The Beauty of the East

Departure for the East, first stop in Marozevo, at the Pereyras Reserve. A very nice collection of chameleons bred in captivity. Continue to Andasibe, visit the small Gendarmerie Museum for a little history. Lunch and arrival in Andasibe in the early afternoon and discovery of the lemur island.

Morning discovery of Andasibe National Park. Andasibe National Park is the most visited park on the island. Located nearly 135 kilometers from the capital, it is in the eastern forest corridor. Very accessible, it contains very rich biodiversity and has the particularity of hosting one of the largest species of lemurs in Madagascar: the indri -indri which is one of the curiosities of this nature reserve. Resumption of the road and stops for photos on the road towards the East. Passage by the Antsapanana fruit market. Arrival in Manambato and transfer by boat to Akanin’ny Nofy. The Pangalanes Canal is among the longest artificial canals in the world. Built during the colonial period, this canal was intended to drain agricultural products from the Eastern region. Knowing that the Indian Ocean is quite turbulent on this coast, the natives use this waterway extensively for the circulation and transport of the region's products.

A day of discovery of this unique region of the Pangalanes canal. Visit to the Palmarium Private Reserve and discovery of fishing villages located on the strip of land separating the sea and the canal. Return to the hotel. Visit the islet of aye aye in the late afternoon. The population of this canal region comes from the Betsimisaraka ethnic group, a people who have always lived on the eastern coasts of Madagascar. A large number of these people live along this canal.

Boat crossing to Toamasina and orientation tour of the eastern capital. Lunch and continuation towards Mahambo, to the North. Visit to artisan basket makers on the road. Arrival at the end of the day The enormous traps which form funnels for fish and shrimp, litter the course of the canal almost along its entire length, which is almost 600 kilometers long. Unfortunately the catches are becoming more and more rare but the natives have time on their side.

After the night and boarding formalities, navigation by boat to Sainte Marie (approximately 2 a.m.). Welcome and transfer to the hotel you have chosen (Accommodation, meals and activities on Sainte Marie by you – But we we can also organize them for you) (The boat transfer remains subject to climatic conditions). Pirate hideouts more than a hundred years ago, the island of Sainte Marie is one of the most beautiful islands in Madagascar. Located nearly forty kilometers from the coast of the mainland, the island is a favored area for humpback whales during their migration towards the warm seas. She has it all. Make the most of it !