16-Days Journey from Antananarivo to Ambositra

Bemaraha Tsingy

Madagascar Tourism

Animal Spotting

Highlights

Get on an Antsirabe exploration of thermal springs and miniature workshops

Enjoy a three-day Tsiribihina River camping, birdwatching, and village visits

Discover the limestone peaks and wildlife of Bemaraha National Park

Explore iconic baobab trees in Morondava

Wander at Ranomafana National Park for lemurs, diverse wildlife, and rainforest hikes

Indulge in trekking adventure at Tsaranoro Valley

Gain insight into the markets, craft workshops, and community reserves

Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Morondava

nature, trekking, Wildlife

Group Tour

16 Days

Hard

English, French, Italian

Description

Explore Antananarivo's historic sites and thermal Antsirabe on this 16-day tour of the wonders of Madagascar. Discover the Tsiribihina River's beauty with camping and village visits—Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Great Tsingy in Bemaraha National Park. Witness the iconic Baobab Avenue at sunset in Morondava. Encounter lemurs in Ranomafana and delve into Zafimaniry culture in Ambalavao. Conclude in Antananarivo with cultural insights before departure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo
- Meet and greet at Ivato International Airport.
- Transfer to the hotel.
- Sightseeing and city tour in Antananarivo.
Overnight at a Hotel.
Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe
- Depart after breakfast for Antsirabe.
- Stop in Ambatolampy to visit an aluminium manufacturing workshop.
- Explore Antsirabe, known as the "Town of Water".
- Visit a workshop crafting miniatures from recycled materials.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: Antsirabe - Miandrivazo
- Explore Antsirabe's market and local craft workshops.
- Drive to Miandrivazo through picturesque highland scenery.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 4 - Day 6: Down the Tsiribihina River
- Transfer to the pier for a boat journey on the Tsiribihina River.
- Camp on the riverbanks, birdwatching, and swimming.
- Walk through villages and explore Bemaraha Gorge.
- 4x4 road trip to Bekopaka, near Bemaraha Tsingy.
Camping for 3 days/2 nights with the entire board.
Day 7: Bemaraha National Park - Bekopaka
- Canoe trip, track, and hike to explore the Great Tsingy. It is a unique formation of limestone. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 and a National Park.
- Enjoy an optional visit to the small Tsingy for non-hikers.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 8: Bekopaka - Morondava
- Return to Morondava via Baobab Avenue at sunset.
- Cross the Tsiribihina River by ferry.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 9: Morondava - Antsirabe
- Drive back to Antsirabe
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 10: Antsirabe - Ranomafana
- Drive through scenic highlands to Ranomafana.
- Stop in Ambositra to visit the Zafimaniry woodcarving workshop.
- Enjoy an evening walk in Ranomafana National Park if there is time.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 11: Ranomafana - Ambalavao
- Early visit to Ranomafana National Park for wildlife viewing.
- Drive to Ambalavao in the afternoon, known for its wood carving and vineyards.
- Visit Anja Community Reserve en route.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 12: Ambalavao - Tsaranoro Valley
- Visit Anja Reserve and look for lemurs and reptiles.
- Drive to Tsaranoro Valley for scenic views
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 13: Trekking Tsaranoro
- Start a trek to Chameleon Mountain in the morning for panoramic views.
- Descend for leisure activities.
Overnight at a camp.
Day 14: Tsaranoro - Ambositra
- Trek through Tsaranoro Valley landscapes.
- Visit Morarano village and cross rivers.
- Drive to Ambositra for cultural experiences.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 15: Ambositra - Antananarivo
- Visit the Zafimaniry woodcarving workshop.
- Drive back to Antananarivo via Ambatolampy.
- Spend the evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 16: Departure from Ivota-Antananarivo International Airport
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to Ivato-Antananarivo International Airport for departure.

What's Included

Accommodation on a board basis for the day1-2-3-6-7-8-9-10-11

Breakfast and dinner for the day1-2-3-6-7-8-9-10-11

Lunches for the day4-5 and day12-13

Camping during the river crossing on the entire board from day-4 to day-5

All ferry boat

All transfers mentioned in the program

One private English-speaking guide throughout the trip

Private coach/mini-bus with air-conditioning and off-road car for dirt roads (Morondava-Tsingy and Ambalavao-Andringitra)

Fuel and Driver indemnification during all land transportation

All visits and excursions are mentioned in the program

Entrance fees and local guide services in all parks and reserves mentioned in the program

Tourist taxes

What's Excluded

Airfare to and from the destination

Lunches for the Day1-2-3-6-7-8-9-10-11

Visa fees, when applicable

All visits not indicated in the itinerary

Items for a personal nature, tipping and souvenirs

Any change on the spot

Insurance cancellation or any other travel insurance

Drinks

Items for a personal nature, tipping and souvenirs

Know Before You Go

Accommodation

Hotels & Lodges

We use tourist-class hotels throughout the trip. The hotels are simple, 2-3 star hotels with lovely lodges in the middle of nature, but they are very comfortable. Most of the hotels have mosquito nets in the rooms. Please note that although all of the hotels are said to have a reliable electricity and water supply, there may be instances in which you experience some gaps in supply. This is more of a reflection of life in Madagascar than the standard of the hotel. Please be aware that some hotels do not have 24-hour electricity, and hot water is not always available in some. There is Wi-Fi in most of the hotels, but this is often only in the communal areas and not the rooms.

Single accommodation is available for a supplement on this trip.

Food and transport

Eating and drinking

The food in Madagascar is generally of a food quality, particularly so by the coast where the seafood is excellent. A one-course lunch/dinner should cost EUR6-8 while a three-course lunch/dinner should cost EUR12-18. Please allow approximately EUR150 for meals not included, plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner! Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and easily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but it is not to everyone’s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavored rum’s which are widely sold and very reasonably priced.

Please note that if you eat neither fish nor meat, your food options will be rather limited (i.e. omelet, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfast are usually simple, eggs, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (e.g. spread, peanuts butter, etc.).

Transportation

We use private coach/mini-bus, which will be quite comfortable during the tour, usually with air-conditioning.

4x4 offroad: The coach will accompany tourists most of the time except our trip to the Tsingy which requires a very good 4X4. The coach will not be with group for the 3 days of dirt road to the Tsingy.

Weather Information

Madagascar has a tropical climate with two seasons – rainy and dry.

The driest season extends from April to October. It is often cold on the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings and the rainforest areas, so you should bring warm clothes (fleece and waterproof).

There is considerable regional variation, but coastal areas are usually hot and dry. Expect daytime in the

Joining Instructions

Travelling land only: starting and ending in Antananarivo

Please note that security conditions at the airport in Antananarivo do not allow the leader to access the airport building. The leader will wait directly outside the building to meet you on arrival.

The cost of a taxi is likely to be about EUR15 should you decide to make your way independently.

Location start: Antananarivo

Location end: Antananarivo

Practical Information

Passport and Visa (Madagascar)

All nationalities require a full passport valid for six months beyond the intended stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your visa, if necessary, by the regulations of the country you are to visit. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.

Visas are required for entry to Madagascar. 30-day tourist visas may be obtained at the airport upon arrival. If obtaining a visa at the airport, you should ensure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport. The visa fee is in US dollars or Euros (US$37/35euro).

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Vaccination

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential. We suggest you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, so the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health, we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least eight weeks before departure for up-to-date information.

Bilharzia occurs in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary. Therefore, we advise you all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.

Local time

Madagascar’s Time zone: Indian/Antananarivo EAT (GMT+03:00).

Electricity

Madagascar’s Electricity: 127 & 220 Volts. Plug types C, D, E, J & K establishments often take two round pin plugs.

Madagascar uses the standard European non-grounded electric two-prong power plug/type C or E.

Money

The national currency of Madagascar is the Ariary (MGA), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (June 2024) of approximately 4650 to the EUR.

ATM Availability

ATMs are only available at the airport and in the town of Antananarivo.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

A visa card (not Mastercard) can be used to obtain a local currency cash advance at some banks, but note that we advise you to bring your spending money £, Euros or US $ cash, as these are easiest to change to local currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into the country, provided it is declared on arrival.

Please note you cannot rely on credit cards for payment as they are rarely accepted.

All money should be exchanged at the airport on arrival.

Any unused Ariary must be exchanged before checking in departures; only US$ and Euro are accepted.

What To Bring

Casual clothes, as it is generally hot, light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip. However, it will be a little cooler in the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings, and in the rainforest areas, so you should bring some warm clothes (fleece and waterproof)

Strong sun cream

Torch

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Sunglasses

Sunhat

Anti-bacterial gel

Mosquito repellent

Comfortable shoes for hiking / walking in

A swimming costume will be well used

Warm sweater or fleece jacket (as nights can be chilly)

A first aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own first aid kit with diarrhea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets, plasters and a blister treatment kit

Long trousers and socks for walking in the national parks are advised in case of leeches if there has been heavy rain

Meeting Point

Ivato International Airport

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.

Price

Adult
1 to 8	/person
9 to 20	/person
Child
1 to 8	/person
9 to 20	/person
This is a group tour

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

/person

Adult

Child

Total

0.00

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

16-Days Journey from Antananarivo to Ambositra

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe

Day 3: Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

Day 4 - Day 6: Down the Tsiribihina River

Day 7: Bemaraha National Park - Bekopaka

Day 8: Bekopaka - Morondava

Day 9: Morondava - Antsirabe

Day 10: Antsirabe - Ranomafana

Day 11: Ranomafana - Ambalavao

Day 12: Ambalavao - Tsaranoro Valley

Day 13: Trekking Tsaranoro

Day 14: Tsaranoro - Ambositra

Day 15: Ambositra - Antananarivo

Day 16: Departure from Ivota-Antananarivo International Airport

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

Choose Currency

16-Days Journey from Antananarivo to Ambositra

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe

Day 3: Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

Day 4 - Day 6: Down the Tsiribihina River

Day 7: Bemaraha National Park - Bekopaka

Day 8: Bekopaka - Morondava

Day 9: Morondava - Antsirabe

Day 10: Antsirabe - Ranomafana

Day 11: Ranomafana - Ambalavao

Day 12: Ambalavao - Tsaranoro Valley

Day 13: Trekking Tsaranoro

Day 14: Tsaranoro - Ambositra

Day 15: Ambositra - Antananarivo

Day 16: Departure from Ivota-Antananarivo International Airport

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

Choose Currency Close modal

Cookie icon We use cookies!

Choose Currency