The Pangalanes Channel

Pick up at your hotel or the airport in the morning and departure for Perinet Reserve (National Park of Analamazaotra ). Short break along the way at the farm of Pereyras. It’s a private reserve for breeding reptiles (lizards, chameleons, snakes, amphibians) and various insects. Continuation to Andasibe. Installation at your hotel. (Step 150 kms – 4 to 5h00). In the evening, night visit near your hotel to observe small lemurs called “microcebus”.  Check in  Andasibe Cyperus Hôtel.

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 ( (crocodile park and lémurs island ) and back to the hotel.

Departure in the morning, continuation of the Eastern route; at Antsampanana, turn off towards the North for Mahanoro . Installation at the hotel. (225 km stage – 7 hours).   Check in  Serenity Hôtel.

Mahanoro / Asohihy : :Embarkation at the river port of Mahanoro and sailing for this first day on the Pangalanes Canal. Crossing the immense mouth of the river Mangoro River. Stop in Ambodiharina, a small town well animated by the commercial activities of the canal. Stopover in Ampanalana: visit to the village (en chatting with the owner of a small bush stall typical of the region, where you can find a little bit of everything, Chez Maurice” arranges the life of everything well the world). Lunch on board (fresh produce purchased along the route, based on seafood…), and then welcome to the La Route des Spices in Asohihy, between the sea and the Pangalanes canal. Late afternoon at leisure:stroll along the white sandy beach of the Indian Ocean, and/or swim in the Will on the side of the canal, photo ops of the unforgettable sunset over the Pangalanes Canal. Country dinner and campfire at the end of the evening, accompanied by the folk songs and dances of the young people of the village.

Asohihy / Ambohimahatsinjo: Second day of cruising on the Pangalanes. Stop at Masomeloka (”the eyes at an angle”), a charming little town nestled by coconut palms, discovery of the traditions and customs of the villagers. Re-embarkation, the canal will change © Copyright The Spice Route 2024 and rushes between high sand slopes bordered by forest of niaouli before reaching the great lake of Analampontsy. The crossing will last a good three-quarters of an hour and you have to rely on the skill and sense of the orientation of our valiant pilot to lead to the continuation of the route of the canal, some boats went around in circles having lost their course. Stopover at Nosy Varika (”The Island of the Lemurs”). It has become a large city, the lemurs have had to leave their homes for the benefit of man: we will just take the opportunity to go to the market to find a few things organic and fresh for the meal. Arrival at the bivouac in Ambohimahatsinjo (”where we sees the whole horizon”), we chose this spot that overlooks the canal to set up camp, so that you can admire the comings and goings of the bush boats and other rowing canoes of fishermen who hurry to Returning home before nightfall.

Day  6

Ambohimahatsinjo / Mananjary : Departure at 7:00 am. Stop at Ambohitsara (”The Beautiful Village”), the last northernmost village on the east coast erected by the Antambahoaka ethnic group, visit the enigmatic ”Vato Sarilambo” (”White Elephant”) recounting the very origin of this ethnic group, and a factory of ”betsabetsa” (local mead), then meal. Continue by crossing the extraordinary bay of Andragnazavaka with its immense body of water as far as the eye can see. Visit of Ampadimana, discovery of craft workshops (weaving, basketry, etc.) cage and canoe construction, forge…). Take advantage of this visit to do when shopping for souvenir items, you’d be spoilt for choice. Peaceful sailing to Mananjary. End of the cruise and installation at your hotel.End of the cruise.  Installation at the hotel H1 Mananjary.

City tour of Mananjary in the morning, road to Ranomfana. Before arriving at the Park, stop for a guided tour of a typical Tanala village located 15 kms south Ranomafana. We will visit school, local habitation. Meet with villagers and we will asisst to traditionnal danses.. Then check-in at the hotel Centrest. (140 km stage – 4 hours)

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. The park is also the genetic reservoir of rare and some endemic plant species. It is traversed by many rivers that are tributaries of the river Namorona; visit of 2 to 4 hours we can adapt the visit. According to fitness. Afternoon visit of a Vanilla Plantation.

We take the highland road until Ambositra; before the entrance of the town, bifurcation to Antoetra. Set in a nice Ecolodge : Ivato River Lodge .(Step: 241 Kms – 6 to 7 hours )

Guided walk from the village of Antoetra to Ifasina; Immersion of Zafimaniry country. Estmate four hours round trip with more elevation changes. (According on the physical condition can be limited to visiting the village of Antoetra). Then we reach Ambositra artisanal capital. It will remain 1h30 of road before Antsirabe. Installation at the hotel : Chambre du Voyageur.- (Step 132 km – 3 h). Hôtel

Morning transfer to Tritriva, mysterious lake in a volcanic crater that has the exact shape of Madagascar. We will have an amazing and amazing perspective. Then, take the RN 34 to join the villages of Betafo 22km from Antsirabe. Start of the ride with the visit of manufacturers of traditional Malagasy popcorn using very old and typical tools. Photo break and free tasting of Malagasy popcorn. To go even further, beyond the traditional paths, go to meet the real Malagasy peasants. At the top of the hill of Ambatomalaza, we will discover a very beautiful view of the whole commune, ideal place to take the ” Picnic lunch” in the open air. Then we will be greeted by very smiling families. This will be an opportunity to learn the life of farmers and learning Malagasy culinary arts. Here, it is possible to taste different types of Malagasy dishes in different families, for example ” ravimbomanga and patsa” , ” trondro maina + romazava” , sweet potato fries, etc. Meeting with the brickmakers and tile makers on site, learning the construction of houses in clay and brick or even wood. Visit Mandritsara, the village named ” Capital of blacksmiths” where they make tools used by villagers daily like the knife, the spade, the grass, the plow etc. Continuation to the famous “Antafofo Falls” which makes this village famous. The walk leads us in the middle of rice paddies to meet Herons and Egrets. Before going to the market of Betafo (every Monday) we end with the visit of the royal tomb of a spectacular and unusual presentation. Then return to the hotel

City tour after the breakfast: you will visit a particular miniatures shops (rickshaws, bicycle, and trucks). The gem (amethyst, tourmaline, garnet …) are one of the main attractions of Antsirabe. The craftsman ”Chez Joseph” may make cutting demonstrations gems. Continuation of the road through the highlands to Ambatolampy known for its handicraft factories objects whose aluminum pots to the capital. Installation at the hotel. (Step 170 kms, 4 to 5 hours ) : Chalet des Roses.

Transfer to  Ivato Airport for the international flight. End of our services.