Trips and journeys
Special Minerals
A round trip to the south and the north of Madagascar with visit of some areas, which are rich in minerals such as Antsirabe, Ilakaka and Ankarana.
TOUR
1st day: journey to Paris
Individual journey from Germany to Paris. It’s possible to start the journey from several airports in Germany to Paris. Please ask for it.
2nd day: Arrival at Antananarivo
Arrival at Antananarivo (Tana), the capital city of Madagascar in the afternoon (3:00 p. m.). Check-out and transfer to the Hotel Bellevue or equivalent, bed and breakfast. Welcome and further information about the journey.
3rd day: Antananarivo - Antsirabe
We start a short sightseeing tour to Tana. After that drive through the central highlands of Madagascar to Ansirabe. On our way we past lots of beautiful photo motives. We take a look a manufacture for handmade aluminium kitchenware. Hotel Diamant or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
4th day: Antsirabe
Antsirabe is situated on a latitude of 1500 metres and is a well known resort with is thermal bath. We are now in a hilly and mineral landscape with rice terraces. Time for a short sightseeing tour and visit to some precious stone cutters. Hotel Diamant or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
5th day: Mine of Ibity and surroundings
In case of the mineral resources we visit the mine of Ibity and spend time to inspect the surroundings. Hotel Diamant, bed and breakfast.
6th day: Ambositra - Fiananrantsoa
Via Ambositra, centre of the Madagascar’s artist handicraft with workshops for lovely wood carves and inlay works, we arrive Fiananrantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo, against noon. They go on, past at the imposing Andringitra mountains on a charming and varied way. The mountains are indicated by powerful granite rocks. The Pic Boby stretches itself impressively to the sky. It is the second highest mountain of Madagascar (2.658 metres). In Ambalavao we will see how the famous Antaimoro-Paper is handmade. Hotel Bougainvilles, bed and breakfast.
7th to 8th day: Ihosy
Trip to Ihosy to the tribe of the Bara. Rites like blood brotherhood and cattle theft are still up-to-date. We start our adventurous day excursions from here to the surroundings, an eldorado to all mineralogists. Camps can be set up outside. Catering then must be organised itself. The group decides this in the individual case with a co-ordination on the spot.
9th day: Ihosy - Ranohira - Ilakaha
Our trip goes to Ranohira, to the Hotel Orchidee. From here we set out to the board village of Ilakaha, which lies directly on the edge of the Isalo rock massif. Ilakaha has arisen from the trifle in the midst of the steppe after the find of some sapphires at the beginning of 1998 inside few days. Something has hardly been promoted for some time. The place only serves as a trade base. The mining activity has been stopped since a short time. The place only serves as a trade base. Back to the Hotel Orchidee in the afternoon, bed and breakfast.
10th day: Sakaraha - Tulear
On a two hour journey we go further to the south, into the surround of Sakaraha, in the morning. Sakaraha is the meeting place for many minerals collectors. For these today the area has got too dangerous around Ilakaha. Here they are buying and selling and news is exchanged. We drive on to the west coast from Tulear in the afternoon. Hotel Plazza, bed and breakfast.
11th day: Tana
Transfer and flight back to Tana. Today is at your own disposal. Because of the permanent flight schedule changes no firm program can be planned. Bed and breakfast, Hotel Bellevue or equivalent.
12th day: Diego Suarez
After a cosy breakfast we flight to Diego Suarez. Diego Suarez is an old colonial town which is located at a wonderfully beautiful bay. The Portuguese Diego Suarez landed as the first European here on August 10th, 1500. Transfer and sight seeing, Hotel Kings Lodge, bed and breakfast.
13th day: Tsingy of Ankarana
We drive to the national reserve Tsingy of Ankarana. In this park are fantastic needle rocks which have formed from the chalky underground. Numerous canyons and hollow form these rugged surroundings. Camp, breakfast and full board.
14th day: Tsingy of Ankarana
We take a lot of time to make a walk and to observe animals in the spectacular scenery of the “Tsingy of Ankarana". Many animal and plant species lives in the surrounding primary woods. The bird world is also represented. With a little luck we discover kingfishers or an osprey. We want to find out this impressive mountain and canyon landscape on foot once again. We will explore a couple of the numerous caves and we venture forward to different canyons. Camp, breakfast and full board.
15th day: Diego Suarez - Tana
We return to the airport to Diego Suarez (day without a firm program) and fly back from here to the capital Tana. Transfer to the hotel Bellevue or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
16th day: Tana - Flight to Paris
We visit again the capital city with its famous handicraft-market “Marche de Artisanat". You get the last change to buy souvenirs. In the afternoon transfer to Ivato-airport, check-in and flight back to Paris (5:05 p.m.)
17th day: Arrival at Paris
Arrival at 4:35 a.m. at Charles de Gaulles Airport. Individual continuation of your journey back to your hometown.
You are always welcome to ask us about the kind of travel experience you are looking for; we (almost) always come up with a solution. Alternatively, you can arrange an appointment with us for an individual consultation, and we will make a customised offer.
Hotel arrangements may be subject to alteration. Departure times of flights can be postponed by as much as several days, as airlines can change their operating days in the course of the year. All remaining trips are then reorganised in accordance with customers’ wishes.
Suitable vehicles are arranged in accordance with the number of travellers (1-8) to ensure the best value. English- or German-speaking guides are available, as is the option to travel without a guide. These trips can also be reorganised on an individual basis depending on areas of interest.
Whether as part of an organised programme or as an extra, we can also offer a few refreshing and therapeutic days for a chance to bathe, as required. Tours on the themes of mineral wealth, ornithology and botany are available by arrangement, but require planning and booking well in advance due to time restraints and the availability of skilled personnel.
When booking, please bear in mind the peak-season periods of
18. Dec. – 31. Dec. and 01. Jul. – 20. Aug.