Expedition Blue Lagoon

INCLUDES:

• Transfers between Maroantsetra and Masoala Forest Lodge

• Accommodation and activities per suggested itinerary

• All non-alcoholic drinks and Masoala Forest Lodge’s homemade flavored rums

• All meals

• Laundry

• Emergency medical evacuation to Maroantsetra

EXCLUDES:

• International flights and departure taxes

• Air transfers between Antananarivo and Maroantsetra

• Excess weight charges

• Visas

• Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)

• Emergency medical evacuation to Antananarivo

• Gratuities

• Any additional purchases

Board your scheduled charter from Antananarivo to the small coastal trading town of Maroantsetra.

Hop on the road transfer to the harbour, and boat across Antongil Bay to Masoala Forest Lodge.

Meet your guide and the lodge managers, and settle into camp.

Enjoy the sunset with a drink at the beach fire, followed by dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast, head to the primary forest in search of red-ruffed lemurs, helmet vangas and an array of other rainforest wildlife.

After lunch, enjoy snorkelling and swimming in front of the camp, and then, later, the adventure of a forest night walk.

Snorkel the reefs at Tooth Rock near the lodge in the morning. In the afternoon, enjoy a coastal walk to the Tampolo River and take the traditional dugout canoe up the river.

Here, you have a good chance of spotting northern bamboo lemur, nelicourvi weaver and various kingfishers. You will also encounter the unique scenery of mangroves and volcanic rock formations, and enjoy the magical silence on the river.

This morning we load the expedition boat and travel 40km south to Cap Masoala, the very tip of the peninsula.

After lunch and settling into Crusoe’s Cabin, you'll explore the “Blue Lagoon” of the Ambodilaitry Masoala Marine Reserve. Expect bright white beaches, waving coconut palms and impossibly azure waters.

Paddle the kayaks offshore to the nearby island of Nosy Behento.

Here, you'll visit a secret snorkelling spot and take a short walk through the tropical vegetation to an abandoned old lighthouse.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on a hidden beach before kayaking back to the mainland.

Today, we suggest visiting Ville Masoala which has a lively port where the fishermen searching for the catch of the day prepare their nets. If you see a fish you would like for dinner, feel free to purchase it and bring it to your chef, who will prepare it for you at Crusoe’s Cabin.

Spend the afternoon either kayaking, snorkelling, on the beach, in the reserve in search of wildlife, or simply reading a book.

After dinner, we recommend doing a night walk, which may reveal new lemur species for the trip.

Today, we enjoy a full-day outing on the Blue Lagoon; snorkelling, swimming, and exploring the Sacred Point and the island of Nosy Nepato. This will likely involve interactions with the small population of Malagasy fishermen living in this remote location.

A night walk after dinner may reveal new lemur species for the trip.

After breakfast and a swim, we return north along the coast.

Back in the comfort of Masoala Forest Lodge, enjoy a walk in the private reserve and a massage in the afternoon.

Meet the new guests at the campfire.

The primary forest beckons again today, with another chance to see red-ruffed lemur, white-fronted brown lemur, short-legged ground roller and a number of vanga species in amongst the giant hardwoods of the rainforest.

Take a short walk to visit the Betsimisaraka people. We will stop by the Masoala preschool before continuing to the local village of Ambodiforaha.

Here we interact with the villagers, learn about their lifestyle and culture, and enjoy a performance by the local dance group.

A spice market with local crafts completes the experience.

Today, after a leisurely breakfast, we head back by boat to Maroantsetra to catch your scheduled charter flight to Antananarivo and your onward travel arrangements.