Detailed Trip Notes
Suitability
Suitability
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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Tour Itinerary
Budgeting for your Tour
Other Sightseeing & Activites
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Excursion Prices
All sightseeing is dependent on the group size.
Andasibe - Nocturnal walk £5. Dawn Birdwatching £5. Extra Park or village walk £3. Private Reserve £5
Ranomafana - Bird walk approx £3-5 depending on numbers. Optional Forest walk £3
Anakao - Snorkelling £15, piroque to Nosy Ve £15
Toliara - Arboreteum £10, Spiney Forest Walk £15 (depending on numbers).
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Payment Method
The majority of optionals can be paid for in cash. Please check with your tour leader for the most up-to-date information in this regard. Please note that any credit card transactions may attract an approximate rate of 5% per transaction.
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Tipping
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Accordingly, you should allow approx. £35 for tipping.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Foreign Exchange
Local Currency: Malagasy Ariary.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: We recommend taking most of your money in GBP, US Dollars or Euro cash, which can be changed into Malagasy Ariary at Tana airport. We strongly recommend that you change the money needed for the tour on arrival at the airport, as it will be difficult to do it during the trip due to the remoteness of the areas we visit and the tight schedule of our trip. Your Tour Leader will be able to assist you and advise the approximate amount needed to cover your extra expenses.
Please note that US$100 bills are not accepted and credit cards are rarely accepted.
Where to Exchange: Limited to Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Fianarantsoa. Your tour leader will advise on arrival.
ATM Availability: Antananarivo only, but ATMs cannot be relied upon.
Credit Card Acceptance: Very limited in Antananarivo and not to be relied upon.
Travellers Cheques: You can take some travellers cheques in case of emergency if you wish to do so, though note that they are extremely difficult to exchange.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Costs
| |
UK |
Madagascar |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.70 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£1.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£7.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£12.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£7.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Passport Requirements
Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Madagascar. You should have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival.
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Visa Requirements
An entry visa is required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN. citizens. It is possible to get a visa on arrival valid for 30 days. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A plus Polio and diptheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
Yellow Fever : Please note that as you transit through Kenya you will be required to have a current Yellow Fever certificate. If you cannot produce a certificate you will be required to visit the Institut Pasteur in Antananarivo on arrival to be vaccinated.
Following the advice given by the Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we strongly recommend the wearing long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellent as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
The climate is tropical, but cooler in the highlands (dropping as low as 5°C at night in July/August in Antananarivo and Andasibe). The dry season is March to October continuing into November in most areas. The east coast is best March-May and September-November, January-March is cyclone season. The south west area is hot, dry and semi-arid. March-April is the best time for flowers and reptiles. November (spring) is generally the best time for wildlife and birds, but lemurs can be viewed all year round.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One kitbag/rucksack or old but sturdy suitcase (luggage travels on the roof rack during the day) and a daysac. You will also need a smaller overnight bag for Anakao.Total weight allowance 15kgs/33lbs maximum per person.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack for ‘All Tours’ plus ‘Hot Conditions’. Clothing should be lightweight, but a warm sweater or jacket is advisable as nights at altitude and under desert conditions can be very cold (>10°C), even in summer and especially in July to September. Rainwear is highly recommended on all tours for the occasional shower. Warmer layers will be required during the winter months. Don’t forget your swimwear.
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Footwear
Lightweight walking boots/shoes and trainers or sandals.
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Equipment
Take a strong torch for nocturnal wildlife walks, a water bottle, camera film (and spare batteries), binoculars and a beach towel and swimming costume. Rain proof pants are very handy for walks in the rainforest. Walking poles maybe useful in Ranomafana NP and Andasibe.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
The trip includes a number of walks in the national parks to view lemurs and some other remarkable wildlife. As wildlife is unpredictable, we will try to track them and locate them in the rainforest and, depending on your level of fitness, you may find that some of these walks can be quite demanding, up and down hills. No previous experience is required but you should be in good health and reasonably fit.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
