Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Depart London. Overnight flight from London to Antananarivo. Day 2 Arrive Antananarivo. Our adventure starts in Antananarivo. The group flights usually arrive mid-afternoon. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner in the hotel for those that would like to join. Accommodation: Au Bois Vert Lodge or similar Comfortable Hotel Day 3 Transfer to Lemur park; continue along wide open roads, cycling the best sections, to Ampefy. Leaving the hotel after breakfast we transfer out of the busy city to the Lemurs Park to encounter these primates which are endemic to Madagascar. Lemurs Park is a private park with a few species of lemur living freely in a forested area. After the visit to the park, we start cycling through scenic farmland with plenty of rice paddy fields. After lunch in Arivonimamo, we will transfer through a highland region to the top of a mountain pass before continuing the ride downhill to Miarinarivo, the capital of the Itasy, a region known its volcanic activity. The road levels out and the following 32km to Ampefy offer reaching views and are a real joy to ride. In Ampefy the lakeside hotel is our base for the next two nights. Cycle approx. 72km. Accommodation: Hotel Kavitaha or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Ride to dramatic geysers of Analavory; to waterfalls of Lily river. We start today by cycling to the geysirs of Analavory. These limestone mounds are similar to geysirs found in Utah and Nevada; volcanic activity encourages bursts of warm water to cascade down the bright yellow stone and create a series of pools, often used by the locals for swimming due to the belief of the healing powers of the water. The ride starts on a decent road but the 16km route out and back to the geysirs is along a bumpy dirt track, linking up some fascinating small rural villages. Re-joining the new tar road we head back towards Ampefy, but before reaching the hotel we will take a small detour to the Liliha waterfalls, a dramatic series of cascades that provide a perfect way to refresh near the end of a full day of cycling. This stretch is also on dirt road. Cycle approx. 54km (26km on dirt road). Accommodation: Hotel Kavitaha or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 A long day cycling through traditional towns and villages; overnight Antisirabe. Although relatively short, today’s ride is fairly challenging with varied terrain. We cycle the first 20km to Soavinandriana through scenic landscape with some hilly sections, including a steady 4km climb up to the town itself. The road levels out and we continue our undulating ride through spectacular scenery before a great descent which crosses the river at the small village of Kelivody. Here we will load up the bikes to drive across a high mountain pass to the town of Faratsiho. From here the road deteriorates dramatically and we will need 4X4 vehicles to pass the 47km stretch to Sambaina. This is an adventurous drive passing through a region that is rarely visited by tourists and provides a unique insight into the lives of those who live along the route. From Sambaina we re-join the tarmac for the final drive to Antisarabe. The entire transfer is likely to take up to 5 hours, but we will stop regularly to stretch the legs and have a look around. Antsirabe is an elegant city founded by Norwegian’s in 1856. It has a temperate climate and has a very European look and feel about it, including the local beer industry that makes it famous. Cycle approx. 38km. Accommodation: Plumeria Hotelor similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Ride to Ambositra, famous for its craft and woodwork. Departing Antsirabe we start with a very short transfer to Vinanikarena to avoid the hectic morning traffic within the city. This is a long day’s cycling with a few undulations including a 4km climb to the ‘Col de Tapia’, a type of tree resistant to bush fires that makes for some interesting scenery. The support vehicle is with us all day so a rest is available if needed. Today’s destination is Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. The highlands are characterised by its architecture; the houses are made with ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters with bright colours. Upon arrival, depending on timings, we may visit a Zafimaniry woodcarving workshop to learn all about this local art that is listed on the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (if there isn’t sufficient time today then the visit will take place the following morning). Cycle approx. 84km. Accommodation: Artisan Hotel or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 To Ranomafana; thrilling descent through ravine canyon and rainforest. We have a lot of ground to cover today to get to the famed Ranomafana National Park. We’ll start the day with a transfer to Camp Robin before riding towards Ambohimahasoa. The landscape is still dominated by rice fields, pine forests, eucalyptus trees and jagged mountains. The last section, from Vohiparara, cruises downhill through a ravine canyon, with a tremendous view of the Namorona River and the rainforest, to our final destination of Ranomafana, our base for the next 2 nights. Cycle approx. 74km. Accommodation: Hotel le Grenat or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Full day to explore the national park by foot; natural thermal baths and nocturnal walk. We have a day off the saddle today to explore Ranomafana National Park (approximately 40,000ha). With its rain-forested hills and abundant wildlife this has long been considered one of Madagascar’s highlights, and is one of the most heavily visited of the country’s national parks. Its entrance lies about 7km from Ranomafana village. Altitudes in the park range from 800m to 1200m. In addition to its densely forested hills, Ranomafana’s terrain is characterised by numerous small streams, which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. The morning will be spent walking through the park, learning about the abundant flora and fauna and in the early evening there will be the chance to go on a night-walk in the hope of spotting some the nocturnal lemurs and chameleons. Accommodation:Hotel le Grenat or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Cycle to cottage industries en route to the red-dust roads of Ambalavaro. We’ll start today with a 2 hour transfer to Fianarantsoa, which literally translates into ‘good education’ and is known locally as ‘the City where one learns good things’. It is regarded as the cultural and intellectual centre of Madagascar and is home to some of the oldest Protestant and Lutheran cathedrals on the island. We’ll start cycling here following a windy road to Ambalavao. Ambalavao is the centre of the Madagascan wine industry - the climate is said not to be ideal for grape vines but it is a tradition left by the priests and monks who lived in the area of Fianarantsoa. We climb a steady pass then enjoy a fabulous descent with great views before arriving in Ambalavao. Cycle approx. 56km. Accommodation:Tsienimparihy Lodge or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Continue through the hills and rock formations towards Horombe plateau. We’ll start cycling from the hotel today and pause to visit the small Anja nature reserve where we hope to see Ring-tailed Lemurs in their natural surroundings. Continuing on a straight road flanked by mountains we’ll head towards Ihosy, the capital of the Bara tribes. This nomadic tribe are shepherds to the prized Zebu cattle recognisable by their large horns. We’ll pass through the mountain chain of Andringitra, which serves as a transition between the dry south and the green highlands, with its famous ‘3 hillocks’ and its huge ‘archbishop's cape’. Along the way we’ll pass the ‘Bishop’s Hat’, a sacred place for local people as it is a place where their ancestors chose a collective suicide rather than to give in to the Merina tribes. On reaching the town of Zazafotsy we’ll jump on the bus for a transfer over the mountain-pass and then through the huge dessert-like ‘Plateau de Horombe’ famed for its deep red soil and sprawling savannah. Beyond the plateau we arrive in Isalo, our base for the next 2 nights. Cycle approx. 95km. Accommodation: Isalo Ranch or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Full day trekking in Isalo N.P.; explore canyons and cool off in natural waterfalls. Today we take a break again from our bikes for a hike in the stunning Isalo National Park. We spend the day exploring this vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. During our time we will go walking in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky Ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux's Sifaka. The eroded mountains also served as a place where the Bara kept their dead before they could bury them in their actual tombs. We start our walking and reach the massif after about 20 minutes, where we will have a spectacular view of the huge sandstone mountains with its beautiful colours and its strange and battered formations creating many different images like ‘the tortoise’, ‘the masks’ and ‘the crocodiles’. We also visit the 'Piscine Naturelle' (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape, where we mayswim and relax. Perhaps the magic is just to soak up the sheer beauty of the park, the combination of coloured eroded rock forms, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. Accommodation: Isalo Ranch or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Cycle through bushland and thick forests; transfer to Tulear on coast. Today is our last day cycling and we ride from the hotel through the dramatic rock formations heading out of the national park. Leaving the canyon, the ride continues to the sapphire mining town of Ilakaka and through isolated forests that constitute the most important remnant of dry deciduous forest of Madagascar. After finishing the ride we transfer through Zombitse National Park and through areas known for flamboyantly painted ‘Mahafaly tombs’ and ‘Antandroy tombs’. From Tulear we’ll continue north of Ifaty to Ifaty beach, a seaside beach resort protected by coral reefs. The landscape is dominated by cactus-like plants and mangrove trees line the coast which is used by local Vezo communities that earn their livelihoods through fishing. Cycle approx. 65km. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage or similarStandard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Day of leisure on tranquil Ifaty beach overlooking a vast turquoise lagoon. Our hotel lies on the beach and today is a full free day to relax on the beach or take part in some optional activities. From July to mid-September there is the option to go whale watching as the migration of Humpback whales passes through to give birth in shallow warm waters. Situated in the largest lagoon of the country, the area is also protected by a large coral reef, which makes it an ideal place for diving and snorkelling. Accommodation:Hotel de la Plage or similar Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Transfer to Tulear for flight back to Antananarivo. Today we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have some free time to explore Antananarivo on your own.Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in the evening for the very early flight the next morning. Please note that flight delays on the internal flight are not uncommon - we suggest you do not book your international flights to depart before midnight. Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 Fly to London. Most flights depart for the airport in the early hours of the morning for a daytime flight to London. Flight schedules are subject to change so please check with your agent when booking. Meals included: Breakfast
Madagascar Visas are required for entry to Madagascar. 30-day tourist visas may be obtained at the airport on arrival. If obtaining a visa at the airport, you should ensure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport. The visa fee is payable in US dollars or Euros (US$37/€35).
Madagascar There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Hotels & Lodges We use tourist class hotels throughout the trip. The hotels are simple but comfortable. Most of the hotels have mosquito nets in the rooms. Please note that although all of the hotels are said to have a reliable electricity and water supply there may be instances in which you experience some gaps in supply - this is more a reflection of life in Madagascar than the standard of the hotel. Please be aware that some hotels do not have 24 hr electricity, and in some, hot water is not always available. There is WiFi in most of the hotels but often this is only in the communal areas and not in the rooms. Single accommodation is available on this trip for a supplement.
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Reviewed September 2019 Peter Barrie Trip: Cycle Madagascar Wonderful Cycle Trip Fantastic trip to fascinating but very poor country.Quite hilly cycling but well supported with regular stops for refreshments such as fresh pineapple and papaya.Lovely people with friendly children always running up in rural villages to see you What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Visiting small house in rural village and being invited in to see the house and even have coffee. What did you think of your group leader? Absolutely fantastic.Lovely Malagasy man with real passion for his country.I can’t think of anything he could have done to be any better.Fantastic work ethic . Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Cycling quite hilly so 100 Km and lots of hills needs some preparation such as regular cycling 30+ miles to get full enjoyment Is there anything else you would like to add? Like many countries sadly there is deforestation occuring which is so sad as it is beautiful country but desperately poor and lacking investment
Reviewed August 2019 adam espir Trip: Cycle Madagascar Adventures in Madagascar great trip in an exciting and interesting part of the world. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Breakfast on the road watching the sun come up. Lunches cooked by Madame Le Chef from Tana Seeing the countryside change as we cycled south.... Relaxing on the beach at the end. What did you think of your group leader? Our leader, Mel, was excellent. Put his heart into making us have a special adventure in his country. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Madagascar is off the map for a lot of travellers, but it has interesting wildlife and stunning scenery. It is also a very poor country, but the people were very friendly. A lot of the locals speak French, rather than English, so be prepared to speak some basic French. In August, its winter, so cold nights but warm days - ideal for cycling...and less mosquitos !
Reviewed December 2018 David Dowson Trip: Cycle Madagascar Madagascar on two wheels Cycling on this trip is still the best way to explore Madagascar in just two weeks. The ever changing scenery from day to day and the terrain just made this trip one of the best, add in an excellent tour guide and support team, nothing was to much for any of them. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Every day had its special moments, for me cycling through the small villages were among my highlights and of course seeing the Lemurs. What did you think of your group leader? Armel couldn’t be faulted he tried his best at every stage to make sure we got the most out of our trip, his leg massage certainly helped with the bout of cramp I got on the first day of the bike ride, didn’t have a problem after that. Otherwise Armel was as good as any tour guide I have experienced, I noticed he was better at spotting the wildlife in the parks than the local guides were, thanks Mel. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just take every day as it comes, the scenery is ever changing, but except that this is a country trying to pull itself out of abject poverty, so not everything runs perfectly smooth, in saying that Armel and his team did everything they could to deal with any issues that cropped up. The whole experience of cycling in Madagascar is better than individual moments. Is there anything else you would like to add? A few on the tour did get upset stomachs at different times so couldn’t pinpoint the cause, however, it is worth taking three to five day course of Ciprofloxicin just in case.
Reviewed October 2018 Kathleen LOvell Trip: Cycle Madagascar Cycle Madagascar Absolutely loved it. My only criticism being that I felt like we should have set the bikes up on the evening of our first get-together. We spent a lot of time fussing with bikes on the first morning. That way we could have got away earlier on Day 1. We could have got out of the city earlier and quicker, had more time watching the Dancing Limas at the Reserve and not been biking so long in the hot sun. Also, the trip to Ramofama was unpleasant - too many tourists all there at the same time and scrabbling through and breaking the native forest. We saw very little in the way of Limas - saw many more further on in the trip.The evening event was great so you would really only need to stay there one day. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Having lots of time and room to see the ring tailed Limas at one of the smaller parks. Going there in the afternoon was great value - much better than using up valuable cool cycling time the following morning. What did you think of your group leader? Absolutely outstanding. Patient, funny, supremely organised, caring, considerate, always aware of what was happening. A delightful man whom we were privileged to have and get to know. We learnt so much about the local people and areas because of him Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Carry diarrhoea and vomiting tablets - be super careful about water, salads, hand washing Is there anything else you would like to add? Would loved the cycling to have been several more days
Reviewed October 2018 Kathleen LOvell Trip: Cycle Madagascar Cycle Madagascar Absolutely loved it. My only criticism being that I felt like we should have set the bikes up on the evening of our first get-together. We spent a lot of time fussing with bikes on the first morning. That way we could have got away earlier on Day 1. We could have got out of the city earlier and quicker, had more time watching the Dancing Limas at the Reserve and not been biking so long in the hot sun. Also, the trip to Ramofama was unpleasant - too many tourists all there at the same time and scrabbling through and breaking the native forest. We saw very little in the way of Limas - saw many more further on in the trip.The evening event was great so you would really only need to stay there one day. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Having lots of time and room to see the ring tailed Limas at one of the smaller parks. Going there in the afternoon was great value - much better than using up valuable cool cycling time the following morning. What did you think of your group leader? Absolutely outstanding. Patient, funny, supremely organised, caring, considerate, always aware of what was happening. A delightful man whom we were privileged to have and get to know. We learnt so much about the local people and areas because of him Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Carry diarrhoea and vomiting tablets - be super careful about water, salads, hand washing Is there anything else you would like to add? Would loved the cycling to have been several more days
Reviewed September 2018 Karla Capers Trip: Cycle Madagascar Amazing country, fun cycling This was a great trip packed with very fun cycling days, a couple days off-saddle to explore the country on foot, and a relaxing day at the end to rest and recuperate while staring at the beautiful Mozambique channel. It was really the perfect mix of activities -- all perfectly planned and executed by the amazing trip leader Armel. The cycling was really fun with some challenging hill climbs and amazingly long, winding, fun descents through some of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes I've ever seen. There was lots of time to explore nature (tons of lemurs!) and the tiny villages we were cycling through. The food was fresh and delicious. Mel was always willing to share information about this interesting country -- it's people, cultures, music, politics, animals, and history -- and went above and beyond to ensure the trip was perfect for everyone. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I loved waking up early two mornings to ride while watching the sunrise. Not only did that mean we avoided cycling during the hottest part of the day (in the afternoon), but the sunrise over the mountains was really dramatic and the morning light was just breathtaking.
Reviewed August 2018 Lindsay MacRae Trip: Cycle Madagascar This trip has it all! This trip is in a class of its own. The cycling is varied, with plenty of hills and descents through a wide range of landscapes. The country and cultures are fascinating. There is a perfect balance of cycling and other outdoor activities. Mel, the guide, goes the extra mile at every opportunity and is passionate about every aspect of his job and country. If you want long, action packed days with early starts, plenty of exercise, honest, clean accommodation and the freshest food imaginable and you have a spirit of adventure, sign up! I could not fault any aspect of this trip. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The visit to the Malagasy house. It was a very humbling experience. What did you think of your group leader? He’s a legend! He works 24/7 to ensure the smooth running of the trip, includes his own initiatives which add so much, never stops smiling and joking. He is the difference between this and other Exodus trips. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with an open mind and a sense of humour. Be prepared for some physical challenges. Don’t expect wifi to always work. Take a gel saddle.
Reviewed June 2018 Keith Batchelor Trip: Cycle Madagascar A fantastic holiday! Eager to catch a glimpse of life in Madagascar from a cyclists perspective I was not disappointed. The terrain and scenery changed as we progressed from Antananarivo to the south and the roadside picnic lunches were great. The roads were fine for cycling despite a large number of pot holes in some places and all the hotels were comfortable and welcoming. The people were also very friendly, I certainly never felt under threat. With the help of Armel, our guide, I gained some valuable insight into life within Madagascar. It was certainly a very worthwhile experience. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? For me there were 4 particularly inspirational moments/events: 1) seeing lemurs in both the lemur park and in the wild; 2) the walk across the rocks up into the hills/mountains; 3) the visit to a "typical" dwelling together with a brief description of how the family lived; 4) the unspoiled beach and shoreline at Ifaty. What did you think of your group leader? Armel was excellent, always cheery, humorous and well informed. He was also keen to give me/us a glimpse of Madagascan culture in so far as that was possible. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? In early morning and evening it is quite cold so a fleece or two and other layers are important. The walk in the rain forest certainly requires a descent pair if walking shoes/boots. Is there anything else you would like to add? The small herds of zebu are quite memorable and the zebu steaks are very tasty.
Reviewed June 2018 Mojgan (Nariman) Amin Trip: Cycle Madagascar Excellent trip I had originally booked for the Cycling Nicaragua-Costa Rica-Panama, but it got cancelled 2-3 weeks before the trip due to the situation in Nicaragua. I decided to do Cycling Madagascar instead and I was not disappointed at all. I had an excellent time and I enjoyed every single day of the trip, both cycling and non-cycling days. The landscape is simple breathtaking. I have to say that the tour guide (Armel) made a huge difference and made this trip memorable. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I can think of more than one! - Cycling at sunrise riding towards the full moon while the sun was slowly rising behind us. It was simply surreal. - Night walk in the rainforest looking for chameleons with millions of starts shining above us and the sound of the nature. - Riding through the small villages in the remote areas and the entire family greeting us and the cute little kids jumping up and down as if we were doing 'Tour de France'! :) - The exilerating long downhills surrounded with mountains. What did you think of your group leader? Armel was simply amazing. He was very passionate about his country and the tour. He was full of energy and always had a big smile. He cared about every single member of the group and did not leave anybody out. Without him, the tour would not have been the same! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? There are quite a few hills to climb so make sure you have a decent fitness level.
Reviewed June 2018 M I Trip: Cycle Madagascar Loved it! Excellent and Challenging! I loved every moment of this trip, even the part where I fell off the bike! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Being able to cycle the longest distances I've ever cycled in my entire life. Seeing so much beautiful scenery that my eyes hurt, and feeling on certain roads that there was noone else in the world. What did you think of your group leader? Mel was a fantastic tour leader. He had a tough job on his hands as I was a very amateur cyclist with a very strong group. He managed to accommodate across alllevels. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Ensure that you are fully prepped on cycling on hills. The Malagasy flats are undulating and challenging. I thought I had a reasonable base level of fitness, but would have enjoyed it more if I had done more cycling related prep. Is there anything else you would like to add? Would highly recommend this trip. I had an amazing time and would do more as a result of this!
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