Madagascar· 15 days · Guided
The Beautiful Décor of the Red Island
▲▲▲▲▲Moderate
15 days / 14 nights. This unusual 15-day tour will take you to the west of Madagascar through typical villages with its large fields and rice terraces. Then, you will continue and board a motorized barge along the majestic Tsiribihina river. The accommodation will be in bivouac under the stars. Then the highlight of the show will be a limestone massif strongly jagged with its sharp karst peaks that are the impressive Tsingys of Bemaraha. We also have the famous mammal called "fosa" which is the largest carnivore living in Madagascar, and this will be found in the forest reserve of Kirindy. You will end the tour in beauty at the famous Avenue of Baobabs where you will admire a prestigious and unforgettable sunset. Finally, you will take a flight to the capital for a visit of the city and the hill of Ambohimanga.
About this trip
A trip we'd happily do again next month
15 days / 14 nights. This unusual 15-day tour will take you to the west of Madagascar through typical villages with its large fields and rice terraces. Then, you will continue and board a motorized barge along the majestic Tsiribihina river. The accommodation will be in bivouac under the stars. Then the highlight of the show will be a limestone massif strongly jagged with its sharp karst peaks that are the impressive Tsingys of Bemaraha. We also have the famous mammal called "fosa" which is the largest carnivore living in Madagascar, and this will be found in the forest reserve of Kirindy. You will end the tour in beauty at the famous Avenue of Baobabs where you will admire a prestigious and unforgettable sunset. Finally, you will take a flight to the capital for a visit of the city and the hill of Ambohimanga.
This is one of our signature guided journeys in Madagascar. We've walked it many times — alone, with friends, with our own families — and we've shaped it into something we're genuinely proud of.
You'll be in a small group, led by a local guide who knows the trails, the families along the way, and the best place to stop for lunch. Nothing rushed. Nothing generic.
Glimpses of the trip
Photos from the trail
Day by day
Your 15-day itinerary
A draft of how the trip flows — every itinerary is fine-tuned around your group, fitness and pace before we book anything.
- 01+
Arrival in Antananarivo
Arrival at the airport of Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation, before this unusual tour to the west of Madagascar.
Arrival at the airport of Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation, before this unusual tour to the west of Madagascar.
- 02+
Antananarivo to the typical villages
Depart west across typical villages with their large fields and rice terraces, on the route towards the Tsiribihina river.
Depart west across typical villages with their large fields and rice terraces, on the route towards the Tsiribihina river.
- 03+
Through the rice terraces of the Middle West
Continue through the Middle West of the island, crossing more typical villages and terraced rice fields.
Continue through the Middle West of the island, crossing more typical villages and terraced rice fields.
- 04+
Towards the Tsiribihina river
Reach the embarkation point on the majestic Tsiribihina river, ready to board the motorized barge.
Reach the embarkation point on the majestic Tsiribihina river, ready to board the motorized barge.
- 05+
Descent of the Tsiribihina river
Board a motorized barge for the descent of the majestic Tsiribihina river, with accommodation in bivouac under the stars.
Board a motorized barge for the descent of the majestic Tsiribihina river, with accommodation in bivouac under the stars.
- 06+
Tsiribihina river to Bemaraha
Continue the descent of the Tsiribihina river and a second night in bivouac, reaching the region of the Tsingy of Bemaraha.
Continue the descent of the Tsiribihina river and a second night in bivouac, reaching the region of the Tsingy of Bemaraha.
- 07+
Tsingy of Bemaraha
Exploration of the impressive Tsingy of Bemaraha, a strongly jagged limestone massif with its sharp karst peaks.
Exploration of the impressive Tsingy of Bemaraha, a strongly jagged limestone massif with its sharp karst peaks.
- 08+
Further exploration of Bemaraha
More time among the karst peaks of the Tsingy of Bemaraha, one of the most spectacular landscapes of the country.
More time among the karst peaks of the Tsingy of Bemaraha, one of the most spectacular landscapes of the country.
- 09+
Bemaraha towards Kirindy
Travel south from Bemaraha towards the forest reserve of Kirindy.
Travel south from Bemaraha towards the forest reserve of Kirindy.
- 10+
Kirindy Forest Reserve
Discovery of the forest reserve of Kirindy with its lemurs and the fosa, the largest carnivore living in Madagascar, active both day and night.
Discovery of the forest reserve of Kirindy with its lemurs and the fosa, the largest carnivore living in Madagascar, active both day and night.
- 11+
Kirindy and the Avenue of Baobabs
Continue towards the famous Avenue of Baobabs to admire a prestigious and unforgettable sunset.
Continue towards the famous Avenue of Baobabs to admire a prestigious and unforgettable sunset.
- 12+
Avenue of Baobabs and Morondava
Final moments at the Avenue of Baobabs before reaching Morondava on the west coast.
Final moments at the Avenue of Baobabs before reaching Morondava on the west coast.
- 13+
Morondava to Antananarivo
Domestic flight Morondava – Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation in the capital.
Domestic flight Morondava – Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation in the capital.
- 14+
Antananarivo and Ambohimanga
Visit of the city of Antananarivo and the hill of Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy classified as world heritage by UNESCO.
Visit of the city of Antananarivo and the hill of Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy classified as world heritage by UNESCO.
- 15+
Departure from Antananarivo
Final transfer to the airport of Antananarivo for your departure.
Final transfer to the airport of Antananarivo for your departure.
Like the look of it?
Tell us when you're thinking of coming — we'll send you a draft within 24 hours.
What's included
Everything that's covered
- ✓Local guide throughout
- ✓All accommodation in selected guesthouses & hotels
- ✓Daily breakfast and most dinners
- ✓Luggage transfers between stages
- ✓All ground transport during the trip
- ✓Detailed route notes and maps
Not included
What you'll arrange yourself
- —International flights to/from Madagascar
- —Madagascar visa (€35 on arrival)
- —Travel insurance
- —Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Request this trip
Tell us a little, we'll send you a draft
Roughly when, who's travelling and what kind of pace you like — that's all we need. We'll reply within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and a price. No payment until you're happy with the plan.
Or WhatsApp us directly: +261 32 40 607 07
15 days · Guided
The Beautiful Décor of the Red Island