Overview
Explore Isalo National Park, with its grassy plains surrounded by eroded sandstone massifs that have been sculpted by wind and water into wonderfully weird forms—reminiscent of the landscapes of the American Southwest. This rugged area shelters 14 nocturnal lemurs as well as ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, sifakas, and some 80 species of birds.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
The Window of Isalo
From Antananarivo, transfer to the airport and fly to Tulear on the southwestern coast of Madagascar. On arrival, you are met for a drive to Isalo National Park, with a sunset photo-stop en route at the Window of Isalo, where the sun sets through a naturally formed “window” in the rock. Dinner and overnight at Jardin du Roy Lodge...BLD
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Isalo National Park, Madagascar
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
The park-like setting and thoughtful design of Jardin du Roy makes it blend beautifully into the landscape. Architectural details include Madagascan motifs worked into stone-built walls. Guest rooms are large, clean, and comfortable, with mosquito nets and a veranda or balcony. The high-ceilinged open lobby has hand-crafted stonework, with a comfortable bar and lounge at one end and the dining room at the other. Service is attentive and efficient.
Day 2
Isalo National Park
After a visit to the national park office, we arrive at the entrance to Canyon Namaza for a picturesque hike up to Cascade des Nymphes, where a spectacular hidden waterfall cascades into an emerald-green pool. On return, enjoy a picnic and a photo session with ring-tailed lemurs near the park entrance. The afternoon is at leisure or we can visit the park’s museum, with its excellent displays of the geologic formations, endemic plants, and the culture and customs of the Bara tribe. Meals and overnight are at Jardin du Roy Lodge...BLD
View Lodging
Isalo National Park, Madagascar
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
The park-like setting and thoughtful design of Jardin du Roy makes it blend beautifully into the landscape. Architectural details include Madagascan motifs worked into stone-built walls. Guest rooms are large, clean, and comfortable, with mosquito nets and a veranda or balcony. The high-ceilinged open lobby has hand-crafted stonework, with a comfortable bar and lounge at one end and the dining room at the other. Service is attentive and efficient.
Day 3
Isalo National Park
We have an easy morning hike to the Piscine Naturelle, a refreshing natural pool surrounded by leafy pandanus trees. Return to the Jardin du Roy Lodge for dinner and overnight...BLD
View Lodging
Isalo National Park, Madagascar
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
The park-like setting and thoughtful design of Jardin du Roy makes it blend beautifully into the landscape. Architectural details include Madagascan motifs worked into stone-built walls. Guest rooms are large, clean, and comfortable, with mosquito nets and a veranda or balcony. The high-ceilinged open lobby has hand-crafted stonework, with a comfortable bar and lounge at one end and the dining room at the other. Service is attentive and efficient.
Day 4
Spiny Forest Arboretum / Tana
We drive back to Tulear, stopping en route at the Arboretum d’Antsokay, with its comprehensive array of spiny forest plants, birds, radiated tortoises—and possibly a lemur or two. Fly to Antananarivo and transfer to the Releais des Plateau (conveniently located near the airport). Dinner is on your own this evening...BL
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Antananarivo, Madagascar
Day 4 (1 night)
Located near the international airport, this modern hotel offers light and airy rooms, excellent food, a good gift shop, and a swimming pool for a relaxing dip.
Day 5
Depart
Transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flight...B
Details
Length:
5 days
Arrive:
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Depart:
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Lodging:
3 nights lodge, 1 night hotel
Meals:
Meals as indicated
Activity:
Wildlife and Natural History, Walking
Trip Level:
Easy day hikes, wildlife watching
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
Visa Requirements
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting Madagascar. You can obtain your visa on arrival (if you are staying fewer than 30 days).