Treasures of the west and magic of southern madagascar

Antananarivo

After a few hours of flight, you are warmly welcomed at the airport by your driver who will take you to your hotel. Antananarivo is a town that spreads over the hills of the Malagasy highlands, consisting of a low-town and a high-rise city classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Overnightatyourhotel.

Accommodation: Standard Hotel
Mealsincluded:

Antananarivo – Miandrivazo (+/- 7hours of road)

After breakfast, departure for Miandrivazo via Antsirabe and Betafo. Miandrivazo is the starting point for all excursions on the Tsiribihina River. The Malagasy King Radama I, returning from his conquests of the Southwest, had sent his soldiers to find a princess he wished to marry. Meditating on the hill, when asked about his anxiety, he replied «Miandryvazoaho» (I am waiting for my wife), who gave his name to the city. And Princess Rasalimo finally arrived! Arrived in Miandrivazo at the end of the day and night at your hotel.

Accommodation: Standard Hotel
Meals included: – Breakfast

Miandrivazo – Masiakampy

After a delicious breakfast, you leave in the morning from the Masiakampy pier located 1 hour from Miandrivazo track. You settle on the barge and start a nice river cruise. The Tsiribihina River is well-known for the famous “Fitampoha” which is a ceremony of the Sakalava Dynasty of the Menabe to bathe the royal relics. After lunch, you enter the gorges, and observe the first lemurs. You will stop on the banks around 4.00 p.m to install the bivouac on a large sandbar that borders the forest. You enjoy a good dinner before sleeping in tents.

Accommodation: Bivouac

Meals included: – Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Second day of the descent in Chaland on Tsiribihina

At the rhythm of the «moramora», departure for the discovery of the gorge of the Tsiribihina then climb through the forest to reach the natural swimming pool, «the waterfall of Nosy Ampela» where it is of course possible to bathe. Then visit a typical village of the West Begidro to discover the way of life of the villagers. In the late afternoon, installation of tents and folk evening with the villagers.

Accommodation: Bivouac

Meals included: – Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Transfer to Bekopaka

After breakfast, enjoy a last half day of downhill to reach the village ofBelo surTsiribihina via Berevo. You have a tasty lunch on the barge before continuing the adventure to Bekopaka. Your driver is waiting for you at the Tsiribihina pier to transfer you to the village of Bekopaka. Crossing the Manamboloriver by ferry. Arrival on site, installation at your hotel and free evening.

Accommodation: Bivouac

Meals included: – Breakfast – Lunch

The Manambolo River and the Petit Tsingy

After breakfast, departure for a canoe excursion on the Manambolo River, between caves, stalactites, stalagmites and the famous tomb of the traditional family of the Vazimba tribe. Then, exploration of the “petitTsingy”, a foretaste for the “grand Tsingy”, which is home to 53 species of birds, unusual reptiles, a dozen varieties of lemurs and as star the Decken identifiable by its white color. Six species of lemurs are endemic. After the visit, return to the hotel. Overnight and breakfast atyourhotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Bekopaka, the “grand tsingy”

Departure to discover the Great Tsingy 17km from Bekopaka. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, it is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sites on the Great Island.
The bigTsingy are very sharp and sharp limestone rock formations up to 60 m tall, of a dark grey colour. A wonderful site forming a cathedral of sharp limestone. The circuit of Andamozavakymay please the walkers: about 3hours of walk of the village of Bekopaka which stands out notably by its ecosystem: extending over a vast surface of more than 70 hectares, it is a real maze of limestone, the fruits of several million years of natural erosion. This ancient city of the Vazimba, ancestors of the Malagasy people, has now become a sacred place for the inhabitants of the region. This circuit makes you discover: the secondary forest, caves (to be equipped with a headlamp), diaclases, and panoramic views on this massif unique in the world. We cross a suspension bridge. The whole is perfectly secure and very well landscaped by the national park which provides safety harnesses. If you are not too tired you can continue the ride on a recent circuit called Broadway, less than 1 hour through underground galleries. Alternatively, in order to discover the great Tsingy in a shorter and less ‘sporty’ way, the 2 to 3hoursRanotsara circuit gives you access to a panorama of the Great Tsingy. Transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Bekopaka – Kirindy

After breakfast, departure to Kirindy via Belo on Tsiribihina and two ferry crossings. Arrival in Kirindy in the middle of the afternoon and installation at your hotel. The forest reserve of Kirindy is distinguished by its considerable wealth of flora (medicinal plants, precious wood trees, baobabs …) with a high endemic rate. It also makes it possible to observe nearby and without any danger different types of animal species namely: lemurs like the Propitheque (Sifaka) and the Cryptoproctaferox (Fosa). It is also a place that shelters many birds, six species of lemurs nocturnal including the Microcèbes (berthae and murinus), the Lemur-cat (phaner), theVositse (giant rat)… Around 7 pm, departure for a night walk within the reserve: you may have the chance to come across Fosas, these small wild animals endemic to Madagascar. Also expect to find Hypogeomysantimena (large rodents) coming out of the ground to enjoy the fresh air of the night. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Kirindy – Morondava

After breakfast, before reaching Morondava, visit of the reserve of Kirindy. Day lemurs as well as Verreaux’sPropithecus, brown Makis and interesting avian species such as bald artamies and barking vangas are on the agenda. With a bit of luck, rare reptile species such as the Laborde chameleon and the small tortoise can also be found in the forest. Continue to Morondava after the visit. Stop at the sacred Baobab: A sacred baobab stands out among those who line the track. Locals come here to deposit offerings and honour their ancestors. According to legend, the gods do not appreciate the excessive pride of baobabs. They decided to plant them upside down, putting the roots in the air. Then, discovery of the baobabs called lovers, which according to the beliefs of the locals can bring luck to couples. At the site, the most prominent species is Adansoniagrandidieri. To finish this rich and beautiful day, stop to admire the sunset on the famous Baobabs alley before leaving for Morondava in the early evening. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Morondava – Antsirabe

After breakfast, departure for Antsirabe via National 34 and National 35. Arrival in Antsirabe at the end of the day. Tour of the city and transfer to your hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Antsirabe - Fianarantsoa

After breakfast, a morning walk in the water town of Antsirabe will allow you to soak up the atmosphere of the Highlands before continuing towards Fianarantsoa. Stop in Ambositra. This small town of altitude is the commercial crossroads of the Zafimaniry tribes. Visit of a workshop of wood sculptor and marquetry. After the visit, continue to Fianarantsoa where your trip to Madagascar is a stop at the end of the day. Overnight and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Fianarantsoa – Manakara

Departure after breakfast and transfer to the train station of Fianarantsoa. The train departure to Manakara is around 07.00 am. It is a 1930s car train with an average speed of 20 km/h and peaks at 40 km/h. You let yourself be carried through the picturesque landscapes of Madagascar: between rice fields and tropical emerald forests, winding and hilly roads, villages with typical dwellings and itinerant merchants. This train trip is an authentic and exotic dive into the Malagasy world. Arriving at Manakara train station, your driver will wait for you and take you to your hotel. Overnight and breakfast atyourhotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Manakara

This day is dedicated to the discovery of the Pangalanes channel in a traditional rowing canoe. Along the canal, you discover the life of this wild and lush region where an incessant ballet of canoes transporting goods or travelers takes place. Visit several remote villages and discover their way of life and daily activities: fishing, construction of canoes… Picnic on a sand lagoon at a place where the canal joins the Indian Ocean. Possibility of swimming in the cove.
At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Overnight and breakfast atyourhotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast – Lunch

Manakara – Ranomafana

After breakfast, departure for Ranomafana towards North-West on a hilly and winding road. Arrival in mid-afternoon in Ranomafana and installation at your hotel. Night and breakfast atyourhotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Discover Ranomafana National Park

After your breakfast, you will go for an excursion in the National Park of Ranomafana with a local guide. This Park is known for its hot spring. This tropical rainforest host many species of lemurs, birds, reptiles including lizards and chameleons living on luxury vegetation with rare endemic plants like ferns, bamboos and hundreds of orchids. Around 6hs walk- possible observations: primary forest landscape, some species of lemurs including VareciaVariegata, frog, waterfall, landscape…Back to your hotel and night.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Ranomafana – Ranohira

After breakfast, morning departure to Ambalavao, which is also one of the most important cattle markets in the South. This market is held onlyon Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visit of the Antaimoro paper factory, and silk manufacturing. About 10 km from Ambalavao, visit of the reserve Anjà which is managed by the local population to observe the MakisCatta. Then continue towards Ranohira. You pass the «Portes du Sud», two rocky points that mark the entrance of the south of the island by the RN7. Check-in at the hotel on arrival in Ranohira. Overnight and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Isalo National Park

After breakfast, transfer by car to the entrance of the park. Isalo National Terrestrial Park is a unique ecological representation within the National Parks network Madagascar: a ruiniform massif of continental sandstone dating from the Jurassic period with its typical geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloe, Euphorbia, Pachypodes, Kalanchoe, etc.) and the specific fauna of this exceptional habitat (rock reptiles, the vast majority of which are endemic). There are also several canyons and natural swimming pools where you can observe lemurs and some birds. Several tours will be offered according to your physical condition. Return to the hotel after the visit.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Ranohira – Toliara – Ifaty

After breakfast, departure for Ifaty via Tulear. The vegetation of the South gradually takes its place in the landscape: baobabs, aloes, euphorbiaceae as well as the impressive herds of zebus, the tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic groups. The mushroom villages of the sapphire seekers originate in these desert areas. Amidst the semi-arid landscapes of southern Madagascar, there is a green forest landscape named: Zombitse. This national park is the refuge of the Propithèque de Coquerel and many species of birds such as the different Coua. Arrival in Tulear, visit to the Antsokay Arboretum and transfer to Ifaty.
Night and breakfast atyourhotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Ifaty

Free day dedicated to the activities offered by the hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: standard hotel

Meals included: – Breakfast

Ifaty – Tuléar - Tana

Transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule to Antananarivo. Arrival in Antananarivo and formalities for your international flight.

End of our services

Meals included: – Breakfast