Whale discovery

This tour will take you to another world to discover the large marine mammal and the tradition of a tribe that lives on an island called Sainte-Marie especially during the whale festival. Let's see how to protect nature while respecting tradition and the many "fady" that follow. Relax on the beautiful beach of the island with its beauties. Take your time for on-site activities such as diving, snorkeling, visiting the city and the pirate cemetery on a motorcycle. Having 5 days and 4 nights stay in Sainte-Marie would be preferable. Above all, enjoy these little holidays in comfortable hotels by the sea on the island.

Highlights of this tour

v  Short and interesting tour to discover the beauty of the island

v  Tour for approaching the population

v  A tour that reveals all the beauty of the landscape on the pirate island.

v  Discovery of the whale festival grounds

v  Discovery of various activities and events representing the Malagasy tradition.

v  Memorable visits to the various reserves and statues which mark the island.

v  Discovery of the Capital of Madagascar.

ITINERARIES

DAY 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

DAY 2: Antananarivo

DAY 3: Antananarivo - Sainte Marie

DAY 4:Sainte Marie

DAY 5:Sainte Marie

DAY 6:Sainte Marie

DAY 7:Sainte Marie - Antananarivo

DAY 8: Antananarivo - Country of origin

Specific information for the tour

·         Possible tour duration of 8 days / 7 nights

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in comfort hotels

·         4×4 car with a good driver and a professional English, French, Italian or Spanish speaking guide according to your choice during your stay in the capital city.

·         Accessible all year round and especially during the Whale Festival, except during the period of intense cyclones.

·         Walking tour in the villages to meet villagers

·         Hiking in dugout canoe, possibility of meeting and exchanging with fishermen

·         Variation in transportation: Car, plane, dugout, boat

Tour Category

ADVENTURE, DISCOVERY, RELAXATION, WITH FAMILY

Activities

-          Canoe or speedboat rides

-          Trekking on foot or by bike or quad bike

-          Discovery of fauna and flora in national and private parks and reserves

-          Meeting and exchange with the local population

-          Sport fishing

-          Whale watching

-          Water Sports

Group Size

Unlimited number but at least 2 people for a guaranteed departure, if solo, you just have to pay the extra indicated in the program.

Regions

Highlands, East

Day 1: Welcome to Madagascar!

Our team will welcome you at Antananarivo Ivato airport upon your arrival. Transfer to the hotel, presentation of your tour program and delivery of your travel documents. Possibility to visit the city according to your flight schedule. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 30 minutes

·         Distance: 15 km

·         Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or similar

Day 2: Stroll and visit of sacred places in the capital city

A day dedicated to the city tour including the visit of the private lemur park to see the species of lemurs, the park of Tsarasaotra to discover birds, the visit of the Queen's Palace, the museum and the markets, without forgetting the Independence Avenue and the train station. Lunch at the restaurant in town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: All day

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or similar

Day 3: Departure from the Capital to the pirate island.

In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to the airport, flight to the island of Sainte-Marie. On arrival, our team at the hotel will pick you up and take you by boat to the hotel on “Ile aux Nattes”. Installation at the hotel. Lunch and Dinner, night at the Hotel

·         Duration: One hour flight

·         Distance: 336 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HOTEL LES LEMURIENS or similar

Days 4, 5 and 6: Free days to discover the whale festival.

These are free days, our team on site will help you to organize your stay and the activities to be done. This is the beginning of the moment to experience the whale festival which is in honour of the humpback whale. The whale festival has always been very popular and colourful. It will be no exception to the rule and will include several cultural and sporting events. Two parades on the theme of the ethnic groups of Madagascar will bring together more than 20 floats offering decoration and live show, a fair-exhibition on the village of the festival, concerts with catering on site, conferences, a special evening with election of Miss and of course whale watching outings lasting a minimum of two hours.

The whale festival also includes sports competitions with registration open to all: football tournament, 45 km whale route (mountain bike competition All Terrain Bikes) and canoe races.

There are many things to do on site from day to day, you have time to go and see the real mangrove forest with the beautiful beach and the village nearby, very welcoming people.

Quads or scooters are available for rent to go and see the pirate tombs, the town of Sainte Marie. A beautiful place decorated by a very impressive water fall. It is a day trip.

Lunches and dinners at the restaurant during the stay and nights at the Hotel at “Ile aux Nattes”.

·         Duration: 3 days

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: HOTEL LES LEMURIENS or similar

Day 7: Return flight to the city of Antananarivo.

Transfer to Sainte-Marie airport from the hotel. Our team welcoming you on arrival in Antananarivo, transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the restaurant. Visit of the city center then dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: One hour flight

·         Distance: 336 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or similar

Day 8: Cultural and historical discovery and return to the country of origin

After breakfast, we will take the national road RN3 for a cultural and historical discovery by visiting the Royal Palace in Ambohimanga Rova. On the way, a stop to visit a center that takes care of autistic children and young people. This is the Padre Pio Charity House, supported by our Tour Operator in its charitable activities. Depending on your flight schedule, possibility to discover Malagasy handicrafts at the dam market. Dinner offert and meeting with our team. Day use at the hotel then transfer to the airport. Fly back to your home country.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: 20 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or Similar