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MADAGASCAR DISCOVERY – GROUP TOUR
The perfect blend of adventure and comfort, wildlife and local culture,
rain forest and beach, highlands and lowlands.
2008 Tour Dates:
March 23 – April 15
April 27 – May 13
September 7 – 23
November 2 – 18
See Cost Information below.
Sunday, Day 1
Paris / Antananarivo - Board morning flight from Charles de Gaulle airport to Antananarivo, capital city of Madagascar. Upon arrival, clear customs and meet for transfer to the Hotel Colbert (new wing) for overnight stay.
Monday, Day 2
Antananarivo / Perinet Reserve - Meet and depart by car to Perinet Reserve in the eastern rain forest of Analamazoatra, with a brief stop at La Mandraka Nature Farm, breeding project for chameleons and the rare Comet Moth. Picnic lunch and continue on to the Vakona Forest Lodge for dinner, evening nature walk and overnight. BLD
Tuesday, Day 3
Perinet Reserve - Full day to visit the reserve with early start to see the Indri indri and hear their haunting "singing" call. Mild hiking provides a good opportunity to experience the abundant flora and fauna of the eastern rain forest. Dinner and overnight at Vakona Lodge. BLD
Wednesday, Day 4
Perinet Reserve / Tamatave - Morning to spend in the small reserve of the Vakona before lunch and afternoon departure for drive to the coastal lowlands and Tamatave. Visit to Parc Ivoloina, a unique animal rehabilitation and environmental education center with small zoo before dinner and overnight at the Hotel Sharon. BLD
Thursday, Day 5
Tamatave / Maroantsetra - Morning flight to Maroantsetra, gateway to the Masoala Peninsula great rain forest, mecca of naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts. Transfer to the Relais du Masoala for check-in, lunch and then depart by boat to the Andrifotra Private Reserve, a lush, virgin and private Eden located between the bay and lazy river. Return to the Relais for dinner and overnight. BLD
Friday, Day 6
Maroantsetra / excursion Nosy Mangabe - Day trip by boat to the tiny island of Mangabe for a full day excursion. Nosy Mangabe is a natural reserve and sanctuary for the world's rarest lemur--the nocturnal Aye Aye. Picnic lunch, nature walk, and optional swim in the Indian Ocean will be the order of the day before returning for overnight at the Relais du Masoala. BLD
Saturday, Day 7
Maroantsetra / Antananarivo - Maroantsetra / Antananarivo - Morning stop at the pleasant marketplace of Maroantsetra, known for intricate raffia hats and bags, before transfer to airport for flight to Tana. Check-in at the Hotel Colbert for dinner and overnight. BLD
Sunday, Day 8
Antananarivo / Ft. Dauphin / Berenty Reserve - Leisurely breakfast before transfer to airport for flight to Ft. Dauphin. Upon arrival in the old southern port town, continue for drive through the "spiny forest" past the Antanosy graves to Berenty. Afternoon and evening visits to the reserve and overnight at Gite d'Etape at the edge of the forest. BLD
Monday, Day 9
Berenty Reserve - Full day to spend in the reserve with walks along the wide, well swept paths. The Lemur Catta Maki, better known as the ring-tailed lemurs, are very friendly and seem pleased to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful sifaka lemur as they "dance" across the path. Other species include flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozens of species of rare birds. Meals and overnight at Gite d'Etape. BLD
Tuesday, Day 10
Berenty / Ft. Dauphin / Antananarivo - Time for visit to the reserve of the spiny desert and small but comprehensive cultural museum at Berenty before return drive to Ft. Dauphin and flight back to the capital. Dinner at the delightful Villa Vanille with local entertainment and overnight Hotel Colbert. BLD
Wednesday, Day 11
Antananarivo / Diego Suarez / excursion Montagne d’Ambre - After breakfast, transfer for flight to Diego Suarez, unique port on the northern tip of the island. Diego sparks a conglomeration of architecture reflecting the myriad of influences throughout the centuries. Meet and depart for the beautiful and lush national park of Montagne d’Ambre. Enjoy a late afternoon and evening walk, dinner and overnight at Benedictine du Joffreville. BLD
Thursday, Day 12
Diego Suarez / excursion Ankarana - Early morning departure for the Ankarana, noted for its bizarre limestone pinnacles known as the “Tsingy”. Visit to the caves and hopefully catch a glimpse of the crown lemur in the forest before continuing on to Ankify for overnight at the Hotel Baobab. BLD
Friday, Day 13
Ambanja / Nosy Be - Morning at leisure before transfer to Nosy Be by boat. Afternoon R&R, dinner and overnight Corail Noir. BLD
Saturday, Day 14
Nosy Be / excursion Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely - Full day to spend on the islands of Nosy Komba, where the black lemurs reign, and marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely for snorkeling and a barbeque lunch. Dinner and overnight at Corail Noir. BLD
Sunday, Day 15
Nosy Be / excursion Lokobe Reserve / Antananarivo - Day excursion to the peninsula of Lokobe by pirogue, native paddle boat. Learn first hand from Jean-Robert and his guides about his village's prolific plants and wildlife. Freshen up before late afternoon flight to Antananarivo; dinner and overnight at the Colbert. BLD
Monday, Day 16
Antananarivo - Day in the capital to enjoy an interesting day beginning with theTsimbazaza Zoo and Cultural Museum, lunch and in the afternoon, the Queen's summer palace at Ambohimanga and shopping at the colorful artisan's market of Androvoahangy. Rest in dayrooms at the Colbert before transfer to airport for return flight to Paris (departing just after midnight tonight). BLD
Tuesday, Day 17
Antananarivo / Paris - Connect this morning to homeward destination.
COSTS for Discovery Group Tour are as follows:
| Land and air from Paris, per person: |
$ 5,795.00 |
| Single supplement: |
$ 850.00 |
Add-on airfares from all U.S. departure cities to Paris available upon request.
Minimum of 2 passengers required for each tour to operate.
Simply fill out and return the Group Tour Reservation Form and we will confirm your reservation.
Included:
- lodging and meals for 16 days as per itinerary
- international airfare roundtrip from Paris on Air Madagascar
- intradomestic flights on Air Madagascar
- airport transfers and taxes within Madagascar
- services of English-speaking guide within Madagascar
- services of vehicle and driver as needed throughout
- excursions, entrance fees and local guides in parks and reserves
Not included:
- gratuities (a small tip at time of service is customary)
- all beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including bottled water; gratuities
- personal items such as phone, fax, laundry
Please note that order of itinerary may be rearranged subject to air schedule changes by Air Madagascar, and some hotels may have to be substituted with similarly priced hotels due to conditions beyond our control.
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