The North: from classic to authentic

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Paris - Nosy Be

  

  Arrival in Nosy Be. Welcome by the Anjara Voyage team and transfer to the hotel, located on Ambatoloaka beach. Dinner and overnight at the charming hotel Le Sharimanok.

• day 2

  Tour of Nosy Be Island - Mont Passot

  

  After breakfast, departure by car for a historical visit of Hell-ville, its history and its colonial architecture, stop at the market, shopping in Malagasy craft shops. Continue to Marodoka, the first town of Nosy Be, former "Arab-Swahili" colonial trading post, visit the historical remains, discover the Swahili culture. Lunch at the Papillon restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the sacred Mahatsinjo tree and the Androadrotra waterfall (an ideal place for a swim) before continuing the visit to Mont Passot, the highest point of Nosy Be, to admire its breathtaking panoramic view at sunset. Return to the hotel. Free dinner (at your own expense), guide available in case you want to go out, and overnight at the charming hotel Le Sharimanok.

• day 3

  Nosy Be - Marimbe (Grande Mitsio)

  

  Early departure from the hotel at 07:30 after breakfast, boarding a wooden sailboat, heading north. During the crossing to the Mitsio, introduction to traditional navigation, while passing by the Quatre Frères islets that guard the entrance to the archipelago. To the east, you can see the immaculate sandbank of Tsarabanjina Island. Before arriving in the vast bay of Marimbe, you can admire the magnificent fiery-colored basaltic organs. The bay is lined with long beaches and small fishing villages overlooked by barren hills with sparse vegetation, on which many free-roaming goats frolic. Overnight on full board aboard the boat.

• day 4

  Marimbe - Ankarea - Marimbe

  

  Facing the Marimbe bay rises the highest island of the Mitsio, Nosy Ankarea. From afar, you can see the massive shape of this large black rock emerging from the ocean. While the north side remains wild and steep, the entire southern coast is lined with a superb white sand beach on crystal-clear water. You anchor a few meters from the beach, and it's an opportunity to fish and enjoy magnificent snorkeling before going to explore the island. At the top of the island is an astonishing green valley where endemic aloes to the island grow in abundance. You reach it after a somewhat acrobatic climb, but the surrounding view is truly beautiful. Return to the Marimbe anchorage in the middle of the afternoon. Overnight on board the boat with full board.

• day 5

  Marimbe - Nosy Fanihy - Nosy Be

  

  Early departure from Marimbe and heading towards Nosy Fanihy, an islet considered sacred for its cemetery of Sakalava kings. It is therefore uninhabited, but has a superb fine white sand beach, whitened by corals and shells. Enjoy the transparent blue water for snorkeling before lunch. Arrival at Ambatoloaka in the middle of the afternoon. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at the Sharimanok hotel.

• day 6

  Nosy Be

  

  Free day for rest and relaxation. Lunch and dinner at your own expense. Overnight at the Sharimanok hotel.

• day 7

  Nosy Be (visit to the Lokobe reserve)

  

  After breakfast, transfer by car to the village of Ambatozavavy. Crossing by pirogue, paddling, to the village of Ampasipohy, the starting point for visiting the Lokobe nature reserve to discover its rich fauna and flora, and to encounter several species of lemurs (diurnal, nocturnal), boas, chameleons, and various varieties of plants. Seafood picnic lunch. Return to Nosy Be in the middle of the afternoon, with a detour to Mont Passot for an ascent to this highest point of Nosy Be, to admire the breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. Transfer by car to the hotel. Dinner (free, at your own expense) and overnight at the Sharimanok hotel.

• day 8

  Nosy Be - Tany Kely - Nosy Komba - Nosy Be

  

  After breakfast at 07:30, transfer by car to the port of Nosy Be. Boarding a boat for a day trip to two islands: Nosy Tany Kely and Nosy Komba (the island of lemurs). Snorkeling to discover the underwater treasures of Nosy Tany Kely, swimming and relaxation. Crossing to Nosy Komba, visit to the Nosy Komba zoological park and the village of Ampangoriana with its craft market (embroidery and various Malagasy handicrafts). Seafood picnic lunch on the beach. Return to Nosy Be in the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner (free, at your own expense) and overnight at the Sharimanok hotel.

• day 9

  Nosy Be - Nosy Iranja - Nosy Be

  

  After breakfast, sail to Nosy Iranja Island (the turtle island). Relax and swim on this dream island made up of two islets connected by a strip of white sand, which is also a nesting site for large leatherback turtles. Walk on foot to the heights of Grande Iranja, with a panoramic view from the island's lighthouse, which you can visit. Lunch on board the boat. After a final swim in this postcard setting, the boat will take you back to Nosy Be and drop you off on Ambatoloaka beach. Dinner (free, at your own expense) and overnight at the Sharimanok hotel.

• day 10

  Nosy Be - Ankify - Millot - Ambilobe

  

  Early departure from the hotel at 07:30. Transfer by car to the port of Nosy Be. Crossing by speedboat to the Ankify dock. Departure by 4x4 to Ambanja to visit the Millot plantations, passing through fields of cocoa, plots of vetiver, ravintsara, spices (pepper, combava, 4 spices), and pink peppercorns. Marvel at the preparation of Madagascar cocoa: sorting, collecting, fermenting, drying, before continuing the visit to the perfume plant distillery, passing through ylang-ylang fields. Lunch on site. In the afternoon, departure for Ambilobe. Dinner and overnight at the Kozobe hotel.

• day 11

  Ambilobe - Ambolamena - Ambilobe

  

  After breakfast, historical walking tour of the city, local makeup session for the ladies, visit to the royal palace, meeting with the reigning prince Tsimiaro III to listen to him recount the history of the Antakarana people. Departure for Ambolamena, in the village of Bitsiaka, famous for its gold mine. Discovery of the mining wealth of Northern Madagascar during the visit to the gold mine, observation of gold prospectors at work, in search of this precious treasure, exchanges and sharing with the local populations. Return to Ambilobe. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit to the women's village where pottery is made to see them at work. On the way back, stop at the Mahavavy bridge for an aperitif while admiring the sunset. Dinner and overnight at the Kozobe hotel.

• day 12

  Ambilobe - Nosy Faly

  

  Departure for the fishing village of Nosy Faly. The low tourist pressure has allowed the island of Nosy Faly to preserve its authenticity and environmental beauty, thanks to its fauna (turtles and Nosy Faly panther chameleons), its flora, as well as its countless white sand beaches that dot its coastline and its coral reef that borders it. It offers a true paradise for nature lovers. Picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon: swimming, relaxation, and leisure on the beach. Dinner and overnight at the Nosy Faly eco-lodge.

• day 13

  Nosy Faly - Nosy Be

  

  After an early breakfast, transfer by motorboat to Nosy Be, sailing along the untouched coast. This is an opportunity to see the impressive islets that overlook the route during the navigation. Arrival in Nosy Be in the early morning. Transfer by car to the airport (depending on the flight schedule).