Réunion & Madagascar

Itinerary

These islands are diverse and unique in their isolation and possess many endemic species. Today's visitors can enjoy their vast collection of the world's most unusual flora and fauna, the stunning scenery and embrace the Creole heritage that pulses through these remarkable Indian Ocean Islands.

Day 1

Sydney - St Denis, Réunion Island

Depart Sydney this morning on our flight to the extraordinary and mountainous French island of La Réunion. Réunion Island was first colonised by the French in the 17th century and during the 18th century slaves were brought from East Africa to work the coffee plantations. One of the most extraordinary qualities for an island of its size is the diversity of the landscape. On arrival early this evening local time, we are met and transferred to our hotel. D

Day 2

St Denis, Cirque de Salazie - Plaines des Palmistes

Today's tour takes us to the north of the island. Drive up to Salazie Cirque through a region of huge cliffs and more than 100 waterfalls, among them the famous Voile-de-la-Mariee (the wedding veil) waterfall. The main villages into the cirque are Salazie and Hell-Bourg, where we visit the Folio House, for an insight of past Creole life. During a Creole lunch, we should have a chance to taste the local vegetable speciality, the chouchou (Choko). After lunch return via the coast and en-route visit a Vanille plantation, then we drive to the region of the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano. Venturing to the interior, we enter another world! At a height of 1,100 metres it is a green plateau full of flowers: 'La Plaine des Palmistes', surrounded by the forest of Bebour. BLD

Day 3

Piton de la Fournaise - Cilaos

After breakfast we drive to the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano. This is a shield volcano and rises more than 2631 metres above sea level and is sometimes called a sister to Hawaiian volcanoes due to the similarity of climate and volcanic nature of this region. It has erupted more than 100 times since 1640 and is under constant monitoring. It most recently erupted on 26 September 2008. We stop off at the viewpoint of Le Nez de Boeuf to admire the valley of the Riviere des Remparets and then proceed to Commerson Crater and onto La Plaine des Sables, with its moon-like landscape. Later this afternoon we continue to our hotel in Cilaos.BLD

Day 4

Cilaos - St Gilles

This morning we visit Cilaos, stopping at the breathtaking view point of La Roche Merveilleuse. After lunch we continue to La Maison de la Broderie (Embroidery and craft museum), to learn about the history of Cilaos embroidery. Later this afternoon we return to the west coast and stop to watch the sea thundering into the chasm at Le Gouffre de L'Etang Sale, before driving to our hotel. BLD

Day 5

St Gilles, Piton Maido, St Paul

Today we travel to Piton Maido, situated at an altitude of 2000m, for spectacular views over the island's mysterious cirque: Mafate, Roche Ecrite, Cimendef, Morne de Fouche and in the background, the Piton des Neiges and the Taibit. The Cirque is a crossroads of various differing landscapes: Sugar cane, geranium fields where we stop to meet a geranium farmer who will reveal the secrets of distillation techniques for obtaining geranium oil.

On the way back to our hotel we visit the Marine Cemetery of St Paul, resting place of the famed pirate 'La Buse'. After visiting St. Paul we return to our hotel for the remainder of day at leisure. BD

Day 6

St Gilles - St Denis

Return to St Denis where we'll enjoy a city tour this morning. Founded in 1668, St Denis still retains some lovely colonial Creole mansions as well as a lively waterfront area of up market bars and French-style sidewalk cafes. BLD

Day 7

St Denis - Antananarivo, Madagascar

After breakfast we transfer to the airport to join our flight to Madagascar. Upon arrival at Antananarivo, the capital we are met and transferred to our hotel. Also known as 'Tana', this charming city is built on 12 hills surrounded by rice fields and retains an air of being 'lost in time'. The balance of the day is at leisure.BD

Day 8

Antananarivo - Antsirabe

This morning we drive south to delightful colonial Antsirabe. The town is famed for its many and varied craft centres- including, semi-precious gemstone shops and a delight are the colourful rickshaws, known as 'pousse pousse'. Well worth experiencing a ride! BLD

Day 9

Antisirabe, Ambositra - Ranomafana National Park

We depart this morning winding through the terraced highlands to Ranomafana. We stop for lunch at Ambositra, a small town known for its zafimaniry woodcarvings and handicrafts. We reach Ranomafana later this afternoon and after checking into our hotel we embark on a night walk where we are likely to see nocturnal lemurs, frogs and, if lucky, fossas, the only endemic carnivorous species of Madagascar (it's now that your personal torches will come in handy).BLD

Day 10

Ranomafana National Park

A welcome free day today and we recommend that you wake early to enjoy a walk in the park, a wonderful time to observe the wildlife. Your guide will be able to advise on various options. Ranomafana National Park is one of Madagascar's best-known and most important parks.

Created in 1991 following the 1986 discovery of the Golden Bamboo lemur, Ranomafana has served as a model for subsequent Parks and Reserves in the country and abroad. For avid birders there is always the chance to glimpse spotted Brown emutail, Madagascar snipe, Mellers' duck and Madagascar pygmy kingfisher, pitta-like and short legged and Rufous-headed ground rollers, plus many other species. This afternoon, perhaps a visit to the nearby hot springs.BLD

Day 11

Ranomafana National Park, Ambalavao - Tsaranoro Valley

Today we continue south and travel through Fianarantsoa, Madagascar's 2nd largest city, to Ambalavao where we stop for lunch and a brief tour of the town, including a paper-works and silk-works where traditional 'Lambas' are woven. We continue our journey to the magnificent Tsaranoro Valley. Arrive later this afternoon and check into our accommodation. BLD

Day 12

Tsaranoro Valley

Day at leisure. The camp organizes many optional guided walks in the beautiful mountains. Easy walks will take you into a sacred forest inhabited by catta lemurs, beautiful waterfalls and natural swimming pools and the nearby Barabory village. The Barabory live with the weather, the sun and the rice harvest as their clock. Should you wish, there are slightly more strenuous walks that will take you to Mount Chameleon. BLD

Day 13

Tsaranoro Valley, Isalo National Park

This morning we drive to Isalo, where the landscape consists of eroded ruiniforme sandstone formations dating to the Jurassic period, deep canyons with riparian forests, palm-lined oases, fire-resistant tapia forests and open grasslands. We leave the mountains for the awesome scenery of the Horombe Plateau. Here, we are in the Bara lands and should encounter an increasing number of 'Zebu' (the ubiquitos humped cattle). After arriving at our hotel the remainder of the day is at leisure. BLD

Day 14

Isalo National Park

Full day tour with picnic lunch as we visit on foot the National Park of Isalo, the Malagasy Colorado: amongst the highlights of the day, the Maki Canyons with their natural swimming pools, an opportunity for a refreshing swim. Today will allow us a high chance of encountering many lemurs, and perhaps we'll discover the 'Pachypodium' - Elephant Foot Plant, the emblem of the reserve. (this is a long day today with considerable walking) Return to our hotel later this afternoon.BLD

Day 15

Isalo - Tulear - D'Ifaty

Set off early this morning and drive to the west coast of Madagascar to the town of Tulear. We will enjoy a visit to a private reserve Arboretum before continuing to Ifaty. BLD

Day 16

D'Ifaty

Today we visit the private reserve of Reniala. Here we will see many endemic plants, the famous Baobabs and so many other birds and animals. BLD

Day 17

D'Ifaty - Tulear - Antananarivo

This morning is at leisure prior to our transfer to Tulear airport to join our afternoon flight to Tana. BD

Day 18

Antananarivo - St Denis, Réunion Island

We farewell Madagascar today and transfer to the airport to join our flight for the journey back to Réunion Island. We arrive mid-afternoon and after clearing airport formalities we are met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. BD

Day 19

St Denis

Today is free for you to discover this wonderful Creole city at your own pace. Perhaps venture to the Barachois seafront promenade where you will find many restaurants and cafes to linger in. Keep your eye out for a cathedral, Chinese and Tamil temples, two mosques and Buddhist pagodas—evidence of the varied resident cultures. Spend some time at the Artoteque (modern art on display), the Natural History Museum (open weekdays) and Musee Leon-Dierx, for impressionist art and cultural displays. Afterward, you may enjoy visiting the shops along Rue du Marechal-Leclerc, Rue du Jean-Chatel and Rue du Juliette-Dodu — these three streets are full of fascinating boutiques. This evening we'll gather at our hotel for a farewell dinner. Time to reflect on our tour and reminisce about the places and things we have seen and experienced on our tour of Madagascar and Réunion. BD