Duration: 13 Days, including 10 Days on a Motorcycle, 12 Nights
Total Distance: 1,746 km
Type: Roadtrip
Motorcycles: KTM Adventure 790 R 2019 or XR 190 T 2019
Region: North-Northwest
Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard
From the Highlands to the North, experience Ankarafantsika, Diego Suarez, the Emerald Sea, Ankarana, Montagne d'Ambre, and the dream island of Nosy Be on this tour.
This 13-day tour offers you a wide panorama of the main attractions in the North of Madagascar in a short amount of time.
Comfortably on your motorcycle, you will enjoy the diversity of landscapes and locations scattered along your journey: hills and mountains of the Highlands, remote areas in the West, savannas and beaches of the coastal regions.
A day will be dedicated to exploring Diego-Suarez and its magnificent region.
At the end of your route, Nosy Be will conclude your trip, with the option to extend your stay there.
The itinerary below is quite focused on motorcycle riding, but it can be customized and extended upon request.
Montagne d’Ambre, Ankarana, the three bays, or the Emerald Sea near Diego Suarez are all very interesting places to linger for a longer period.
Please inform us of any individual requests for extensions before the trip.
Welcome to our exciting tour in the North!
- Motorcycle rental (including fuel), KTM Adventure 790 R 2019 or XR 190 T 2019
- All-inclusive motorcycle guide (shared by riders)
- Accommodation in a double or twin room with half board (excluding drinks)
- Picnics for lunch
- Entrance and guiding fees in parks included in the program
- Support vehicle (4x4 or minibus) with driver and fuel (shared by riders)
- Airport/hotel/garage transfers
- Flight ticket from Nosy-Be to Antananarivo at the end of the trip
What is not included:
International flight ticket - Personal insurance for the rider - Drinks - Souvenirs - Tips - Tickets for parks and nature reserves outside of the program, etc.
Day 1: Arrival in AntananarivoUpon your arrival at Ivato International Airport, our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Villa Sibylle is a private guesthouse located near the airport, surrounded by a tropical garden. Unwind from your flight and enjoy your first dinner in Madagascar with an overnight stay there. |
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Day 2: Antananarivo - AnkarafantsikaDay trip covering 496 km When you leave Tana, you embark on a long journey. A journey where you will witness the landscape completely change. A very long journey north through Maetavana. Sometimes you make good progress, and sometimes you can take very enjoyable breaks. Along the way, there are fruits to buy, the markets and local restaurants are always worth a stop. Life is bustling along the way, often filled with much cheerfulness! |
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Day 3: Ankarafantsika - AntsohihyLong day trip of 370 km Today marks the start of the longest day of the tour, beginning early in the morning. The journey doesn't start on the best roads, with a constant slalom between potholes significantly slowing down the average speed. After lunch, continue driving north towards Antsohihy. |
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Day 4: Antsohihy - AnkaranaDaily stage of 236 km As you approach the northernmost tip of Madagascar, you will enter the Ankarana Special Reserve, a 180 km² protected area. Ankarana is renowned for its rich endemic fauna, local culture, and unique geological formations, including the Tsingy of Ankarana. It is a spectacularly eroded limestone fortress with sharp mountain ridges, patches of dense tropical jungle, deciduous forest, deep caves and gorges, and rushing rivers. With an annual rainfall of nearly 2000 mm, the underlying rocks undergo strong erosion, creating an amazing karst topography, the most famous result of which are the fantastically eroded limestone peaks known as "tsingy." The park offers incredible trails, unique and grandiose landscapes, and a wealth of wildlife! |
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Day 5 - Ankarana National Park VisitOn this day, we will explore the unique Ankarana Special Reserve, home to various bird, reptile, and mammal species, including lemurs, in a tropical rainforest with many lakes. This reserve boasts one of the highest primate densities in the world. Its dense forests harbor one of the largest and least disturbed populations of crowned lemurs, Sanford's brown lemurs, black Perrier lemurs, sportive lemurs, and mouse lemurs. Nearly 100 bird species, 50 reptiles (including some endemic and endangered snakes and geckos), and 10 frog species coexist in the park. Inside the spectacular and vast cave labyrinth, you will encounter 14 bat species, native endemic blind shrimps, and the world's only known cave-dwelling crocodiles. At night, swarms of bats and flying foxes fill the darkness. |
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Day 6 - Ankarana to Diego SuarezDaily stage of 146 km Arrival in the largest city in northern Madagascar, Diego Suarez or Antsiranana, known for its bays and the Amber Mountain National Park, home to a tropical rainforest. Located in the far north of Madagascar, Antsiranana is the capital of the northernmost province of Madagascar. It boasts one of the most beautiful deep-water ports in the world, and is famous for its photogenic sugar loaf mountain. Visitors love this city, which is probably the most French city in Madagascar, retaining that colonial feel. Antsiranana is the largest city in the north with a huge, cozy market, a range of fine restaurants, and some fantastic squares and national parks nearby to visit. Diego is the perfect place to rest and prepare for a visit to the neighborhood, with a trip on the Emerald Sea highly recommended. |
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Day 7: Diego on a Motorcycle - Montagne d'AmbreToday's journey covers approximately 100 km. Spend the day visiting the Montagne d'Ambre National Park and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island - if not in the world. This massif rises from the surrounding dry region and forms an isolated section of montane rainforest, covering an area of 18,200 hectares and ranging in elevation from 800 to 1,470 meters. The park offers a wide variety of species: a vast tropical forest with endemic fauna and flora, lush vegetation, and numerous waterfalls and volcanic lakes. The climate is perfect, the cool air refreshing after the heat of the lowlands. The predominant ethnic groups are the Sakavala and the Antankarana. |
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8. Day - Picnic Excursion to an Island in the Emerald SeaDaily stage of 50 km Diego's discovery continues on the last day with a boat trip on the emerald green sea. A day trip to the nearby beach of Ramena is highly recommended. Ramena is a small village with an uncrowded sandy beach that seems to have not benefited much from tourism, apart from a few hotels and restaurants on site. Enjoy a boat trip from this small harbor across the emerald sea to a secluded island where you can swim and have lunch. |
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Day 9: Diego Suarez - Ankify (250 km)Today's stage covers approximately 250 km. Along the way, we will come across the "Red Tsingy", a natural wonder that can be reached through a not always practical path. These cathedrals, made of sandstone, marl, and limestone, are the result of erosion. The spectacle of these pinkish-red Tsingy, erected at the bottom of a gorge, is simply magical. Before heading further west, we will drive through the Ankarana Reserve. A very rich fauna may allow us to observe some lemur species such as Lemur Coronatus, Lemur Fulvus, Lepilemur, and Hapalemur. Eroded by rain and water, the Tsingy form horizontal and vertical cracks, giving the impression of a huge pile of rocks, all amidst lush vegetation. |
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Day 10 - Ankify - Nosy-Be and Mont PassotApproximately 50 km for the day Between Ylang Ylang and Cocoa... We head towards Ambanja through a beautiful road lined with fields or crops of ylang-ylang, pepper, coffee, vanilla, and cocoa, typical of this region which enjoys a constant microclimate and rainy nights. Starting from Ankify, a small fishing village where ships depart connecting the "Big Island" with Nosy Be. Nosy Be is a dream destination that anyone traveling to Madagascar should not miss. You will drive to Mount Passot, a volcanic hill in the middle of the island that offers a 360° panorama. |
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Day 11 - Tour of Nosy Be by MotorcycleExploring the island by motorcycle is a dream, with minimal traffic and incredible landscapes and panoramas. Visiting the Lokobe Reserve is also possible, but the highlight will be the ride to Mont Passot, passing through paradisiacal tropical beaches and landscapes scented with Ylang-Ylang. End of the motorcycle tour. |
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Day 11: Nosy-Be - Antananarivo (Domestic Flight)Depending on the flight time, a vehicle will be available for you to explore the city and do some shopping during the day. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover the charms of Nosy-Be and experience the bustling atmosphere of Antananarivo! |
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Day 13: Antananarivo (international return flight)You have a whole day to explore the city by car before being taken to the airport. The rooms at Villa Sibylle will be available for day use until your transfer. |
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Day ChecklistPlease keep your luggage under 45 lbs (equivalent to 20 kg). Bags: An ideal option is a duffel bag, or a hiking backpack (without a steel frame). You can secure your bag with a padlock. Remember to label your bag with your address and the address of your vacation destination in Madagascar. A small 20-liter backpack is suitable for everyday essentials such as a camera and sunscreen. A mattress will be provided at the accommodations. If you desire more comfort, please bring an additional foam mattress. Beds, mattresses, and blankets are available on-site. Additional comfort items such as pillows are up to each traveler. Clothing and personal equipment: Two lightweight pants, four shirts (including long-sleeved for sun protection), a swimsuit, sweater or jacket for cold nights, sunglasses, hat, lightweight sports shoes, flip-flops, flashlight with batteries. Special Motorcycle Gear: Motorcycle boots or waterproof hiking shoes are highly recommended, a lightweight leather or synthetic motorcycle jacket, rain gear, gloves, helmet. |
“Embark on a thrilling 13-day Motorcycle Adventure Trail in the North of Madagascar. Covering 1,746km and featuring 10 days of motorcycling with KTM Adventure 790 R 2019 or XR 190 T 2019. Visit Ankarafantsika, Diego Suarez, Emerald Sea, Ankarana, Montagne d’Ambre, and Nosy Be. Suitable for medium to hard skill levels.”
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