MADAGASCAR TRAIL - MADAGASCAR

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We start our horse riding holiday in Madagascar in the rainforest, observing the lemurs and listening to their magical song in the morning. On this portion we use thoroughbred and cross horses and stay in a good lodge. Next we embark on a 7 day riding safari across the savannah to the remote geographical centre of Madagascar. Here we ride native local horses and our accommodation is in small local hotels and includes 4 night under canvas. This riding holiday gives riders the chance to appreciate the abundance of rare and exotic species many of which are only to be found in Madagascar and get very far off the beaten track. Riding terrain includes rainforests, volcanic regions with crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and traditional villages. There is no better way to get to know the gentle and welcoming Malagasy people.

The October trip will be escorted by David Smith with Christina Dodwell being on hand to share her stories from time to time. 

Trip length 11 days / 10 nights Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010 October: double pp £1,999/€2,405/$3,085 Departure dates 2010: 21 - 31 May; 30 May - 9 June 3-14 October; 13-25 October Approximate riding time per day 5 hrs, mainly in the morning Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter. Group size 4 - 8 Meeting point (getting there) Tana airport (TNR) Transfer Included from meeting point (Air France flights only). Other transfers can be arranged for £25 each way. Flight guide London - Tana return from £755 Single supplement detailed prices No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: please enquire

SAMPLE ITINERARY - MADAGASCAR TRAIL

Day 1
Arrive Tana in the late evening (Air France), welcome by Dodwell staff and transport. Overnight in Tana at hotel. If arriving earleir we highly recommend the Sakamanga Restaurant just round the corner from your hotel for a good meal and great ambience.

Day 2
Breakfast early in the morning and we pack a light bag for the rainforest trip, our camping gear remaining at the hotel. We head off to do any banking/last minute shopping we need to before setting off at 9am. We stop at Moramange for a lunch and take some time to admire this lproperous little mining town, perhaps buying some citrine stones from street dealers before continuing to Andasibe.
Settle into our lodge and head off to visit the rescued lemurs on Lemur Island - one of the highlights of the trip. This is followed by a visit to Andasibe village where we are introduced to a local radio station owner. He runs his radio station from his bedroom in his parents modest home. We are invited in to look and discuss the project which aims to educate local people about the precious resources of the rainforest. Dinner then a guided night walk in the jungle to find more lemurs and other fascinating creatures.

Day 3
Early start for a morning ride in rain forest on some beautiful Thoroughbred type horses. Brunch and return to Tana, with a tea stop in Moramanga to try some of the delicous pastries and cakes. Overnight in Tana at hotel, dinner is not included tonight and you are free to choose from the many good restaurants in strolling distance of your hotel. If you've not alrady tried it we recommend Sakamanga.

Day 4
We pick up our camping gear at the hotel and head off to Ampefy. En route we visit a Dodwell Trust project aiming to reforest parts of Madagascar with native Tapia trees whch house wild silkworms. Here we are invited for tea in the project managers house. In Ampefy we have a quick lunch before heading to see the horses at the Dodwell learning centre. Here we choose horses, check tack and take a short trial ride. Overnight in Ampefy in hotel right on the shore the huge Lake Itasy.

Day 5
Today we set off on the safari riding through villages along tracks and over fields. We encounter the fist of amny ox carts, the local fornm of transport. Once away from the town very quickly life is lived as it was in medieval times. Only the wealthiest of villages have electricity. Towards lunchtime we find our camping spot on the shores of a picturesque river and beside a small village. After lunch we can relax in the sun or head off to a nearby waterfall with a boiling cauldron (by 4WD). Dinner and our first night under canvas. 

Day 6
Today we head for the town of Souvnandrino and just beyond to a coffee plantation. En route we ride through areas where the local population has only seen westerners on our first exploratory. The Malagasy people are as fascinated by us as we are by them! On our morning snack break we have something to explore for on the October ride...Overnight at the coffee platation wtih a fascinating tour followed by coffee tasting.

Day 7
Today we start off uphill descending with panoramic views to massive rice paddies (rice is the staple food in Madagascar). Again we feel like rock stars as crowds stream out to see us from the local villages. In October we will explore a slightly different route here which takes us to overnight at the historic Kings' Tomb on a volcanic outcrop above Lake Itasy. Our second night camping.

Day 8
Today we ride along the shores of the beautiful Lake Itasy wtih marvelous views, watching vilalgers fish in traditional pirogues. We stop to camp beside a deep crater lake. With luck the local children will come to sing for us round the campfire tonight.

Day 9
Today we head out early - a slightly different route will be tried and we wish to arrive early as our destination at the geysers where a warm welcome awaits us in the thermal pools! The afternon is free to swim/sun/relax in this beautiful spot. Our last night camping.

Day 10
Today we ride back to Ampefy via long dusty raods wtih space for good canters. We enjoy our sandwich lunch at a spectacular waterfall en route. A chance to visit the art galelry in Ampefy for some shopping then showers. Before heading for dinner we hold a "thank you" ceremony for all the ggrooms and staff where each is individually recognized and thanked and if wished any tips or gifts can be given (not compulsory!)

Day 11
In the morning after breakfast we travel back to Tana (4hrs). In the afternoon we can shop at La Digue market a great source for local handicrafts such as woven baskets, traditional silk scarves, Zebu horns adn trinkets made from those, Malagasy spices including vanilla and many more. You can have a huge amount of fun with £30! For those flying Air France they operate a second bag free policy...
Last dinner (at Sakamanga?) before transfer to airport for midnight departure. 

Day 12
Arrive in London.

NB For the 13 October 2010 departure there will be one extra night in Tana to tie on with the Air France schedule. the cost for this (B&B) is £38 and this will be added onto the 13 Otober invoice (see detaqiled prices). It is possible to make alternativeTarrangements to fly back either as scheduled wtih Air Madagaascar/Air Mauritius or Air Kenya or possibly even one day early wtih Air France. In this case the extra £38 will not be invoiced but a reasonable charge will be made for a special airport transfer separate from the group.

Optional extensions
Extensions are available on Isle Ste Marie (an idyllic coral island in the Indian Ocean off the mainland, great for snorkling coral reefs or relaxing) or to visit the Tsingy. Please enquire for Tsingy option.

For Ste Marie Island extension (cost about £500 in 2010):

Day 11
In the morning fly to Ste Marie, transfer to accommodation. Options include basic beach bungalows at Atafana or a nice lodge La Crique.

Day 12
Overnight in Ste Marie

Day 13
Overnight in Ste Marie

Day 14
Ste Marie, fly back to Tana in the morning/afternoon, shopping and flight back to Europe at midnight/1am. If you are flying to Europe the saem day as leaving Isle Ste marie it is wise to do so only on a day with 2 flights in case one is cancelled - this happens from time to time with bad weather. For mroe certainty take the afternoon flight back to Tana the day before leaving to Europe.


Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

NOTES - MADAGASCAR TRAIL

ABOUT THE TRIP
Madagascar is famous for the diversity of plant and animal species found there, 70% of which are found nowhere else. Gerald Durrell was one of the first to bring the world's attention to Madagascar. The diversity of its habitats are due to its total isolation as an island a fair way off the mainland of the already poor continent of Africa. No-one simply passes through Madagascar and precious few come specially to visit.

This geographical isolation also goes a long way to explaining the poverty and unchanged way of living of the people. The Malagasy people live life much as they have done for centuries and are guided by innumerable superstitions and beliefs which vary from one village to another. Once one steps 50 yards off a road (which is likely to be a remote dirt track), one could be back in medieval times. Oxen are commonly used for transport and ploughing fields. There are very few roads and even these are impassable for large parts of the year. The majority of this vast country is served only by tracks. There are some native horses in Madagascar mainly used for transport. This trail will allow us to see village life as we could in no other way.

FOLLOWING THE INAUGURAL RIDE
In May/June 2010 Wendy Hofstee, veterinary surgeon and founder of Unicorn Trails and Christina Dodwell, well known explorer, author, broadcaster and founder of the Dodwell Trust, both Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and members of the Long Riders Guild, pioneered a horseback trail to the wild and remote centre of Madagascar. They were accompanied by a brave band of explorers who rode days of up to 10hrs and were reqarded by being the first westerners many villagers had ever seen. Riding through rainforests, volcanic regions with crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and traditional villages, the expedition pioneered (by the second round) a beautiful and sustainnable route whcih show cases some of the best scenery and remote villages of Madagascar.

While the trail has been roughly set, some improvements to the route and logistics will continue to be made through the October 2010 trails. Christina Dodwell will continue her presence, which as anyone who knows CHristina will realise, means an adventure! This is not yet the faultless smooth luxury that other African safaris offer and will continue to be for riders of an adventurous and flexible nature. These trails will help the develop sustainable ecotourism, create employment and improve the living standards of people and horses in the region. Tours will continue to support Dodwell trust projects.

ABOUT CHRISTINA DODWELL

Christina Dodwell
Born in Nigeria Christina became known as an explorer after her 3-year journey in Africa 1975 - 1978. This was followed by 2 years visiting remote tribes in Papua New Guinea and many other journeys spanning 20 years. She was awarded the Mungo Park Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 1989.
Christina is listed in Debretts' People of Today and Who's Who. She has written 9 books which have been translated into 5 languages. She has made 3 television films and over 40 radio documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 – several have received distinguished merit awards.
She has given lectures at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, the Explorers Club in New York, the Royal Geographical Society in London, and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in Edinburgh.
For 15 years she worked as Senior Attaché for the Consulate of Madagascar in London, and 12 years ago she founded The Dodwell Trust, a charity dedicated to the country and people of Madagascar.

Unicorn Trails is a long standing advocate of responsible travel and is well known for supporting community and eco-tourism projects. Ms Hofstee uses her veterinary background to ensure tourism income benefits local communities and feeds through to improved condition of horses in tourism. We are very proud to be able to work with the Dodwell Trust to promote sustainable tourism in Madagascar. Please visit http://www.unicorntrails.com/More/ResponsibleTravel.html for more details.

The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers from set flights, all accommodation, full board, all riding, tack, services of guide and camp staff and cook and £150 donation to the Dodwell trust.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, gratuities, items of a personal nature, lunches and dinners in Antananarivo (Tana), drinks in hotels, Madagascar entry visa.


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