Depart from United States.

Transit via Paris, France.

Arrive in Madagascar this morning. After clearing immigration and customs, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Upon arrival, check in and have some free time to rest and freshen up. Next visit Lemur's Park. This botanical park, set on 12 acres, was created more than 10 years ago to increase public awareness of the importance of protecting the lemur species of Madagascar. Nine different species can be observed roaming freely here. The trained park guides will share information about the park and different species during the visit. After lunch at the on-site restaurant, return to the hotel for dinner.

This morning depart your hotel and head south. En route, stop at Ambatolampy to visit an aluminum pot workshop. This small scale operation situated in a small section of the village is famous for its aluminum pots which you'll see being used for cooking meals over open fires all over Madagascar during your stay. Next, travel to the small city of Ambositra, famous for its silk and woodcarving. Trek into the remote village, which specializes in silk production. Begin the experience with a welcome by the villagers and lunch in a typical home. After lunch, discover the silk production process. Culturally, silk in Madagascar is very important. Under the former kingdom, silk was only made for the king and queen; no one else was allowed to wear silk except after death, when bodies were wrapped in silk scarves. Check in at the hotel and then have dinner in a typical local restaurant.

After breakfast transfer to Ranomafana. En route visit Ialatsara private reserve, located a short drive away from the village of Ambohimahasoa. Set on 6,177 acres of secondary forest, this reserve has been taken care of by a couple of passionate people, Mr. and Mrs. Rajaona, who dedicate much of their time to managing the fragmented highland forest ecosystem. During the visit hike along the trails in search of the Milne-Edward's sifaka, dwarf lemur, sportive lemur, and mouse lemur. After the hike enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at the facilities and then continue to Ranomafana National Park. The immensity of the park is clear as you approach. On the way to the hotel, stop by the beautiful waterfalls for a photo stop and then check in at the hotel. This evening have dinner in a local restaurant, enjoying the special Tanala dish.

This morning after breakfast hike in the 102,000 acre Ranomafana National Park. Ranomafana 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 Madagascar and abroad. The rainforest is home to the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur, golden bamboo lemur, and 11 other species including the mouse lemur, gray bamboo lemur, and others. This afternoon have lunch at Centre Valbia, a facility run by Dr. Patricia Wright that is now Madagascar's leading field research center. After lunch is an informative presentation on the flora, fauna, and research efforts in Ranomafana. This evening eat dinner at a local restaurant and take a nocturnal walk in search of the mouse lemur and chameleons.

This morning, after breakfast head to the Great South and Madagascar's most visited park, Isalo National Park. The drive is along some of the best roads in the country and the scenery is breathtaking. The park itself is over 200,000 acres of beautiful landscapes of sandstones, canyons, fauna and flora, natural swimming pools, and waterfalls. The Isalo massif is a continental sandstone plateau dating back to the Jurassic times. Begin with an exploration hike to the Cascade of the Nymphs. Hike through the canyon to the waterfalls inhabited by many rare birds, butterflies, and lizards. From the top there is a panoramic view over the green canyon. Throughout this trek you will have the possibility to spot lemurs. The highlight is a swim in the dark waters of the Cascade of the Nymphs. Continue to the hotel for dinner.

Spend the day exploring the riches of Isalo National Park. Begin with the Canyon of the Makis circuit which combines nature and cultural history. Trek over rice fields, incised rocks, gorges, the Canyon of the Makis and Rats, and the huge Ihorombe plateau, enjoying panoramic views. The hike will take you to a former royal village where you can learn about the history and traditions of the Bara people. Explore the gorges and discover the unique flora of the forest, seeking out the numerous colonies of lemurs and other wildlife. At the end of the trek, take a dip in the canyon's pool. Enjoy a hot picnic lunch and then trek the Canyon des Singes and visit its natural pool. This trek is full of varied landscapes with different forms of sandstones. The trail is dotted with the famous dwarfs baobabs. After an hour walk with short climbs, stop to rest in a spectacular valley resembling the famous Death Valley in the United States. The overlook shows miles of azure sky and rocky and desert valley with greenery winding through the middle. Continue to the natural pool with its white sandy bottom and tropical vibe for a much deserved swim before making the trek back to the starting point. Transfer back to the hotel for dinner.

Early departure to Ilakaka, the "sapphire village." Sapphire was found for the first time here about 10 years ago. Many people came here from all over the country with the dream of finding the sapphire that would make them rich, but most of the time disappointment and a very hard life were the only thing they found. Today, they can be seen panning for sapphires along the riverbanks. Make a short stop at a traditional mine and learn about the processes used in the absence of modern equipment. Optional visit to a sapphire showroom to see the finished products and then continue with a transfer to Tuléar, stopping at the beautiful Antsokay Aboretum en route. Created over 20 years ago by a passionate botanist, this arboretum shows in one single place most of the southern endemic Malagasy flora. Lunch on-site then continue to the seaside town of Tuléar. Have dinner at the hotel and pack a small bag for the three night stay at Berenty. Excess luggage can be returned to Tana and stored at Hotel Belvedere.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Fort Dauphin. Upon arrival walk around the oceanside town, exploring the colorful streets and learning about the history of this fishing town which has been positively impacted by tourism. Have lunch then continue to Berenty. Berenty is a privately owned reserve that lies only 50 miles south of Fort Dauphin, however the road is long and bumpy so be prepared to enjoy an adventurous 3-4 hour drive through local villages and stunning countryside. Upon arrival in Berenty, settle into your room and have a short rest followed by dinner. After dinner at the lodge, take a night walk through the spiny forest, looking for nocturnal species such as the grey mouse lemur, the white footed sportive lemur, chameleons, and birds.

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast and while relaxing in the lodge’s pleasant gardens watching habituated ring-tailed lemurs and dancing sifakas at play. Spend a leisurely morning around the lodge waiting for the sifakas to take to the ground and "dance" across the pathways and into the forest for a day of foraging. Spend the rest of the day exploring the reserve trails and visiting the on-site museum and sisal production plant.

Today spend the morning watching lemurs and sifakas around the lodge and then explore the reserve trails and also visit the gallery forest. After lunch, visit a nearby site for a chance to see giant fruit bats. This afternoon at leisure to explore on your own.

After breakfast transfer to Fort Dauphin for your flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, transfer to Ferme d'Ivato, a full organic farm. Have a healthy and tasty organic lunch in the gardens and then take a walk through the farm to learn about the organic farming process. Head to the hotel to freshen up before dinner at Le Café de la Gare restuarant, situated next to the historic train station.

After breakfast learn about the history of Tana during a bus and walking tour of the city. Accompanied by a local historian, learn about the Imerina royalty, and then continue to the modern city before heading to the sacred village of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience a farewell Malagasy lunch at the Ambohimanga restaurant. Enjoy entertainment by traditional dancers and singers. Return to the hotel and get ready for your transfer to the international airport for your flight home. A dayroom will be available to use until departure time.

Arrive home.