Madagascar cultural tour: a week on Nosy Be

The tour

This week on Nosy Be immerses you in Malagasy life, mixing cultural visits with time in nature. It starts with the essentials: local etiquette, the country’s history and a few basic Malagasy phrases, so you can chat with people from the very first days.

You then explore the streets of Hell-Ville, head up Mount Passot for views across the island, learn to cook Malagasy dishes, hear the legend of the sacred tree and visit an ylang-ylang museum and distillery. There is a meeting with lemurs at a sanctuary, dance and traditional make-up sessions, a marine museum, a hike to a waterfall, and finally a day on the island of Nosy Komba with a picnic lunch.

It suits adults and families who want to get close to Madagascar’s culture and people, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

What makes it different

Malagasy phrases from day one
Lemurs at a sanctuary
Cooking, dance and traditional make-up sessions
Views over Nosy Be from Mount Passot
A day and picnic on the island of Nosy Komba

Day by day

Monday: Hell-Ville and Mount Passot

A welcome meeting (house rules, health and safety), then a session on Malagasy etiquette, history and basic phrases. A guided tour of Hell-Ville, lunch at the accommodation and a visit to Mount Passot.

Tuesday: Cooking and the sacred tree

A hands-on Malagasy cooking class, lunch included, then a visit to the sacred tree and its legend.

Wednesday: Ylang-ylang and lemurs

The ylang-ylang museum and distillery, a meeting with Madagascar’s lemurs, lunch at the accommodation, then dance and traditional make-up sessions.

Thursday: The sea and a waterfall

The Marine Museum and Madagascar’s marine life, lunch at the accommodation, then a hike to a waterfall on Nosy Be.

Friday: Nosy Komba

A day on the island of Nosy Komba, with a picnic lunch surrounded by nature.

The programme may change depending on the weather and local conditions.

On site

Accommodation

Accommodation in a shared house on Nosy Be for the whole week.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at the accommodation every day; lunch at the accommodation or while out (during the cooking class, and a picnic on Nosy Komba).

Arrival

Airport pick-up and transfer to the accommodation are included; the return transfer is not. The programme starts on Monday morning.

Included

Airport welcome and transfer
Accommodation in a shared house
Meals
All activities in the programme
24/7 support and supervision
A donation to the local project

Not included

Flights
Travel and repatriation insurance
Return transfer

Cultural tour in Madagascar