March 2024 **More details available soon
Tour Status - Available
Join Select Holidays as we visit Dubai, UAE then Madagascar, off the eastern coast of Africa, set in the Indian Ocean. At 592,800 square kilometers (228,900 sq mi) Madagascar is the world's second-largest island country after Indonesia. This “Small Group Departure” will be hosted by David & Brenda Layden of Select Holidays.
Included Highlights:
Return Airfare from major North American cities
21 day touring include Dubai, UAE and Madagascar
in superior-class, deluxe accommodationsALL Meal as outlined
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.Private coach transportation with driver
ALL Tours and Entrances as outlined
Train Travel in Madagascar
Flight within Madagascar
National Park Visits
English Speaking Local Tour Guide
Hosted by Select Holidays
Not Included:
Flight upgrades. (ask for details)
Travel insurance
Meals/Drinks other than outlined in itinerary
Personal items
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Day 01: March 2024: Depart North America for Dubai, UAE [IFM]
An overnight flight from North America to Dubai.
Day 02: March 2024: Arrive Dubai, UAE [IFM]
Early evening arrival into Dubai. This will be our home for three nights.
Day 03: March 2024: Dubai, UAE [B/D]
Tour this amazing city, home of Expo 2020. From skyscrapers to ultra-modern architecture, this place is the engineering epitome. Known for its ultra-rich and luxurious lifestyle, the city boasts being the possessor of some of the finest architectural masterpieces attracting travelers from all around the globe. The tallest building in the world Burj Khalifa, the largest hotel in the world Burj al Arab Jumeirah, world's largest mall The Dubai Mall are among the priceless treasures of the city.
Day 04: March 2024: Dubai, UAE [B/D]
Visit some local farms including a camel dairy. This evening we travel out into the desert for a ride among the sand dunes as well as dinner.
Day 05: March 2024: Dubai, UAE to Antananarivo, Madagascar [IFM/D]
Morning flight from Dubai, south of the equator to the island country of Madagascar, an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) off the coast of East Africa . Upon arrival met by our locals hosts, clear all custom formalities and transfer to our hotel for the night for a two night stay.
Day 06: March 2024: Antananarivo/Countryside [B/L/D]
Not far from the capital, this day will be dedicated to enjoy the country-side of Antananarivo. During the day you will have some visits to local agriculture and farming families. There are many small family farms in the different villages which provide the capital city with the majority of their daily food. Lunch will be organized in this region before we return back to the hotel.
Day 07: March 2024: Antananarivo to Antsirabe [B/D]
After breakfast, you will start by crossing the busy capital to drive southwards. As soon as you leave Tana, you can enjoy different scenery in almost every mile you travel. Different stops will be made along the way to learn and see the daily life of people in this region. You arrive Antsirabe where you can enjoy the amazing sunset.
Day 08: March 2024: Antsirabe to Ambositra [B/D]
Before we leave the area of Antsirabe, we’ll have almost full day to explore the area. Since Antsirabe is called “town of water”, you will focus on agriculture, which provides a large amount of vegetables for Madagascar. They are also well known for the many different local handicrafts. After these visits you will drive to Ambositra, passing by the tapia forest and endemic fruit trees.
Day 09: March 2024: Ambositra to Ranomafana National Park [B/D]
Before the drive in Ranomafana, you will visit the community where woodcarvers perform incredible shows and show off their workmanship. Continue your drive into Ranomafana. Arrive at hotel for a two night stay. This evening there will be a night walk to see the native animals.
Day 10: March 2024: Ranomafana National Park [B/D]
The National Park is one of Madagascar's best known rainforest wildlife hot spots. Ranomafana consists largely of steep, forested slopes over which there are well designed trails. Some lead to lookout points from where views are mesmerizing. Besides all the beautiful lemurs and other wildlife, leeches are common in this park. Your guide will do their best to show you many species of lemurs, reptiles, birds and insects.
Day 11: March 2024: Ranomafana National Park to Manakara [B/D]
After breakfast, drive south-east to Manakara. This region will be completely different from what you have seen so far since you are on the east coast of Madagascar. This region is know for the hunting and fishing.
Day 12: March 2024: Manakara [B/L/D]
On this day you will explore Manakara by the sea and the canal of Pangalana which is the longest channel connecting different cities and villages on the eastern part of Madagascar. View the fisherman that come in from the ocean. Enjoy a local lunch as well as free time to relax and enjoy the Indian Ocean.
Day 13: March 2024: Manakara to Faianarantsoa [B/D]
Early in the morning, you will take the train to Faianarantsoa, one of the oldest railroads in the country. Enjoy your adventure as you pass many remote communities, all aboard this unique experience. This train is the only way for the farmers to take their produce to the larger markets in the big cities. This journey is 170km and will take the full day.
Day 14: March 2024: Faianarantsoa to Ranohira (Isalo National Park) [B/L/D]
After breakfast, drive to Isalo National Park passing through Fianarantsoa with impressive, colonial buildings and churches. Then travel to Ambalavao and a visit to the handcraft factory which produces “Atemoro paper” as well a a visit to a local winery as well as lunch. Continue to Anja Reserve to view the lemur catta, the kingdom of Ring-tailed lemurs. From here you will continue into Ranohira or Isalo National Park, for a three night stay.
Day 15: March 2024: Ranohira (Isalo National Park) [B/D]
Today you will visit this famous national park. Transfer to the parking area where you will start walking towards the famous natural swimming pool, through the beautiful landscape of Isalo National Park. This park is also known for the endemic plants such as the Aloes, Pachypodium, Kalanchoes and Tapia trees. If time allows, a visit of the Namaza site and its Cascade des Nymphes. The possibility of spotting the Verreaux's Sifaka Lemurs, the Ring-tailed lemurs, which are found in this region, as well as many different species of birds.
Day 16: March 2024: Ranohira (Isalo National Park) [B/D]
Ranohira is the capital of the Bara tribe which is the Zebu(Malagasy cow) ranchers of Madagascar. On this day you will visit this area to view and understand the ways the Malagasy people farm and also learn why the Zebu has a special richness and is sacred.
Day 17: March 2024: Ranohira (Isalo National Park) to Ifaty [B/L/D]
Drive to Toliara and the south-eastern landscape of Madagascar. Visiting Zombitse National Park to see the dancing Sifaka. Lunch in Toliara then continue on a sandy and bumpy road to Ifaty.
Day 18: March 2024: Ifaty [B/L/D]
Time to enjoy the seaside and the different activities along the beach or just relax. A visit to the Reniala forest to see Baobab Trees and different endemic plants of the area.
Day 19: March 2024: Ifaty to Toliara the Flight to Antananarivo [B/D]
This day is a traveling day. Transfer to the local airport for your internal flight back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by Select Holidays.
Day 20: March 2024: Antananarivo to North America via Dubai, UAE [B/IFD]
Flight from Antananarivo back to Dubai, UAE.
Day 21: March 2024: Dubai / North America / End of Tour [B/IFM]
Connecting flight from Dubai, UAE to North America.
**Ask about extending your stay and visiting more of Africa or islands in the Indian Ocean.
