Itinerary: Antananarivo – Andasibe – Antananarivo – Antsirabe – Ranomafana – Ambalavao – Ranohira – Toliara.
Day 1 18/11/23 Antananarivo – Andasibe
Pick up at the airport. Arrival with ET 853H at 13.40 and departure on East road. Then transfer for Perinet Reserve (National Park of Analamazaotra). Continuation to Andasibe. Installation at your hotel. (Step 150 kms – 5h00)
Vakona Forest Lodge DBB
Day 2 19/11/23 Andasibe
In the morning visit of Analamazaotra National Park (The Périnet). Little, medium or big circuit according your physical condition (Tours can last from 2 to 6 hours). The reserve of Analamazaotra is known for its lemurs “indri indri”, the biggest lemur of Madagascar, its powerful cry wakes the forest. An indri can perform a jump of 10 meters. In the afternoon we go to the private reserve of Vakona and back to the hotel.
Vakona Forest Lodge DBB
Day 3 20/11/23 Andasibe – Antsirabe
Early departure from Andasibe to the thermal town of Antsirabe through the capital, we take a device that prevents the city center. The landscape and environment show lands rich laterite, villages Imerina, Catholic and Protestant churches, lively markets. (Step 310km – 6h)
Royal Palace DBB
Day 4 21/11/23 Antsirabe – Ranomafana
Breakfast. Time to get to know Malagasy crafts and culture. In the morning we tour this colonial city with a pousse-poussi, as they say, and take a close look at the many products created by the hands of local craftsmen. Drive to Ambositra, in Malagasy the city of flowers, famous for its carvings. An entire street is dedicated to woodworkers. For lunch, we suggest a taste of the typical dish “romazava”, a traditional beef and vegetable stew, really excellent. Drive to Ranomafana. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (260 kms stage, 6 to 7 hours).
Centrest DBB
Day 5 22/11/23 Ranomafana – Ambalavao
Breakfast. Andao-andeha! Let’s go, because the most famous nature park on the island is eagerly inviting us to visit. A relaxed day in nature is full of surprises. We meet lemurs in nature and learn about their way of life. Who is more interesting to whom? The rainforest offers shelter to many species of birds, geckos, chameleons, frogs, snakes, various insects of unusual shapes… Orchids, ferns, palm trees, giant bamboos are also found here… The walk (4-6 hours) does not require special fitness. We walk slowly to enjoy nature. You just need to be careful and take a steady step, because some places (due to the conditions in the forest) are slippery. Afternoon rest in a pleasant lodge in nature. You just need to be careful and take a steady step, because some places (due to the conditions in the forest) are slippery. Ranomafana is a park that covers 41,601 ha of forest. In 2007, it was ranked Heritage as World Natural of the Atsinanana (“The East”) .It shelters a rich endemic biodiversity, which includes rare species of lemur. Then continue to Ambalavao, also famous for silk weaving. The sights of this place are far from over – we are in the “Capital of zebu”, where the largest market of zebu, Malagasy cows, takes place every week. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Step 115 Kms – 2h15).
Tsienimparihy Lodge DBB
Day 6 23/11/23 Ambalavao – Ranohira (Isalo)
Breakfast. Driving through Fianarantsoa, famous for blacksmithing, we travel towards the beautiful Anja Reserve, established by the local community to protect animals. During the relaxed walk (1-2 hours) we are accompanied by cute lemurs! We continue to the wine-growing area of Ambalavao. With some luck, we manage to try the children. Is it sweet or sour? Continue driving along the most famous Malagasy road, the N7, to the south across the Horombe plateau. The landscape around us is becoming more and more desert. We enter the sacred area of the Bara people, who bury their
ancestors high in the cliffs. As the deceased is escorted to the world of the ancestors with plenty of rum, it sometimes happens that the next burial follows very quickly… Arrival in Ranohira, famous for a rock from the Jurassic period. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. ( 215 kms / 4 hours )
Satrana Lodge DBB
Day 7 24/11/23 Ranohira (Isalo)
Breakfast. Ranohira is the starting point for entering the Isalo National Park (sandstone mountain massif), criss-crossed by rivers and tributaries, covers 81,540 hectares. This ruiniform massif is a plateau of continental sandstone dating from the Jurassic. Heavily eroded, only witnesses fragmented by the sandy valleys and canyons remained where rare and unusual endemic plants grow: pachypodiums, also called elephant’s foot, pandanus, aloes… Enjoying the beauty of this park is certainly one of the highlights of the trip. The scenery is simply amazing and spectacular. We will not forget the walk through the beautiful canyons of the gorge, as well as swimming in the natural pool, the views of the curious lemurs and our views of the blue and black lakes. The day is spent strolling and relaxing with plenty of swimming in natural pools with pure flowing spring water. We just need to be careful not to drown in romance. The walks are not physically demanding.For example, you can take a walk in the morning and another in the afternoon or even make a complete loop during the day, a village association can prepare you a lunch in the middle of nature. We include 2 circuits that can be
combined including:
– The natural pool (Piscine Naturelle) : easy level, takes place in half a day, the water is very clear, you can swim there (fresh from June to August). From the pool, the park guide will take you to a lookout 10 minutes from the site (panoramic view of the Isalo)
– The waterfall of the Nymphs (Cascade des Nymphes): easy level up to the waterfall, it can be extended via rugged paths to the black and blue pools in the heart of lush vegetation. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Satrana Lodge DBB
Day 8 25/11/23 Ranohira (Isalo) – Ifaty
Breakfast. We’ve only been on the island for a week and so many experiences… Let’s move on towards the coast. Even drier it becomes, fewer leaves and more thorns, more and more opportunities for baobabs. We pass through villages known for precious stones. One of them, Ilakaka, is called the city of sapphires. In the surroundings of the city, they are looking for sapphires, hope for a better life. We stop at the Zombitse Vohibasia, where during a 2-3 hour walk we explore an environment full of a wide variety of bird species, including baobabs and new species of lemurs. Nearby is the Antsokay Arboretum, where typical Madagascar vegetation grows with many endemic and medicinal species. In the afternoon we reach the seaside town of Tulear, where we meet the ocean again. We have something good to snack on, and end the day in nearby Ifaty, in a hotel by the sea with delicious seafood. Overnight stay. (Step 250 kms – 4h30 to 5 hours ).
Nautilus DBB
Day 9 26/11/23 Ifaty
Breakfast. Stay by the sea in a hotel that offers various activities : visit to the baobab forest, Coral reef, diving, fishing, snorkeling, quad biking, turtle village… All these activities can be arranged on site. Dinner and overnight stay
Nautilus DBB
Day 10 27/11/23 Ifaty – Antananarivo
Transfer Tulear Airport. Flight to Tananarive (TZ719 – 15.05/16.55). Arrival at Tana, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Le Louvre Hotel DBB
Day 11 28/11/23 Antananarivo
In the morning, we drive to the nearby village of Akamasoa, where we visit the missionaries Pedro Opeka (we don’t always meet Pedro Opeka, as he is often on the road). Images and experiences that will surely remain in our memory.
Even while driving, we quickly get a sense of the size and shape of the city. The lively capital “Tana” grows among many hills and in the middle of rice fields. The city has one of the most spectacular settings in the middle of nature that has been transformed by man. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your international flight.
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