Trips and journeys
Trekking DAV
Several days trekking tour with overnight in camp in a completely different landscapes and regions. A local guide leads us in the mountains of Andringitra, in Isalo and Ankarana national parks.
TOUR
1st day: journey to Paris
Individual journey from your residence to the airport CDG, Paris. It’s possible to start the journey from several airports in Germany to Paris. Please ask for it. In the connection flight to Madagascar.
2nd day: Arrival at Antananarivo
Flight at 3:15 a.m. Paris to Antananarivo (Tana), the capital city of Madagascar. Arrival at Antananarivo (Tana), Ivato Airport. Arrival at Ivato Airport in the afternoon (3:00 p. m.). Check-out and transfer to the Hotel Gregoire or equivalent, bed and breakfast. Welcome and a short discussion of the journey.
3rd day: Antananarivo - Tsimbazaza
Visit of the zoological botanical garden Tsimbazaza. We catch a wonderful view form the old Rova up to Tana. This is a part of our short sightseeing tour. We inspect old colonial buildings and the sights of the capital city. Hotel Gregoire or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
4th day: Antsirabe
Rice terraces are typical for the highlands we will cross over Ambatolampy to Antsirabe, 1500 metre above sea-level. The pleasant climate and the hot springs made Antsirabe to a well known spa. Walk to a romantic volcanic lake. Here are many minerals are found. That’s the reason why we visit a precious stone cutter. Hotel Diamant or euqivalent, bed and breakfast.
5th day: Ambositra - National park Ranomafana
Trip to Ambositra to the town of the wood craftsmen. Short walk int the surroundings and visit to a family of the Zafimaniry, with their workshops of woodcarvings and inlays. Continuing the trip to Ranomafana the famous national park with its waterfall. During a night excursion we will try to meet the mice-maki and the Fossa. The golden bamboo lemur and the world tiniest frog are also living here. Overnight stay in bungalows or camps. bed and breakfast.
6th day: National park Ranomafana - Ambalavao
Daytime excursion to the national park. You will see lots of animals in their surroundings. In the afternoon we leave the rainforest. We go to Ambalavao, passing vineyards an tea plantations, where it changes into steppe landscape. Ambalavao has a famous cattle market. We see the production of the world-famous Antaimoro paper from plant fibres here. Hotel Bougainvillees or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
7th day: Sendrisoa - Antanifotsy
Short trip via a bad runway to Sendrisoa (approx. 1000 m). We set out for an approximately four-hour walk to Antanifotsy (1400 m) from here. Away we can gaze at the Andringitra mountain massif in admiration with its gigantic granite domes. We pass rice terraces belonging to lonely villages where life seems to have stopped a hundred years ago. The Andringitra mountain is a strictly protected region and even partly unexplored biotope with religious importance. The holy peak Ambondrombe is situated here. A native guide will give us the necessary explanations while we take a walk to our starting place. Our baggage will be transported by other natives. The tents will be pitched at our base camp on the banks of the river Zomandao. Full board.
8th day: Andranofady
Today’s walk first along the park and then direction south-west,, climbing the “peak of the White Man" (2080 metre) to Andranofady, which takes about 7 hours for experienced walkers. The hilly country is interrupted by deep canyons and giant rocks. Due to the different levels of high we will pass through different zones of vegetation. There are palm trees, Euphorbias, orchids as well as lizards, snakes and much more, our guide will show us. He will also tell us about the Fadys (taboo) which should be strictly observed. This region is holy to the Betsileo and the Bara. Only since 1998 part of the region has been opened for tourism. Camp, full board.
9th day: Vohitsaoka - Ranohira
After a cosy breakfast we make a short walk (2 hours) to Vohitsaoka, where our car is waiting for us. We start our drive to the Isalo-Mountains to Ranohira. Passing giant rock formations, named “Gate to the South" we enter “Le grand Sud". The countryside surrounding us getting sparer and we also catch lots of new impressions. Our excursions through the Isalo national park will start in Ranohira. But first we have the opportunity for a refreshing shower. Hotel Le Joyau del Isalo or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
10th day: Isalo national park
An early morning start takes us to Canyon of the Council Rats (3hrs) (heights 500 - 1300m). The sandy rocks suffered a long erosion. Within millions of years many rivers have been cut in deep canyons. We will climb over small rocks to reach the monkeys Canyon, tents will be pitches in the shadow of a tapia-wood. Then we will walk along a river through high sedges and try to find lemurs - 7 different species are living here - and reptiles. In this park the different between rainforest and dry land-vegetation is remarkable. And in the evening we will find in the skies the “Southern Cross". Camp, full break.
11th day: Isalo national park
Our way leads an exhausting one up on the plateau today. We reach the Piscine Naturelle after five to six hours. We can take a bath in crystal-clear water at this incomparably beautiful place. During the walk we passed regions yellow dust and grey stones like being the moon. We will see Euphoria’s, Palm trees, Pachypodias and Aloes as well as lizards, chameleons, lemurs and non-poisonous snakes. The Isalo Park holds a beautiful countryside due to the picturesque rocks and the canyons, grottoes and caves. Camp, full break
12th day: Isalo national park
We once again will see tombs of the Bara and Betsileo. The graves are taboo. The advises given by the guides should be strictly observed. After lunch we take a walk to “God’s Window" a rock with a round hole through which the sunset may be observed. Hotel Le Joyau del Isalo or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
13th day: Tulear
After the breakfast journey to Tulear by a landscape getting drier and drier up to the half desert. . We see Palm trees and Baobabs along the way and the tombs of the Mahafaly. Time for a shower and recreation in the hotel. We visit the ethnic graphic museum. Who still feels like it, makes a small town tour in the evening. Hotel Plazza or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
14th day: Tulear
Today must be planned depending on departure time of our aeroplane (again and again changes). In case of an later flight we visit th4e Arboretum (botanical garden) with its great spectrum of dry plants. A Swiss has laid out the garden in Tulear over many decades. Hotel Plazza or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
15th day: Tana - Adasibe
If we will get the morning flight, we will start the journey with the bus by the high fog rain forest to Andasibe to the Perinet-Analamazaotra nature reserve, just after arrival in Ivato (Tana). It lies in a mountain massif in the midst of a tropical vegetation and is one of the highlights of this journey. The night excursion will become an unforgettable experience. Don’t forget the flashlights! Bungalow Feon ny Ala or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
16th day: Perinet nature reserve - Tamatave
Another walk - during day time to get different impressions of Flora and Fauna of Madagascar’s Western Rain Forest. Rare butterflies, chameleons and orchids are found here. We will also look for the Indri-Indri, biggest of the lemurs. In the afternoon trip to Tamatave, this is Madagascar’s biggest port. Hotel Le Toamasina or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
17th day: Diego Suarez
Flight to Diego Suraez (Antsiranana) at the furthest north of Madagascar. We will picked up by a German (King de la Piste). He’ll bring us to the Hotel Kings Lodge, the base of our north excursions. In case we arrive during the morning we’ll plan the day. After arriving a short city-tour will be possible (45 miniutes). The rest of the day is reserved to disposition our further excursions. A marvellous Panorama shows us the big bay and the emblem of Diego, the small sugar-loaf. Hotel Kings Lodge or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
18th day: L’Ankaranana (Tsingy)
Together with cook and guide we start for the nature reserve L’Ankaranana (Tsingy). Arriving after a 4 hours car drive. We pass villages where white people are not seen very often. Arrival at the camp at about 1:00 p. a. This camp is found in the Natural Park and starting point for several walks. The sanitary installations are moderate. 2 flush toilets and 2 showers for which the administration of the park is responsible. After lunch a 2 hours walk to the grotte de skelettes, unique with stalagmites and stalactites. This cave was discovered only 2 years ago. Dinner at Camp, full board.
19th day: L’Ankaranana
According to your fitness a walk of 5 - 7 hours passing through Andrafibe Grotte and two canyons. Then crossing of Grotte Cathedrale and further on to canyon No. 3. We will see picturesque rocks, walk through different caves and have to overcome quite a stretch of boulders. No big changes in level. Camp, full break
20th day: L’Ankaranana
After breakfast we go by jeep to Camp Anglais (17 km), situated in the north part. From there a walk of 4 - 5 hours to the top of the mountains, we pass Lac Vert (150 metre level) and climb on to 1800 metre level. This is the best stop to get an impression of the Tsingys to be reached easily. In the afternoon we will have high temperatures. Lunch in Camp Anglais and drive back to base. From here a 2 hours excursion to the most beautiful swimming pool of the world, this is at least what tourists say who have been there, a pool situated at the exit of a cave. Time for relaxing there. Camp, full break
21th day: Montagne d’Ambre - Diego Suarez
After breakfast in the early morning we walk to the nature reserve of Montagne D’Ambre. We pas the former resort Joffreville and arrive a different climate in the heights of 1000 metre. We visit a great waterfall. For to swim we must get off into the depth for 20 minutes. We go on a 40-minute walk on the botanic path. The plants are put plates with names. Lunch in the open on a woods resting-place. At the conclusion visit of one of the many crater lakes on foot or with the car. We have a marvellous summary of the north at two vantage points here. In the evening return to Diego. Hotel Kings Lodge or equivalent, bed, breakfast, lunch.
22th day: Diego Suarez - Tana
Once again, today, you really can relax at the beach directly in front of our hotel. After the short-term flight schedules our flight declines after Tana on the late afternoon. So who wants can start for an excursion to to the Montagne de Francaise directly behind the hotel just after the breakfast (optional). On the way there are different Baobabs, orchids, geckos, lemurs and chameleons to see. In the afternoon journey to the airport and transfer to our hotel Gregoire, or equivalent, bed and breakfast.
23th day: Tana
Dependent to the flight schedule we have enough time for a visit to the kings hill Ambohimanga, also named the bluehill. After this we make a short visit to the market “Marche de Artisanat" for the last souvenirs. transfer to Ivato airport, check in and flight back to Paris. Dinner and breakfast in the aeroplane.
24th day: Arrival in Paris
Arrival in Paris. Then individual journey home to the respective place of residence.
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.