Lemurs, the great Pangalanes lake and the lagoons of Sainte Marie

141 km, 3h30 to 4h of driving depending on stops We hit the road in the morning, heading east. Over the first few kilometers, we cross the typical Highlands scenery: rice paddies and a few traditional villages. Then we descend the eastern escarpment to reach an intermediate plateau leading to the Andasibe reserve. Arrival at lunchtime, on your own. In the afternoon, we set off for a first outing to a reserve managed by a local NGO. A lovely first introduction to the wildlife of Andasibe. With a bit of luck, we might already spot our first lemurs. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Mantadia Lodge or similar.

A day dedicated to a full exploration of the Andasibe protected area. In the morning, we set off for a long forest walk in the Analamazaotra Special Reserve. Here you can observe Madagascar's largest lemur, the indri. The reserve is home to several lemur families and groups. The forest is also notable for several species of precious hardwood, magnificent ferns and more than a hundred species of orchids. Lunch on your own. About 4h of walking and up to 200m of elevation gain, easy walk, hiking trail sometimes muddy. Equipment required: good walking shoes, insect repellent, a waterproof bag for electronic devices, rain gear and a water bottle. In the afternoon, we set off by dugout canoe to visit the lemur islets. Here you'll discover 4 species of these friendly primates, endemic to Madagascar. We then continue the walk with a night outing, before dinner. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Mantadia Lodge or similar.

155 km, about 5h of driving depending on stops 1h transfer by motorboat Transfer by vehicle to the edge of the first accessible lake of the Pangalanes. We board a motorboat, then sail on to the Palmarium hotel. Check-in in a bungalow on the shore of one of the most beautiful lakes of the Pangalanes. Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Palmarium Hotel or similar.

In the morning, we set off on foot to explore the private Palmarium reserve. The park is home to more than 10 easily observed lemur species. You'll also discover several species of exotic plants, such as the nepenthes, a carnivorous plant. The island's most beautiful palm trees can also be seen in this park. About 2h of easy walking, gentle elevation gain, hiking trail sometimes muddy. Equipment required: good walking shoes or sturdy trainers, insect repellent, a waterproof bag for electronic devices, rain gear and a water bottle. Lunch on your own. Around 5:30pm, departure from the hotel by dugout canoe or boat for Aye-Aye Island. About an hour observing the aye-ayes in an untouched primary forest. Return to the hotel. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Palmarium or similar.

287 km / Paved road + dirt track / 6h to 7h of driving depending on stops + 1h boat After breakfast, boarding a fast boat towards Manambato. Welcome at the jetty by your driver-guide. We leave the lakes behind to reach the lush green forests of Andasibe, then the high plateaus with their terraced rice paddy landscapes. We pass through Moramanga, on the regional border between the capital and the Betsimisaraka region. Arrival in Tana, then transfer to your hotel. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast at Nosy Manga or similar.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Sainte-Marie. Welcome on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Sainte Marie is located on the east coast, a treasure in its own setting: 49km long, with its coasts 5 to 12km apart, the small island is the place to combine discovery (on foot or by bike), thrills and rest. If we had to sum up its beauty and richness, Sainte Marie would be like a novel: a former haunt of pirates and buccaneers whose presence is still marked by cemeteries, and whose influence remains rooted in the culture of local residents today. It would also be a « garden island »: clove, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee and pepper crops thrive here; it boasts magnificent white sand beaches, a lagoon and rich seabeds fringed by a coral reef, and, in season, a whale nursery: every year during the austral winter, the island hosts a spectacular display. Large groups of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from Antarctica to the Sainte-Marie channel, an ideal breeding ground. Here, these giants of the sea find favorable conditions for raising their young and for their courtship and acrobatic displays, before the great return to colder seas. Île aux Nattes, further south (2.5km by 1.5km), separated by a 400m-wide channel, can equally be a place to relax or for a day excursion. Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Princesse Bora Lodge or similar.

Free days at your leisure in Sainte Marie. Sainte-Marie is one of the most beautiful islands in Madagascar. About 50km long, the island is almost entirely surrounded by lagoons. Life here is easygoing, with an exotic, tropical atmosphere. Several types of excursions are easily arranged from the hotel; the not-to-be-missed ones are: - A tour of the island to the Ampinihy mangrove channel and Clipper Bay - Île aux Nattes and the lagoons of the East Coast - The Sand and Coral islets Lunch on your own. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Princesse Bora Lodge or similar.

Depending on flight times, transfer to Sainte Marie airport and flight to Antananarivo. Welcome on arrival. Check-in at a hotel near the airport for a day use. Dinner on site. In the evening, return to the airport, then check-in for your flight to France. Lunch on your own. Day use and dinner in Antananarivo. Accommodation These accommodation selections are given as an indication only. They are non-contractual and may be changed depending on availability. Nevertheless, we will do our best to keep the same category and price class.