Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles Holiday
Explore the Indian Ocean’s most diverse landscapes on this 16-day expedition curated by our Global Travel Specialist, Aleem Raheem. Drawing on over 25 years of field intelligence, Aleem has refined this route to capture the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Indian Ocean. Please note that we are currently taking bookings for the prime 2026 dry season (April through November). To ensure your safety and the best wildlife sightings, we do not operate this specific Madagascar route during the peak rainy and cyclone months of December to March. This expert-led journey seamlessly blends the raw, prehistoric wildlife of the ‘Red Island’ with the hand-picked, refined luxury of Mauritius and the Seychelles.”
Verified by Aleem Raheem “I have personally vetted the 4×4 routes in Madagascar and the boutique retreats in Mauritius and Seychelles to ensure this 16-day journey is seamless. By traveling between April and November, you get the very best of the Tsingy massifs and the clearest waters in the archipelagos. I’m here to help you tailor every mile of this adventure.” > — Speak to Aleem today
The Best Time To Visit
April to November
The best time to visit Madagascar is from April to November, during the dry season, when wildlife viewing and outdoor activities are at their peak.
Enquire TodayRegions You’ll Visit
View mapItinerary Highlights
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Madagascar’s Western Wonders: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tsingy de Bemaraha, featuring dramatic limestone pinnacles. Walk through the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset.
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Unique Wildlife Tracking: Conduct night walks in the Kirindy Reserve to spot the Giant Jumping Rat and the Fossa (Madagascar’s apex predator).
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The “Prehistoric” Seychelles: Encounter the Giant Aldabra tortoises and seek out rare birds like the Seychelles Black Parrot amidst the massive granite boulders of La Digue and Praslin.
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Mauritian Relaxation: Transition from adventure to leisure on the white sand beaches of Mauritius, known for its world-class resorts and vibrant marine life.
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Seamless Logistics: Earth Trip manages the complex regional flight connections between Antananarivo (Madagascar), Mauritius, and Mahé (Seychelles) to ensure a smooth transition between islands.
Practical Details
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Price: From £6,780 per person (based on two sharing).
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Duration: 16 Days.
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Best Time to Visit: April to November (the dry season). This specific route is not operated from December to March because the Tsingy and Western Madagascar regions are inaccessible during the cyclone season.
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Accommodations: A curated blend of boutique lodges in Madagascar and premier luxury resorts in Mauritius and the Seychelles.
Route Overview
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Antananarivo: Start in Madagascar’s capital with a tour of the “Upper Town” and its historic palaces.
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The West (Morondava/Kirindy/Tsingy): Fly west for the Baobabs and the limestone “forests” of the Tsingy.
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Mauritius: A regional flight to the heart of the Indian Ocean for tropical relaxation and botanical exploration.
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Seychelles: Conclude the journey in the archipelago of 115 islands, focusing on island-hopping and unique granite-bound coastlines.
Day 1 – Fly to Antananarivo
Today you will start your Madagascar adventure by flying to Antananarivo’s Ivato International Airport.
See more about day 1
Day 2 – Arrival → Antananarivo
‘’Manao ahoana’’ & ‘’Salama’’ Welcome to tropical paradise. You will be welcomed & greeted by your guide or representative on arrival at Antananarivo Ivato International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo. The travel time will be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the road traffic.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 2
Day 3 – Antananarivo → Antsirabe
After an early breakfast you will travel to Antsirabe, the travel time will be approximately 3 hours.
Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar situated in the high altitude (about 1,500m). The cool temperatures in the high altitude are the reason why the Norwegian Missionaries chose this city in 1872. Antsirabe is the home of one of the award winning beers in Madagascar THB (Three Horses Beer). Its name means “where there is salt” honouring the large number of hot springs the town has, a fact that has given the city the nickname of “Malagasy Vichy”. The thermal baths had been long appreciated for their curative effects by the local population when French colonists decided to locate a thermal bath here in the 19th century.
Today you will take a pousse-pousse rickshaw tour of Antsirabe to discover this interesting city mixed with architectural styles of the colonial and evangelical past. In the European district, French cottage-style houses are built next to Scandinavian villas with English style gardens. The tree-lined avenues always give some freshness whenever the sun is too bright.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 3
Day 4 – Lake Tritiva
Today you will be visiting the emerald green Lake Tritriva, one of two volcanic lakes with legendary tales. The water level drops in the rainy season and rises in the dry season. Debris from the lake can be found down in a valley below, supporting a theory of existing underground channels. Lake Tritriva is situated near the village of Betafo. It is a typical highland village with red houses with red tiled roofs.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 4
Day 5- Miandrivazo → Kirindy
Today you will travel from Miandrivazo to Kirindy in the west. The west of Madagascar is known for its dry climate and deciduous forests as well as natural wonders. Morondava was the centre of the once powerful Sakalava Kingdom and today is a thriving rice growing area.
Kirindy is situated 50 kilometres northeast of the town of Morondava, it is a privately managed forest by a Swiss NGO dedicated to selective and sustainable logging (Centre de Formation Professionelle Forestière). At Kirindy Reserve you will take a walk to spot the nocturnal wildlife around 6pm as it offers the best wildlife spotting experience including Giant jumping rat, lemurs, chameleons and Fossa. You will be back for dinner around 8pm.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 5
Day 6 – Kirindy → Bekopaka
Today you will do a day walk at Kirindy. Kirindy comprises of one of the most outstanding and threatened wildlife habitats in Madagascar: the dry deciduous forest, whose extension has been reduced to 3 percent of their original extent. Dominated by majestic baobab trees and a forest canopy of 14 m altitude, this protected area of approximately 100 square kilometres is the only place where the world’s smallest known primate, the giant jumping rat, occurs. This animal can hop like a miniature kangaroo but is also seen walking on all four limbs.
Kirindy is the best place in Madagascar to observe Fossas, especially during the mating time between October and December. It is also home to seven species of lemur. The most common are the common brown lemurs and the Verreaux’s sifakas. The remaining species are nocturnal: the rare Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur and pygmy mouse-lemur, fork-crowned lemur, Gray mouse lemur, western fattailed dwarf lemur and red-tailed sportive lemur. Several bats, tenrecs, mongooses and rodents complete the mammal population. 40 birds, 50 reptile and 15 amphibian species are also found in this magnificent forest.
You will then travel to Bekopaka and en route you will try the best Malagasy food in Belo’s “Mad Zebu” Restaurant. Your total travel time to Bekopaka will be approximately 6-8 hours.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 6
Day 7 – Big Tsingy & Small Tsingy
After an early breakfast you will be trekking the Tsingy Bemaraha National Park or Grand Tsingy. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world. An extensive area of limestone massif has been eroded into impressive karst pinnacles. This geological wonder is a monument of karst limestone that comprises karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive ‘tsingy’ peaks and a ‘forest’ of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo River, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs.
You can trek the soft circuit with your guide. Tsingy Bemaraha is a treasure trove for nature lovers with a high rate of endemism and diversity. The scientists estimate that the general endemism of this park is 86.7% and the ecoregional one is 47%. 11 species of lemurs can be found here including Deken’s Shifakas, red-fronted brown lemur, Cleese’s woolly lemur and more. Five families of bats and 103 species of birds can be spotted. The index of the reptiles and amphibians is as large, as Bemaraha possesses 34 species that are all endemic. These are just a first taste of what can be discovered on this unique island.
After lunch you will trek the small Tsingy. Your guide will advise you about the different types of circuit.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 7
Day 8 – Manambolo River & Baobab Avenue
In the morning you will take a pirogue trip on the Manambolo River gorge. This river marks the entry way to the Tsingy. Crossing of the Manambolo River by dugout canoe showcases an array of landscapes, gorges and canyons. You will visit the caves where you can look out for the fish eagles, waterfowl, Humblot’s herons and purple herons.
After you will travel to Belo en route to Morondava’s “Alley of Baobabs or Avenue of the Baobabs’’. We will have lunch in Belo and continue our journey to the avenue of Baobabs. Travel time will be approximately 8 hours.
“Alley of Baobabs or Avenue of the Baobabs’’ is one of the Madagascar’s picture post card images. Baobabs (Grandidiers) are usually solitary trees, standing tall and proud in the midst of empty spaces. Yet in Baobab Alley, they cluster together forming an avenue of columns that border the dirty road. The Baobabs are tall trees with its massive trucks, crooked branches and furry fruit. Baobabs have adapted to the dry and hostile environment. The secret of the baobab’s success in surviving in harsh environments and the reason for its massive trunk is that it has little wood fibre but a large water storage capacity. Each tree can hold up to 300 litres of water, enabling it to live through long periods without rain. The life-cycle of these unique natural oddities is as impressive as their bulk – most live over 500 years.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 8
Day 9 – Fly to Antananarivo
Today you will take a flight to the capital of Antananarivo. Flight time is approximately an hour to Tana.
Antananarivo ‘City of Thousand Warriors‘ is the capital situated 1500 metres above sea level with a pleasant cool climate. It is known as ‘Tana’ by locals and it offers rich cultural and historical sites of the Merina people. After lunch you will explore the city in the upper town (“La Haute ville”), where you can find Palaces (the Queen’s Palace, the ancient Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony Palace and the ancient Justice Palace), cathedrals and the residential area of (mostly) ancient noblemen families. From here, visitors enjoy a pleasant perspective of the city below far away from the bustling downtown. This is a great place to purchase last-minute souvenirs.
In the evening, witness the best sunset with Sundowner drinks. It is the best place to say “cheers” to a great trip around Madagascar with a glass of wine, a beautiful view of Antananarivo and to look back at the great memories you have made.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
See more about day 9
Day 10 – Fly to Mauritius
In the morning if you like you can do shopping to buy souvenirs or explore the city.
Depending on your flight time you will travel to the airport to fly to Mauritius. Travel to the airport takes about an hour depending on the traffic.
Upon arrival at Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, you will be met by our
representative and transferred to your hotel.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 10
Day 11 & 12 – Island Seclusion at Paradise Cove
Experience the award-winning “You & Me” concept at the Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, an intimate sanctuary designed exclusively for adults. Tucked away on the northern coast of Mauritius, this boutique destination is the ultimate retreat for honeymooners and couples seeking a tranquil escape from the world.
During your stay, you can tailor your time between shared adventures and total relaxation:
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Intimate Spaces: Retreat to the “Love Nests”—private thatched kiosks perched on the water’s edge—perfect for watching the sunset over the northern islets.
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Active Leisure: Take advantage of a wide array of complimentary land and water sports, including glass-bottom boat trips, windsurfing, and pedal boats in the turquoise lagoon.
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The Peninsula: Explore the newly redesigned Peninsula area, featuring an infinity pool that overlooks the vibrant turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the iconic Coin de Mire.
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Signature Dining: Indulge in diverse culinary experiences, from fresh seafood at the Shore House to romantic dinners at the various “Indigo” themed venues scattered across the property.
Whether you are enjoying a side-by-side treatment at the Cinq Mondes Spa or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, these days are dedicated to celebrating your journey together in one of the island’s most romantic settings.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about days 11 & 12
Day 13 – Journey to the Archipelago of Eden – Seychelles
Enjoy a final, relaxed morning in Mauritius before your transition to the next chapter of your adventure. You will be met at your resort and transferred to the airport for your flight across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles.
Upon arrival at Mahé International Airport, an Earth Trip representative will be waiting to welcome you. You will be transferred to your boutique accommodation, where the dramatic granite peaks and turquoise waters of the Seychelles provide a breathtaking first impression of this island paradise.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 13
Day 14 & 15 – Pure Island Bliss in the Seychelles
These days are yours to spend at leisure in a destination synonymous with incomparable natural beauty. Located just south of the Equator, the Seychelles is a “jewel of the Indian Ocean” where vibrant tropical greenery meets the softest white-sand beaches on Earth.
Whether you are staying on the main island of Mahé or venturing to the surrounding isles, you can choose to simply unwind or explore the archipelago’s unique treasures:
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Pristine Shores: Relax on world-famous beaches where sculpted granite boulders meet the tide. If you are on La Digue, a visit to Anse Source d’Argent is a must.
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Ancient Forests: Discover the prehistoric palm forests of Vallée de Mai on Praslin, home to the legendary Coco de Mer.
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Marine Wonders: Dive into the protected waters of Sainte Anne Marine National Park for incredible snorkeling and sightings of sea turtles.
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Unspoiled Nature: Take a guided walk through the lush interior trails to spot endemic birdlife, such as the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, or visit the giant Aldabra tortoises at Curieuse Island.
These final days offer a serene conclusion to your journey, allowing you to soak in the untouched, tranquil beauty of one of the world’s most exclusive island retreats.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
See more about day 14 & 15
Day 16 – End of your tour
Today you will be transferred to Mahe airport for your flight back home.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
See more about day 16
FAQ
1. When is the best time to book this three-island holiday?
Answer: The ideal window for this itinerary is the dry season from April to November. Because Madagascar’s Western region (the Tsingy and Baobabs) is inaccessible during the rainy and cyclone season (December–March), we only operate this specific combination during the drier months. Booking 6–9 months in advance is recommended to secure the best boutique lodges in Madagascar and the premier resorts in Mauritius and Seychelles.
2. How do the flights work between Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles?
Answer: We handle all the complex regional flight logistics for you. Typically, you will fly from Antananarivo (Madagascar) to Mauritius, and then take a direct or connecting flight to Mahé (Seychelles). Our team coordinates these private transfers and regional connections to ensure a seamless transition from the rugged adventures of the “Red Island” to the tropical luxury of the other archipelagos.
3. Do I need different visas for each of these Indian Ocean islands?
Answer: Yes, visa requirements vary. Madagascar requires a tourist visa (available online or on arrival for many nationalities). Mauritius and the Seychelles are generally visa-free for UK and EU passport holders for short stays, but you must complete mandatory digital entry forms (like the Seychelles Travel Authorization) prior to arrival. Our specialists provide a full visa guide tailored to your nationality upon booking.
4. What is the difference between the wildlife in Madagascar and the Seychelles?
Answer: The wildlife experiences are completely different! Madagascar is the “Eighth Continent,” where you will track lemurs, Fossas, and rare chameleons in the wild. The Seychelles offers a unique “Prehistoric” wildlife experience, where you can encounter Giant Aldabra tortoises and rare birds like the Seychelles Black Parrot. Mauritius focuses more on marine life and botanical beauty, making this a truly diverse biological journey.
5. Can this 16-day itinerary be extended or personalized?
Answer: Absolutely. While 16 days is the ideal duration to cover the highlights, many of our travelers choose to add extra nights in the Seychelles for a “private island” experience or extend their time in Madagascar to visit the rainforests of Andasibe. As a bespoke travel company, we can “flip” the order of the islands or upgrade your accommodations to suit a honeymoon or special anniversary.
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Madagascar, Mauritius & Seychelles Multi-Island Holiday 2026 & 2027