The 1000 Views of Madagascar tour is a small group guided tour that offers an intimate experience of the best that Madagascar has to offer. An island waiting to be explored. For 12 days on this Madagascar guided group tour, you will discover the countless treasures of this unique destination. With lemurs, colorful tribes, tropical beaches, bustling markets and ever changing scenery.
The adventure begins and ends in Antananarivo. It travels through pristine nature. The dense forests of Andasibe. The eroded hills of Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Isalo National Park, Ifaty and Tulear
*Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 10.*
The 1000 Views of Madagascar tour starts and ends in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
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Full Itinerary for 1000 Views of Madagascar Tour
Day 1 – Antananarivo, Madagascar
On arrival in Antananarivo, you will be welcomed by your local Madagascar guide. Transfer to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day in Antananarivo at your leisure.
Antananarivo, affectionately called “Tana,” is Madagascar’s buzzing capital. It is the primary arrival and departure hub for most visitors to the island. The city offers excellent opportunities to delve into Madagascar’s history. With attractions like the Queen’s Palace and the Royal Hills of Ambohimanga. Which can be explored on a cycling tour.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel & Spa, Raddison Water Front Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 2 – Andasibe National Park Safari
In the morning we start our journey with a drive to Andasibe National Park (approximately 150 km). Through the green and luxuriant vegetation of eastern Madagascar. This brings us to a very humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes. Along the way we will see villages of the Merina people scattered throughout the rocky mountains. You arrive at Andasibe in the afternoon and check-in to the hotel. In the evening you will set off from the hotel at approximately 6 pm on a night walk. To observe nocturnal lemurs and other wildlife. We return to the hotel where we overnight.
Andasibe National Park is in the lush rain forests in the east of Madagascar. Home to the enchanting indri lemurs, the park echoes with their distinctive calls. Creating a surreal and unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts. Trekking through Andasibe unveils a world of bright and colorful flora and diverse fauna. Including more than a 100 bird and orchid species.
Overnight: Mantadia Lodge, Vakona Forest Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms & veranda)
Day 3 – Natural Reserve of Andasibe
We start our morning with a visit to the Special Reserve of Andasibe. To see the Indri, the largest lemurs on the island. This 810 ha reserve is unique with its endemic fauna and flora. And contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, and endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. In the afternoon, we visit the V.O.I.I.M.A community reserve. This reserve provides a sustainable way of saving the remaining rain forests in the area. By creating a livelihood for the local communities through reforestation projects. Here you will also come across a variety of wildlife. Ranging from brown lemurs, indri, chameleons, geckos and birds.
Overnight: Mantadia Lodge, Vakona Forest Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms & veranda)
Day 4 – Antsirabe
We drive back to Tana, and head south to Antsirabe (approximately 309 km). Across the highland landscape with its beautiful rice fields on display. The spectacular eroded hills called ‘lavaka’ remind us of the Far East. With its rice fields and green landscape with vegetables and fruit trees. We stop in Ambatolampy for a quick visit to this huge agricultural city. Also recognized as the “capital of aluminum recycling”. Arrival in Antsirabe is around 6 pm. ‘The place of salt’ is an elegant city and known as the centre of the beer industry. We can smell the Star Brewery as we enter the town! Founded by Norwegians in 1856, it is the only place which really feels and looks like a European city. It has a temperate climate. Therefore fruit and vegetables which grow in colder climates, are found in Antsirabe.
Overnight: Plumeria Hotel, Arotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 5 – Ranomafana National Park
After breakfast we drive to Ambositra, the center of Madagascar’s wood carving industry. The highlands are characterized by its architecture. The houses have ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters with bright colors. Further on we pass the ‘le col de tapia”, a type of tree resistant to bush fires. The landscape is still dominated by rice fields, pine forests, eucalyptus trees and rocky mountains. We turn off from the main road to reach our destination for the day, the Ranomafana National Park (approximately 250 km).
Nestled in the lush highlands of southeastern Madagascar, Ranomafana National Park is a biodiversity hot spot. Home to a rich array of endemic species, the park offers a captivating experience for wildlife enthusiasts. Species include the elusive golden bamboo lemur and the colorful Milne-Edwards’ sifaka. One of the highlights of visiting Ranomafana will be the over 90 species of butterflies. That fill the air on your forest walks.
Overnight: Setam Lodge, Hotel Thermal or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 6 – Ranomafana National Park
The approximately 40,000 ha of Parc National de Ranomafana, has long been considered one of Madagascar’s highlights. With its rain forest covered hills and abundant wildlife. It is one of the country’s most heavily visited national parks. Its entrance lies about 7 km from Ranomafana village. In addition to its densely forested hills, Ranomafana’s terrain is characterized by numerous small streams. Which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. Here you will enjoy long walks in the National Park spotting lemurs, chameleons and other animals.
Overnight: Setam Lodge, Hotel Thermal or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 7 – Fianarantsoa
Returning on the road we came on, we leave Ranomafana. Visit a local wine farm for wine tasting near Fianarantsoa. It is the capital of the Betsileo tribes and the centre of the catholic religion. Please note that visits to the wine farms may not be possible over weekends.
We then head southwards to Ambalavao and visit the ‘Anteimoro Paper Factory’. This is a vestige of the Arabian civilization on the island. Afterwards, we partake in a community based silk weaving project run by the women’s association “Soalandy”. We pass through the mountain chain of Andringitra. This serves as a transition between the dry south and green highlands. With its famous ‘3 hillocks’ and its huge ‘archbishop’s cape’. Along the way we will see from afar a spectacular huge granite dome with twin rock towers, ‘the gate of the south’. It in fact marks the end of the highland and the beginning of the south. The ‘Bishop’s hat’ is another noticeable, imposing formation and a sacred location for the local people. A place where their ancestors chose a collective suicide rather than to give in to the Merina tribes.
We then continue to Ihosy, the capital of the Bara tribes, who are shepherds of Zebu. And further on through the huge ‘Plateaux de Horombe’ with its very deep red soil. Which reminds us of ‘the no man’s land’ and we arrive in Isalo. Distance traveled today is approximately 355 km.
Overnight: Isalo Rock Lodge, Jardin du Roy or similar (room with en-suite bathroom & air-conditioning)
Day 8 – Isalo National Park
Today, we will visit and hike in the Isalo National Park. The park covers an area of 81,540 ha, comprising of the entire stretch of the Isalo massif. This huge mountain is very spectacular with its eroded sandstone elevations. Along the way we will see vegetation like Uapaca bojeri, Pachypodium rosulatum or ‘elephant’s foot’. And Aloe isaloensis, a native species of aloe endemic to Isalo. The eroded mountains also served as a place where the Bara kept their dead before they could bury them in their actual tombs.
We start our climb and reach the massif after walking about 20 minutes. Where we will have a spectacular view of the huge sandstone mountains with its beautiful colors and its strange and battered formations creating many different images like ‘the tortoise’, ‘the masks’ and ‘the crocodiles’. We see small streams of water, and rivers which are marked by lines of brilliant green. Generally made up of numerous Pandanus pulcher and the delicate, slim stemmed, feathery leaved palm Chrysalidocarpus isaloensis.
Overnight: Isalo Rock Lodge, Jardin du Roy or similar (room with en-suite bathroom & air-conditioning)
Day 9 – Ifaty
After breakfast, we continue to Tuléar. This part of the journey brings us to new scenery. Among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south. On the way, we admire the different ‘Mahafaly tombs’ and the ‘Antandroy tombs’.
After a short visit of Tuléar we drive to Ifaty, which lies about 27 km from Tuléar. Thanks to the newly tarred road, it will take about 1 hour to reach Ifaty (265 km). The driest part of the country. The landscape is dominated by the cactus like, spiny forest of different euphorbiaceae and didieraceae. We will cross the dry and sandy soil where the local people battle to find drinking water. Mangrove trees line the coast alternated by Vezo communities which earn their living from fishing. We will see many small pirogues with men who go out fishing twice a day. While children and women wait on the coast to collect the fish before taking them to Tuléar for sale.
Overnight: Hotel Vovotelo, Les Dunes D’Ifaty or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 10 – Ifaty
Ifaty lies on the beach. It is therefore an ideal place for diving and snorkeling and a popular place for birdwatchers. Here you can also experience the Vezo fishermen’s life. Many excursions are possible on this leisure day.
- Visit the Reniala Forest
Where you can see two kinds of baobabs, spiny bush, reptiles like ‘boa madagascariensis’, geckos and the ‘chameleon parsoni’. Which is one of the largest chameleons in the world. - You can also take a boat trip to see whales. From July to mid-September, whales come to the cool seas of Madagascar to give birth to their young. It is a spectacular experience, and it is possible to see the whales very near to the boat.
- Situated in the largest lagoon of the country, Ifaty is also protected by a large coral reef. This makes it an ideal place for diving and snorkeling.
In the afternoon, walk to Mangily village to visit a local school and experience the Vezo fishermen’s way of life. Especially as they return from fishing.
Overnight: Hotel Vovotelo, Les Dunes D’Ifaty or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 11 – Ifaty – Tuléar – Tana
Early in the morning at around 6 am, we transfer to the airport for the flight back to Tana. After check in at the hotel, you have the afternoon free to explore and to do some sightseeing.
The capital city of Madagascar is also known as the ‘City of Thousands’. Tana was built in three stages. The high city was the first area occupied during the regal period. This is where the old queen’s palace is. Then there’s the mid-city, where you will find all the chic boutiques of today. Then there’s the low city, which is the commercial area of the town. It is in the main avenue called ‘L’avenue de l’independence’ dominated by the railway station.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel & Spa, Raddison Water Front Hotel or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 12 – The 1000 Views of Madagascar Tour ends in Antananarivo
Today is the end of our tour to Madagascar. Transfer to Antananarivo airport for your onward flight.
The 1000 Views of Madagascar Tour Rates
1000 Views of Madagascar Tour Rates | 2024 | 2025 |
| 2-3 Clients* (Per Person Sharing) | EUR 3,109 | EUR 3,290 |
| 4 Clients (Per Person Sharing) | EUR 2,289 | EUR 2,479 |
| Single Supplement | EUR 875 | EUR 949 |
| Child Sharing | EUR 685 | EUR 720 |
Please note that internal flights should be booked in conjunction with international flights. Rates are subject to class, availability and changes. Currently this is approximately EUR 305.
If you require a specific language speaking guide to accompany you on your entire tour, please request this at time of inquiry. This carries an additional cost.
Tour Price Inclusions
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary or of similar standard (on bed and breakfast basis in twin sharing room)
All transport and group transfers in applicable vehicle
Airport transfers on day of arrival and departure of tour*
English speaking guide for 2 clients+ (Day 1-9)
Activities and excursions as mentioned
Specialist local guides in national parks as per program
Park entrance fees
*Should you require transfers on preceding or subsequent days, these can be arranged at an additional cost. For transfers to different points or alternative accommodation, please contact our reservation office who will gladly assist you.
Excluded From Tour Price
Flights: International & domestic from Tuléar to Tana
Pre and post tour accommodation
Optional activities
All drinks
Gratuities
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, curios etc.
Travel insurance
We are still working on this. But there are many tour packages available so please reach out to discuss your options.
1000 Views Of Madagascar
The 1000 Views of Madagascar tour is a small group guided tour that offers an intimate experience of the best that Madagascar has to offer. An island waiting to be explored. For 12 days on this Madagascar guided group tour, you will discover the countless …