Day 1 Shanghai → Transit Country ★ Meeting Day
All day
Today is the gathering day for the activity. Tourists from all over the country will gather at the terminal of Shanghai Pudong International Airport at the designated time, check in under the guidance of the tour leader, and after completing the departure procedures at the designated time, take an international airline transfer to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
The Republic of Madagascar: Had God not separated Madagascar from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana approximately 150 million years ago, leaving it to fend for itself in the Indian Ocean, it would likely have suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs. Yet, it has survived unscathed, harboring a host of unknown creatures, sheltered in the vast Indian Ocean. This so-called forgotten island is the largest island in Africa and the fourth largest in the world.
Day 2 Transit Country → Antananarivo
All day
After landing in Antananarivo, we will arrange a welcome dinner in the evening, and then everyone will return to the hotel to rest and make full preparations for the subsequent exploration of Madagascar.
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, means "City of a Thousand Warriors" in the local language. Founded in 1625, the city's name is derived from the number of soldiers defending it. Since the late 18th century, during the centralized Merina Kingdom, Tana has been the political center of Madagascar. With an average altitude of over 1,200 meters, Tana enjoys a tropical highland climate with a pleasant year-round climate, an average annual temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius, and a significant temperature difference between morning and evening. Tana's architectural style, influenced by French colonial times, also incorporates elements from other African countries and Madagascar itself. Most of the buildings are built into the hillside, forming a staggered, orderly pattern. The picturesque sunset makes it one of the most picturesque cities in the world.
Day 3 Antananarivo → Morondava (Reference flight: TBD)
·morning
Itinerary Presentation ※ Wonders丨First Encounter with Lemurs & Sunset on Baobab Avenue
Get up early and take a flight to Morondava. The most famous tree here is the Baobab tree, scientifically known as the Baobab tree. With its huge crown and strange branches that resemble roots, it looks like a fallen onion from a distance. It is one of the oldest and most unique tree species on Earth.
Upon arrival, we'll transfer to a local 4WD vehicle and head north to the Kimony Lemur Sanctuary. Before heading to the sanctuary, we'll have a lemur encounter. The sanctuary, located within a private hotel, offers a chance to see three species of lemurs: the brown lemur, the dancing lemur, and the ring-tailed lemur. Madagascar boasts over 100 species, 70-80% of which are endemic.
Then we will go to Kimony Beach, one of the most beautiful and flawless beaches on the west coast of Madagascar. It remains pristine and untouched by human intervention. You may also have the opportunity to see local fishermen hunting and other rich cultural activities.
Note: Due to the extremely tight schedule and frequent cancellations in the inland section of Madagascar, if you encounter a situation where there are no tickets or your flight is canceled, you will be required to use a different vehicle or fly the next day. The tour leader will provide a feasible solution with the local operator. The itinerary may be temporarily adjusted according to flight changes. Please understand!
·afternoon
Baobab Avenue/World Famous Business Card
Afterwards, we'll head to the hotel for a rest. In the afternoon, we'll visit the famous Avenue of the Baobabs (L'Allée de Baobab) to enjoy the stunning sunset. This avenue is Morondava's proud calling card, boasting baobab trees that are approximately 800 years old and reach heights of up to 30 meters. This area boasts a concentration of seven distinct species, unique to the Madagascar. One section, nicknamed "Avenue of the Baobabs" for its concentration of trees and the ability to see four different species simultaneously, is considered one of the best baobab viewing spots in Madagascar and around the world.
Note: Due to the limited local hotel options, you may not be able to stay consecutively during the peak season and may need to change hotels. Please understand that local hotels generally have limited measures. Please understand that.
Day 4 Morondava → Sea Fishing Village → Zazamarala Conservation Area
·morning
Itinerary Presentation ※ Humanities丨Searching for Sea Tribes
After breakfast at the hotel, take the local ferry PIROGUE to the famous [Sea Fishing Village (BETANIA) in Morondava].
The fishing village of Betania epitomizes life on Madagascar's west coast, home to the Vezu people, renowned for their exceptional fishing skills. The village boasts its own school, church, and hospital. While the standard of living here may not be high, the fishermen are incredibly happy.
West Coast Canoe/Travel through the mangroves in search of fishermen
Depart for a traditional dugout canoe through the lush mangroves, where you'll try to capture the fishermen collecting their nets and drying them. Once on the island, you'll visit the church, school, and fishermen's families, interacting with and photographing the children (it's recommended to prepare candies to share with the enthusiastic children in the village). You'll also have the opportunity to try the unique whitening and sunscreen masks made by local women from baobab trees.
·afternoon
Jungle Exploration/Conservation Center
In the afternoon, we'll drive to the remote Zaza Marala Forest Reserve, founded in 2000 by Simon Rietveld, a blind Frenchman. Rietveld's reasoning stems from the fact that the deciduous forests of western Madagascar are among the most threatened habitats in the world. Only 3% of these remain, housing a treasure trove of rare flora and fauna—almost all threatened with extinction. Rietveld worked with locals to plant thousands of seedlings of rare species that once inhabited the area. Gradually, the Zaza Marala forest began to flourish, providing habitat for a wide variety of animals, including lemurs, fossa, wild boars, meerkats, snakes, and chameleons, as well as a diverse array of plants. Zaza Marala also houses a Tortoise Breeding Center, dedicated to rescuing the endangered flat-tailed tortoise (Pyxis planicauda).
·night
丨Southern Hemisphere Starry Sky/This is your first
night. If the weather is ideal, we will arrange another night tour to the [Baobab Avenue]. This may be your first time to see the starry sky in the Southern Hemisphere, which is completely different from the Northern Hemisphere. With the right weather and time, you can also see the unique Magellanic Cluster. The starry sky photographed here with the Baobab trees as the background is a world-famous photo.
Note: Due to the limited local hotel options, you may not be able to stay consecutively during the peak season and may need to change hotels. Please understand that local hotels generally have limited measures. Please understand that.
Day 5 Morondava → Antananarivo (Reference flight: tentative)
All day
Itinerary Presentation ※ Ruins Exploration丨Listen to the Kingdom of Imerina
After breakfast, we'll return to the capital, Tana, according to our flight schedule. Upon arrival, we'll visit Madagascar's renowned monument, the Queen's Palace. This landmark, a landmark of both scenic and cultural value, stands majestically atop the city's highest mountain. A symbol of the Queen's power, the building was designed and constructed by architects from the British and French missionary teams. Preserving the style of 19th-century European palace architecture, the main structure is constructed entirely of granite, creating a towering and imposing presence. After dinner, we'll check into our hotel to rest and prepare for our next rainforest adventure.
Day 6 Antananarivo → Andasibe Rainforest (Daytime & Night Safari)
·morning
Itinerary Presentation ※ Living Beings丨Dialogue with Animals that have Existed for Thousands of Years
After breakfast, we will drive to the Andasibe Parc National Reserve to explore the unique species of Mada.
Today we will go on two lemur safaris, one day trip and one night trip.
Madagascar has nearly 5% of the world's plant and animal species, 80% of which are unique to the area. This is thanks to the fact that they were far away from the mainland to avoid extinction, and many unique creatures have been preserved. Andasibe is the best place to explore!
The reserve, covering 16,000 hectares and one of the oldest in Madagascar, boasts a complete tropical rainforest ecosystem and a rich variety of rare plants and animals, providing a unique habitat. These include 11 species of lemurs, the most famous of which is the Indri, the largest and only short-tailed lemur of all, with only around 150 individuals remaining in the area. Besides the Indri, you might also spot the Golden Dancing Lemur if you're lucky. Rare and endemic birds, as well as amphibians and reptiles like chameleons, are also equally captivating.
·night
Night Safari/Starry Night Safari, Double the Mystery
After checking into a rainforest-themed hotel and a short rest in the afternoon, we'll embark on another safari in the evening, experiencing the ultimate in stargazing: a Night Safari. From one of the world's best stargazing spots, with the Milky Way overhead and the mystique of the night, follow our professional guide deep into the jungle to discover the mouse lemur, a species of lemur that only moves at night. We'll also spot miniature frogs, various chameleons, and more!
Day 7 Andasibe National Reserve → Lemur Island → Crocodile Valley → Antananarivo
All day
丨Lemur Island & Crocodile Valley/Learn to observe animal diversity in private conservation areas
After breakfast, we'll head to the private conservation area, Lemur Island, for photography. This private reserve, part of the French estate Rainforest Lodge, offers close-up views of species including brown lemurs (Eulemurfulvus), ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur cattaou Maki), dancing lemurs, and the iconic panda lemur. We'll then visit Crocodile Valley, another private reserve within the Rainforest Lodge. Nestled within the deep valley, this reserve houses Nile crocodiles. Nile crocodiles are the largest crocodiles in Africa and the most extensively studied of all crocodile species. They are primarily found in the Nile River Basin and southeastern Africa, as well as in Madagascar.
·afternoon
丨Butterfly Valley Reserve/Close-up with ancient chameleons
After lunch, on the way back to the capital Antananarivo, we will visit the Butterfly Valley, also known as the Chameleon Farm. The unique environment and specialized breeding make it a rare place in Madagascar where you can visit most of the representative characteristic insects, amphibians and reptiles. The various chameleons in the semi-wild state in the reserve (more than 20 species, including king chameleons, carpet chameleons, elephant-eared chameleons, etc.) and those geckos, lizards (page-tailed geckos, golden-backed geckos, etc.) and insects (Madagascar's unique moon moth) that are beyond your imagination will surely open your eyes.
After the tour, we will drive back to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. We will have dinner at our own expense and check into the hotel to rest.
Day 8 Antananarivo → Nosy Be
All day
丨Nosy Be/Island Hopping Tour Begins
After breakfast, you can visit the local market, the Tana Handicraft Market, to experience the charm of traditional Madagascar handicrafts. Then, transfer to the airport according to your flight. We'll embark on our island-hopping adventure. We've chosen Nosy Be, hailed as one of the "World's Top Ten Islands," having previously held the title of Africa's best resort island, beating out Mauritius and the Seychelles for 2015. Here, you'll find everything you'd dream of an island getaway: Over 200 kilometers of coastline boast some of the world's finest beaches, with white, soft sand, azure skies, and calm waters. It's the ideal island escape, free from the hustle and bustle of typical beach resorts. Upon landing, we'll arrange for airport pickup and transfer to our seaside resort for overnight stay.
Day 9 Nosy Be → Nosy Iranja Beach → Nosy Be
All day
丨Nosy Be Jelly Island/Nosy Iranja Tail Beach, one of the top ten beaches in the world
After breakfast, we'll take a speedboat (estimated 1.5 hours) to Nosy Iranja, the most important outlying island of Nosy Be, and one of the top ten beaches in the world. You may have seen countless seas, but you'll still be captivated by the beauty of Nosy Iranja.
Nosy Iranja, one of the Nosy Be archipelago, consists of two separate islands connected by a white sand beach. The turquoise islands and pure white sand beach resemble two emerald gems set in the ocean, perhaps deriving their reputation as a paradise on earth. Every year, sea turtles like to lay their eggs on Iranja Beach, earning it the nickname Turtle Island.
After arriving we will go sightseeing on the island, you can choose to swim, and at noon we will have a picnic and lunch here.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll return to Lokobe, the main island of Nosy Be. We'll visit the Lemuria Land Park - Lemur Sanctuary, home to the endemic black lemur species, as well as other lemurs, chameleons, crocodiles, various turtles, and lizards. This natural and botanical reserve is nestled among the century-old ylang-ylang trees that have made Nosy Be, Madagascar, famous. We'll also visit the essential oil distillery of the SPPM (Society of Perfumery Products of Madagascar), founded in 1889 by missionary fathers. Afterwards, we'll return to the hotel for free at our own leisure.
Day 10 Nosy Be → Transit Country → Shanghai
All day
Wake up naturally in the morning and enjoy the hotel's buffet breakfast and the beach. In the afternoon, we will leave Madagascar, concluding our Madagascar carnival island hopping trip.
Day 11 Shanghai★Dissolution Day
All day
Our flight is expected to arrive at Shanghai Pudong Airport this afternoon. Today is our disbanding day. Tourists are still reluctant to leave and bid farewell with tears. Remember to fill out a follow-up review on the "China-TravelNote APP" to win a voucher. You can also post travel notes or works on the "China-TravelNote Community" to share the wonderful memories of your trip!
