SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS For peace of mind, your payments are 100% refundable until August 30, 2021. See inside for more details MADAGASCAR to MAURITIUS Islands of the Indian Ocean aboard December 3–18, 2021 Island Sky Dear National Trust Traveler, This is an extraordinary cruise for those who love the natural world and all its wonders. The star is Madagascar, a thousand-mile island boasting an impressive variety of spectacular landscapes from pristine coral reefs and coastal mangroves to virgin rain forests and native baobab trees. Geographically isolated for millions of years, nearly all of Madagascar’s intriguing animals and plants are found nowhere else on Earth, including nearly 100 varieties of lemurs. To maximize the time in Madagascar, this expedition begins with a private charter flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Toliara, Madagascar, avoiding the two-day crossing of the rough Mozambique Channel by ship. In the company of Daniel Rubenstein, Princeton Professor of Zoology, spend eleven days exploring Madagascar’s marine reserves and national parks traveling in comfort aboard the all suite Island Sky. Then, leaving the wonders of Madagascar behind, arrive at Réunion Island, a paradisiacal French outpost, to explore its white-sand beaches, spectacular dormant volcanoes, and vibrant Creole character. Disembark on the island of Mauritius, the perfect ending to our voyage, taking in this island’s cultural riches and geologic wonders before flying back to the U.S. This journey to Madagascar is sure to generate interest, so we encourage you to reserve your space today! Sincerely, Meg Annacone-Poretz Director, National Trust Tours For information on this or other National Trust Tours, call (888)484-8785. Find us on THIS PHOTO: BAOBABS AT SUNSET ON THE COVER: AVENUE OF BAOBABS; FOSSA; MADAGASCAR BEACH; TREE FROG AT MASOALA N.P. BACK COVER: SIFAKA LEMUR Study Leader DANIEL RUBENSTEIN is Class of 1877 Professor of Zoology, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Director, Program in Environmental Studies at Princeton University. His research focuses on decision-making in animals. He studies how an individual’s foraging, mating and social behavior are influenced by its phenotype, by ecological circumstances, and by the actions of other individuals in the population. Combining theory with experiments he searches for general principles, or ‘rules’, that underlie complex patterns of behavior. On this journey, Professor Rubenstein will discuss his recent findings on the social behavior and ecology of lemurs and other African mammals, especially in relation to human-wildlife conflict and how new technologies are changing the face of African conservation. Highlights t Explore Madagascar in depth from the convenience and comfort of the all-suite expedition ship Island Sky, avoiding the usual delays and difficulties experienced when trying to explore the country overland, and reach intimate sites larger cruise ships cannot. t See lemurs up close in their natural habitat, including the red ruffed lemur and the aye-aye, and learn about the conservation efforts to save these incredible animals. t Cruise into dramatic Antsiranana, set on a stunning natural harbor with a cosmopolitan mix of inhabitants. t Visit the Durrell Breeding Program to learn about the efforts being made to protect the ploughshare tortoise, one of the most threatened breeds in the world. t Snorkel in the warm and pristine waters around Nosy Tanikely, a tiny, uninhabited island surrounded by sandy beaches and a shallow coral reef teeming with fish and turtles. t Take in the beauty of Masoala National Park, one of the most diverse virgin rain forests in Madagascar, hosting half of all flora and fauna found on the island. TSINGY ON NOSY HARA ALDABRA TORTOISE Itinerary Friday–Saturday, December 3–4 U.S / Johannesburg, South Africa ANTSIRANANA PRODUCE MARKET Fly overnight to followed by free time at the Friday, December 10 Johannesburg, where we market in Morondava. Or visit Nosy Tanikely meet your fellow travelers the Kirindy Private Reserve, at a welcome reception this Marine Reserve home to the greatest density After a morning of cruising evening. and diversity of primates in 54 ON BATH HOTEL (R) and on-board lectures, arrive the world as well as dozens at Nosy Tanikely’s marine Sunday, December 5 of amphibian species. Look reserve for an afternoon Johannesburg / Toliara, for seven lemur species, the of snorkeling. Recognized Madagascar narrow-striped mongoose, for its outstanding marine This morning board a the cat-like fossa and the biodiversity, the reserve charter flight to Toliara on smallest-known primate, the offers some of the best the southwest coast of giant jumping rat. snorkeling in the area, with Madagascar. After arriving ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) a spectacular coral reef explore the Antsokay Wednesday, December 8 teeming with colorful fish and Arboretum and learn about At Sea other sea creatures. its fantastic collection of During a day at sea, enjoy the ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) endemic plants. Board the on-board lecture program as Saturday, December 11 Island Sky this afternoon and the Island Sky cruises along Nosy Hara National Park enjoy the captain’s welcome the island’s west coast. Nosy Hara means reception this evening before ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) “mountainous island” in dinner. Malagasy and it’s considered ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) Thursday, December 9 Mahajanga one of the last true paradises Monday, December 6 Drive to Ankarafantsika of Madagascar. The island Toliara National Park, a vast reserve offers a stunning bay, sandy Today visit the curious spiny boasting a remarkable range beaches and the unique, forest region, a unique of flora and fauna, for guided sharply eroded limestone ecosystem that exists only walks in search of wildlife. spikes known as Tsingy in the southern part of One of Madagascar’s finest formations. Hike the low Madagascar, and view the parks for birdwatching, circular path on the island, or spectacular baobab trees at it’s home to 129 identified choose the steeper path to Reniala Private Reserve. The species, including the Van a sweeping viewpoint. Then reserve is a paradise for birds Dam’s vanga. Learn about relax on a beautiful beach in and home to the grey mouse the medicinal plants and the afternoon. lemur, radiated tortoise and flowers that the locals used ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) warty chameleon. for centuries, try to glimpse Sunday, December 12 ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) tiny mouse lemurs and Antsiranana Tuesday, December 7 visit the breeding program Cruise around Madagascar’s Morondava established by the Durrell northernmost point and After breakfast depart to Wildlife Conservation Trust in into Antsiranana’s glorious see the Avenue of Baobabs, 1986 to protect the critically natural harbor for a guided an extraordinary stand of endangered ploughshare tour of the town. Later climb the iconic massive trees, tortoise. aboard a four-wheel-drive ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) vehicle to drive to Amber Nosy Hara N.P. Antsiranana Nosy Tanikely INDIAN OCEAN Nosy Mangabe Masoala Mahajanga N.P. MADAGASCAR Port Morondava Louis Mauritius Réunion Island Toliara (from Johannesburg) RING-TAILED LEMUR RÉUNION HIGHLANDS MAURITIUS CHAMAREL Mountain National Park for Wednesday, December 15 Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO tropical rain forest walks. At Sea World Heritage Site and the During our walks, see lush The educational program immigration depot where flora and waterfalls, look for continures during a final the modern indentured labor the common crowned lemur, full day at sea en route diaspora began. Explore spot volcanic lakes and to Réunion, a rain forest- Chamarel, an eye-catching perhaps count more than 40 studded island outpost region of tropical flora, hidden varieties of butterfly. hundreds of miles into the waterfalls, and undulating ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) Indian Ocean. sand dunes displaying an ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) Monday, December 13 array of colors. Then visit the Bois Cheri tea plantation for a Nosy Mangabe Thursday, December 16 refreshing cup of tea before After a morning of cruising Réunion, France departing for the airport for and lectures, spend the Visit the island of Réunion’s flights home. (B,L) afternoon exploring Nosy central highlands, a Mangabe, a small island spectacular rugged Saturday, December 18 reserve of virgin rain forest landscape of active, dormant, Arrive U.S. and home to an unusual extinct and collapsed nocturnal lemur called the volcanoes, where mountain aye-aye. Take Zodiacs ashore peaks tower high above for nature walks and look sea level. See picturesque for black-and-white ruffed villages that dot the verdant lemurs, colorful paradise landscape and learn about flycatchers and many other vanilla production at a types of wildlife. small family-run plantation. Post-trip Extension: ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) Enjoy the captain’s farewell Mauritius reception and dinner this December 17–19 Tuesday, December 14 Stay an additional three days Masoala National Park evening on board our ship before crossing to to further explore the lush Explore this national park’s the neighboring island of rain forests and white sand coastal rain forest, dense Mauritius. beaches of Mauritius. Learn marshes and stands ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) about the long colonial history of mangrove. Search of this prosperous Indian for a variety of colorful Friday, December 17 Ocean archipelago. Discover chameleons, geckos and, of Port Louis, Mauritius / Île aux Aigrettes, one of the course, lemurs, including the Disembark / Depart last sanctuaries for rare red-ruffed lemur native to this After breakfast, disembark Mauritian wildlife, such as the area. Stop at Ambodiforaha and discover the unique Aldabra giant tortoise and the village to meet with the locals history of Port Louis and ornate day gecko. and shop in the market there. the island of Mauritius at ISLAND SKY (B,L,D) the Citadel of Fort Louis and Further details and pricing will be sent to confirmed participants.