Road National 7

Welcome and assistance at Ivato International Airport, transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Chalet des Roses.

Picked up at your hotel by your driver who can take you to the high city to admire the view of the capital ( Haute Ville ). Then, departing for the town of Antsirabe, you will stop along the way to the village of Behenjy famous for its foie gras, and to Ambatolampy known for its artisanal manufactures of aluminum objects including pots. Continuation on Antsirabe: the landscape and the environment reveal rich laterite lands, typical Imerina villages, Catholic or Protestant churches, lively markets. Arrival in Antsirabe, hotel installation and exit to Lake Tritriva located 15 kms west of the city. It is one of the large crater lakes quite mysterious whose shape evokes the map of Madagascar. This lake also has its legend: two lovers whose parents refused marriage ended their day by drowning hand in hand. Back to the hotel  Chambre du Voyageur. (Stage of 170 kms, 4 to 5 hours )

Early morning departure south of Antsirabe. Rural walk around Manandona which is located 22km south of Antsirabe along the RN7, through beautiful landscapes of middle mountain, The village is at 1450m above sea level enjoying an ideal climate for rice production, Varieties of vegetables and other food crops (cassava, sweet potatoes, taro, potato, etc.) We will walk from village to village, immersion in the rural Malagasy world and meeting with farmers and their families; visit traditional Merina huts with their history; opportunity to participate in rural activities (cow milking, rice transplanting, vegetable growing, etc.); we will also see the production of silkworms using traditional tools (caterpillars, spinning and silk weaving). Picnic outdoors towards the end of the walk before joining the vehicle. Continuation of the southern road. After the mountains of Ankaratra, we will cross rice terraces inherited from the Indonesian culture. Stop at Ambositra the craft capital; a street in the city is dedicated to the wood carvers shops specialized in marquetry. The Artisan Hotel offers tasting of the national Malagasy dish, ”Romazava”, made with meat and brèdes. The rest of the journey, in the heart of the country Betsileo will take us to Ranomafana, one of the main national parks of the Big Island. Installation at the hotel Chez Gaspard. (260 kms stage, 8 to 9 hours).

Ranomafana, a forest-based park, covers 41,601 hectares. This protected area was declared a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007 in Atsinanana. It is home to a great wealth of endemic biodiversity. You will discover rare species of lemurs. The park is also the genetic reservoir of very rare and endemic plant species. It is traversed by many rivers, tributaries of the Namorona River; guided tour in the morning from 2 to 4 hours that you can adapt according to your physical condition. The afternoon continues quietly on Sahambavy, close to the tea plantations, located before the entrance to Fianarantsoa. Installation at the hotel on the edge of a laket”Lac Hôtel” (Step 60 kms – 2 hours ) Ranaomafana Park Detailed Sheet

Day 6

The Isalo National Park, 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. A truly exceptional show! There are several possible walking tours in the park. 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.

Early morning departure towards Tulear, desert landscape where thorny plants emerge. Crossing villages gems of researchers which the more known is Ilakaka, which is Sapphire’s city. First glimpse of Baobabs and passing by Mahafaly country’s, overlooking the famous tombs of the same name, topped by large carved posts called ”Aloalo”. We visit the Arboretum of Antsokay which is located at the entrance to the South Tulear grouping typical flora and many endemic medicinal plants in Madagascar. Lunch advised at Tulear. It remains one small hour to reach the seaside resort of Ifaty. (Step 250 kms – 5h30 ). Hôtel de la Plage.

After 1,000 kms of journey, relax at the hotel that will offer you various activities: visit a forest of baobabs ( Reniala ), trip by dugout Vezo along the coral reef, diving, fishing, snorkeling, quad biking, the village of turtles … All these activities can be arranged on site. (  The Actvités with Yannick specialist excursionist in Ifaty )

Transfer Tuléar Airport . Flight back to Antananarivo. End of our services.