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Madagascar: (IT09 C) Antananarivo to Tulear by road with extension Ifaty Beach

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approximate price per person sharing (October 2011)

With flights from Johannesburg

medium-range €3161316131612844

basic-range €3002300230022701

 

From Antananarivo

medium-range €2815281528152533

basic-range €2652265226522386

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Description

Overland itinerary with beach extension at Ifaty Beach in the south-west. This is Madagascar's most scenic and culturally interesting overland route. Travelling the RN7, this tarred contour road takes one from the capital city, Antananarivo, in the central highlands, to the south-west coast where reefs and beaches make for an ideal finish to this itinerary. En route, you'll experience some breathtaking scenery, pass through some typical Malagasy towns and villages, visit the tropical rain forests of Ranomafana National Park and the high plateau granitic outcrops and sandstone canyons of the Isalo National Park and finally visit the bizarre Spiny Desert at Ifaty Beach. This itinerary is available all year around.

 

Package

12 nights

Day 1: Antananarivo
Fly to Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the central highlands. At the airport our English-speaking Malagasy agents will meet and assist you with formalities. Transfer to the Palissandre Hotel & Spa for one night on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe
Transfer by private car with your driver-guide to the highland town of Antsirabe. The 170km drive takes a leisurely two hours. En route at Ambatolampy, a quaint little town, have coffee at the Au Rendezvous Des Pecheurs an attractive restaurant with a delightful outside area. Antsirabe is undoubtedly one of our favourite towns. A buzzing town with pousse-pousse (rickshaw) drivers touting for business and making sure you remember their rickshaw number! 'Be a sport and take a ride'. Antsirabe is also the home of a very reputable university. Overnight at Cocoon Inn (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 3: Antsirabe and the lakes

Today is spent visiting the lakes of Tritriva and Andraikiba. Along the way you will drive past the Star Brewery - the villages are more prosperous here as they have benefitted from the brewery by growing barley. On the outskirts of Antsirabe you will also see some tombs set-off the road. The road passes by Lake Andraikiba where you can have lunch at the nearby lake restaurant set on a hillside with magnificent views. It is another thirty minutes from here to Lake Tritriva - an hour's walk will take you around the emerald green lake (remember to wear decent walking shoes). Inevitably you will be joined by a bevy of young kids all offering to be your personal guide. Lake Tritriva is a crater lake some 80 metres deep. The water level rises in the dry season and debris thrown into the lake has been known to reappear further down the valley, supporting the theory of underground water channels. In the afternoon you'll return to Antsirabe to visit the various craft works including the precious and semi-precious stone stores. (Please note that the visits cannot be guaranteed). Overnight at Cocoon Inn (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 4: Antsirabe - Ranomafana National Park
Transfer by road to the Ranomafana National Park, a journey of about 5 hours. You'll stop at Ambositra which is famous for its wood carvings and where you will find an abundant choice of carved figurines and marquetry. Ranomafana featuring superb scenery is dominated by the white-water River Namorona, which cascades through rainforest-clad slopes. There is a good system of trails, including several half-day walks. Ranomafana is famed for its twelve species of lemur including the three species of Bamboo Lemur. For avid birders this is the place where you might find Brown Emutail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Pitta-like and Rufous-headed ground-rollers, Brown Mesite, Yellow-browed Oxylabes, Crossley's Babbler, Forest Rock-thrush and Pollen's Vanga. The draw card of this park is the evening opportunity at the Belle Vue feeding station where you will see Fanoloka (Striped Civet), Ring-tailed Mongoose and Brown Mouse Lemur. Returning to the car park you may see chameleons and tree frogs. You'll need a torch (flashlight) for this excursion and a raincoat or umbrella is always advisable. Overnight stay at the Setam Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Domaine Nature (basic) (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 5: Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana is tropical rainforest. Paths in the forest are well laid out but the steepness of some trails is a challenge to some visitors. This forest is best in the mornings from first light until about 11am. Overnight stay at the Setam Lodge (upmarket) or the Hotel Domaine Nature (basic) (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 6: Ranomafana - Fianarantsoa

You'll have the morning to explore the rainforest again. Birders can use this day to head for the marsh known as Vohiparara, (or the upper forest) which is quite flat and holds specials like Madagascar Snipe, White-throated Rail, Madagascar Flufftail and Grey Emutail. After lunch you will transfer to the town of Fianarantsoa. This charming and vibrant highland town has much to offer in terms of picturesque scenery and boasts a world class university. Fianarantsoa means the place of good learning which is very apt. There is quite a contrast between the attractive upper town (old town) and the busy lower town. Fianarantsoa is surrounded by tea plantations and wine estates. Overnight stay at Tsara Guesthouse (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 7: Fianarantsoa - Anja Reserve - Ranohira (Isalo National Park)
Today you travel by road south-westwards towards the town of Ihosy, the outback capital of the Bara tribe. The road is good and you will pass through dramatic scenery including terraced rice paddies of the Betsileo people. This area is also the wine producing district of Tana and you will ass through these vineyards - those of Clos Malaza and Betsileo are the better ones. Those interested in local crafts can buy wonderful silk 'lambas' at Ambalavao, and visit the paper 'factory here, too. There is a noticeable change in architecture from characteristic multi-storeyed buildings on the highlands to simpler constructions of the Bara people. Fifteen kilometres out of Ambalavao is the community tourism site of Anja. Set amongst huge granitic boulders you will be led by a local guide to see their Ring-tailed Lemurs, all in very good condition. This is a pleasant break from the journey and sometimes you will be shown one of the smallest chameleons of the Brookesia genus. Madagascar Agamas are everywhere. Your guide will also take you to a tomb of the Bara people -they bury their deceased in caves. Past Ihosy you continue onto the Horombe Plateau (good for Reunion Harrier) before passing through the sapphire frontier town of Ranohira, and also the gateway town to the Isalo National Park. The park covers 81 540 ha of the Isalo Massif, which rises up from the flat surrounding grassy plain. The sandstone has been eroded into strange shapes, cut into impressive gorges and canyons. You overnight at Le Relais de la Reine or Le Jardin du Roy on dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 8: Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park is a premier hiking destination. A visit to the natural swimming pool (La Piscine Naturelle) will involve a thirty-minute drive into the park from where one must walk for about one-hour. It is very hot in summer and there is very little shade. The path climbs steeply onto a plateau and then descends sharply to the pool. It is a true oasis with fringed palms, cool welcoming water and a cascading waterfall. There are no lemurs here but you will discover many extraordinary plants and see amazing rock formations. Remember to drink plenty of water (you'll have to buy water & picnic prior to leaving for the excursion at the hotel). If you are more interested in lemurs then the best accessible area is the Canyon des Singes (or Maki) which is an eighteen km 4x4 drive on rough road into the reserve followed by a forty five minute hike into the canyon (not too strenuous and much of it is forested). There are Ring-tailed Lemur and Verreaux's Sifaka in dense vegetation here along the streams. Follow the river up the canyon to picnic and stop for a swim. This is a perfect one day excursion. The Isalo Interpretation Centre is worth a visit if you are interested in learning about the people who live around the park and the wildlife in the national park itself. It is just south of the entrance to the hotel Le Relais de la Reine, and close to the national road. You overnight at Le Relais de la Reine or Le Jardin du Roy on dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 9: Isalo National Park - Zombitse - Ifaty Beach
Today you continue your travels. It is worthwhile visiting the Zombitse Forest National Park. This is an interesting dry deciduous forest with well laid trails. It is easy walking. It is very important to get here early as it gets hot here early-on. If you are birders you need to leave before breakfast (organise a packed breakfast the night before). It is about a 90 minute drive. Specials include the Appert's Tetraka, found only in this 21 000 ha forest. Continuing south you pass by some impressive baobabs (Adansonia za and A. digitata) and continue through the wild-west-like sapphire mining towns of Ilakaka and Sakaraha. From here it is about 3 hours drive to Tulear. You pass by the elaborately decorated tombs of the Mahafaly and Antandroy - the tombs depicting colourful scenes from the lives of those interred there. The vegetation changes dramatically. Your final destination today is Ifaty Beach, which lies to the north of Tulear. This section of road is usually in very poor condition. You pass through degraded spiny forests, a botanical feature of this area. Overnight at the Paradisier Hotel or Les Dunes Hotel (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 10: Ifaty Beach - Reniala Private Reserve
It is important to set off very early in the morning as by 10am it will be really warm. Head for Mangily village - about 20 minutes north - and the Reniala Private Reserve. Reniala protects a piece of spiny forest with trails and labelled plants. It is a botanists' delight, relatively easy terrain, quite sandy but suitable for everybody. The forty five hectares of spiny forest includes two species of baobab (Adansonia rubrostipa & A. za). The flora is a chaotic ensemble of drought resistant plants, many of which are bloated, Pachypodiums, Moringas, Hildergardia and Delonix spp. There are many orchids as well as species of Aloe, Commiphora, intermixed with the spiny octopus trees (Didieracea). It is also good for the special birds of the area - Long-tailed Ground-roller, Lafresnaye's Vanga, Sub-desert Mesite, Running Coua and Archbold's Newtonia. Overnight at the Paradisier Hotel or Les Dunes Hotel. (Dinner, bed and breakfast).

Day 11: Ifaty Beach
Relax at Ifaty Beach at the hotel of your choice.

Day 12: Ifaty Beach - Tulear - Antananarivo
From Anakao you are transferred by boat back to Tulear, transfer by road to the airport in time to and check in for your flight to Antananarivo. On arrival you will be will be met and transferred to Palissandre Hotel & Spa (B&B).

Day 13: Outbound flight

Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your flight to Johannesburg.

Includes

Prices include

International (departure from Johannesburg with Airlink) and internal Malagasy flights, all accommodation and meals as indicated, all excursions with car and driver, guides in the reserves, entry permits and all airport-hotel transfers.

Not included

Meals not indicated, drinks, tips to guides, porters etc., any personal expenses, travel insurance, internet access, airport taxes and visa fees.

Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions will apply to your holiday and the arrangements which you make. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.

By making a booking, the client confirms that all of the people named in the booking made by him/her have read these conditions, and have agreed to be bound by them and all the other terms of the contract, and that he/she has the authority to accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.

1.    Regardless of the place of execution, performance or domicile of the parties, this contract, together with all modifications and amendments, shall be governed by, construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2.    All packages and tours are sold subject to our standard terms and conditions. Reservations must be signed on a booking form. If the services of a courier are employed during this process, the costs shall be borne by the client.

3.    A 20% deposit is payable on confirmation, unless otherwise stated on the booking form. The balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your departure. No contract is made between the client and Unusual Destinations until the deposit or, where required, the full price has been paid, whether or not a booking confirmation has been issued by Unusual Destinations or one of its agents. Failure by the client to pay any sum by due date shall entitle Unusual Destinations to cancel the booking, and to charge a cancellation fee as set out below (see point 17 below).

4.    Quotations are based on the exchange rates valid at the time that they are sent to the client. Unusual Destinations reserves the right to increase any prices where currency fluctuations occur, until such time as they have been paid in full. It is the client’s responsibility to check on possible price increases prior to full payment. Airfares are subject to prices quoted by airlines, and Unusual Destinations can therefore not accept responsibility for unexpected fare increases.

5.    It is the clients’ responsibility to obtain travel documents including a valid passport and air tickets. It is also the clients’ responsibility to contact the airlines at least 72 hours prior to departure to reconfirm all flights. All clients who, at the time of departure, are under the age of 18 years, must be accompanied by a client aged 21 or over who will at all times during the tour or trip be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour. Clients are expected at all times to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with due regard to the health, safety, comfort, enjoyment and general well- being of all the other people who may be on the tour or trip, or other people who may be staying in the relevant hotels. If it appears that the client’s conduct or behaviour is such as to be a breach of this requirement, or is likely to endanger the client’s own health or safety, or that of others, or where their actions or conduct impedes the operation of the trip, then Unusual Destinations reserves the right to refuse the further participation of any such client. No refund will be considered in respect of any client whose participation in the trip is terminated for these reasons. Further, where the client is repatriated pursuant to this clause at Unusual Destinations’ expense, or where Unusual Destinations is put to any additional expense as a result of the client’s conduct, then Unusual Destinations shall have the right to recover such costs upon demand. Under no circumstances, at any time, shall Unusual Destinations have any liability for the denial of boarding or expulsion from an aeroplane by any airline contracted in terms of this contract, such denial being at the sole discretion of the airline concerned.

6.    While Unusual Destinations will do its best not to cancel or make any material alteration to the itinerary after a booking confirmation has been issued, it shall nonetheless be entitled at any time prior to departure to cancel the contract between the parties, or to change and/or curtail the scheduled itinerary where this becomes reasonably necessary on operational, commercial or other grounds. Unusual Destinations will however inform the client of any such cancellation or change of itinerary as soon as possible. Where such a change of itinerary amounts to a material alteration, the client shall be entitled to cancel the booking within 3 days of being advised of the itinerary change without any cancellation fee being applicable.

7.    Although Unusual Destinations attempts to make all itineraries as accurate as possible at the time of printing, they are to be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the tour rather than an inflexible chronicle of events. The itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, whether as a result of weather, government restrictions, transportation problems, road conditions, acts of God, terrorist threats, natural disasters, fires or other circumstances. Unusual Destinations however undertakes to do its best to maintain the itinerary, and will not unreasonably change it. However any such changes shall not constitute a material alteration of the contract, and Unusual Destinations shall in consequence have no liability to the client in respect thereof.

8.    Unusual Destinations will not be responsible for any additional costs occasioned by changes in the itinerary or flight schedules, such as additional flights, hotel nights or meals not included in the scheduled itinerary. Payment for such additional services will be required at the time when the amended itinerary is provided to the client. Further, any expenses incurred owing to unexpected extensions to packages, trips or tours caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other reason beyond Unusual Destinations’ control will be paid by the client upon demand.

9.    Where the client is making a booking with a tour, the rates quoted are based upon group participation, and no partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements or sightseeing tours for any reason whatsoever.

10.    Unusual Destinations, in order to provide the tour as set out in the brochure, group/individual tour or individual package, quotation and/or booking, is obliged to make arrangements with local operators who may themselves engage the services of local suppliers. Unusual Destinations endeavours at all times to appoint reputable and competent local operators to comply with the requirements and standards expected by the client. However, although these local operators are appointed by Unusual Destinations, they are acting as an agent on behalf of the client directly, and a direct contract is therefore entered into between the client and the local operator or service provider, and the terms and conditions of the local operator, whether or not contained in this brochure, will apply to arrangements made by them. Unusual Destinations makes the travel arrangements on behalf of the client on the express condition that it is not liable for any inconvenience, irregularity or expense occasioned by the failure of the local operator to comply with the itinerary provided, whether in relation to travel arrangements, airline scheduling, airline changes, cancelled flights, missed flight connections or any other factor not directly under Unusual Destinations’ control. In the event however that Unusual Destinations is, in spite of the provisions of this clause, found to be liable to the client, then its liability will be limited to the sum paid by the client in respect of the travel arrangement(s) in question.

11.    As Unusual Destinations acts only as an agent for local operators, it accepts no liability for any loss or damages which clients may suffer as a result of the failure by such local operators to fulfil their obligations whether in relation to travel flights, land arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. These local operators are independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Unusual Destinations in any way. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience caused to any person, their property or luggage under any circumstances.

12.    Unusual Destinations will not be liable for bodily injury to, or death of any client, or damage to their property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or local operator or individual engaged in providing these services or for any reason, including, but not limited to, acts of God, quarantine, strikes, industrial action, medical emergencies, civil disturbances, theft, detention, annoyance, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, closure of ports, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, medical emergencies or failure of the conveyance to depart or arrive as scheduled.

13.    Unusual Destinations does not provide medical services during the trip or tour. However, wherever possible, Unusual Destinations will offer general assistance to any client who suffers illness, personal injury or death, whether or not arising from an activity forming part of the trip or tour, and whether or not the result of fault by any party.

14.    Clients should bring with an ample supply of any prescription medicines required, and a first aid kit.

15.    Any cost or expense which is reasonably incurred by Unusual Destinations for or on behalf of the client in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, or any other expenses of whatever nature, shall be repayable by the client to Unusual Destinations on demand, whether or not such sum is covered by the client’s travel insurance.

16.    Travel insurance (medical and personal accident) is compulsory. However, clients are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover the loss of their luggage, and the deposit or part of the tour fee through cancellation.

17.    Any changes and/or cancellations will incur penalties; in many cases air tickets are totally non-refundable. All cancellations have to be in writing. Unless otherwise stipulated, the following fees shall be charged by Unusual Destinations if a client cancels a reservation:

More than 6 weeks prior to departure:
10% of price

4 – 6 weeks prior to departure:
50% of price

2 – 4 weeks prior to departure:

75% of price

Less than 2 weeks prior to departure:

100% of price

18.    These terms and conditions, together with any other clauses set out on the application form, defines the responsibility of Unusual Destinations with respect to all of the trips/tours/arrangements made by them. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for the failure of performance or improper performance which is wholly attributable to any or all of the following:
    
a)    The fault of the client;

b)    The unforeseeable or unavoidable act of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under this contract;

c)    Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care was exercised;

d)    Any event which Unusual Destinations could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided, including (but not limited to) an event or force major. Unusual Destinations further confirms that the carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various international conventions and the client shall be bound by the rules, regulations and conditions of contract laid down by any carrier upon which he / she may travel as a result of the reservations made, and Unusual Destinations shall be free from any liability in consequence thereof.

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