Pangalanes Channel Tour

Pangalanes Channel

Day 1: Antananarivo

On your arrival in Antananarivo, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for the night. This makes it convenient for late arrivals and early departures. Each room is ensuite with a shower. There is a pool, restaurant, and bar area.

Overnight: Orchid Hotel – a good 3-star hotel close to the airport.

Day 2: Antananarivo – Tulear

Transfer to the airport for your flight south to Tulear. Meet the 4x4 vehicle at the airport and drive north to the sandstone massif of Isalo National Park. You will spend two days here exploring the canyons and plateaus of the massif, with overnight accommodation at the luxurious Jardin du Roy.

Relax at the lodge after the flight and long drive.

Overnight: Jardin du Roy – blends perfectly with its natural surroundings. The rock bungalows are all ensuite with either a bath or shower and air conditioning. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a spa (B/D).

Days 3 and 4: Isalo

Over these two days, you have the fantastic opportunity to trek through impressive canyons and along dramatic bluffs. Isalo’s topography has been sculpted over the years by wind and water and now lends itself to some quite fanciful shapes.

A classic walk runs along the massif, affording dramatic views and arriving late in the afternoon at “La Piscine Naturelle,” a natural swimming pool formed in the rocks, fringed by palm trees and continually topped up by a flowing waterfall.

After a day in the sun, it is hard to refuse. Travellers also have the option of visiting a variety of natural canyons in the area, horse riding, or simply relaxing at Jardin du Roy. There is no better way to finish the day than watching the sun set through “La Fenêtre,” a natural rock formation providing a window to the setting sun.

Overnight: Jardin du Roy (B/D)

Day 5: Ranomafana

Today, you continue north into the highlands, stopping at the community-run Anja Reserve, where it is possible to see ring-tailed lemurs playing among the granite rocks. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the chance to enjoy a leisurely walk inside Ranomafana National Park.

Overnight: Setam Lodge – located close to the entrance of the national park, making it an ideal base from which to explore the reserve. The restaurant has huge glass windows offering views over the forest. Each room is ensuite and built on the hillside, offering views of the valley, river, and forest (B/D).

Day 6: Ranomafana

Ranomafana National Park covers an area of 41,000 hectares and contains dense mid-altitude rainforest with waterfalls and rapids. It is home to 12 species of lemur, including the golden bamboo lemur. Lemurs are not the only attraction, however, with the park boasting an impressive 118 species of birds.

A variety of trails lead you through this dense jungle, but it is the sheer majesty of the forest itself that makes the park so beautiful. Orchids, tree palms, ferns, geckos, chameleons, and brightly coloured frogs make this a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Overnight: Setam Lodge (B/D)

Day 7: Ranomafana – Antsirabe

Depart Ranomafana and head north, stopping at the town of Antsirabe for the night.

Overnight: Hotel Camelia – has 11 rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. There is a restaurant for guest meals (B/D).

Day 8: Antsirabe – Andasibe

This morning, you have an early start as you continue north to Andasibe National Park. Upon arrival at the lodge, you may relax or visit “Lemur Island,” where previously captive lemurs now live a relatively free life.

Overnight: Vakona Lodge – designed in line with local Malagasy architecture. The ten bungalows and 14 double rooms offer ensuite bathrooms and verandas looking out into the forest of Andasibe National Park. The dining room, warmed by a central fireplace, offers views outside, while the veranda overlooks the lake (B/D).

Day 9: Andasibe

You have a full day to explore Andasibe/Perinet National Park or Mantadia with your local wildlife guide. This montane forest park offers the chance to spot a variety of lemurs, reptiles, and birds. One of its most famous inhabitants is the Indri, the largest of the lemurs, with a black-and-white teddy bear-like appearance.

You often hear the Indri before you see them, and waking to their early morning calls with mist clinging to the rainforest canopy is a highlight of any trip to Madagascar.

Other lemurs found here include the red-bellied lemur, brown lemur, lesser bamboo lemur, and nocturnal species such as the mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur, eastern woolly lemur, sportive lemur, and occasionally the aye-aye.

Overnight: Vakona Lodge (B/D)

Day 10: Pangalanes Canals

This morning, you set off east towards the Pangalanes Canals on the east coast. This is a series of lakes linked together to form a safe passage along the coast. After a 45-minute boat trip, you will arrive at the private reserve of Palmarium. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the lemurs living in the trees around the lodge.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge – several bungalows overlooking the lake, each with a balcony and ensuite bathroom. There is a restaurant and outdoor seating area (B/D).

Day 11: Pangalanes Canals

Enjoy a walk through the forest with one of the lodge guides. Here it is possible to see indri, Coquerel’s sifakas, black lemurs, crowned lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and red lemurs. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Palmarium Lodge (B/D)

Day 12: Palmarium – Tamatave

From Palmarium, you transfer two hours further along the Pangalanes Canals, passing villages where children swim, women wash clothes, and fishermen head out for the day. This is an enjoyable journey through everyday Malagasy life.

On arrival in Tamatave, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Antananarivo.

Overnight: Orchid Hotel (B)

Day 13: Tamatave – Antananarivo – Nosy Be

Catch your flight north to Nosy Be and transfer by boat to the idyllic island of Tsarabanjina. Set in the Mitsio Archipelago, this mountainous island is surrounded by beautiful white beaches and is the perfect place to relax after your exploration.

Optional activities include mountain walks, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, diving, water skiing, and island excursions.

Overnight: Nosy Tsarabanjina – a private island with 18 thatched bungalows made of indigenous timber, each with sea-view terraces and excellent privacy (B/L/D).

Days 14, 15 and 16: Tsarabanjina

You have two full days to relax and enjoy the island. This is one of the best places in Madagascar for scuba diving, which can be arranged locally.

Overnight: Nosy Tsarabanjina (B/L/D)

Day 17: Nosy Be

Return to Nosy Be and fly back to Antananarivo for the night.

Overnight: Orchid Hotel (B)

Day 18: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home (B).

Cost Includes:

Accommodation and meals as stated (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)

Park fees as per the itinerary

Airport transfers

Road and boat transfers

Visits to Isalo, Ranomafana, Anja, Andasibe, and Palmarium

Private vehicle and driver for Days 2–10

Private local English-speaking escort guide for Days 2–10

Private English-speaking wildlife guides in Isalo, Ranomafana, and Andasibe

Shared walks in Palmarium

Internal flights (Antananarivo–Tulear, Tamatave–Antananarivo, Antananarivo–Nosy Be, Nosy Be–Antananarivo)

Cost Excludes:

International flights

Visas

Tips

Personal expenses

Any items not mentioned in the “Includes” section