An in-depth discovery of Western MADAGASCAR’s natural beauty and genuine lifestyle. Just a soul capturing-river along the TSIRIBIHINA, to wonderful hiking days in TSINGY DE BEMARAHA National Park and a magical sunset on the Avenue of Baobabs for an intense communion with Sakalava tribe. And, few days on the beach of lagoon-bordered BELO-SUR-TSIRIBIHINA.
Available on request
EAST of MADAGASCAR, from TANA to TANA
14 days & 13 nights.
Limited to 6 travelers,
Mid-range accommodations.
ABT_ADV-02
Trip prices are per person based on Double occupancy
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Accommodation: MAHAVELO , or its equivalent. .
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Accommodation: FEON’NY ALA, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: FEON’NY ALA, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: aboard REINE TINA.
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Accommodation: aboard REINE TINA.
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Accommodation: HOTEL BLUE LAGOON, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: camping.
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Accommodation: camping.
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Accommodation: HOTEL BLUE LAGOON, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: camping & HOTEL BLUE LAGOON, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: camping & HOTEL BLUE LAGOON, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: HOTEL TRECIGOGNE, or its equivalent.
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Accommodation: MAHAVELO, or its equivalent.
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The BETSIMISARAKA tribe (“the many inseparables”) are the 2nd largest ethnic group in MADAGASCAR. They occupy a large stretch of the Eastern coastal region, from MANANJARY in the South to ANTALAHA in the North. They have a long history of extensive interaction with European seafarers and traders that produced a significant subset with mixed European-Malagasy origins, termed the zana-malata. One of them named Ratsimilaho emerged to unite various clans under his rule in 1710. The Betsimisaraka hold lemurs in high regard and tell several legends in which lemurs come to the aid of prominent tribe figures. The spirits of ancestors are believed to reside inside the bodies of lemurs. Consequently, in general it is forbidden for them to kill or eat lemurs. “Famadihana” or “tsaboraha” (turning of the dead) and joro (communication with ancestors) are 2 very important ceremonies. The tombs are always built far from the villages, in the depths of the forest, and are sacred places.
A series of man-made channels that run parallel to the Indian Ocean all the way from TOAMASINA to FARAFANGANA, the whole thing is a staggering 600 kilometres making it factually the longest canal in the world after the SUEZ Canal (165 Km) and the PANAMA Canal (80 Km). But it is far away a simple tourist attraction: the waterways dominate daily life in this part of MADAGASCAR and as you cruise, it will be alongside fishermen touting their wares, laden pirogues, and the Betsimisaraka villages that line the banks.
VOI MMA Community Park:
The name says it all: In 2012, villagers from Andasibe founded the reserve as an alternative to the government-led National Park in the neighborhood. The local people wanted to manage their land again and be a part of ecotourism in this area. Today 0,4 km² of primary rainforest belongs to the young reserve’s area, which serves recreational purposes and informs local people about conservation and ecotourism. 10 employees care for a small office, a souvenir shop, and the forest. Half of the generated money is used for several projects in Andasibe, e.g., building water taps or supporting a small local hospital. Thus, VOI MMA Community Forest follows similar projects like ANJA Community Reserve, which predicate on sustainable use of their threatened rainforests. Until now, there are only a few of these reserves in Madagascar, making each even more valuable.
ANALAMAZOATRA Special Reserve:
ANDASIBE-MANTADIA National Park are renowned for their rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, including lemurs. The park is famous for its lush rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, and the iconic Indri lemurs, the largest of their kind. Visitors can enjoy hiking and wildlife watching in this stunning natural habitat. It’s a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those interested in MADAGASCAR’s unique ecology. And, ANALAMAZOATRA Special Reserve is part of this n°1 National Park.
One of the best locations for a close encounter with an aye-aye, the PALMARIUM is a reserve offering a great diversity of lemurs and reptiles. Most well-known for its easily observed aye-ayes that live semi-wild on a small, forested island, a walk through the palm, orchid and pandanus rich. It also reveals many other wildlife treasures. Situated on the edge of the tranquil AMPITABE Lake, the reserve protects 50 hectares of littoral forest. Lemurs here include the indri, black-and-white ruffed, common brown as well as introduced black and crowned lemurs. The highlight for many is a visit to the small, forested island, where aye-ayes frequently visit small forest clearings to feed on coconuts left out for them. This provides a rare opportunity to admire these fascinating nocturnal lemurs up close. There’s also an excellent range of reptiles including many colourful day geckos, a few leaf-tailed gecko species and the giant hog-nosed snake and unique looking leaf-nosed snake are both present too. The trails are flat and easy going and this is a great destination for those keen on photography, although many of the lemurs have been introduced from outside their natural range.
ÎLE AUX PRUNES or NOSY ALANANA in Malagasy, an uninhabited islet someway offshore from TOAMASINA, is the place to relax, to swim or snorkel. Underwater life is superb, and a mask and a tuba will be helpful to approach closely the wonderful ocean wildlife as bathing is safe, since the coral barrier keeps sharks away. Walking through the forest and climbing the 66 meters high octagonal lighthouse, to see Flying foxes, and maybe the whales. Built during the colonial period, the highest lighthouse in AFRICA is still active.
Want this trip to be personalized, or need it to be redesigned? Let us just know, and our highly creative travel designers will work with you to shape an itinerary based on your requirements. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL creates exclusively for you tailor made exclusive experiences with the best MADAGASCAR guides & experts, high-quality vehicles, private charter planes & helicopters.
Anyway, feel free to tell us about your wish-list or give us “carte blanche”. We guarantee you the trip of your lifetime in any spot in MADAGASCAR for a self-reconnection, a connection with our Culture and Nature, and with yourself. Whether intended for solo travelers, couples, groups of friends, intergenerational families on its yearly trips: AL BORAQ TRAVEL can help you to put together your perfect MADAGASCAR experience.
Please read the following notice as it is your contract with AL BOURAQ TRAVEL and clearly lays out what you have agreed with us.
PLEASE, READ CAREFULLY!
AL BOURAQ TRAVEL accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:
1. YOUR CONTRACT
The contract is between AL BOURAQ TRAVEL and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by AL BOURAQ TRAVEL. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to the law of MADAGASCAR and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Malagasy courts. No employee of AL BOURAQ TRAVEL other than an administrator has authority to vary or omit any of these terms or promise any discount or refund.
2. TO SECURE YOUR BOOKING
To secure a booking AL BOURAQ TRAVEL or their agent requires a written confirmation and the necessary deposit or fuII payment for travel as outlined in Paragraph 3.
Clients booking by telephone, by WhatsApp, on the website, by e-mail or facsimile will be deemed to have signed the Declaration on the booking form and agreed to the following four conditions:
a) they have read and accepted our BOOKING CONDITIONS and GENERAL INFORMATION PAGES, contained in our brochure and on our website.
b) they appreciate, on behalf of all the people included in their booking, the risks involved in adventure travel.
c) they or anyone else on their booking does not suffer (or has ever suffered) from any pre-existing medical condition which may prevent them from actively participating in the tour.
d) the person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear there on, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when AL BOURAQ TRAVEL sends a confirmation invoice. It is at this point that a contract between AL BOURAQ TRAVEL and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and a contract comes into force, AL BOURAQ TRAVEL reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
3. PAYMENT
a) If the booking is made more than 45 days before the departure of the tour, we require a deposit 25% of the total travel costs, or the cost of flights as shown on the itemized quote, whichever is the greater.
b) If the booking is made less than 45 days before the departure of the tour, we require a 50% deposit of the total travel costs, or the cost of flights as shown on the itemized quote, whichever is the greater. Payment terms still apply on the remaining balance.
At this time, AL BOURAQ TRAVEL offers various means of payment:
Wire transfer to our bank account. Banking information will be provided at time of booking. You will be responsible to pay any fee related to the transaction charged by your bank.
4. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING
An administration fee of EURO 150 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred prior to 45 days before departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the charges below. Changes are subject to availability.
5. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by AL BOURAQ TRAVEL or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges, as shown below, or the nonrefundable deposit, whichever is greater:
a) 45 and more days before departure: retention of deposit
b) 45-30 days before departure: 50 % of the total travel costs
c) 30 – 7 days before departure: 75% of the total travel costs
d) Less than 7 days: 100% of the total travel costs
6. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT
Should the client have a complaint about any of the tour arrangements, the client must tell both the relevant supplier and AL BOURAQ TRAVEL’s representative at the time. It is only if AL BOURAQ TRAVEL and the relevant supplier know about problems that there will be the opportunity to put things right. Failure to complain on the spot will result in the client’s ability to claim compensation from AL BOURAQ TRAVEL being extinguished or at least reduced.
7. PASSPORTS, VISAS AND VACCINATIONS
Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport, a visa and vaccination certificates required for their journey in MADAGASCAR. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal gear etc.) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of AL BOURAQ TRAVEL.
8. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT BOOKINGS
Clients are responsible for arranging their international round trip air ticket. It will be the customer’s responsibility to communicate us the itinerary and any change that may occur. In any case, AL BOURAQ TRAVEL will not be responsible for any delay or missed international flight which may cause the customer to miss or delay the departure of the tour. Terms and conditions regarding tour booking changes or cancellations are applicable.
9. TRAVEL AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE
Clients are responsible for effecting sufficient personal travel insurance. Travel insurance is highly recommended for all clients whilst on a tour organized by AL BOURAQ TRAVEL. Clients together with their personal property including baggage are at all times solely at their own risk. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance and ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel Insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate benefits. Clients making their own arrangements should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in their tour.
10. IMPORTANT: LIABILITY INSURANCE
Limited insurance is held by the operator. The client acknowledges and accepts that there may be no policy covering AL BOURAQ TRAVEL’s liability to its clients for death, injury, damage or loss occurring anywhere in the world. The client also specifically acknowledges that with respect to passenger accident liability cover this cover may be very limited or may not exist at all. The client acknowledges that AL BOURAQ TRAVEL has taken reasonable steps in safeguarding its liability. Although AL BOURAQ TRAVEL does hold various insurances this booking condition states that the client must assume, he/she is not covered by any Company insurance policy, including all liability insurance, for death, injury, damage or any other loss.
11. TOUR PARTICIPATION
Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of AL BOURAQ TRAVEL’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on tour with AL BOURAQ TRAVEL. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill-health AL BOURAQ TRAVEL may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and AL BOURAQ TRAVEL shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will
12. SURCHARGES
External factors may affect exchange rates, air fares, transportation and accommodation, AL BOURAQ TRAVEL reserves the right to alter the price of any tour and forward an amended invoice. Any price increase will normally be notified more than 4 weeks before departure.
13. IF WE CHANGE YOUR HOLIDAY
While AL BOURAQ TRAVEL will use its best endeavors to operate all tours as advertised, reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed necessary or advisable by AL BOURAQ TRAVEL. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services or prices described in this brochure and/or the website before a booking is made. If a major change is known to us, the client will be told at the time of booking, otherwise AL BOURAQ TRAVEL will inform the client as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. The definition of a major change will depend on the individual tour and circumstances. When a major change is made the client will have the choice of accepting the change of arrangements, purchasing an alternative tour or cancelling the tour and obtaining a full refund.
14. HOLIDAY CANCELLATION
AL BOURAQ TRAVEL reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 6 weeks before departure except for force majeure, consolidation or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, AL BOURAQ TRAVEL, upon cancellation, will return all monies paid not including visas, vaccinations or associated costs, or offer an alternative tour. Force majeure is war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes imposed by rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or other similar events beyond the control of AL BOURAQ TRAVEL. Consolidation refers to the fact that each tour is dependent upon a minimum number of persons participating. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL is not liable for any penalty charges associated with connecting air fares, in the event of a change to a tour departure time, date or cancellation.
15. OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR HOLIDAY
Clients’ bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the possible risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours, treks or expeditions featured in our programme at their own volition. Due to political and cultural differences, as well as generally tougher physical conditions, travel to MADAGASCAR involves risks other than those we take in our daily lives. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL place extreme importance on the safety of clients. It is important, however, that clients realize that they are responsible for making themselves aware (through State Department advisories, Government Tourist Offices and other sources of information) of the risks involved, and are responsible for making their decisions accordingly. No refund will be made for any unused services which are included in the price. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL shall not be liable for any delays, deviations or omissions from any tour caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, nor for any direct or indirect consequences thereto. AL BOURAQ TRAVEL shall not be liable to compensate clients for associated expenses incurred as a result of their booking.
