Northern Madagascar Circuit – Tsingy, Diego Suarez & Trois Baies in One Week
The ultimate round trip through Northern Madagascar – spice farms, limestone forests, three dream bays and the Red Tsingy.
The Grand Northern Madagascar Tour
If you truly want to experience Madagascar, head north. The Northern Madagascar Circuit with me is the most intensive tour offered by Nosy Be Family Trip – and the one that takes you deepest into the real Madagascar.
The tour starts on Nosy Be and spans several days through some of the country's most impressive landscapes. First stops are the ylang-ylang and spice farms – Nosy Be is called 'Île aux Parfums' for a reason. The scent of the vanilla and ylang-ylang plantations is unforgettable.
Next, you continue to Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), Madagascar's northernmost major city with one of the largest natural harbors in the world. The city is a vibrant mosaic of Malagasy, Arab, and French colonial history.
The heart of the tour: the Tsingy. Northern Madagascar has two – the Tsingy d'Ankarana, a limestone plateau with caves, underground rivers, and free-roaming lemurs, accessible via a 3–4-hour jungle trek. And the spectacular Tsingy Rouge near Diego Suarez – red laterite formations that glow in the evening sun like another planet.
What most people don't know: While the famous Tsingy de Bemaraha on the west coast requires days to weeks of travel, these two northern variants are comfortably reachable from Nosy Be in one week – and are every bit as spectacular as the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The tour concludes with the Trois Baies – three completely different bays in one day: Baie des Dunes, Baie des Pigeons, and the world-famous Baie de Sakalava.
I know this route from personal experience and plan all accommodations, transfers, and stops individually.
This tour combines both northern Tsingy formations – Tsingy d'Ankarana and Tsingy Rouge. If you only want one Tsingy: The Tsingy Ankarana Tour is also available as a 2-day trip. Tsingy
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What awaits you
- Tsingy d'Ankarana – Special Reserve, limestone formations, caves, lemurs
- Tsingy Rouge – glowing red laterite landscape near Diego Suarez
- Trois Baies: Baie des Dunes, Baie des Pigeons, Baie de Sakalava
- Diego Suarez – one of the largest natural harbors in the world
- Ylang-ylang and spice farms on Nosy Be
- Little-known alternative to Tsingy de Bemaraha – doable in one week
- All accommodations (5–6 nights) and transfers organized by me
Itinerary
- 1Day 1: Nosy Be → Spice farm and ylang-ylang plantation. Overnight en route north.
- 2Day 2: Continue to Diego Suarez. City stroll, local dinner. Overnight Diego Suarez.
- 3Day 3: Tsingy d'Ankarana – Special Reserve. 3–4 hour jungle trek, caves, lemurs. Overnight in the region.
- 4Day 4: Trois Baies – all three bays in one day by vehicle. Swimming, picnic, optional kitesurfing at Baie de Sakalava.
- 5Day 5: Tsingy Rouge – day trip from Diego Suarez. Unique photo experience.
- 6Day 6/7: Return to Nosy Be (flight or combined transfer by arrangement).
Practical Info
- Bring: sturdy footwear for Tsingy tours, light long clothing, insect repellent, travel documents, camera
- Included: Guide every day, all transfers between stops, Ankarana and Tsingy Rouge entrance fees, 5–6 nights (local guesthouses/hotels, customizable)
- Not included: Travel Nosy Be–Diego Suarez (flight approx. €50–80 or drive), meals, drinks
- Best time: May to October (dry season, roads passable)
Tsingy in one week – from Nosy Be: Many travelers believe Madagascar's famous Tsingy formations are only reachable via an expedition to the west coast. The north holds a little-known alternative: Tsingy d'Ankarana and Tsingy Rouge are both within reach of Diego Suarez – making them doable in one week from Nosy Be.
Ready for this adventure?
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