Day 1 | Montreal → Antananarivo — Departure

Board your international flight to Madagascar (Antananarivo).

Day 2 | Arrival in Antananarivo

Welcomed on arrival by your driver-guide; a first glimpse of the capital and the buzz of Malagasy life before settling in

Day 3 | Antananarivo – Antsirabe (170 km – 5 h)

Visit Dieudonné's famous tin workshop; stop in Ambatolampy to meet aluminum blacksmiths; arrive in Antsirabe, the "city of salt"

Day 4 | Antsirabe – Ranomafana (250 km – 7 h)

Stop in Ambositra to meet marquetry artisans, including Idom Art; continue to the rainforest village of Ranomafana

Day 5 | Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa (65 km – 2 h 30)

Morning in Ranomafana National Park — 12 lemur species, rare birds and unique flora; continue to Fianarantsoa, capital of Betsileo country

Day 6 | Fianarantsoa – Ranohira (285 km – 6 h)

Granite walls of the Andringitra massif and the great Malagasy South; short walk in the Anja community reserve, refuge of ring-tailed lemurs; Isalo massif on the horizon

Day 7 | Isalo National Park — Ranohira

Full-day hike in "the Malagasy Colorado" — sandstone canyons, natural pools and rupiculous flora; option to stay at the hotel instead

Day 8 | Ranohira – Ifaty (277 km – 5 h)

Cross the desert plains west of Isalo; first baobabs at the exit of Zombitse forest; arrival in Tuléar and your seaside hotel on the Mozambique Channel

Day 9 | Ifaty

Free day at leisure to make the most of the beach and lagoon at the end of your Madagascar journey

Day 10 | Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Transfer to Tuléar airport; domestic flight to Antananarivo and overnight near the capital

Day 11 | Antananarivo — Departure

Last moments in Madagascar; airport transfer scheduled according to your international flight. End of our services

Included in your Package

✓ International flight (arrival & departure)

✓ Meet and greet upon arrival and private transfers: Days 2, 10, and 11

✓ Domestic flight: Day 10

✓ Bus rental with driver and fuel: Days 3 to 8

✓ Expédition agency guide: Days 2 to 10

✓ Half-board stay (dinner, overnight and breakfast): Days 2 to 9

✓ Hotel accommodation: Days 2 to 10

✓ One bottle of water per day per person

✓ Activities mentioned in the program

✓ Park or reserve entrance fees

✓ Guide fees in parks or reserves

✓ Taxes and permits

Not Included in your Package

✗ Travel insurance

✗ Visa fees

✗ Excess baggage fees

✗ Lunches

✗ Beverages

✗ Tips

✗ Personal expenses

✗ Activities in Ifaty: Day 9 ($)

✗ Activities not mentioned in the program

Tour package rates – Tour package rates are starting-from prices per person, based on double occupancy, and include the applicable flight rates and taxes. Rates are valid for the specified travel dates and are based on the itinerary details, selected flights and airline, specified hotels and accommodations, and meal plan indicated in the itinerary. Hotel ratings may differ from North American standards. Rates and hotel selections are subject to availability at the time of reservation and may change until all travel arrangements are confirmed. Any changes to the travel dates, itinerary, flights, hotels, accommodations, meal plan, or occupancy may result in revised rates.

Group departure rates – Group departure rates are valid only for the specified group, departure and return dates, selected hotels, and designated airline included in the quotation. These rates are subject to availability and apply exclusively to that specific group departure. Changes to the group size, travel dates, hotels, airline, or itinerary may result in revised rates.

Custom quote available on request – A custom quote will be prepared based on your requested travel dates, itinerary, selected flights and airline, accommodations, hotel selections, meal plan, and included services. Rates are starting-from prices per person, based on double occupancy, and include applicable taxes unless otherwise specified.

General Information — Madagascar

Visa Canadian citizens require a visa to enter Madagascar. A Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) for stays up to 30 days, extendable once for an additional 30 days. Cost is approximately USD $35. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.

Health & Vaccinations Yellow Fever vaccination required if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. Strongly recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Tetanus, Meningitis. Malaria is present throughout Madagascar — antimalarial medication is strongly recommended. Consult your travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure.

Currency Malagasy Ariary (MGA). ATMs available in Antananarivo and major towns but unreliable in rural areas. Credit cards accepted at select hotels only. Carry sufficient USD or EUR cash — easily exchanged locally. USD is widely accepted as a secondary currency.

Climate Tropical climate with regional variation. Dry season: April–October (best time to visit). Wet/cyclone season: November–March. Highlands (Antananarivo) are cooler year-round, averaging 15–25°C. Coastal areas are hot and humid, averaging 25–32°C.

Time Zone EAT — East Africa Time (UTC+3). 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time (Canada).

Electricity 220V / 50Hz. Type C & E plugs (European style). Bring a universal adapter. Power outages are common outside major cities — a portable power bank is recommended.

Language Malagasy and French are the official languages. French is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas. English is limited outside major hotels. Your guide is bilingual French/English.

Dress Code Modest dress is respectful, especially in rural villages and religious sites. Lightweight, breathable clothing recommended. Long sleeves and pants advisable for mosquito protection in the evenings.

Health & Safety Drink bottled or purified water only. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent (DEET-based) daily. Medical facilities are very limited outside Antananarivo — comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential.

Emergency Numbers Police: 117 | Ambulance: 124 | Fire: 118 | Canadian Embassy (Nairobi, Kenya covers Madagascar): +254 20 366 3000