- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
- Small Group Travel
- Listen to Community Feedback
The island-nation of Madagascar is well-known for its incredible, untouched nature and sparkling blue-green waters. Come see the natural wonders for yourself, while engaging in meaningful cultural exchanges in this off-the-beaten-path destination.
Highlights:
- Take a scenic train ride and visit remote villages
- Hike in a UNESCO World Heritage geological national park and through a rainforest
- Participate in homestays with locals
- See humpback whales with a conservation NGO
- Experience a soothing canoe trip through limestone gorges and rice fields
- Camp along the riverbanks for a couple of nights
- See colonies of lemurs, as well as herons, parrots, chameleons, rare orchids, and more
What to expect: From crossing the Tsiribihina river for 3 days on a traditional canoe to riding the 12-hour Fianarantsoa-Côte Est (FCE) train to Manakara, you will discover some of the most remote areas and villages of Madagascar. Throughout this journey, you will witness luxuriant, pristine nature, and dense rainforests including many species you will see nowhere else in the world. You will also meet incredibly kind and welcoming people.
Step foot in the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and understand why it attracts the worldwide curiosity of geologists and botanists. Then, dive into the crystal clear waters on the beaches of Ile Sainte Marie where humpback whales lay down in shallow waters to breed.
Join us for this sustainable, small-group trip to Madagascar and let our method of slow travel and low carbon impact activities rejuvenate you.
Seasonal Notes: High season varies between July and September. Low Season varies between January and March. The weather will be neither too hot nor too humid, making it convenient for all types of activities, such as canoeing and camping. Please note that Madagascar is south of the equator, so seasonality is inversed as compared to the northern hemisphere – this is referred to as having austral seasons. This trip takes place in June, which is just at the beginning of the austral winter season.
📋 Itinerary
Sometimes, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the program may occur.
Day 01: Antananarivo - Andriambilany [Madagascar] (arrival day)
Day 02: Antananarivo – Ambositra - Sahambavy
Day 03: Sahambavy – Manakara
Day 04: Manakara - Manandona
Day 05: Manandona – Miandrivazo
Day 06: Miandrivazo – Massif of Bemaraha – Nosinapela – Begidro
Day 07: Tsiribihina river
Day 08: Tsaraotana – Bekopaka
Day 09: Bekopaka - Tsingy of Bemaraha – Bekopaka
Day 10: Bekopaka – Morondava
Day 11: Morondava – Antananarivo – Andasibe
Day 12: Mantadia – Andasibe
Day 13: Andasibe – Mahambo
Day 14: Mahambo – Ile Sainte Marie
Day 15: Ile Sainte Marie - Ile aux Nâttes
Day 16: Ile Sainte Marie
Day 17: Ile Sainte Marie – Antananarivo
Day 18: Antananarivo (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
Our View on Sustainable Travel
We thrive on creating a positive impact for the visited destinations. We support the sustainable development of their societies by helping them generate income, respecting the environment and nature, and preserving valuable cultural heritage and know-how instead of endangering them.
Tourism Dispersal
We aim to propose alternatives to the most frequented itineraries, visit locations away from mass tourism, or expose common destinations from a different perspective.
Carbon Offset
This is a 100% carbon emission-free trip. Within the trip fee, each participant is donating an amount equal to his/her flight's CO2 emissions (international and national flights) to plant trees in Madagascar through a local reforestation NGO.
Leave No Trace
We leave no trace after every activity or camping.
Responsible Waste Management
We encourage our guests to bring reusable water bottles and separate their trash as much as possible (glass, plastic, cardboard, and paper).
Transportation
We use different modes of transportation, including a train, but we also use private 4X4 cars in different locations because of bad roads in Madagascar.
Community Engagement
We especially teamed up with Malagasy rural tourism NGOs to accommodate travelers in family homestays.
Food
All meals are served in local restaurants or local hotels. This trip is suitable for vegetarians.
Economic Benefit
70% out of the trip cost is directly generating income to the local communities working in the tourism sector, including accommodations, services, activities, and small businesses.
Wildlife
Travelers will see lemurs and all kinds of fauna and flora while hiking in Mantadia and the Tsingy. They will also take a tour to watch the humpback whales with a conservation NGO.
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- No Animal-Harming Tourism
- Local/Organic Restaurants
- Participate in Certified Carbon Offsetting
- Provide Local Employment
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
- Prices are for twin-share rooms.
- Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
- See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip, or if you still have some questions, contact us to let us know!
Book with confidence: To reserve your spot on a tour, a 25% deposit will be required by May 10th, 2022; full amount due by May 25th, 2022. However, you can book with complete peace of mind as this deposit will be 100% refundable (minus the bank charges) if you cancel the reservation BEFORE May 1st, 2022.
- If the trip is canceled because of Covid and airport closures, all money will be refunded.
- If the cancellation occurs ON or AFTER May 1st, 2022, half of the amount paid will be refunded. (Subject to case by case.)
- If the cancellation occurs ON or AFTER May 20th, 2022, the full amount will NOT be refunded. (Subject to case by case.)
We mention case by case because if someone cancels due to Covid or other extreme measures even after the dates above, they will still be refunded.
This trip takes place in the summer of 2022. Please be fully vaccinated and boosted prior to the departure date. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Special precautions:
A negative PCR test is required to join. Masks are required in public spaces and in villages.
You should also confirm that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the last day of the trip; and that you have gotten any other health vaccinations for Madagascar prior to arrival (consult with your doctor).
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?
This trip requires a normal level of fitness. There will be a long, 12-hour train ride, some 4x4 rides on some bumpy roads, and two 4-5 hour hikes through the national park and rainforest. For the canoe trip part, somebody else will be doing the paddling.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
We will do homestays at modest guesthouses, stay in hotel lodges, and do some wild camping.
Q: What about weather and safety?
The weather is warm with occasional humidity and rain.
Q: Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travelers?
Yes. The trip is organized by a female tour operator who designed the itinerary off of her solo travels. Our company and trips welcome everyone and promote diversity!
Q: Do I need a visa?
Visa upon arrival or requested online at least 3 days prior to travel. It costs 35€ per person and is valid for 30 days.
Duration: 18 days
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner every day; 2 Lunches
Transportation: Train, 4x4, tuk-tuks, minivan, ferry, domestic flight
Accommodation: Homestays, hotel lodges, camping
