Driving west from Diego-Suarez takes you to the base of Windsor Castle (a small mountain, actually). Here you may climb the forested trail to the 1300-foot summit. An incomparable view of Diego-Suarez and the north awaits you at the top. For the pirates of yesteryear, this point offered an ideal observatory to spot passing sailing ships.

Two hours (25 miles) by road takes you through an undulating savannah of open dry forest populated by plentiful chameleons, scattered baobabs and other rare succulent plants. You'll not soon forget this drive over a difficult, unimproved road that brings you to the remote western side of the bay.

You can hike up the highest promentory in the landscape -- a two- hour climb up a heavily-forested path. The last stretch is a weathered stone staircase which seems to appear in the forest for no reason. At the top is Windsor Castle, a scenic fortification braving the ever-present wind, built by the British army during the World War II. You'll enjoy a meal at the foot of the climb or on the beach 15 minutes later by car. After time for swimming, you'll be driven back to Diego-Suarez.

Cost: 79 Euros per person.

After a night camping under the stars on the isolated beach at Courrier Bay, you can continue on visit Cape Amber at the northern tip of Madagascar. After descending from Windsor Castle, you can spend the night on a beach at Courrier Bay. All meals and camping equipment are included. Then proceed to Cape Amber the next morning by 4x4. The terrain at the northern tip of the country will remind you of a lunar landscape with its bizarre rocks and odd plants. You'll be driven back to Diego-Suarez by nightfall.

Cost: 167 Euros per person.