A little getaway in the eastern part of Madagascar. After exploring the protected areas of Andasibe, we will sail on the intertwining lines of the great lakes that make up the Canal des Pangalanes. This is an original way to reach the coastal town of Tamatave. This trip is an opportunity to see several species of the mythical animal that makes the reputation of the Great Island, the lemur; first in the rainforest of Andasibe, then on the land tongues of the Canal des Pangalanes and finally on the island of Sainte Marie. Sainte Marie is a little piece of heaven with its primary forests, its historical sites, its inhabitants and its seabed, and it welcomes in its warm waters humpback whales every year from July to October.
We will hit the road in the morning, heading east. On the first kilometers, we will cross the landscape of the Highlands: rice fields and some traditional villages. Then we will descend the eastern escarpment to reach an intermediate plateau to the reserve of Andasibe. Arrival at lunchtime. Free lunch.
In the afternoon, we will first go to a reserve managed by a local NGO. A beautiful first approach to the fauna of Andasibe. Hopefully, we will be able to see our first lemurs.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
A day dedicated to a full discovery of Andasibe’s protected area. In the morning, we will leave for a long stroll in the forest, in Analamazaotra’s special reserve. Here, we can observe the largest lemur in Madagascar, the Indri Indri. The reserve is home to several families and groups of lemurs. The forest is also characterized by the presence of several species of precious woods, magnificent ferns and more than a hundred species of orchids. Free lunch.
4-hour walk, 200 m of vertical drop, easy walk, sometimes muddy hiking trail
Necessary equipment: good walking shoes or good sneakers, mosquito repellent, waterproof bag for electronic devices, raincoat and water bottle.
In the afternoon, we are going to visit the islets of the lemurs. There, we will see 4 species of these friendly primates that are endemic to Madagascar.
We will then have a night out before dinner.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Transfer by car to the side of the first accessible lake of Pangalanes. We will then board a motorboat. Then, sail to the Palmarium Hotel. Settle in a bungalow, along one of the most beautiful lakes of Pangalanes. Free lunch.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
In the morning, we will discover the private reserve of the Palmarium on foot. The park is home to over 10 species of easily observable lemurs. There are also several species of exotic plants such as the Nepenthes, a carnivorous plant. The most beautiful palm trees of the island are also seen in this park. 2h easy walk, low elevation, sometimes muddy hiking trail.
Necessary equipment: good walking shoes or good sneakers, mosquito repellent, waterproof bag for electronic devices, raincoat and water bottle. Free lunch at the hotel.
Around 05:30pm, departure from the hotel by canoe or boat for Aye-Aye Island. Approximately one hour of observation of the Ayes-Ayes in a primary forest that has remained wild. Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Navigation to the city of the great port of the East in the morning. (3 hours of sailing, a fast boat with a capacity of 11 people maximum). We will take the time to appreciate this extraordinary lake formation which runs along the east coast of Madagascar for more than 600 km. The vegetation along the canal is magnificent: traveler’s trees, elephant ears, pandanus, lychee trees, fruit bread, custard apples or soursops … Everything grows there. Also, enjoy the permanent show of “bus ships”, the fishermen’s parade with their canoes, rafts carrying exotic fruits. Arrival in Tamatave at lunchtime. Free lunch.
Walk in the town in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Option 1 : Private flight Tamatave - Sainte Marie
Transfer to the airport for a private flight to Sainte-Marie. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.
OR
Option 2: 3 hours of boat transfer
Early breakfast then departure from the hotel. We take the road along the east coast to reach Foulpointe or Mahambo. We will then board a boat, about 3 hours sailing depending on the weather. Arrival in Sainte Marie in the early afternoon, welcome upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Provide lunch at your expense.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Free days in Sainte Marie.
Several types of excursions are organized from the hotel. Among them, the most common ones are:
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Depending on the flight schedules, transfer to Sainte Marie airport and flight to Antananarivo. Pick-up on arrival. Installation in a hotel close to the airport for a Day Use. In the evening, return to the airport then check in on the flight back.
TRAVEL AGENCY – DMC – CAR RENTAL
AGENCE DE VOYAGES – TOUR OPERATEUR – LOCATION DE VOITURES
