of flights per week : 13 direct flights
• 3 flights per week from Paris CDG T2A, 2 flights per week from Marseille, 1 flight per week from Lyon.

French Bee
• Daily direct flights between Paris Orly and Saint-Denis
• Flight duration : 11 hours

Regional flight : La Reunion – Madagascar : Return

Practical information
Documentation

Réunion : For French or European Union nationals: identity card or valid passport. For nationals of other countries : valid passport, visa if applicable, and return ticket or confirmation of continuation of travel.

Madagascar : For French nationals travelling there, it is essential to have a passport with at least six months of validity remaining. A visa is required, delivered to the airport with 2 identification photos. For a stay of less than 30 days the cost is €35, payable in person and in cash, upon presentation of your passport.

The right to stay, for information purposes only :
• Less than 1 month : approximately €29 – 100,000 Ar
• Between 1 and 2 months : approximately €35 – 90,000 Ar
• Between 2 and 3 months : approximately €40 – 140,000 Ar
• 3 months to 3 years : approximately €43 – 150,000 Ar

TARIF

Price per person
€3700
based on two people sharing a double room, including all transfers.
(Apart from international flights)

RÉUNION
MADAGASCAR

RÉUNION

This price includes

• Half-board accommodation in double rooms
• Transfers
• Access to a trip advisor
• Administration fees
• Assistance

This price does not include

• The plane tickets.
• Tourist tax to be paid in situ (approximately €1 per day per person)
• Deposits required for accommodation (specified upon confirmation of booking)
• All activities and optional tours
• Lunches and/or restaurant suggestions.