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| MADAGASCAR: LAND OF LEMURS, EXOTIC BIRDS, AND RARE PLANTS |
| 27 September - 7 October 2009 |
| Although Madagascar has over 1,800 miles of beautiful beaches, exceptionally good food, and offers great value for the tourist dollar, its unique flora and fauna are its greatest attraction. Among the discoveries that await the photographer: |
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| Maximum Participants: 12 |
| Photographer Leader: Connie Bransilver |
| Our Itinerary |
| Sunday, 27 September 2009 |
| Antananarivo |
| Upon arrival late this evening we will clear customs and meet our guides for transfer to the hotel. |
| Hotel Colbert |
| Monday, 28 September 2009 |
| Antananarivo |
| Today is spent exploring the capital, affectionately known as “Tana” where we will take a city tour. During the day we will visit Tsimbazaza Zoo and Cultural Museum for an introduction to early Madagascar life as well as the special birds, lemurs, and botanical wonders endemic to the island. |
| Hotel Colbert (BLD) |
| Tuesday, 29 September 2009 |
| Antananarivo - Perinet |
| This morning we depart for a scenic drive through the verdant Imerina countryside to Perinet/Analamazaotra Special Reserve in the eastern rain forest. We will stop for lunch and visit La Mandraka Nature Farm before continuing to the in the forest of the Analamazoatra Reserve. We will enjoy a fternoon and night walks into Perinet Reserve to see and hear the Indri, Madagascar 's most revered lemur, and the myriad nocturnal mammals, reptiles and insects. |
| VakonaForest Lodge (BLD) |
| Wednesday, 30 September 2009 |
| Perinet Reserve - Tamatave |
| This morning you will have the opportunity to spend time on “ Nature Island ” adjacent to the hotel (lemur guaranteed). We will see Indri and other lemurs, birds and reptiles, or a more leisurly stroll through the island near the lodge where habituated lemurs can assure good photographs. We will have lunch prior to departing in the afternoon for a beautiful drive to the coastal lowlands and Tamatae. In the afternoon you will visit Parc Ivoloina (late afternoon is feeding time for the aye - aye) a unique animal rehabilitation centre, zoo and environmental education center. Ivoloina boasts excellent photo-ops with its large group of breeding Radiated Tortoises |
| Hotel Neptune (BLD) |
| Thursday, 1 October 2009 |
| Tamatave - Maroantsetra |
| This morning we fly to Maroantsetra, gateway to the Masoala Peninsula great rain forest and mecca for naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts. You will then be transferred to Relais du Masoala for check-in. After lunch we depart by boat for a river cruise – the local highway – by canoe for a glimpse of life along the river returning in the evening. |
| Relais du Masoala (BLD) |
| Friday, 2 October 2009 |
| Maroantsetra – Excurision Nosy Mangabe |
| Today we take a day trip by boat to the Island reserve of Mangabe, a nature sanctuary for the world’s rarest lemur the aye - aye. We will have a picnic lunch by the Indian Ocean and the opportunity to swim and photograph Madagascar at its most pristine and authentic. The island is particularly known for its many frog species and hidden tombs at the top of the mountain. |
| Relais du Masoala (BLD) |
| Saturday, 3 October 2009 |
| Maroantsetra – Antananarivo |
| Flight time permitting, you can take a morning visit to the village of Navan and visit the vanilla, clove and coffee plantations. We will then fly back to “Tana” for overnight. |
| Hotel Colbert (BLD) |
| Sunday, 4 October 2009 |
| Antananarivo – Ft. Dauphin – Berenty reserve |
| This morning we board a 90-minute flight to Ft. Dauphin which sits at the extreme south east tip of Madagascar. Upon arrival you will continue on for a 2- hour drive through the “spiny forest” and past elaborate Antanosy graves to Berenty. In the late afternoon we will visit the reserve and overnight at the edge of the forest. |
| Gite d’ Etape (BLD) |
| Monday, 5 October 2009 |
| Berenty Reserve |
| Today we have a full day to spend in the reserve with walks along the wide, well maintained trails. The “maki”, better known as ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are very friendly and will be happy to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful sifaka lemur as they “dance” across your path. Other species include flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozen of species of rare birds. |
| Gite d’ Etape (BLD) |
| Tuesday, 6 October 2009 |
| Berenty – Ft. Dauphine – Antananaarivo |
| Today we drive back from Berenty in time to catch the flight back to “Tana”. Time permitting you may visit the Saiidi private gardens of the de Heaulme family prior to leaving for the airport if you depart this evening. |
| Hotel Colbert (B) |
| Wednesday, 7 October 2009 |
| Antananarivo - Paris |
| You may depart today or continue on the extension. |
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| Optional Extension |
| Wednesday, 7 October 2009 |
| Antananarivo – Diego Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre |
| Today we will board a morning flight to Diego, a unique port on the Northern tip of the island continent. Diego features an eclectic mix of architectural statues reflecting the myriad of influences throughout the centuries. We will meet and depart for the beautiful and lush nearby national park of Montagne d’Ambre where you can enjoy a late afternoon and evening walk. |
| Nature Lodge (BLD) |
| Thursday, 8 October 2009 |
| Joffreville – Excursion Ankarana |
| We depart early this morning for the Ankarana, known for the fantastic formations of eroded “tsingy” limestone pinnacles. Here we will explore the caves and have a great opportunity to photograph the crowned lemur which abound in the forest before returning to Joffreville. |
| Nature Lodge (BLD) |
| Friday, 9 October 2009 |
| Diego Suarez - Antananarivo |
| If time permits you will have a chance to tour the town of Diego prior to flying back to the capital. Once back at the capital you will have a day room to freshen up and rest prior to late evening transfer to the airport for your flight home. |
| Photographic Expedition Price |
| (Per Person, Double Occupancy) |
Non-Photographer Traveling with a Photographer: $6,995 per person Deposit to Secure Participation: $1,200 per person Early Booking Bonuses: Register by 30 December 2008 and Save $1,000 per person Register by 30 January 2009 and Save $500 per person Register by 28 February 2009 and Save $250 per person Small Group Premium: 6 - 8 Photographers: $500 per person 4 - 5 Photographers: $1,000 per person |
| Optional Extension |
| (Per Person) |
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| Safari Price Includes: |
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| Not included: |
| Not included are international airfare and personal expenses such as personal insurance; excess baggage fees; phone calls; gratuities to camp staff and driver/guides; airport departure taxes; passport and visa fees, and beverages, and any additional nights in Nairobi or Arusha, which are not noted in itinerary. |
| Carbon Offsets: |
| Focus on Planet Earth understands that air travel contributes to increased green house gases and global warming. Therefore, we encourage our expedition participants to assist us in making each Focus on Planet Earth expedition carbon neutral. You can offset your air transportation carbon impact by purchasing carbon off-sets. To offset the emissions from your flights go to Carbon Off-Set Calculator. The airport code of your destination is TNR |
| International Air Transportation: |
| You are responsible for booking your own international air transportation. To assist you, we have provided you with the airport codes and the dates you need to arrive or depart. |
| Arrival Airport Code: TNR arriving on 27 September 2009 |
| Departure Airport Code: TNR departing on 7 September or 9 September 2009 |
For the lowest airfares, we recommend you visit David Anderson WorldVentures |
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