Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

< < Antananarivo Antsirabe Fianarantsoa Ranohira Ifaty Andasibe        3 2 1 2 2 2 Coach Air Nights 2 Ring-tailed Lemurs What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Antananarivo with Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) ✔ Where you’ll stay Antananarivo, 4 H Le Louvre Hôtel Antsirabe, 3 H Arotel Fianarantsoa, 3 H Zomatel Ranohira, 3 H Satrana lodge Ifaty, 3 H Hôtel La Mira de Madiorano Andasibe, 3 H Andasibe Lemurs Lodge ✔ 35 meals ✔ 11 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Challenging Day 1: UK to Antananarivo Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Antananarivo D On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Relax and settle in before a welcome dinner. Day 3: Antananarivo to Antsirabe B/L/D After breakfast, enjoy a short city tour. Head to the colonial buildings and steep streets of the Haute- Ville for lunch with views over the city. After lunch, depart for the south, passing rice fields and villages before arriving in Antsirabe for a short city tour and ‘pousse-pousse’, a rickshaw riding experience. Day 4: Antsirabe to Fianarantsoa B/L/D Continue south, stopping in Ambositra where you’ll visit the Zafimaniry artisans famed for their wood- carving. Next, stop at a local restaurant before continuing to Fianarantsoa, the main city centre of the Betsileo ethnic community. Day 5: Fianarantsoa B/L/D Travel to Ranomafana National Park, one of the most bio-diverse locations on the planet. Created largely to protect the endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur and Greater Bamboo Lemur. Spend the day exploring with your guide before returning to Fianarantsoa. Day 6: Fianarantsoa to Ranohira B/L/D Depart the highlands on your journey to Ranohira. First stop at Ambalavao to visit the Antemoro paper factory and witness the process of making paper from the bark of the mulberry tree. Travel along the Andringitra Mountains to your next stop at Anja Community Reserve, home to the highest concentration of ring-tailed lemurs. Arrive at Ranohira village for your trip to Isalo National Park. Day 7: Ranohira B/L/D Drive into the foothills of Isalo National Park and walk amongst the impressive landscapes, canyons, natural pools, and magical rock erosions. The day will be spent exploring this beautiful environment including a picnic in the Tapia forest, before returning to Ranohira. Day 8: Ranohira to Ifaty B/L/D Continue south to Ifaty on the coast. On the way, stop off to see the Mahafaly tribes tombs with their colourful decorations and amazing carvings. You’ll see the Mozambique Channel long before reaching Tulear, have lunch, then visit the market town all before arriving at the beaches of Ifaty. Day 9: Ifaty B/L/D Visit the Reniala Reserve after breakfast. A small private reserve located in the great Baobab Forest of Southwest Madagascar. Return to your hotel for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Day 10: Ifaty to Antananarivo B/L/D After breakfast, fly to Antananarivo. Flight times can vary so you’ll have free time in Ifaty or Antananarivo. Day 11: Antananarivo to Andasibe B/L/D Travel to Andasibe Village, leaving the highlands by the steep slopes of Mandraka. Upon arrival, embark on a short tour, exploring the town, meeting the locals and learning about everyday life. Day 12: Andasibe B/L/D Tour the remarkable Analamazaotra National Park, home to the rare Indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur. In the afternoon, visit Vakona private reserve, home to an island full of lemurs and lakes with crocodiles. Day 13: Andasibe to Antananarivo B/L/D Return to Antananarivo and visit Ambohimanga, the Blue Hill, before this evening’s farewell dinner. Day 14: Antananarivo to the UK B Transfer to the airport for your return flight, or continue on to your chosen extension. Madagascar: Discover a Lost World What you’ll see ⚫ Explore Ranomafana National Park and Isalo National Park ⚫ Admire the iconic Baobab Trees ⚫ Uncover Madagascar’s largest lemur, the Indri at Analamazaotra National Park ⚫ Visit the colonial town of Antsirabe Evolving in isolation for millions of years, Madagascar is unique. Home to lemurs and Baobab trees, dotted with rainforests, deserts, canyons and mountains, fringed by stunning coastline and boasting an intoxicating cultural mix of Asia, Africa and Europe. Includes all meals Extend your tour Nosy Be beach stay*, 7 nights, 4 H from £899 *Please note extension is 6 nights in Nosy Be, followed by 1 night in Antananarivo Departures & from prices May 24 £3,199 Apr 25 £3,199 Jun 24 £3,299 May 25 £3,299 Aug 24 £3,999 Jun 25 £3,399 Sep 24 £3,899 Aug 25 £4,099 Oct 24 £3,899 Oct 25 £3,899 Nov 24 £3,699 Nov 25 £3,799 Dec 24 £3,499 Dec 25 £3,599 • Lead-in price based on 12 May 24 & 21 Apr 25 • A single supplement starts from just £629 • Tipping paid locally €40 pp per tour Save £100 on selected departures with code TOUR100 106 Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk Africa