Arrive to Antananarivo, where you will be greeted by your private guide and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Set in the upper town with spectacular views over the city, this restored colonial mansion is an elegant mix of modern and traditional, and offers expansive views over the city.

The second largest island nation in the world, Madagascar is the ultimate off the beaten path destination for even the most experienced travelers. With 90 percent of the island’s flora and fauna being endemic, and a rich blend of cultures shaped by indigenous peoples and the influences of many ancient trade routes, this island is truly like no other. The capital, Antananarivo, or ‘Tana’ as it is affectionately known by locals, is set in the heart of the country and is the starting point for any adventure here.

Discover green rice paddies and colorful markets as you explore Antananarivo with your private guide. The city has an intriguing collection of historic buildings, churches, colonial-era neighborhoods and even a few palaces. Starting at the Rova, or Queen’s Palace, at the highest point of the city, your guide will take you on a fascinating journey from the high city to the low, tailoring each stop to your interests as you go. Stop for a chocolate tasting or lunch on the leafy terrace of a beautifully restored mansion, haggle for fresh fruit from a vendor, or visit local artisans at one of the many markets.

Journey to the rainforests of Andasibe. The protected areas here include the old growth Mandtadia National Park and the Perinet Reserve, one of the only places on earth to see the Indri Indri lemurs, the largest species in existence.

Along the road you can catch a glimpse of local life: terraced green rice fields, redbrick villages, and roadside stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables. Settle in at your luxe eco-lodge and after lunch, your private guide and a local wildlife spotter are there to take you out into the private reserve. Operated in cooperation with the local community, this reserve offers a stunning array of wildlife such as Indri indri, brown lemurs and diademed sifaka, as well as chameleons and many species of birds.

After dinner you have the option to go for a night walk, where you may see a variety of nocturnal lemurs: mouse lemurs, white footed sportive lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, as well as the woolly lemur.

Head to Mantadia National Park for another day exploring the forest with your private guide. Lemur species in this stunning park include the Indri indri, diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, and white ruffed lemur. Trails in this part of the forest are slightly more challenging, as it is one of the last places on the island of truly old growth forest.

An abundance of wildlife and birds make their home here, and the park is a naturalist’s dream, with many seldom-seen species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Enjoy a picnic by the Rianasoa Waterfall before hiking back to your vehicle and returning to the lodge for a late afternoon of relaxation. In the evening you may choose to go on another night walk with your local guide.

Spend the morning in the forest once again as you listen for the haunting call of the Indri Indri piercing through the morning mist. After your final forest outing, take the scenic drive back to Antananarivo for your evening flight home or to your onward destination. Should you have a long layover, we are happy to arrange for a day room where you can relax before your flight, or a private guide for some additional exploration in the city.