Madagascar Marathon 2024

Extension One | Ifaty and Andasibe: June 9 – 15, 2024 

From $3,629 based on two people sharing

Sunday, June 9: Isalo | Toliara | Ifaty
This morning you will depart with the group to Tulear and after lunch continue by coach bus north to the beach area of Ifaty. The rest of the day is to relax from a long day of travel at the Les Dunes located on the beautiful coastal line of Madagascar. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Monday, June 10: Ifaty | Reniala Reserve
Today you have the option to relax and enjoy many of the water sports and activities Les Dunes offers or visit nearby Reniala Reserve, an eco-system known as the spiny forest consisting of towering spiny bushes and some spectacular ancient baobab trees. The botanical trail reveals a bird sanctuary, endangered radiated tortoises, various species of chameleons and lemurs as well. All meals will be enjoyed at Les Dunes.(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Tuesday, June 11: Ifaty
Enjoy a free day to relax and take in your surroundings. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Wednesday, June 12: Ifaty | Toliara | Antananarivo
Following an early breakfast, you will depart to the Tulear Airport for your flight to Tana. Upon arrival in Tana, you will have lunch and experience the Digue Market. Once you have purchased your souvenirs, the group will make its way to the Hotel Colbert for your overnight accommodations. Dinner is on your own this evening. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Thursday, June 13: Antananarivo | Andasibe
Plan for an 8:00 AM departure for a three-hour (approximate) drive through the highland countryside to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park where you will spend the next two nights at the Vakona Forest Lodge. This evening enjoy an optional nocturnal walk with your experienced guide before dinner. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Friday, June 14: Andasibe
Rise early to hike into Analamazaotra Reserve to see and hear the unforgettable babakoto (and other denizens). This is the largest of the lemurs, also known as the Indri indri, and has consistently refused to live in captivity – the only place in the world where to see them and hear their haunting call. Meals and overnight Vakona Lodge. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Saturday, June 15: Andasibe | Antananarivo
Following breakfast we will make a stop at Lemur Island before we begin our drive back to Tana for your international flight home. A stop at the Relais des Plateaux will be included for a buffet dinner before your transfer to the airport. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Extension #2 | Andasibe and Palmarium: June 9 – 15, 2024

From $3,975 based on two people sharing

Sunday, June 9: Antananarivo
Upon arrival in Antananarivo, we will continue to the Hotel Colbert Hotel for the evening to relax. Dinner is on your own.

Monday, June 10: Antananarivo | Andasibe
Rise early for breakfast and an 8:00 AM departure for our three-hour drive to Andasibe. Following check-in and lunch at the Vakona Lodge, we will visit Lemurs Island. Get ready to get the perfect photo of you and a lemur(s)! We will return to the Vakona Lodge for dinner and your overnight stay. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Tuesday, June 11: Andasibe
This morning we will visit the Analamazaotra Reserve to see and hear the unforgettable babakoto (and other denizens). This is the largest of the lemurs, also known as the Indri indri, and has consistently refused to live in captivity – the only place in the world to see them and hear their haunting call. You will enjoy a leisure lunch before late afternoon/ evening nature walks in Mitsinjo. Overnight at Vakona Lodge. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Wednesday, June 12: Andasibe / Palmarium
After an early breakfast we will make the drive to the coastal lowlands of Manambato and upon arrival, depart by boat on the Pangalanes Canal to the Palmarium Reserve, a littoral forest with a wide variety of palms, orchids, and other interesting plants, including the carnivorous “pitcher” plant. Dinner and overnight at the Palmarium Hotel Ankanin’Nofypark. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Thursday, June 13: Palmarium Reserve
Today will be exploring the reserve where there are ten different species of habituated (largely introduced) lemurs including the rare Aye aye, black-and-white ruffed, crown and sifakas. Also orchids, carnivorous Pitcher plants, rare insects, chameleons, frogs and green lynx spiders can be found along the well-maintained trails. Meals and overnight at the Palmarium. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Friday, June 14: Palmarium
Today is a free day in Palmarium to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Some options will be provided on-site. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Saturday, June 15: Palmarium | Tamatave | Tana
Following breakfast, we will return to the port city of Tamatave (Toamasina). You can expect about a four hour drive from Manambato to Tamatave. We will stop for lunch and time permitting visit a local market before transferring to the airport for the short flight back to Tana where you can then connect for your return flight home. If needed, overnight accommodations at the Relais can be arranged. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Package Features:

• Lodging and meals as specified on itinerary
• Intra-domestic flights and taxes on Air Madagascar
• Airport transfers within Madagascar as specified
• Ground transportation by bus as per itinerary
• Services of English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees and local guides in parks and reserves as mentioned

Not Included:

• International roundtrip airfare to Madagascar
• Marathon or Half-Marathon race entry fee (additional $265 per entry)
• Incidentals
• All beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic; bottled water at meals is not included)
• Travel Insurance
• Visa Fee
• Optional activities
• Personal items such as phone, laundry, etc.
• Airport transfers if not arriving on May 7 or 9; or departing on May 15 or 20

Marathon Tours & Travel Madagascar Marathon package includes the following:

• Two nights in Tana, one night in Tulear four nights in the Isalo National Park area
• Seven breakfasts, seven lunches and six dinners as described in the itinerary
• Airport transfers
• Services of English-speaking guides
• Excursions, entrance fees and local guides in parks and reserves as outlined on the itinerary
• Welcome reception (Isalo)
• Post-race party with entertainment (Isalo)
• Ground transportation according to the itinerary
• Domestic flights per the itinerary from Antananarivo to Toliara and return. Price is subject to change once domestic flights are confirmed.
• Gratuities for guides and drivers (this does not include local guides when visiting parks)
• Nature hikes as outlined on the itinerary
• Touring and sightseeing per the itinerary
• Guidance and support from Marathon Tours & Travel

Also Available:

• Guaranteed 2024 Madagascar Marathon Entry at $265
• Guaranteed 2024 Madagascar Half Marathon Entry at $265
• Guaranteed 2024 Madagascar Ultra 50km Entry at $365
• Post-race extension 6-night trip, from $3,629

More details on the post-race extension packages are available under the Extension tab.

All Logistics Covered

We take care of the logistics for you, so you can focus on the event and your trip. Whether you are running or supporting, we have an expert team to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Enjoy rolling hills and grassy trails in Isalo National Park

The marathon course starts at Relais de la Reine. The course will cross over Highway 7 and enter Isalo National Park and run about a 14 mile loop back to Highway 7. The course follows some trails onto pasture land past through some small villages, across shallow streams and back to the finish at Jardin du Roy. A large loop within the park along grassy trails passes spectacular rock formations dating back millions of years. The courses have just a few rolling hills and good footing for 98% of the course. The half-marathon course is run almost entirely within Isalo National Park.

Race Date – Saturday, June 8, 2024

Start Time – 7:00 AM

Organizer – The race is organized by the Marathon Tours & Travel, Inc. in association with the National Park Association.

Course – The marathon course starts at Relais de la Reine. The course will cross over Highway 7 and enter Isalo National Park and run about a 14 mile loop back to Highway 7. The course follows some trails onto pasture land past through some small villages, across shallow streams and back to the finish at Jardin du Roy. A large loop within the park along grassy trails passes spectacular rock formations dating back millions of years. The courses have just a few rolling hills and good footing for 98% of the course. The half-marathon course is run almost entirely within Isalo National Park.

Entry Fee – The entry fee is $265 for the marathon or half-marathon and $365 for the Ultra 50K. Entry is offered only by booking a package through Marathon Tours & Travel.
Eligibility – All runners traveling from outside Madagascar must purchase the special travel package and enter through Marathon Tours & Travel. Runners in the marathon must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Time Limit – Marathon and Ultra 50K: 7 hours; Half-Marathon: 5 hours
Number Pickup – Numbers and pre-race briefing will be held at Le Jardin du Roy, official race headquarters. The pasta party will follow.

Aid Stations – Portable water is a valuable commodity in Madagascar. Runners must be self-sufficient while running. Drink stations with bottled water will be positioned where possible. Camelbacks and other carrying devices for liquids is highly recommended. Runners must bring their own electrolyte drinks or nutritional supplements.

Awards – Top three overall for males and females in both races. In the marathon: top two in each age category under 40, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over. All finishers will receive a certificate and medallion.

Temperature – May is the dry season in Madagascar so expect little to no rainfall. The average temperature will be a high of 30C (86F) and low of 16C (61F).
Difficulty: Challenging Course. Although fairly flat with a few rolling hill, parts of the course is on sand, through grass, and through shallow water at various points on the course.

Difficulty – Challenging Course. Although fairly flat with a few rolling hill, part of the course is on sand, through grass, and through shallow water at various points on the course.

Packing suggestions – Buying new shoes or clothes is not recommended. A better solution is to take old clothes and leave them behind as they will go to good use and you can travel light on the way home. Long sleeves and long pants for the forest are recommended as you will go off the trail and into the bushes at times. Also layers work best because it will be chilly at night and in the early morning. A sweatshirt, warm sweater and/or a scarf will come in handy! All carry-on items must comply with size, weight, and security regulations. A suggested packing list will be shared in your final documents.