Current Photo Tours 2019/2020 Schedule

Madagascar Photo Tour - "Lemurs, baobabs, rainforests, and deserts"

Madagascar Photo Tour - Madagascar the Wild Side … 5% of all known animal and plant species can be found here, and here alone. The island's signature animal is the lemur of course, but there are many more weird and wonderful creatures: the eerie-looking fossa (a cat-like predator), colourful and camouflaged chameleons, oddly shaped insects, vivid frogs, graceful rays and turtles, several species of sharks, and humpback whales during the winter months.

The trees and plants are just as impressive, be they the distinctively shaped baobabs, the fanning ravinala (travellers' palm), the hundreds of orchids or the spiny forests of the desert south.

I would like to invite you to join me as we photograph and explore the wild side of Madagascar in September.

James Cowie

Madagascar Photo Tour Itinerary - September 5th to 20th, 2019

Day 1 September 05, 2019: Our motor coach departs late afternoon from London with pick-ups offered in Woodstock and along the 401 corridor en route to Pearson Airport. Our flight to Ivato International Airport Madagascar departs at 11:00 a.m.

Day 2 September 06, 2019: Arrival at Antananarivo and travel to Andasibe. Meet our guide at Ivato international airport, board our coach and drive to Andasibe National Park through the green vegetation of the east. The first stop of our tour brings us to the part of country with many primary forests and lakes and Andasible National Park. Along the way we will see highlander Merina villages in the Rocky Mountains. Overnight at hotel at Sahatandra Hotel. (B)(D)

Day 3 September 07, 2019: After breakfast, we will visit the reserve and discover the species dwelling inside this forest like Indri, the largest species of lemurs. Andasibe is surrounded by a belt of protected rainforest and several parks boasting incredible natural scenery and an array of exotic Madagascan wildlife. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the spectacularly scenic surrounds. The large indri lemur has a unique song. Lunch then mid afternoon drive back to Antananarivo. Overnight at the Relais des Plateaux. (B)(D)

Day 4 September 08, 2019: Breakfast, check-out and depart for Antsirabe. We will drive through a beautiful landscape composed of mountains and rice fields. We will be making numerous photo stops as we travel to Antsirabe. Antsirabe is also known as the ‘Malagasy Vichy’ because of its numerous hot springs and thermal baths, and Madagascar’s third largest city. A visit is incomplete without a trip up Ivohitra Hill, where a panoramic view of the highlands awaits. Overnight at the Flower Palace. (B)(D)

Day 5 September 09, 2019: After breakfast, we will drive to Ranomafana - a national park deep in the rainforest which is home to various species of lemurs such as the golden bamboo lemurs, brown lemurs, birds, chameleons, frogs. En route we will visit Ambositra for the visit to Zafimaniry to see the woodcarvings from the region. Then continue our journey toRanomafana. After check-in at the hotel for some time to relax and dinner. We will take a night walk to see some nocturnal species of animals located in the region. Return to our hotel, overnight Karibotel. (B)(D)

Day 6 September 10, 2019: After breakfast, a visit to Ranomafana National Park a 40’000 hectares park with its lemurs, chameleons, spiders, frogs, varieties of orchids and medicinal plants. The golden Bamboo lemurs were discovered here in 1986 and there are more than 100 species of birds in the region. Mid afternoon we head off to Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe; Overnight Zomatel Fianarantsoa. (B)(D)

Day 7 September 11, 2019: This morning will be an early departure to Ranohira. Stop in Ambalavao to visit the Anja park, where we have opportunities to photograph families of ring-tailed Katta lemurs. Late afternoon arrival in Ranohira. This evening great opportunities for sunset photography. Isalo Rock Lodge 2 nights (B (D)

Day 8 September 12, 2019: Breakfast the a morning trek inside the Isalo National Park to discover the massif of Isalo with its ruin like sandstones, canyons, endemic fauna and flora. Lemurs plants such as Pachypodium and aloes all make for an interesting day of photography. We will also have the opportunity to swim in its natural pool. For centuries wind and rain erosion have whittled the landscape of Isalo National Park into a series of deep gorges, wide canyons and bizarrely shaped sandstone rock formations, punctuated by palm-lined oases and sprawling grasslands. This uniquely spectacular scenery makes the park a magnet for photographers. Night two Isalo Rock Lodge (B)(D)

Day 9 September 13, 2019: After breakfast we head off to Tuléar. The landscape is composed of high bushes, thick gallery forests and some proudly decorated Mahafaly tombs. Arrival in Tuléar, fondly known by locals as the ‘City of the Sun’ this coastal city is as a base for exploring the Great Reef. Toliara (also known as Tuléar) is located on a broad coastal plain, surrounded by towering dunes and gorgeous mangrovesIn Tulear. An afternoon visit to the Arboretum and some time later to relax before dinner. Overnight at the Moringa Hotel. (B)(D)

Day 10 September 14, 2019: After breakfast, we will drive to the airport for our flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, we will transfer to our hotel for some time to relax and prepare for our next leg of our journey, photography at the Baobad Avenue. Tomorrow morning we will fly to Morondava. Overnight stay at Tamboho Hotel (B)(D)

Day 11 September 15, 2019: After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Morondava. The seaside town of Morondova is situated on the west coast of Madagascar. The town serves as a gateway to the area’s claim to fame and main attraction: the world-renowned ‘Avenue of the Baobabs’. These massive, ancient Baobab trees tower over the terrain and create magical otherworldly silhouettes at sunrise and sunset, great photographs await. Kirindy Forest, home to a host of endemic lemurs; and the magnificent Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park to the north, featuring unique, spiny rock formations. Overnight at the Hotel Kimony. (B)(D)

Day 12 September 16, 2019: After the breakfast early morning drive through the Baobab Avenue to Kirindy dry forest reserve. On the way, stop to admire the beauty of the famous Baobab Avenue. Kirindy Private Reserve with the Mozambique Channel to its west and encircled by lush natural landscapes, the Kirindy Private Reserve lies on Madagascar's beautiful western coast. This privately managed reserve provides a sanctuary for a host of endangered ecosystems namely dry deciduous forests, and a collection of wildlife which includes the giant jumping rat, seven endemic lemur species and an array of bird species that inhabit this swathe of unique vegetation. A return nocturnal visit in the reserve of Kirindy. Overnight at the hotel Relais du Kirindy (B)(D)

Day 13 September 17, 2019: After breakfast another visit of the Kirindy dry forest reserve for a walk on mostly flat trails, to see its lemurs, snakes, and fossa. Drive to Morondava. On the way back stop to admire the beauty of the famous Baobab Avenue during sunset. Overnight at Palissandre Côte Ouest located at Nosy Kely on the beach of Morondava, just 30 minutes from the mythical Boababs Alley, Palissandre Côte Ouest offers guest accommodation in 30 bungalows built with local materials, all with private terraces offering ocean views. (B)(D)

Day 14 September 18, 2019:After breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Antananarivo. On arrival, we will have one last opportunity to see the capital city before heading to our hotel. This evening our farewell dinner and time to prepare for our journey home. Overnight Tamboho hotel. (B)(D)

Day 15 September 19, 2019: Breakfast, and some free time before check-out and transfer to the airport for out 2:30 p.m. flight back home to Canada.

Day 16 September 20, 2019: Our overnight flight arrives in Toronto at 8:25 a.m. After clearing customs we will say goodbye to our metro and connecting guests and board our motor coach returning to London arriving at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Madagascar has a temperature range of 22C to 26C in September. Many lemurs are known to give birth at this time of year; this means the baby lemurs grow up with ample food around to make them strong. September is also peak of Madagascar’s bird breeding season, so it is an excellent time for photography birds.

Pre-tour Information Night: As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information night approximately a few weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. The tentative date for the information night is Wed Aug 14, 2019.

The cost of our Madagascar Photo Tour $6,980.00 CAD based on double occupancy including air, plus air tax 885.03 & 13.00 HST, single supplement is $1,530.00 CAD.

Includes:

Round trip coach for departures from London to Pearson Airport
Other pick-up locations available upon request along the 401 corridor
Round Trip Airfare via Ethiopian Airlines to Madagascar
Airfare for two internal flights during our tour
14 days 13 nights accommodations, hotels lister per itinerary
Ground transportation during our visit to Madagascar
Admission to parks & reserves (Andasibe, Ranomafana, Anja, Isalo, Arboretum, Kirindy)
All airport and hotel transfers
Breakfast and dinner included each day of the tour
English speaking guide to travel with our group
Tours Levy and VAT
Photo Workshops
Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

Excludes:

Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.
Local guide tips and gratuities
Alcoholic beverages purchased on land or at the ships bar
Personal Travel and Medical Insurance
Visa fee 35 Euro for 30 days

** Schedule may vary according to weather

A non refundable deposit of $600 CAD is required at time of booking, balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as our tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of Sep 20 2019.

Please click on link below to be linked to our secured tour registration.

Click here to Register for our Madagascar Photo Tour

If you have any other questions or require booking assistance please contact:

James Cowie at Photo Tour Trekkers / Tourcan Vacations

1-800-263-2995 ext 2688 or 416-391-0334 ext 2688

or by email james@tourcanvacations.com

Ofelia Cruz at Photo Tour Trekkers / Tourcan Vacations

Inside Sales Specialist

1-800-263-2995 ext 2672 or 416-391-0334 ext 2672

or by email ofelia@tourcanvacations.com

Tourcan Vacations

245 Fairview Mall Drive, Suite 203

Toronto, Ont. M2J 4T1

www.Tourcanvacations.com

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