INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
A cultural tour of Madagascar, Comoro, Mayotte, Mauritius, Rodriguez, Reunion & Seychelles

The Indian Ocean is home to a large variety of fascinating islands each of which is inhabited by peoples from Asia, Africa and Europe. This vivid mix of cultures is exemplified in the unique and truly delicious cuisine found on these islands. In addition to the fascinating flora, fauna, green forest and culture you also enjoy spectacular scenery, friendly people, arts and crafts and of course for those who love the beach it is silver sanded alongside the rich blue Indian Ocean.

Day 1 Antananarivo (Madagascar)
Antananarivo, the capital of the large island of Madagascar, is ideally connected with many cities including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Paris, Seychelles, Mauritius, etc. Upon arrival at Antananarivo, we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Palissandre Hotel, Antananarivo (2 nights)

Day 02: Antananarivo
We start our exciting and unique Indian Ocean odyssey with an excursion to Andasibe visiting the "Reservation Alamazaotra". This reserve of 810 habitants portrays the characteristics of a humid tropical forest. Preferred by nature lovers, the reserve is home to exceptional fauna and flora such as the giant fern trees and the Indri, the largest Lemurian. Next we visit the private reserves of the Vakona Lodge. Here we see the Lemurians, birds, reptiles and orchids. Later we return to Antananarivo for a short tour of the city. (B)

Day 03 Antananarivo Maroni (Great Comoro Island)
A short flight gets us to Maroni Comoros Island where we are met and transferred to our hotel ret o the day free to enjoy the town the history here shows the many settlers including the Malagasy tribes, the Malayo-Polynesians, Arabs, Persians, Europeans, etc.
Overnight: Hotel des Arcades Comoro Island (2nights) (B)

Day 04 Maroni
Today we tour the Grande Comoros island. The culture here reflects the ethnic diversity, history, politics, music, dance, food, drink, arts, sports and international influences in the region. (B)

Day 05 Maroni / Dzaoudzi Mayotte Island
Transfer to the airport for our flight from Maroni to Dzaoudzi where upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Here with the 18 hectares of tropical garden, one will discover the beautiful flora of Mayotte as well as its huge baobab trees on the beach. This is a well-known place where one can swim amongst the turtles, play with the green monkeys and take time to enjoy the serene sea. The hotel is situated in the south of the island, right on the beautiful N'Gouja beach.
Overnight: Jardin Maore, Mayotte (2nights) (B)

Day 06 Mayotte
The day is dedicated to seeing more of Mayotte and its people. We start with a tour of this island known for its friendly people and scenic sites. We start with a visit to "musical plage" to have a look at the largest Baobab tree on the Island. We will also discover the dense tropical forest in the heart of the Island, have a look at the Ylang-Ylang Plantation and then the "Jardin Maore". Here we will be able to watch the friendly Lemurian colony living in the garden of the Hotel and get yet another opportunity to swim with the turtles. (B)

Day 07 Mayotte / Nosy Be (Madagascar) flight
Another short flight from Mayotte Island and you arrive at a completely different world, Nosy Be in the northern tip of Madagascar. Upon arrival at this small airport you are met and transferred to our hotel
Overnight: Nosy Be Hotel, Nosy Be (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 08 Nosy Be
The Nosy Be area is famous for its natural beauty and today is spent exploring the sites. You start with a day excursion of Lokobe, a typical fishing village situated in the middle of an Ylang-Ylang Plantation in the south east part of the town. From here, we take a short boat trip by a Pirogue crossing to the Beach of Lokobe (only reachable by boat). Here we take an easy-guided walking tour in the tropical forest to discover the fascinating fauna and flora, while searching for lemurians, chameleons, boas and much more. At Fisher's village gives us an opportunity to meet the local folks. (B, D)

Day 09 Nosey Be / Plaisance (Mauritius)
Today we head for the well-known island of Mauritius. The flight from Nosy Be will take us first to Antananarivo to connect with the international flight to Plaisance International Airport in the island of Mauritius.
Overnight: Preskil Beach, Mahe (2nights) (B, D)

Day 10 Mauritius
Today we'll be taken by our guide on a trip covering the Island of Mauritius. We learn about the history of Mauritius, the variety of people and their origins, their mixed culture and languages. We'll have several stops, including lunch by the sea to explore the natural beauty of this superb place. (B, D)

Day 11 Mauritius / Rodrigues Island (flight)
It is now time to visit the last Island on our hopping tour of the India Ocean Islands. A short flight gets us to Rodrigues where we are met and transferred to our hotel. After independent exploring, we are in for a treat as we join the locals for a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight: Mourok Ebony, Rodrigues (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 12 Rodrigues Island
Visitors have always been impressed by the unique lifestyle: a charming combination of simplicity, friendliness and hospitality. Rodrigues is home to several species of endemic tropical flora and fauna. It is the ideal and unspoilt environment for the nature lover seeking peace and tranquility. We will attempt to discover this and a lot more in our tour of Rodrigues today. (B, D)

Day 13 Rodrigues / Reunion Island, Mauritius
We take a short flight from Rodrigues to Reunion Island. Upon arrival at Reunion, we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Boucan Canot, Reunion Island (2 nights) (B)

Day 14 Reunion Island
Morning we start off with a day excursion to Cilaos. Surrounded by mountains, Cilaos is well known as a mountain resort with its hot spring spa. We drive via a picturesque road awed by impressive landscapes on the paths that used to be taken by the sedan chairs. A short walk to La Roche Merveilleuse takes us to a lookout over the whole valley, before stopping at the hot spas. In the traditional place of Cilaos, native people make famous embroideries, typical wine, and grow lentils. In the afternoon we return to Saint Gilles les bains, Reunion Island's little "Saint Tropez" then head back to the Hotel. (B)

Day 15 Reunion Island / Victoria, Mahe’ Island, Seychelles
Day free we are free till the transfer for our flight to the Mahe Island, in the Seychelles. Upon arrival at Mahe Island we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Marina Wharf Apartment, (1 night) (B)

Day 16 Mahe Island / Praslin (flight)
Upon arrival at Praslin we are warmly received, island style, and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel L’ Archiprl, Praslin Island (3nights) (B)

Day 17: La Digue / Praslin
Board a traditional schooner for a brief journey to La Digue (the fourth largest island) with its spectacular formations of granite boulders. An ox-cart ride on La Digue to L’Union Estate to visit copra sheds, Giant land tortoise pen and an old colonial house. Marvel at the sight of the most beautiful beach of Seychelles – Anse Source d’Argent over a typical Creole lunch. We have some time to spend sunbathing or swimming in the midst of this paradise on Earth. (B)

Day 18 Praslin
Morning tour of Praslin, a very popular island. We visit the Vallée de Mai World Heritage site; an extraordinary primeval forest home to the famous Coco de Mer palm - the largest nut in the world. (B)

Day 19 departure
After an exciting visit of the Indian Ocean Islands we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight or we continue adding more island visits as given below. (B)

OPTIONAL TOURS:

1. Desroches Island, Amirantes
(post tour from Mahe Seychelles only)

Day 01 Arrive Desroches Island, Amirantes
Upon arrival at the Desroches Island part of Amirantes Islands group, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Along with the remaining Amirante Islands, Desroches had been a part of the Seychelles since it became a separate colony in 1909. On November 8, 1965, the United Kingdom split Desroches from the Seychelles to become part of the newly created British Indian Ocean Territory together with Farquhar, Aldabra and the Chagos Archipelago, but returned it to the Seychelles with the first two.The purpose was to allow the construction of military facilities for the mutual benefit of the United Kingdom and the United States. On June 23, 1976, Desroches was returned to Seychelles as a result of it attaining independence.
Overnight: Desroches Lodge (2 night) (B, L, D)

Day 02 Desroches Island, Seychelle
Île Desroches or Desroches Island is the main island of the Amirante Islands, part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. Day is free to enjoy this beautiful island. (B, L, D)

Day 03 Desroches / departure
You are transferred to the airport for your departure flight to Mahe. (B)

2. Zanzibar & Pemba (pre & post tour)

Day 01 Arrive Zanzibar, Tanzania
Upon arrival at the island of Unguja (Zanzibar) we are met and transferred to our hotel. Time has stood still in this island and we have free time to enjoy seeing this unique town.
Overnight: Zanzibar Palace Hotel, Stone Town (3 nights)

Day 02 Zanzibar
Today is a full day tour of the island beginning with the House of Wonder – the Zanzibar Museum. From here we proceed to the deposed Sultan’s Palace, Livingstone House and Market (opened 1904), the local market followed by the Anglican Church, which was built in 1873 on the site of the old slave market, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our afternoon tour takes us to the spice farms with its delightful fragrances and tastes of spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cacao and cloves. We see rural Zanzibar where tropical fruits such as jack fruit, custard, apple, rambutan, carambola and duriyan can be seen and tasted. (B)

Day 03 Zanzibar / Pemba
We take a short flight to Pemba Island on arrival we are transferred to our hotel. Afternoon, we tour Pemba Island which is a part of the Zanzibar portion of the union that formed Tanzania.
Overnight: Fundu Lagoon hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04 Pemba / Zanzibar and departure
After an unforgettable journey through time, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Zanzibar from where we take our flight to the other Islands in the Indian Ocean or take our flight home. (B)

Other Islands:
Besides the Islands mentioned in the above itinerary, there are other Islands in the Indian Ocean along the East-Southern African and the coast off India where we can also arrange services for you. For details please contact us.

Departure Dates
2012 (ex Antananarivo) English Speaking Departures May 05 & Nov 03
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Meals – as mentioned in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers by AC vehicles Services of local English speaking guides Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary International airfares Inter-island (Approximate US$3950. Subject to class & avability) Insurance / Visas Tips / gratuities
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 Main Tour (Days 1-19) US $ 7550 US $ 2050 Optional 1 Desroches Island, Amirantes US $ 2650 US $ 890 Optional 2 Zanzibar & Pemba US $ 1790 US $ 300 Note: Optional 1 include private air transfer to and from Desroches Island
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1800 USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast US $ 1700 USA - East Coast US $ 1500
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.