Discovery · Nature · Family or group
Vanilla Trails: Secrets of the Scented Forests – Exploration and Immersion in Nature
Follow vanilla from plantation to plate in the SAVA region, glide by canoe along the Bemarivo River, then admire the colours of Green Lake before meeting the rare golden-crowned sifaka of Daraina.
- 6 days
- North East (SAVA) & North
- Quote within 48 h
At a glance
Trip highlights
- Vanilla revealed: the Vanilla Museum and Ambohimanitra Estate, from growing to processing
- The Loky-Manambato Reserve and the rare golden-crowned sifaka, found only in the Daraina region
- A canoe ride along the Bemarivo River, with a picnic lunch on board
- A motorbike ride through the vast Soavoanio coconut plantation
- The famous Green Lake, a peaceful setting of incredible colours
- Flavours of the North East: a traditional Betsimisaraka dish and a vanilla-scented lunch
- An extension to Diego Suarez and the Emerald Sea, or to Nosy Be, the island of scents
Your route
- Antananarivo
- Sambava
- Antalaha
- Vohémar
- Daraina
- Ambilobe
- Diego Suarez or Nosy Be
Flight from Antananarivo to Sambava, then travel by road, with canoe and motorbike rides on some excursions.
Day by day
The itinerary
A 6-day itinerary that can be fully tailored: every stage can be adapted to your pace and wishes.
Day 01
Antananarivo – Sambava – School Garden
Flight from Antananarivo to Sambava
Arrival in Sambava and transfer to your hotel. Once settled in, we set off for the School Garden, a peaceful eco-site just outside the town, where lunch is a traditional Betsimisaraka dish made with local ingredients.
In the afternoon, a short hike through the hills offers a stunning view over Sambava. We then visit Antsiraka Lodge and cross Lake Antohomaro before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Sambava
Day 02
Sambava – Vanilla Museum – Ambohimanitra Estate – Antalaha
After breakfast, we visit the Vanilla Museum to learn about local growing techniques. We continue to Ambohimanitra Estate to see how vanilla is grown and processed; lunch, taken on site, features a dish delicately flavoured with vanilla.
The afternoon leaves time to explore the plantations and the nature around them. We then head to Antalaha for a short tour of the town.
Overnight in Antalaha
Vanilla
Day 03
Antalaha – Sambava – Bemarivo River
We return to Sambava and check in at the hotel, then head to the village of Nosiarina to visit the Vola Maitso plantation.
Next, we set off on a peaceful canoe ride along the Bemarivo River, surrounded by lush tropical greenery, with a picnic lunch served on board.
A short walk and a motorbike ride take us through the vast Soavoanio coconut plantation, before one last canoe crossing brings us back to Sambava.
Overnight in Sambava
Day 04
Sambava – Vohémar – Green Lake
About 3.5 hours by road
After breakfast, we drive to Vohémar, where we check in at the hotel and have lunch on arrival.
In the afternoon, we explore the famous Green Lake, renowned for its peaceful setting and incredible colours.
Overnight in Vohémar
Day 05
Vohémar – Plaideau village – Daraina – Ambilobe
An early start takes us to the village of Plaideau and its spectacular views, then on to Daraina to visit the Loky-Manambato Reserve.
Here we meet the golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli), a rare lemur found only in this region.
We have lunch at the Lémurien Blanc, a charming local stop, before making our way to Ambilobe at a leisurely pace in the afternoon.
Day 06
Ambilobe – extension to Diego Suarez or Nosy Be
After breakfast, the journey continues to whichever of these two destinations you choose.
- Diego Suarez, to the north, between the Emerald Sea and the red hills
- Nosy Be, the island of scents and turquoise waters
Diego Suarez · Nosy Be
Clear and simple
What the price includes
The price includes
- What the price includes is set out in your personalised quote
The price does not include
- Any service not specified in your quote
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Vanilla Trails: Secrets of the Scented Forests
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