If the changes in the following conditions have been clearly communicated in writing to the client before the conclusion of the contract and they are properly provided for in the program;
Any changes subsequent to the conclusion of the contract are subject to prior agreement of both the agency and the client, except as provided in the "impossibility of comply" clause.
These general conditions comply with the provisions of Decree-Law 61/2011 of May 6th, as amended by Decree-Law 199/2012 of August 24th.
The general conditions, which refer to an organized trip described in this program, along with the specific conditions provided to the client in the travel documentation at the time of booking, constitute the travel contract that binds the agency and the client.
The technical organization and sale of the activities included on this website are the responsibility of Papa-Léguas, a travel and tourism agency, with home office at Rua Manuel Assunção Mestre, nº22, 7780-199 Castro Verde, registered in the Commercial Registry Office of Lisbon with Taxpayer Identification Number 504163590. It has a share capital of €99,759.60 (ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty cents). Papa-Léguas is also registered with the National Registry of Travel Agents and Tourism Operators (RNAVT) nº2275 and the National Registry of Tourist Animation Agents (RNAT) nº67/2014.
At the time of registration the client must deposit 30% of the service price, paying the remaining 70% up to 21 days before the service begins. If the registration takes place 21 days or less before the service begins, the total price of the service must be paid at the time of registration. Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. reserves the right to cancel any booking that has not been paid for under the conditions mentioned above. Reservations are subject to the obtaining of a confirmation from suppliers for all services.
The prices of tours are presented per person and based on the occupation in a room shared by two people. The organizing agency will group clients who sign up individually for the same tour in pairs, by gender, and in chronological order of registration. Clients who are singled out must pay the respective individual supplement, when required by the service provider.
INFORMATION UNDER LAW N.º 144/2015 OF SEPTEMBER 8:
According to Law No. 144/2015 of September 8th, we inform that the customer may resort to the following Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution Entities:
i) Customer Authority of Travel and Tourism Agencies at provedorapavt.com;
ii) Arbitration Commission of Tourism in Portugal at turismodeportugal.pt;
iii) Or any of the entities indicated in the list provided by the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt, which we recommend consulting.
Complaints will only be considered if submitted in writing to the agency within a maximum period of 30 days after the completion of the services.
In the event of a complaint regarding non-compliance with contracted services, the customer may activate the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund provided for in DL 61/2011 of May 6, in its current wording, by submitting the respective complaint:
i) To the Customer Authority, as Papa-Léguas, Travel and Tourism Agency Ltd., is a member of the Customer Ombudsman for Travel and Tourism Agencies at www.provedorapavt.com. To benefit from this service, you must submit your written complaint within 20 business days after the end of the trip. Agencies are bound to comply promptly with any decisions issued by this entity.
ii) To Tourism of Portugal I.P. at www.turismodeportugal.pt within 30 days after: (i) the end of the trip; (ii) the cancellation of the trip attributable to the agency; (iii) the date of knowledge of the impossibility of its realization due to the agency; (iv) the closure of the establishment.
iii) To any of the entities listed on the website of the General Directorate for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt.
1) The agency is responsible for the luggage in the legal terms;
2) The Client has the obligation to complain to the service provider at the moment of subtraction, deterioration or destruction of luggage.
3) In international transport, if the luggage is damaged, the complaint must be made in writing to the carrier immediately after the damage is verified, and no later than 7 days after delivery. If the luggage is merely late in delivery, the claim must be made within 21 days from the date of delivery.
4) The presentation of such a claim will be an essential basis for Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. to hold responsible the entity providing the service.
The responsibility of the agency will be limited to the maximum amount that can be demanded from the service providers, in accordance with the Montreal Convention of May 28, 1999, on International Air Transport, and the Bern Convention of 1961, on Rail Transport.
Regarding maritime transport, the liability of travel agencies, concerning their clients, for the provision of transport services or accommodation, when applicable, by maritime transport companies, in the event of damages resulting from their willful misconduct or negligence, will be limited to the following amounts:
a) € 441,436, in case of death or physical injury;
b) € 7,881, in case of total or partial loss of baggage or its damage;
c) € 31,424, in case of loss of a motor vehicle, including the baggage contained therein;
d) € 10,375, in case of loss of baggage, whether accompanied or not, contained in a motor vehicle;
e) € 1,097, for damages to baggage resulting from the damage to the motor vehicle.
Where applicable, the liability of travel agencies and tourism for the deterioration, destruction, and theft of baggage or other items in tourist accommodation establishments, while the client is staying there, is limited as follows:
a) € 1,397, in total;
b) € 449 per item;
c) The value declared by the client regarding the items deposited under the custody of the tourist accommodation establishment.
The agency's liability for non-bodily damages may be contractually limited to an amount corresponding to five times the price of the service sold.
For each reservation the following will be charged:
Reservation Expenses:
Alteration Expenses:
For each alteration (names, dates, type of apartment or room, travel, etc) : 50€ (fifty euros). Please note that the acceptance of such changes depends on the acceptance by the respective suppliers.
The client must have their personal or family documentation in good order (identity card, military documentation, authorization for minors, visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents that may be required). The agency disclaims any responsibility for visa refusal or the client's denial of entry into a foreign country. The client is solely responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such a situation.
Travel in European Union:
Travel outside the European Union:
If the travel suppliers involved allow it, whenever a customer who is registered for a particular trip wishes to change their registration to another trip or the same trip with a different departure date, or any other changes, they must pay a fee as alteration expenses. However, if the change takes place 21 days or less before the departure date of the trip for which the customer is registered, or if the service providers do not accept the change, the customer will be subject to the expenses and charges specified under the “cancellation (termination)” section.
Once the trip has started, if a request is made to change the contracted services for reasons not related to the agency (e.g., extending the number of nights of stay, changing the flight), the prices of the touristic services may not correspond to those published on the website that prompted the contract.
The customer may transfer their registration by being replaced by another person who meets all the required conditions for the trip, provided that they inform the selling agency at least seven days in advance and such transfer is possible under the applicable air transport regulations. In the case of cruises and air travel, the prescribed period will be fifteen days in advance.
The transfer of the registration makes both the transferor and the transferee jointly responsible for the payment of the trip price and any additional charges incurred.
Whenever there are external reasons that justify it, the organizing agency may change the order of the itineraries, modify the departure times, or substitute any of the planned hotels with others of similar category and location. The agency must inform the client of such changes as soon as they become aware of them.
When the tour is dependent on a minimum number of participants the Agency reserves the right to cancel the organized tour if the number of participants reached is less than the minimum. In such cases, the Client will be informed in writing of the cancellation within 15 (fifteen) days.
The prices in the program are based on the costs of services and exchange rates in effect on the date of printing of the program, and are therefore subject to change resulting from variations in the cost of transportation or fuel, duties, taxes, fees, and exchange rate fluctuations up to 20 days prior to the date of departure.
Once the tour has begun, no refund is due for services not used by the client due to unforeseeable circumstances or for reasons attributable to the client, except for refunds by the respective suppliers. Failure to provide services foreseen in the travel program for reasons attributable to the organizing agency and if it is not possible to replace them with equivalent ones, entitles the client receive a refund for the price difference between the originally anticipated services and the services actually provided.
If, prior to the start of the journey and due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency, it becomes unable to fulfill any essential service included in the travel program, the client has the right to cancel the trip and immediately receive a refund of all amounts paid, or alternatively, accept a modification and possible price variation.
If the aforementioned circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency result in the cancellation of the trip, the client may choose to participate in another organized trip of equivalent price. If the proposed replacement organized trip is of a lower price, the client will be refunded the price difference accordingly.
The client or their companions are free to cancel the trip at any time.
i) Such cancellation implies that the client is responsible for the payment of all charges arising from the beginning of the fulfillment of the contract and their withdrawal, as well as a percentage that can go up to 15% of the price of the trip.
ii) If applicable, the client will be refunded the difference between the amount paid and the aforementioned amounts.
iii) The cancellation of travel services/organized trips whose reservation has been made using the voucher issued under Decree-Law No. 17/2020 of April 23rd is subject to a cancellation fee equal to the price of the service, in order to prevent simulated or fraudulent reservations made solely with the intention of anticipating the receipt of the voucher-entitled values.
If for reasons not attributable to the client, the agency has to cancel the organized tour before the departure date, the client can choose to:
i) Being immediately refunded all amounts paid;
ii) Optionally, choose to participate in another organized tour and be refunded for any difference in price.
The liability of the travel agency organizing the trips included in this program and arising from the assumed obligations is covered by a civil liability insurance policy with Fidelidade Insurance Company, under policy number 9257343, for an amount of 75,000€ (Seventy-five thousand euros), in accordance with the applicable legislation.
The prices mentioned in this program already include the Value Added Tax at the current rate of 23%
This program is valid from 01/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
Arrival or departure times:
Departure and arrival times are stated in the local time of the respective country of destination and according to respective airline schedules at the time of printing this program, and may therefore be subject to change.
Hotels / Apartments:
Apartments - In case the accommodation is contracted in apartments, the client is responsible for informing the number of people that will occupy the apartment. If there are more people than booked, the apartments may refuse admittance.
Hotels - The prices shown are per person and are based on double occupancy. Not all hotels have triple rooms and usually an extra bed is placed in the room, which may not be of equal quality. In rooms equipped with two beds or a double bed, the triple may consist only of those beds.
The list of hotels and apartments in the program is indicative, as is their category, which is based on local criteria and classifications that are sometimes different from those used in Portugal.
Meals:
Unless otherwise indicated, the prices shown for the Half Board and Full Board supplements do not include drinks.
On arrivals at the hotel after 7PM the first meal service will be breakfast the next day, on the last day and except for the possibility of late check-out, the last service of the hotel will be breakfast.
Check-in and check-out times:
The check-in and check-out times on the first and last day, will be defined according to the first and last service. As a rule, without binding character, the rooms can be used from 2PM on the day of arrival and should be left free by noon (12PM) on the day of departure.
In the apartments, the entry takes place generally at 5PM on the day of arrival and must be left free by 10AM on the day of departure.
Special conditions for children:
Given the conditions applied for children (destination and provider) it is recommended to always question the special conditions that may apply to the tour in question.
Insurande:
The agency offers the sale of insurance that can be purchased depending on the tour to guarantee assistance situations and cancellation expenses.
The maximum age limit, for the insurance, is 75 years-old.
See our full Data Protection and Privacy Policy here.
Documentation:
Visa processed upon entering the country, cost from 35 euros; passport valid for more than 6 months after the date of return.
Extension fees: The fee for the extension program is one fee per person, for a minimum of 2 people.
In case you are traveling alone supplements will be applied.
Travelers over 70 years old, under consultation for evaluation of the situation.
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We embark on a fascinating journey to an island that is almost a continent, where lemurs mingle with baobabs and culture flourishes, the result of a wise blend of millennia of isolation and the opening to the world provided by the Portuguese.
The fourth largest island in the world, discovered in the mid-1500s by Diogo Dias while en route to India in the Indian Ocean.
Some of Madagascar’s best-kept secrets are hidden in the southern region. On this trip through the Malagasy South, we travel slowly, as Madagascar is the land of “mora mora” – slowly, slowly – considered the national motto.
We will discover national parks that protect great biodiversity, such as forests with waterfalls, baobabs and lemurs, flowers and butterflies, chameleons and colorful birds, as well as natural pools, caves, and hikes. The culture, markets, mines, cities, craftsmanship, and superstitions of the island are enchanting. We will learn about its culture and legends and explore cities and markets.
At the end of the trip, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful beach surrounded by an incredible coral reef, perfect for free diving. Additionally, we can choose to visit the famous avenue of Baobabs over a 3-day period.
Flight from origin city to the capital of Madagascar, Antananariv, with layovers. Overnight on board.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
Transfer to hotel, check-in (from 2PM) and free time to explore the area.
Depending on the arrival time, there is the possibility of going on a city tour, as a supplement.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure at set time, with the guide, to the Andasibe National Park, approximately 87 miles away, about 3 hours and 30 minutes. On our way, we’ll stop in the city of Moramanga to have lunch (at the traveller’s expense) and visit its lively market.
The city of Moramanga had a relevant role in the history of the Malagasy tribe, because it was here the known «Malagasy Uprising» began, on the night of March 29th 1947, an anticolonial revolution with thousands of casualties and confrontations that lasted for over a year.
Continuation of our journey to the Andasibe National Park, arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Early breakfast and departure to the Analamazaotra National Park, located in the perimeter of the Andasibe National Park.
Upon arrival, we’ll go on a trek of around 4 hours, to observe the Indri-Indri lemur, the largest in the Madagascar island. The expression « Indri-Indri » means «Look!», which is what the native guide said to Pierre Sonnerat, the French explorer who accompanied him, when this species was discovered.
After lunch, we’ll visit the small village of Andasibe, to then return to the hotel.
At the scheduled time, we will take a night walk in a private reserve, where we will have the opportunity to observe various endemic species of the island, such as lemurs like the Microcebus, Avahi, and Cheirogaleus. We will also try to observe chameleons, frogs, and other species. It is essential to use a headlamp during this visit.
The Andasibe National Park is divided into the National Parks of Analamazaotra and Mantadia. Analamazaotra was, upon a time, a reserve created in 1970, receiving its National Park status in 2015. It has an area of 810 hectares, while Mantadia occupies an area of 15.480 hectares. The most interesting area of Andasibe is certainly Analamazaotra , where we can observe with relative ease the largest primate in Madagascar, the previously referred «Indri-Indri». We’ll also find other species of lemurs (Eulemur Rubriventer, Eulemur fulvus, Varecia Variegata, Propithecus diadema, Cheirogaleus, the famous Aye-Aye), 109 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles (among them the famous Boa Manditra and the Calumma parsonii chameleon), due to the habitat being composed of humid woods, we’ll encounter 84 species of amphibians, 120 varieties of wild orchids that bloom between October and February, as well.
The visit to the park is considered of an easy degree.
Very early breakfast and at the set time, we’ll depart towards the Malagasy Highlands, passing through landscapes painted by rice terraces; the journey of around 193 miles, 6 hours is done on the famous RN7 road.
Lunch is free in the city of Foie-Gras, Behenjy, where we’ll be able to try the Malagasy cuisine.
We continue our route to Ambatolampy, where we’ll stop to visit a peculiar traditional workshop that produces aluminum sheets.
In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in the colonial city of Antsirabe and check-in at the hotel. Free time.
Breakfast and a tour in a "Pousse-Pousse" (similar to Indian rickshaws) through the center of Antsirabe, including visits to the Atsena Kely market, the cathedral, the train station, and the buildings with their historic French colonial facades.
After the tour, we will head to Ambositra, the capital of Malagasy handicrafts, located approximately 143 miles away and a 6-hour drive. Free visit to craft shops and free lunch.
In the afternoon, we will proceed to Ranomafana National Park, check-in at the hotel upon arrival.
ANTSIRABE, meaning "place where there is a lot of salt" in the Malagasy language, is a pleasant colonial city located 170 km south of Antananarivo. It is a thermal city, thanks to its waters rich in sodium chloride, founded by Norwegian Lutheran missionaries in the late 19th century. Our hotel is located in the city center, close to the Atsena Kely market, the cathedral, and the iconic Thermal Hotel, where King Mohammed V went into exile in 1953.
AMBOSITRA, situated at an altitude of 1350m, this town is known for its wooden craftsmanship and being the birthplace of the Betsileo ethnic group. We can visit craft shops and workshops and stroll through its pleasant streets. If we travel between July and September, we may encounter the famous "Famadihana" festival, also known as the "turning of the bones." As it is a family celebration and not a tourist event, participation is by invitation only.
Breakfast and around 4 hours of trekking in the Ranomafana National Park.
After lunch, that is not included, we’ll visit the waterfall over the Namorona River to enjoy the amazing views of the region.
Continuing our route to Sahambavy, known as the place where we’ll find the only tea plantations on the island. On this day, we’ll travel around 37 miles, for 2 hours.
RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
The history of this park starts with the discovery of a hot water source in its perimeter and the posterior building of a bathhouse. Later, in 1991, the National Park was inaugurated; whose name means «warm water» and the biosphere reserve is considered the most humid enclave in Madagascar. According to Malagasy legend, here it rains 365 days a year. It is one of the most famous and spectacular reserves of the country, with most of its area being closed to the public for the study and preservation of the species, but in the area we’re allowed to visit it is possible to get an idea of the dimension and importance of this place regarding biodiversity, animal and vegetal. Its relic-forests, practically unaltered since unremembered times, are reflected in the impressive biodiversity resulting from its geological genesis, that around 60 million years ago and since the continental separation has allowed for a unique and isolated evolution of the species, which has appealed to scientists and naturalists around the globe. The National Park has around 41.600 hectares and an altitude that varies between 600 and 1400m above sea level. Its great biodiversity includes over 12 species of lemurs (Propithecus Edwardsi, Hapalemur Aureus, Hapalemur Griseus Ranomafanensis, Eulemur Rubriventer, Cheirogaleus Major, Avahi Laniger, Prolemur simus – one of the most threatened species in the planet), more than a hundred varieties of wild orchids, more than 115 species of birds, 90 species of butterflies, 98 amphibians, 74 insects, 350 arachnids, 13 rodents, 58 reptiles, 6 fish, and 7 species of carnivorous mammals and 20 insectivores.
Ranomafana is nature in a pure state. The park should be visited in the company of a licensed guide. For this visit we advise you to take walking shoes, comfortable pants and a raincoat.
Breakfast and departure to Ranohira. Walking through the historical center of Fianarantsoa and visit to the high part of the city to enjoy a panoramic view of it.
Continuing our route to Ambalavao, where we’ll visit the paper factory «Antemoro» and the Anja Natural Reserve, with a hike of around 1h30, where we can observe lemurs of the maki catta species with relative ease, along with chameleons and other animals.
Free lunch and continuation of the route to the Isalo National Park. On this part, we finalize our itinerary through the highlands and begin our descent through the Malagasy savannah, where the scenery will change to desert landscapes.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in.
ANJA RESERVE
Located around 15Km from the city of Ambalavao, the reserve stretches at the foot of the mountainous Iadramvaky massif, and presents a great abundance of fauna and flora, highlighting several species of orchids, ficus and pachypodiums, several species of lemurs, mainly Catta Linnaeus who lives in tropical woods. The reserve’s woods are distributed in a chaos of granite blocks, some with spectacular views. We can also visit some underground caves, previously occupied by indigenous Betsileo people, as shelter from the attacks of the warring Bara tribe, from Lhosy. The reserve has been managed by a local association since its foundation in 2001, which has contributed to its preservation and allowed it to turn it into one of the main attractions of the region.
Our visit to the reserve will be of an easy level, although some trails to access the caves may have a higher degree of difficulty.
ANTEMORO PAPER
The origins of the Antemoro paper date back to the XII century, when the Arabs reached the southeastern coast of the island (Manakara, Vohipeno, Farafangana, Mananjary, among other places). Of Islamic religion, they brought with them a copy of the Quran, that with the passing of time started to deteriorate, to combat this loss, they tried to find a vegetal material capable of resisting time. With that purpose, they found the «avoha» (Bosqueia danguyana), a bush of the fig family, that allows the creation of a resistant paper to be utilized as the support for the Quran. In 1936, a Frenchman named P. Mathieu recreated a workshop in Ambalavao to restart the production of the Antemoro paper.
Breakfast and visit to the Isalo National Park where we can find waterfalls of the Nymphs, Blue Pool and Namaza Canyon. We will have a picnic in these wonderful landscapes
In the afternoon, we’ll continue the visit to the park until sunset, which we’ll watch from a place named Isalo Window. A must-see.
Return to the hotel.
ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Located in a mainly desert region. It is, however, a different dessert from the ones we imagine, it is a landscape that reminds us of Colorado or Arizona. This National Park is one of the most famous in Madagascar, due to its series of unique landscapes stretched over 81.540 hectares. In the south of the island, it is reached through the town of Ranohira; we advise to visit on foot to facilitate the observation of the park’s main species. Its spectacular scenery consists of a massif formed by Jurassic clay, whose karst erosion carved spectacular canyons and caves utilized as shelter by Arabs, Portuguese, and indigenous Bara people. Beyond the amazing lanscapes, the park encloses a notable biodiversity: several species of lemurs (Catta Linnaeus, Eulemur Fulvus Rufus, Eulemur Rufitron, among others).
Here we can also find 77 species of birds, 70% of which are endemic to Madagascar, like the Lophotibis Cristata (a near threatened species), Pseudocosyphus Bensoni, Buteo Brachypterus, Polyboroides radiatus, Upupa Eopos, Falco Newtoni, Vanga Curvirostris, Dicrurus Forficatus, Cuau Tristata, all of which can be observed in the months of October to December (best season for birdwatching). We can as well find more than 400 varieties of flora, highlighting the Bismarkia nobilis(palm tree endemic to Isalo), aloes isaloensis, pachypodiums rosulatum, Dipsis Onilahensis, Kalanchoes, euphorbeas, ichnolepsis tuberosa, menabea venenata, catharantus ovalis...
Our trek in this park is impressive and accessible to all travellers, around 5 hours at a moderate level. This park is the crown jewel of Malagasy parks.
Breakfast and departure to the famous town of Ilakaka, known for its sapphire mines and «Far West» environment.
We’ll visit the mines to observe the open-pit mining and excavations. We’ll also visit the workshop where stones are cut and a showroom.
Free lunch and return to the hotel.
Visit to the Bara village of Mariany (2h of walking) and return to the hotel.
Journey to Giorgio’s Window, in Isalo National Park, to watch the sunset.
ILAKAKA AND THE SAPPHIRE MINES
According to legend, the lode was discovered in 1998, when a cattle thief was arrested with a blue stone in his possession. News spread and caused a «Sapphire Fever», changing forever the history of the region. So emerged the mining town of Ilakaka (name of a river in the region), known as the Malagasy Far West. It is currently populated by 30 thousand people, who live from the mines exploration.
After breakfast, we’ll begin the day’s journey through the south of Madagascar, around 137-155 miles, 5 hours.
We’ll visit the Mahafaly tombs, carved in stone and containing funerary steles, animated drawings of animals, daily life scenes, etc. And almost always adorned with skulls and horns of cattle. This is also close to where we’ll find the first Baobabs in the south of the island.
The route continues to the Zombitse National Park, where we’ll take a walk, of about 1h30, to observe lemurs of the Sifaka species (Propithecus Verreauxi), as well as chameleons and Baobabs of the Adansonia Za species.
We’ll continue to Tulear and visit its shell market. Free lunch.
In the afternoon, visit to the Reniala Reserve and its Baobab woods, where we’ll go on a walk of about 1 hour.
Return to the hotel.
Breakfast and , at set time, transfer to the Tulear airport to fly back to Antananarivo.
Arrival and airport assistance. Visit to the crafts market of Digue, one of the largest markets in Africa.
Continuing to the hotel, located in the city center.
Breakfast and collective transfer to the airport at 10.30AM. If you need a transfer at a different time, there is a supplement. Contact Papa-Léguas.
Return flight to origin city, with layovers.
Arrival in Origin city and end of Papa-Léguas services.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
