MASAOLA ADVENTURE

 

 

 

ITINERARY

 

Day 1 ~ Antananarivo

On arrival in Antananarivo you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you can simply relax or go out and discover Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. With its bustling markets, friendly people and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world’s other capitals.

 

 Residence Lapasoa or similar

​

Day 2 ~ Tana/Maroantsetra

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Maroantsetra on the north east coast of Madagascar. You will be met at the airport and transported to your hotel. Maroantsetra is a charming town situated at the bottom of the Antongil Bay, in a beautiful riverine scenery where the scent of vanilla and cloves fills the air. Its surrounding area is lush and green, and is dotted with rice paddies and stands of coconut palm.

 

Coco Beach, or similar (B)

 

Day 3 ~ Maroantsetra/Masaola

This morning, you will be transferred to the port where you will board a boat for Masoala. The Masoala Peninsula is the site of a 230,000 ha national park containing one of the finest rainforests in the country and the largest protected area (terrestrial and marine) in Madagascar. After arrival, we will embark on a 3 hour walk in the primary forest to see reptiles, birds, lemurs and orchids as well as rare and unique species such as the green lizard, the red owl, the tomato frog or the serpent eagle. You will even have the opportunity to relax and swim in the refreshing cool water of a river. To round off the day we will have a barbeque party at night.

 

Eco Lodge Tampolo, or similar (B, L, D)

 

Day 4 ~ Masaola

We will start our day with a 3 hour bird watching excursion followed by a visit to a typical village with plantations of vanilla, cloves and coffee. Masoala Peninsula is one of Madagascar’s premier trekking and hiking areas. It also offers excellent opportunities for sea kayaking and snorkelling - a simple mask is enough to admire the colourful marine world. Between July and September you will also have the chance to see the majestic humpback whale in the Bay of Antongil.

 

Eco Lodge Tampolo, or similar - on full board basis (B, L, D)

 

Day 5 ~ Masaola

Today, you can go snorkelling in the Marine reserve, in front of Tampolo. Between July and September you will have the chance to see the majestic humpback whale in the Bay of Antongil.

​

Eco Lodge Tampolo, or similar - on full board basis (B, L, D)

 

Day 6 ~ Masaola/Nosy Mangabe/Maroantsetra

Boat transfer to Nosy Mangabe, a scenic island with a variety of wildlife.  We will visit the special reserve to admire its endemic flora and fauna. Later on you will have the exciting opportunity to see the tombs of the Betsimisaraka, Madagascar’s second largest ethnic group which inhabit most of the central and north-eastern coastal region. The name Betsimisaraka, which means “those who stand together”, refers to the time when the tribe’s confederation was forged from several smaller tribes in the early 18th century. In the afternoon, we will go on a 15 minute boat transfer back to Maroantsetra.

​

Coco Beach or similar (B, L)

 

Day 7 ~ Maroantsetra/Antananarivo

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo where you'll be transferred to your hotel. Wander through the capital’s steep and narrow streets, taking in its architecture, atmosphere and pace. Alternatively climb up to the old rova (palace) and enjoy the views over Tana and the surrounding countryside. The town is at its best in the evening when the setting sun spectacularly illuminates its hillsides.

​

Residence Lapasoa or similar (B)

​

Day 8 ~ Antananarivo/Home

Today you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B)

​

End of Trip

 

(Code: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)

​

​

Land Cost From: $2,090 per person 

​

Please note all rates are subject to change according to rate of exchange fluctuations.

​

For a more detailed or customized itinerary, optional extensions and activities, please call or email us. 

 

​