Welcome to Antananarivo, the capital and largest city of the gorgeous island nation of Madagascar. The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar sits like a jewel in the crown of the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Mozambique. Antananarivo is a very spread-out city and is split into upper, middle and lower town, known for its heart-shaped lake surrounded by jacaranda trees in the middle of the city centre.

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive in Madagascar by 3:00pm.

This evening you will meet our local guide over a welcome dinner.

Today is a travel day which will take us towards the eastern side of the island and Andasibe National Park. Along the way we’ll stop at the Reserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic to marvel at the many species of reptiles found on the island, including the elusive chameleon!

After a lunch stop in Marozevo, we continue to Andasibe National Park where we’ll arrive later in the afternoon. The rainforest here is home to 11 species of lemur and many other endemic rare and endangered animals. After our arrival, we’ll embark on an evening excursion to the park to discover some of the fascinating nocturnal wildlife.

Today we’ll visit Analamazaotra Reserve, once part of the larger Mantadia National Park. This protected forest is home to 108 different species of bird, 14 species of lemur and 84 types of amphibians. We’ll enjoy the wonders of the rainforest as we hike, tracking lemurs, spotting exotic plants, trees, insects and Madagascan reptiles along the way. If we are lucky, we may even spot the iconic 'Indri Indri' lemur, the largest species of lemur in the world.

Leaving the rainforest behind this morning, we continue south along the famous Route Nationale 7, towards the town of Ambatolampy. Route Nationale 7, also known as RN7, is the primary highway running 980km through the centre of Madagascar going from the capital Antananarivo to Tulear on the country’s south-west coast. Along this road, we’ll be treated to some stunning views.

When we arrive in Ambatolampy, a small rural town in the Madagascar highlands, we’ll have the chance to meet the friendly, local villagers who handmake traditional pots from recycled aluminium.

We’ll continue our travels to arrive in Antsirabe this afternoon, famous in Madagascar for its warm thermal waters and brightly coloured rickshaws.

Next, we make our way to a workshop where local artisans create beautiful souvenirs out of Zebu horns, before visiting a precious stone shop.

Later this morning, we continue south through the highlands stopping at the town of Ambositra, also known as the handicraft capital of Madagascar. This town is well known for its unique type of woodcarving, called Zafimaniry Art, which has been added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. During our visit to Ambositra, we'll have the chance to explore different craft workshops, witness the artisans at work, and purchase some souvenirs to take home.

In the late afternoon sit back, relax and enjoy the passing scenery on the way to the rainforests of Ranomafana National Park.

It’s an early start this morning as a park ranger and a tracker take us on a scenic hike through the lush Ranomafana National Park. We'll be awestruck by the stunning variety of unique flora and fauna, including 12 species of lemur and 115 species of birds that make this park their home.

Following a local lunch, we'll have the afternoon at leisure to relax and unwind before we head out on an incredible nocturnal visit along the Route Nationale. With our expert guide leading the way, we'll search for nocturnal lemurs like the microcebe or mouse lemur and other nocturnal animals including chameleons. We'll then return to the lodge for a well-deserved dinner.

Today, we bid farewell to the spectacular Madagascan highlands and enter the dry bushland and semi-desert of southern Madagascar. The people in Ambalavao are specialists in handmade high-quality silk and paper products using old traditional methods. Here we’ll have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Antemoro Paper Mill, which has a rich history dating back to the Arabs.

After visiting some of these mills, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch in the Anja Reserve. Managed by the local village community, this reserve is home to many unique species of lemurs, including the very famous ring-tailed lemur.

Get ready for a Jurassic-age adventure today, experiencing the wonders of Isalo National Park. Along the way, we'll visit the Baras Tombs and the botanic garden, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the park. Formed during the Jurassic period, the unique flora and fauna of this region have evolved overtime to adapt to the local conditions.

We’ll return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the swimming pool and natural spring.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll head towards the stunning shores of the Mozambique Channel, passing through several villages formed during the Sapphire Rush. We will stop at the captivating Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, a landscape of dry forest, marshes and savannahs. Here we'll explore the majestic baobabs and encounter the playful Sifaka dancing lemurs before continuing to the port city of Toliara for lunch and some time to explore.

Later this afternoon, we’ll make our way to the quiet fishing village of Ifaty, home to a beautiful palm-fringed beach.

Early this morning, we'll visit the Reniala Private Reserve, which is famously known as the Baobab Forest. Prepare to be amazed by the unique beauty of these ancient trees as we wander through the reserve. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the ecology of the region and appreciate the natural wonders of Madagascar.

After we return to the hotel for breakfast, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and unwind, or to explore more of this colourful seaside town at our own pace.

This morning, we say goodbye to Ifaty as we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the capital, Antananarivo. On arrival, we’ll visit the Blue Hill (or Ambohimanga). This UNESCO Heritage Site is considered the cradle of Merina Monarchy and is steeped in fascinating history and cultural significance.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for you to relax.

Please note: The airline ticket for the flight between Ifaty and Antananarivo is issued locally by our operator.

Discover Madagascar’s pretty capital on a city tour this morning. During our tour, we’ll see some gems of the city, including the Old Upper Town. Built on a granite hilltop overlooking the Ikopa River Valley, the Old Upper Town is renowned for its baroque-style palaces and gothic cathedrals that date back centuries. We will also explore the city centre before visiting a vibrant local craft market.

This afternoon is yours at leisure to discover the city some more or to simply relax! Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious group farewell dinner.

Our tour concludes after breakfast, and we bid farewell to our new friends and to incredible Madagascar. You will be transferred to the airport in time for your international flight home.