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Madagaskar Travel · Trips and journeys · Study trips · Study nature-journey ME
Study nature-journey ME
Not only botanists are impressed by the variety of Madagascar’s flora and the splendour of its blossom. More than 1200 orchids prosper in the forests of Madagascar. About 100 million years ago the island separated from Gondwana and the south part of the former continent of Pangäa. Africa and Asia fell apart and between India and the African coast various small islands were formed: Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles and the Comores. A unique Flora has survived here and had continued to develop until now. 29 different species of lemurs are living here as well as the smallest and the biggest chameleon. It was a global sensation when during the eighties a fish with tassel-fins was found. Its age was estimated to be 50 million years.
1st day: Individual journey from Germany to Paris
Individual journey to Paris during the day. It’s possible to start the journey from several airports in Germany to Paris. Please ask. Evening flight to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, named Tana for short.
2nd day: Antananarivo: Town of the thousand
Arrival at Tana, service, check out, transfer to the hotel. Visit to the zoological-botanical garden of Tsimbazaza in the afternoon, to get a first impression for the large variety of animals and plants of Madagascar. Drive to the hill of the former Royal Palace (Rova). There we get a fantastic view. Overnight stay, Hotel Gregoire or equivalent O/B
3rd day: Comet: The biggest butterfly on earth
Trip over the highlands into the rainforest. Visit to the private farm of Peyreiras in Marozevo. About 3000 different species of butterflies live on Madagascar. The biggest on earth is the “comet”, you’ll see it today. Its wings are 30 cm wide. We start from Manambato beside the Canal de Pangalanes and take a cosy boat trip to Ampitabe-Lake at Akanin ny Nofy. We stay overnight in the middle of the idyllic natural surrgoundings in a simple and rustic bush house. An unforgettable natural experience. (280 km) Overnight stay, Village Atafana or equivalent, O/B.
4th day: boat trip on the longest channel on earth
A walk through the fascinating rainforest in the early morning. Here orchids, insects and exotic plants prosper. In the numerous fresh water lakes the nile crocodiles of Madagascar reside. At about noon we start out on a trip by motorboat on the world’s longest canal-channel to Tamatave (65 km). Overnight stay, Hotel Le Toamasina or equivalent O/B
5th day: Perinet-Analamazaotra-natur reserve
Sightseeing in Tamatave, the secondbiggest city of Madagascar. The highlight of every Madagascar journey is the visit to the Perinet-Analamazaotra-nature reserve (8.1 square km). In the midsts of tropical vegetation there are rare animals at large such as lemurs and Makis. Particularly worth seeing is the indri, which is the largest lemur still living today. An unforgettable experience for all nature friends is the walk to observe the nocturnal animals. Overnight stay, bungalows of Feon ny Ala or equivalent O/B (245 km).
6th day: On the Indri’s track
Walk into the region where the indri live. Then there’s a trip over a breath-taking mountainside to Tana and the central highlands to Antsirabe. The former spa is situated at an altitude of 1500 metres. It was enlarged by Norwegian missionaries. On account of the fresh mountain air and its thermal springs, the place is also named “Madagascar’s Vichy”. Queen Ranavalona II loved the hot springs. Also you’ll start a sightseeing tour with the pousse-pousse, that very important public vehicle of Madagascar. Overnight stay in the new building of the Hotel Diamant or equivalent, O/B (325 km)
7th day: Drive through the highland to Fianarantsoa
The highlands around Antsirabe are well-known for their many semi-precious stones. We’ll be going on to visit a grinder’s workshop. Passing paddy-field terraces, we head for Ambositra. The tribe of Zafiamaniry is popular for its artistic woodcarving. Continuation of the journey to Fianarantsoa. Fianarantsoa was founded in 1830 and is a centre of agriculture. Overnight stay at Hotel Soafia or equivalent O/B (235 km)
8th day: Lemurs, Makis and the smallest frog on earth
Early in the morning we drive to Ranomafana national park. In 1987 the biologist Bernhard Meier discovered the very rare golden lemur. In 1991 the protected forest was declared a national park. With a competent guide you start a walk through the park, once again an unforgettable event of our trip. In the evening we head back to the Hotel Soafia or equivalent O/B (124 km)
9th day: Angringitra-mountain massif
There is spectacular countryside to be seen during today’s trip. Dense forest, endless steppe and amazing formations of granite rocks, and the highest peak, Pic Boby, at 2658 metres. You’ll see the production of the famous Antaimoro-paper, which is handmade. The leaves of the special mulberry-tree, the aroha, are the raw material. How to produce it, was a secret art until just 30 years ago. In Ihosy the natives of the Bara-tribe keep their herds of cattle. We arrive at Ranohira, the starting-point for the national park of Isalo in the late afternoon. Overnight stay at Le Joyau or equivalent (291 km)
10th day: Isalo national park
This day is spent in unique countryside. Bizarre sandstone rock, caves and gulleys with highly transparent water make up the scenery. A piscine naturelle (natural pool) invites you to take a refreshing bath. Then a lunch-picnic will be welcome. In the evening we try to be in time to observe the romantic sunset from a rock formation, the so-called "window of God”. O/B Le Joyau del Isalo or equivalent.
11th day: Land of the Mahafaly
After breakfast we continue our journey to Tulear. The landscape changes into a desert zone. The symbol of the Madagascar’s desert zone is the baobab. On account of its shape, the tree is also named the bottle tree. There exist 10 different species of baobabs, seven of them are only to be found on the island of Madagascar. During this trip we will also see the tombs fo the Mafaly-tribe. The Mahafaly build stone structures for their dead up to 15 m high and decorate them with painting and scenes from the lives of the dead persons. Overnight stay at Hotel Capricorne or equivalent, B/D (248 km)
12th day: Tulear at the Indian Ocean
Flight departure time permitting, we visit the arboretum where many nativedrying plants (succulents) are classified botanically. After this we transfer to the airport and make a short flight to Fort Dauphin. Transfer to the hotel. There’s a walk through the city in the late afternoon. Fort Dauphin is encircled by the sea on three sides. At the order of the East India Company, the sailing ship Saint Louis was sent to Madagascar in March 1642 to found a colony on the island. Fort Dauphin got its name in honour of the French heir to the throne. Today, it still is considered one of the most beautiful towns of Madagascar. Overnight stay Hotel Kaleta or equivalent, O/B
13th day: Nahampoana reserve nature park
Excursion to the Nahampoana reserve, one of the few parks to have been left almost entirely in its original state. Many different animals and plants exclusive to the region can be found here. There are also optional trips by dug-out canoe possible on the lake in the park. (30 km) O/B Hotel Kaleta or equivalent.
14th day: Flight from Fort Dauphin to Tana
The morning is available to use as you please, though this depends also on the short-distance flight departure times. Enjoy the day by the sea, on the Libanona beach, or you can carry on strolling a little through Madagascar’s most beautiful city. If the flight should be ready to depart early in the morning, you’ll have time to stroll through Tana’s markets. Transfer to the airport and flight back to Tana, the capital city. Overnight stay at Hotel Gregoire or equivalent, O/B
15th day: Ambohimanga - Antsahadinta
We visit the royal site of Ambohimanga, the former capital city of the Merina kings after breakfast. There you get an impression of Madagascar’s folklore. In the afternoon we go to the kings’ hill, Antsahadita, to learn more about the culture of the Madagascans. Overnight stay at Hotel Gregoire or equivalent, O/B.
16th day: Flight back to Germany
You have opportunity for own discoveries or for purchases on the artisan market (Marche d’Artisanat). In the afternoon transfer to the airport and return flight with schedule flight to Paris. D/B on the aeroplane.
17th day: Arrival at Paris
Arrival at Paris and individual continuation of your journey back to your hometown.
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