Nosy Be's Vanilla Plantations & Ylang-Ylang Distilleries
Tour the fragrant plantations and artisanal distilleries that have made Nosy Be the perfume island — vanilla, ylang-ylang, and essential oil production
- 1
Vanilla Plantation Walk
A family farm where hand-pollinated vanilla orchids climb wooden poles — the labor-intensive pollination process is explained by the farmer
- 2
Vanilla Curing Process
Watch the traditional curing of green vanilla pods – blanching, sweating, drying and conditioning for six months until they become dark and aromatic
- 3
Ylang-Ylang Flower Harvest
Join the early morning flower harvest when the ylang-ylang flowers are at their most fragrant and workers fill baskets for the distillery
- 4
Artisanal Distillery Tour
A copper still distills ylang-ylang flowers with steam — the essential oil floats to the surface and is skimmed off for the international perfume market
- 5
Essential Oil Testing
Try and compare the different grades of ylang ylang oil - extra, first, second and complete - each with different aromatic profiles
- 6
Local Rum Rhum Arranged
Nosy Be produces excellent artisanal rum infused with local vanilla, lychee and exotic spices — tastings at the distillery are generous and varied