From CAD 3,240
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(14 reviews)
Experience Overview
Venture into the far reaches of Madagascar on this 11-day journey that reveals the diverse landscapes of one of the most spellbinding countries on the African continent. From the emerald-green crater lakes of the Antsirabe district, to the golden hues of sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs, experience Madagascar’s rainbow terrain as you leave behind the bustle of Antananarivo and traverse remote paths and waterways into the wild. Experience life along the Tsiribihina Delta on a two-day cruise, see the legendary tombs of the Vazimba people while exploring caves, float down the Manambolo River in a dugout canoe and feel the suspense as you peer down into the vast canyon of the Great Tsingy.
Highlights
- Witness a spectacular pink and yellow sunset behind towering, 800-year-old trees along the Avenue of the Baobabs in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava.
- Travel along the Tsiribihina River in a traditional barge, stopping to hike to hidden waterfalls, explore remote villages and camp among nature on the banks.
- Trek through a forest of limestone karsts and cross a sheer drop on a suspended bridge at the Great Tsingy, keeping an eye out for native wildlife including 11 species of lemur.
- Float down the meandering Manambolo River in a traditional dugout canoe, wind through a deep gorge and past rocky cliffs, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere.
- Discover the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest, on a hike through the stunning Antsirabe district.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3109
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Minibus,4WD,Ferry,Boat
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: YBSO
Starts: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Finishes: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (9), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights),Camping (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3240 (CAD 295 /day)
Itinerary
Tonga soa! Bienvenue! Welcome to Antananarivo, Madagascar's crowded but charming capital. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you decide to arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the city. With cobbled streets, wooden houses and impressive churches, ‘Tana’ has a distinctly romantic air. Perhaps wander the streets of Haute-Ville or visit the permanent Analakely street market. After your welcome meeting this evening, you might like to head out with your new friends for dinner in one of Antananarivo high-quality restaurants.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Be prepared for a long drive as you begin the journey west this morning. Maybe kick back with a book or get to know your fellow travellers during the to Miandrivazo, a small city that will act as the starting point for your adventure down the Tsiribihina River. On arrival, check in to the hotel and listen to a briefing on essential information for your two-day cruise. Head out to pick any extra supplies you may need or desire for the next few days, then get some rest in preparation for tomorrow.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise and shine for the 35-kilometre drive (approx 2hrs) to Masiakampy, where you will find a traditional barge waiting to escort you along the Tsiribihina River. These flat bottom boats were once used to transport tobacco, but without that precious cargo they make a comfortable way to cruise along the water and access the remote reaches of western Madagascar. For the next few days, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife on the banks and in the water, enjoy easy walks to hidden waterfalls and stop off in rural villages. Climb aboard and meet the crew, then settle in and enjoy some lunch as you travel through flat farming plains and enter the dramatic gorges of the Tsiribihina, stopping in the afternoon to trek to a waterfall before returning to a large sandbank to set up camp.
Included Activities:
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
Accommodation:
- Camping (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a full day gliding along the water today, travelling into the heart of the river and waving to the locals on the banks and barges as you pass. In the absence of roads, nature flourishes along the river in this part of Madagascar – watch out for herds of zebus crossing the river, and flashes of colour as you look for bee-eaters, herons, and egrets in this bird lovers’ paradise. Stop occasionally for a village walk or a short trek for animal spotting before setting up camp at a village along the shore. This evening, light a campfire and enjoy some traditional Malagasy music and dancing with the locals.
Included Activities:
- Miandrivazo - Tsiribihina River Trip
Accommodation:
- Camping (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy one last morning along the Tsiribihina river before disembarking the boat and bidding farewell to the crew. Make a quick stop at Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, a small village nestled in the marshes and mangroves of the Delta, to check out the market and grab some lunch before beginning the 5-hour 4x4 off-road drive to Bekopaka. Once we arrive, take the rest of the day to enjoy a swim or a refreshing shower and rest your weary limbs. Tomorrow, you’ll be taking on the Small Tsingy.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise early, pick a comfortable outfit and pack some snacks, as today you’ll spend up to five hours trekking through the Small Tsingy, located in Bemaraha National Park. Scramble and navigate through a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest made of rock. Stop at two lookout points along the way for photo opportunities and a chance to take in the impressive surrounds. In the afternoon, unwind with a float down the Manambolo River on a pirogue (wooden dugout canoe) under the shadow of these towering rock cliffs. Enjoy an easy afternoon cave stroll, taking the sight of stalactites, stalagmites and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba – said to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar.
Included Activities:
- Bemaraha National Park - Small Tsingy walking circuit
- Bemaraha National Park - Manombolo River Canoe Ride
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Embrace another early start this morning and prepare for another action-packed trip to the Great Tsingy. Getting up early again might be a struggle, but it’s the best way to beat the heat and more intense crowds. Largely unexplored until the 1990s (the name Tsingy is very roughly translated as ‘place where one cannot walk barefoot’ in Malagasy), the area is now easier to navigate due to a series of bridges, semi-permanent climbing plugs and other equipment. Feel your heart stop as you pass over a sheer drop via a suspended bridge, a truly breathtaking experience that those with vertigo may wish to skip. Animal lovers should keep an eye out for 11 species of lemurs, 100 species of birds and 45 endemic reptiles and amphibians, including the Madagascar iguana and Antsingy leaf chameleon.
Included Activities:
- Bemaraha National Park - Big Tsingy Trek
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There is another long day of travel ahead - including an 8-hour 4x4 adventure on bumpy roads. Grab that book or download a podcast and prepare to keep yourself occupied as you cross the Manambolo River and the Tsiribihina River by ferry, arriving in the laid-back seaside town of Morondava in time for a spectacular sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs. These cartoonish, towering trees are native to Madagascar, and the variety you’ll see lit from behind this evening are adansonia grandidieri, the tallest of them all. Watch the sky turn pink and yellow and finally cast these trees – many of which are up to 800 years old – in shadow. Spend the night in Morondava and take a well-deserved rest.
Included Activities:
- Morondava - Sunset at Baobab Alley
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take some time this morning to enjoy free time in Morondava. You may choose to relax on the beach or visit the local markets. This afternoon we will make our way to Miandrivazo.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart this morning for Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. Along the way, enjoy an easy trek in the countryside and discover the beauty of the local lakes, including the emerald-green waters of Tritiva, an extinct crater surrounded by verdant forest. Hike through the lakes district and sit down for a picnic-style lunch. Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and French-inspired facades. Located in the highlands, it's a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as 'pousse-pousse' are a popular form of transport.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Make your return to the capital city of Antananarivo this morning where our trip comes to an end around 2 pm.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Dayo - Traveled, November 2023
It was absolutely wonderful discovering Madagascar and its people through the eyes of Intrepid. Safe, secure, organised and fun. Definitely recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Cynthia - Traveled, November 2023
Long uncomfortable travel days. They needed more lounge chairs on the river cruise. The crew and the welcoming, friendly population were what I liked best. I thought there would be more lemurs and baobab trees.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
nikita - Traveled, September 2023
don’t think about it just go book the trip and just go !! you will not regret it. if patrick is your guide you are in for a trip of a lifetime. he was amazing ! if your stuck on what trip to book this one is ideal it has everything wildlife adventure beach day hiking lemurs baobabs everything !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2023
Robert - Traveled, July 2023
A great trip. Although some of the distances and roads between locations can be testing, overall it’s well worth taking the time to see a beautiful country which is starting to open up to the world.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2023
Jana - Traveled, July 2023
Thank you for my great adventure. It was amazing to be in a small group and with such a caring guide. I loved that I didnt had to organize anything and just feel safe and in good hands. Thanks one more time to Mamy, you are awesome !!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2023
Kurt - Traveled, June 2023
The activities on this trip are second to none. The Tsingy is one of the coolest things ever and the Baobabs are mesmerizing. However, be forewarned about the long travel days at the beginning and the end. The roads are quite poor and so it makes for a very bumpy and slow ride.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/27/2023
Angela - Traveled, June 2023
An exceptional tour leader made this trip even more enjoyable. Full on adventure, lots of variety in modes of transportation and things to see which comes with some long drives. But without long drives, you don’t get to see and do as much. I would just consider a flight back from Morondava, if it were possible, even if it meant paying a little more for the trip. Overall an exceptionally good trip from Intrepid. Was my first but will sure be looking to do some more with them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2023
Lorrie - Traveled, August 2022
I wanted very much to love this trip, as I have loved my past Intrepid trips. But this trip is under planned and over scheduled. The good: I LOVED the three days camping on the river, the best part of the trip and one of the reasons I chose this particular Madagascar itinerary. The bad: Long, hard drives are ok, especially when known in advance. However, these itinerary drive days were all much (sometimes hours!) longer than promised, causing us to miss out on important activities, even the MOST important: missing the Sunset on Baobab Avenue, which was one of the main reasons for the trip! There must be a way to either better accurately plan or break up the drive days, or insert local flights into the itinerary. Malagasy roads are unpredictable for sure, which was expected. But underestimated by hours causing missed opportunities is beyond unfortunate.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/28/2022
Flemming - Traveled, October 2022
We were offered a morning tour to the Baobab Alley. That meant that starting at 4am the driver had a 17 and a half hour working day arriving at 9.30 pm in the dark and after hours of rain. Not safe!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2022
Reza - Traveled, September 2022
Intense tour to see the highlights of west in a short time.boat cruise was pleasant. very Long days on the road. The option to fly back should be incorporated in the itinerary for anyone interested.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2022
Adrienn - Traveled, July 2022
The trip gives a good overview of a small part of Madagascar. It must be clear: You sit a lot in the car, the roads are adventurous. For us this was not bad - the view of the landscape was priceless. Our guide made many photo stops with us and only through him we came into contact with locals more often. Our highlight was camping and climbing in Tsingy National Park. The preparation by Intrepid was very good. According to our guide, he and our driver had to pay for their own food. We do not find that in order.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/12/2022
Steven - Traveled, June 2022
The trip covered a lot if Western Madagascar in good time with some long drives broken up with visits to villages, forest with 2 types of lemurs, loads of incredibly kind Malagasy people, and good food on a leisurely river cruise.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/11/2022
Jessica - Traveled, June 2024
What an eye-opening experience this was! I learnt so much about Madagascar and had the best group who made the experience so wonderful. Our leader worked so hard to ensure we didn’t miss out on anything but you are certainly at the mercy of many uncontrollable factors (eg. Ferry crossings, long drives, group members taking their time, etc). As mentioned in the notes, be prepared for a lot of driving! That’s the killer but the rest of the trip was fantastic. If you want to see Madagascar, a group tour is the way to go and this one was wonderful. Highlights - the Tsingy climb, camping on the sand banks and the avenue of baobabs! Shout out to Barnabas as well, he was an awesome leader!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2024
Lesley - Traveled, July 2024
This is quite a full-on trip with a lot of travelling. But it was worth it, I really enjoyed it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2024
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