Madagascan Discoverer

16 days
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Small Group Tour
Madagascar is home to wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on this planet. Join this trip and discover this unique destination for yourself, visiting the primary forest at Andasibe to search for rare indri lemurs and unusual nocturnal wildlife. We also visit 1,000-year-old trees at the Alley of Baobabs, taking them in as the sunset throws an extraordina...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Discover the highlights of Madagascar, an extraordinary island with unique flora and fauna
    • Visit the Alley of Baobabs at sunset to see these unusual and ancient trees in a golden light
    • Hike among the towering limestone pinnacles of Tsingy National Park
    • Join experienced local trackers for the best encounters with lemurs in their natural habitats
    • Explore Isalo National Park, home to amazing rock formations, spectacular canyons and natural swimming holes
    • Seek unusual species, such as tenrecs, indris and sifakas, in Andasibe and Ranomafana national parks

What's this trip about?

    Madagascar is home to wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on this planet. Join this trip and discover this unique destination for yourself, visiting the primary forest at Andasibe to search for rare indri lemurs and unusual nocturnal wildlife. We also visit 1,000-year-old trees at the Alley of Baobabs, taking them in as the sunset throws an extraordinary blanket of colour, and trek through the otherworldly limestone pillars in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a highlight in a trip packed full of them.Experience the Great Red Island: the land of lemurs and breathtaking baobabs

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAntananarivo
End CityAntananarivo

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader/support staff throughout

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Antananarivo

Our adventure starts in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner for those who would like to join. Accommodation: Hotel Le Chato (or similar)

Day 2 Morning city tour in Antananarivo; afternoon drive to Andasibe; guided night walk

We embark on a short bus tour of Tana this morning. With bustling markets and a hilltop ancient town with freestone churches and old royal places, it is unique among world capitals. We then set off for Andasibe, arriving around 3pm, where we visit the community-run V...

Day 3 Morning trek in Andasibe National Park; return to Antananarivo

Day 4 Fly to Morondava; visit Alley of Baobabs

We depart early today to catch a flight west to the coastal town of Morondava, known for having one of the finest climates in Madagascar. We then pick up 4x4 vehicles in the afternoon and visit the Alley of Baobabs, where ancient baobab trees line an unpaved road know...

Day 5 Drive to Bekopaka, with a visit to Kirindy dry forest reserve

Today we visit Kirindy Reserve, home to the giant jumping rat, seven lemur species and the fossa, an endemic creature that looks like a cat-weasel cross. Then we travel approximately nine hours on a dirt road to Bekopaka, passing baobab forests, desert and local villa...

Day 6 Morning trekking in Tsingy National Park; afternoon return to Bekopaka

We depart early this morning to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1990, the area has unique geography and well-preserved mangrove forests, but is best known for its spectacular pinnacles: a forest of limestone pillars, some up to 165...

Day 7 Take a 4x4 to Morondava; sunset at Alley of Baobabs

We return south after breakfast, taking 4x4s to Morondava by road and ferry. The journey takes approximately 12 hours. We pass by the Sakalava tribe tombs along the way, known for the unusual paintings and carvings that decorate the outside of each tomb. We stop at th...

Day 8 Drive to Antsirabe

Today is one of the longest travelling days of the itinerary with a drive time of approximately 12 hours. We pass through the fascinating scenery of Betsiriry Plateau and the savannah plains as well as the many villages interspersed along the way. We arrive at our des...

Day 9 Drive to Ranomafana

We depart early this morning with a short rickshaw tour along Independence Avenue then a sightseeing tour of Antsirabe, including a visit to craft centres. From here, we continue to drive to Ranomafana. With rainforested hills and abundant wildlife, Ranomafana Nationa...

Day 10 Morning visit Ranomafana National Park; afternoon visit Ranomafana village

We spend the morning (approximately five hours) exploring Ranomafana National Park, hoping to spot golden bamboo lemurs, which are unique to this park, plus other lemurs, including eastern woolly, red-bellied, grey bamboo and red-fronted brown. This park is also home ...

Day 11 Drive to Ranohira, visiting Anja National Park en route

The scenery changes dramatically today as we drive to the small town of Ranohira, a journey of approximately 11 hours. We stop in Ambalavao to visit Anja National Park along the way, a small reserve where several families of ring-tailed lemurs can be seen in the wild. Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)

Day 12 Full-day trek in Isalo National Park

We spend the day exploring Isalo National Park, a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. If the conditions are right, we walk in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tail...

Day 13 To west coast and beaches; overnight in Ifaty

We drive to Tulear, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south, and we pass both the Mahafaly tombs and the Antandroy tombs, briefly observing their ornate decorations. Antandroy and Mahafaly are reputed to be the most impressive of all Malaga...

Day 14 Free time for relaxation or optional activities at Ifaty beach

Today we have a free day. Running all the way around the southwest Malagasy coastline, Ifaty beach lies on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and is an excellent venue for scuba diving. Between late June and early September, whales swim off the beautiful wh...

Day 15 Fly to Antananarivo

Today we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo, which typically arrives in the afternoon. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have free time to explore Antananarivo on your own. Accommodation: Le Chato (or similar)

Day 16 End Antananarivo

Depending on flight times there may be the opportunity to embark on an optional short visit to Ambohimanga, the fortified village and its royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was once forbidden to Europeans; the local kings and queens returning to...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,400
Price per day$338
Last Updated: 12/6/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
22 May 2025
06 Jun 2025
$5,400
$6,150
26 Jun 2025
11 Jul 2025
$5,550
$6,300
17 Jul 2025
01 Aug 2025
$5,400
$6,150
21 Aug 2025
05 Sep 2025
$5,400
$6,150
04 Sep 2025
19 Sep 2025
$5,550
$6,300
18 Sep 2025
03 Oct 2025
$5,550
$6,300
25 Sep 2025
10 Oct 2025
$5,550
$6,300
02 Oct 2025
17 Oct 2025
$5,700
$6,450
09 Oct 2025
24 Oct 2025
$5,700
$6,450
23 Oct 2025
07 Nov 2025
$5,550
$6,300

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Flights

Accommodation

For this Madagascan adventure, we spend 15 nights in a range of hotels, each well located for our activities and in beautiful settings. Below are some of the standout accommodations. Antsirabe: Les Chambres du Voyageur (night 8) In Antsirabe, we stay at this husband and wife-owned hotel. They exhibit arts and crafts from the Zafimaniry ethnic group and there is a beautiful garden home to many endemic plants. Near Isalo National Park: Isalo Ranch (nights 11-12) This lodge close to Isalo National Park was one of the first hotels in Madagascar to run primarily on solar power. There are incredible mountain views and the owner has a collection of rhum arrange (rum with fruits, spices and herbs) that are available to sample at dinner. Ifaty beach: Hotel de la Plage (nights 13-14) With an enviable beachside location, Hotel de la Plage is the perfect destination for downtime following a thorough tour of Madagascar. Owners George and Myriam created this arrangement of simple bungalows by the beach and have hired helpful staff and a great chef to make their guests’ stay as comfortable as possible. Their son, Yannick, has a passion for water sports and knows the area very well. Worth knowing Some properties are not connected to the electricity grid and use instead use generators that are turned off at night.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Food standards in Madagascar can vary and are probably not of the same standard you are used to at home. A restaurant meal can cost between 30,000-50,000 ariary (US$7-US$12) plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and readily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyone’s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced. Please note, if you do not eat fish or meat, your food options will be rather limited (ie omelette, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfasts are usually simple: eggs, a baguette, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (spread, peanut butter etc).
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Accommodation: 15 Classic nights (hotels)
  • Travel by private bus, 4×4 and internal flights
  • Some long drives on poor roads
Trip ID
exodus-AZMA3

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