After a few hours’ flight, you’ll be warmly greeted at the airport by your driver, who will take you to your hotel. Antananarivo is a city that spreads out over the hills of the Malagasy highlands, comprising a lower town and an upper town, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Overnight at your hotel.

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 in the south-west, sent his soldiers to find a princess he wished to marry. Meditating on the hill, when asked about his anxiety, he replied “Miandry vazo aho” (I’m waiting for my wife), which gave the town its name. And Princess Rasalimo finally arrived! Arrive in Miandrivazo at the end of the day and spend the night at your hotel.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

The start of the descent of the Tsiribihina river (1h transfer + day’s descent by barge)

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll set off in the morning from the Masiakampy pier, located 1 hour’s drive from Miandrivazo. Settle into the barge and begin a beautiful river cruise. The Tsiribihina River is famous for the “Fitampoha”, a ceremony of the Sakalava dynasty of the Menabe in which royal relics are bathed. After lunch, you enter the gorges, where you can observe the first lemurs. You’ll stop on the banks at around 4pm to set up camp on a large sandbank bordering the forest. You enjoy a good dinner before sleeping in tents.

Accommodation : Bivouac

Meals included : Breakfast – Lunch

To the rhythm of the “mora mora”, we set off to discover the Tsiribihina Gorge, then climb through the forest to reach the natural swimming pool, the “Nosy Ampela waterfall”, where it is of course possible to swim. Then a visit to a typical West Begidro village to discover the way of life of the villagers. In the late afternoon, we set up our tents and enjoy an evening of folklore with the villagers.

Accommodation: Bivouac

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a final half-day descent to reach the village of
Belo sur Tsiribihina via Berevo. Enjoy a tasty lunch on the barge before continuing on to Bekopaka. Your driver awaits you at the Tsiribihina jetty to take you to the village of Bekopaka. Cross the Manambolo River by ferry. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast – Lunch

After breakfast, departure for a pirogue excursion on the Manambolo River, between caves, stalactites, stalagmites and the famous tomb of the traditional family of the Vazimba tribe. Next, we explore the Petit Tsingy, a foretaste of the Grand Tsingy. The Petit Tsingy is home to 53 listed bird species, some unusual reptiles, around ten varieties of lemur and, as its star, the Decken, identifiable by its white color. Six species of lemur are endemic. After the visit, return to your hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

Departure to discover the Grands Tsingy, 17km from Bekopaka. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, it is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sites on the Big Island.
The Grand Tsingy are very sharp, pointed limestone rock formations up to 60 m high, dark grey in color. A marvellous site forming a cathedral of sharp limestone. For walking enthusiasts, the Andamozavaky circuit is particularly appealing: it’s a 3-hour walk from the village of Bekopaka, which stands out for its ecosystem: extending over a vast area of more than 70 hectares, it’s a veritable limestone labyrinth, the result of millions of years of natural erosion. This ancient city of the Vazimba, ancestors of the Malagasy people, has now become a sacred site for the region’s inhabitants. This tour takes you through secondary forest, caves (bring a headlamp), diaclases and panoramic views of this unique massif. We cross a suspension bridge. The whole area is perfectly safe, and the National Park provides safety harnesses. If you’re not too tired, you can continue the walk on a recent circuit called Broadway, which takes less than 1 hour through underground galleries. Alternatively, to discover the Grands Tsingy in a shorter, less “sporty” way, the 2/3-hour Ranotsara circuit offers a panoramic view of the Grands Tsingy. Return to the hotel after the tour.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, departure for Kirindy via Belo sur Tsiribihina and two ferry crossings.
Arrive in Kirindy mid-afternoon and check into your hotel.
The Kirindy forest reserve is noted for its rich flora (medicinal plants, precious wood trees, baobabs, etc.) and high level of endemism.
It is also a safe place to observe various types of animal species, including lemurs such as the Sifaka (Sifaka) and the Fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox). It’s also home to many birds, six species of nocturnal lemurs including Microcebes (berthae and murinus), Lemur-chat (phaner), Vositse (giant rat)…
At around 7pm, we depart for a nocturnal tour of the reserve: you may be lucky enough to spot Fosas, the small fawns endemic to Madagascar. You can also expect to find Hypogeomys antimena (large rodents) emerging from the ground to take advantage of the cool night air.
Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, before reaching Morondava, visit the Kirindy reserve. Day lemurs, Verreaux’s sifakas, brown makis and interesting bird species such as white-headed artamies and barking vangas are on the menu. If you’re lucky, you may also encounter rare reptile species such as the Laborde’s chameleon and the small land tortoise.
Continuation to Morondava after the visit. Stop at the Sacred Baobab: A sacred baobab stands out among those lining the trail. Locals come here to make offerings and honor their ancestors. According to legend, the gods didn’t appreciate the overweening pride of the baobabs. They decided to plant them upside down, with the roots in the air. Next, we discover the so-called “love baobabs”, which, according to local beliefs, can bring good luck to couples. The most striking species here is the Adansonia grandidieri. To round off this rich and beautiful day, stop to admire the sunset over the famous Baobab Alley before setting off for Morondava in the early evening.Overnight and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation: Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, departure for Antsirabe via N34 and N35. Arrival in Antsirabe at the end of the day. Short city tour and transfer to your hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, a morning stroll through the water city of Antsirabe will allow you to soak up the atmosphere of the Highlands before continuing on to Fianarantsoa.
Stop in Ambositra. This small high-altitude town is the commercial crossroads of the Zafimaniry tribes. Visit a woodcarving and marquetry workshop. After the visit, continue to Fianarantsoa, where your trip to Madagascar ends. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Standard option: Villa Sylvestre

Superior option: Zomatel

Meals included : Breakfast

Departure after breakfast and transfer to Fianarantsoa station. The train to Manakara departs at around 07:00. This is a car-train dating from the 1930s, with an average speed of 20 km/h and peak speeds of 40 km/h. You’ll be carried through picturesque Madagascan landscapes: rice paddies and emerald tropical forests, winding and hilly roads, villages with typical dwellings and street vendors, this train journey is an authentic and disorienting plunge into the Malagasy universe. Arriving at Manakara station, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

This day is devoted to discovering the Pangalanes Canal by traditional pirogue with oars. Along the canal, you’ll discover the life of this wild, lush region, where a ceaseless ballet of pirogues carrying goods or travelers unfolds. Visit several remote villages and discover their way of life and daily occupations: fishing, canoe building… Picnic on a sandy lagoon where the canal joins the Indian Ocean. Possibility of swimming in the cove.
Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast – Lunch

After breakfast, departure for Ranomafana heading north-west along a hilly, winding road. Arrive in Ranomafana mid-afternoon and check into your hotel. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

This day is dedicated to a visit to Ranomafana National Park. The park is home to many endemic and medicinal plant species. The park is renowned for the presence of small grey hapalemurs, attracted by bamboo. The black and white Vari are also a feature of this day’s visit. The village of Ranomafana is also famous for its hot springs. You can relax in the village’s hot pool after your visit. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, early departure for Ambalavao, one of the most important livestock markets in the south. This market is held on Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Visit the Antaimoro paper mill and silk factory. Around 10 km from Ambalavao, visit the Anjà reserve, managed by the local population, to observe the Makis Catta. Then on to Ranohira.
You pass the “Portes du Sud”, two rocky points marking the entrance to the south of the island on the RN7. Check-in at your hotel on arrival in Ranohira. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer by vehicle to the park entrance. Isalo Terrestre National Park is a unique ecological representation within the Madagascar National Parks network: a ruiniform massif of continental sandstone dating from the Jurassic period, with its typical geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloes, Euphorbias, Pachypodes, Kalanchoe…) and the specific fauna of this exceptional habitat (rock reptiles, the vast majority of which are endemic). The park also boasts several canyons and natural pools where you can observe lemurs and certain birds. Several tours are available, depending on your physical condition. Return to hotel after tour

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

After breakfast, departure for Ifaty via Tulear. Southern vegetation gradually takes its place in the landscape: baobabs, aloes, euphorbiaceae, impressive herds of zebus and the tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic groups. Mushroom villages of sapphire miners spring up in these desert expanses. Amidst the semi-arid landscapes of southern Madagascar lies a verdant forest landscape known as Zombitse. This national park is home to the Coquerel’s Sifaka and many species of birds, including the Coua. Arrive in Tuléar, visit the Antsokay Arboretum and transfer to Ifaty.
Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard hotel

Meals included : Breakfast

Free day at leisure for hotel activities. Night and breakfast at your hotel.

Accommodation : Standard Hotel

Meals included : Breakfast