Day 1 : Arrival in Antananarivo
Today you arrive at the international airport of Tana. After all formalities and money exchange, you will be welcomed by your English speaking tour guide. You will then be transferred to your hotel, which is located in the city centre.
Overnight stay at La Villette
Day 2 : Antananarivo to Andasibe (around 142Km)
Today you will set off for Andasibe, towards the east. In Manjakandriana, an exciting visit to a small local workshop is planned, where you will be shown how zebu carts are made step by step. Afterwards you will explore the peaceful surroundings on foot via hiking trails and visit a local beekeeping centre where you will have the opportunity to experience the hospitality of the Malagasy people. Explore the peaceful surroundings on foot via footpaths, where you can also learn a lot about the hospitality of the Malagasy people. Afterwards, continue your journey to Andasibe, where the Perinet Reserve is located. Many species of lemurs and makis are found here, both day and night active. Arrival in the afternoon. The evening can be ended with a night hike along the forest in search of nocturnal animals:
Frogs,chameleons and other nocturnal animals will accompany you with their nocturnal activities.
2 overnight stays at Feon’ny Ala
Day 3 : Andasibe to Ankanin’ny Nofy (around 228 km)
Today you say goodbye to Andasibe and continue your journey to Manambato. Especially impressive is the green landscape that extends on today’s journey. After your arrival in Manambato. An impressive boat trip on the Pangalanes Canal awaits you. On board of a motorboat you go to Akanin’ny Nofy, which is translated as “Nest of Dreams”. During the trip you can experience the hospitality of the fishing villages at first hand. In the evening you have the opportunity to end the day with a night walk in the surrounding forests. You will follow the tracks of nocturnal butterflies and chameleons, such as the small “Calumma nasutum” and many other nocturnal animals.
2 overnight stays at Palmarium.
Day 4 : Akanin’ny Nofy
In the morning you undertake a one-hour hike in the surrounding rainforest to observe different lemur species, such as the Sifakas and Indris. The variety of plants here is also worth seeing. Among other things you will see the carnivorous pitcher plant, which is endemic to Madagascar. Afterwards you walk through a typical Madagascan village of the Betsimisaraka tribes called “Ampahatany”, which is literally translated as “piece of land”. Here you will have the chance to talk to the locals, who will welcome you with a friendly smile and a warm welcome. After the hike the rest of the day is at your free disposal.
Overnight stay at the same hotel.
Day 5 : Come back to Antananarivo
Today you leave this idyllic world of Akanin’ny Nofy. From your hotel your boat transfer to Manambato takes place again. Afterwards you continue your journey to Tana. At the end of the afternoon you will arrive in Tana.
Overnight stay at La Villette.
Day 6 : Antananarivo to Ambositra(around 265Km)
Today you say goodbye to Tana and drive south to Ambositra, through the highlands with their rice terraces. Passing picturesque villages you will reach the small town of Ambositra. As the town is famous for woodcarving, depending on the time available, you can visit a small workshop where you can watch the processing of wooden objects. At the end you will move into your room.
Overnight stay at L’Artisan.
Day 7 : Ambositra to Ambalavao(around 205Km)
After a generous breakfast you will set out for Ambalavao today. After your arrival you can participate in a cultural and interesting city tour. You will visit a paper factory that produces paper from the Havoha tree. This kind of production is originally from Arab businessmen. Finally you will be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your free disposal.
Overnight stay at Tsienimparihy Lodge.
Day 8 : Ambalavao to Ranohira (around 225Km)
The journey continues. You will leave Ambalavao and set course for Ranohira. On the way you will visit the Anja Park, where the Cattas can be found. Cattas belong to the group of lemurs and because of their specific social behaviour they are probably the most amusing representatives of the Malagasy animal world next to the sifakas. Afterwards you continue to Ranohira. On the way to Ihosy you will experience an impressive change from the terraced highlands to the dry region of the south at the huge granite formation “Gateway of the South”. A journey into another world, shaped by herds of cattle and their herdsmen, the land of the Bara, one of the most original ethnic groups of Madagascar. Grass steppes are interrupted by imposing rocks and river courses and you pass small villages under mango trees. Past the bishop’s hat, a holy place of the people living here, you will reach your destination for today, the village of Ranohira in the Isalo mountains, via the treeless plateau of Ihorombe. At the end of the afternoon you can admire the impressive sunset at the window of Isalo. The evening atmosphere at the window of Isalo and its surroundings is unique.
2 overnight stays at Isalo Ranch.
Day 9 : Isalo National Park
Ranohira is famous for the Isalo National Park. A day trip through the sandstone formations is worthwhile today. The rugged mountain landscape with bizarre rock formations and caves are especially attractive. Despite the dry climate, streams with crystal clear water run through the deep gorges and provide small green oases. Let yourself be impressed by the spectacular mountain landscape with rocks that shimmer in colour and enjoy this unique landscape that will catch your eye. The gorges and deep canyons carry the water during the dry season and are considered the irrigation of the park. After the impressive hike, a beautifully laid out, natural swimming pool awaits you.
Overnight stay at the same hotel.
Day 10 : Ranohira to Ifaty (around 265Km)
The journey continues. You drive to the small fishing village of Ifaty, via the city of the sun called “Tuléar”. On the way, you will focus your attention on the art of burial through wall paintings and grave steles of the population of the south, called Antandroys and Mahafalys. It cannot be missed on this route. In the south of Madagascar, the locals work hard during their lifetime in order to be able to afford a large or magnificent grave later on. In a village called Andranomaitso the first baobabs of the journey can be seen. Before your arrival you make a stop at the arboretum of Antsokay. Take a walk through the Antsokay Arboretum and explore what this botanical garden has to offer. There are over 900 species of succulents, 90% of which are endemic to Madagascar. There are also 100 species of euphorbia, 60 species of kalanchoe and over 20 species of aloe registered in the park. One of the rarest Aloe species of Madagascar, the “Aloe suzannae”, of which there are no more than 10 plants in Madagascar, can also be seen here. In the end we continue our journey to Ifaty, your destination today.
3 Overnight stays at Bamboo club.
Day 11 : Ifaty
An accompanied visit to the baobab forest is now part of the program. You hike amidst atypical vegetation. The park consists of many species of plants that can only be seen in the southern part of Madagascar, including countless endemic dry plants “Didieraceaen” as well as the famous baobabs (Adansonia rubrostipa), pachypodia, euphorbias and other unusual plants. The reserve also offers birdwatchers the chance to observe rare species of birds such as the long-tailed ground squirrel. After this extensive visit, the rest of the day is free for your own activities.
Overnight stay at the same hotel.
Day 12 : Ifaty
The last day in Ifaty is completely dedicated to total relaxation. Optional sea excursions can be easily organised on site. Another alternative is to walk through the fishing village of Ifaty. Otherwise, let the rhythm of the waves stimulate you and enjoy your stay on the beach.
Overnight stay as the 02 days before.
Day 13 : Flight back to Antananarivo
Today you will leave this authentic world of Ifaty and be taken to the airport of Tuléar. From here you will fly back to Tana. After your landing the rest of the day is at your free disposal.
Overnight stay at La Villette.
Day 14 : Departure
The journey ends today. Before you start your flight home, you can take a walk through the different districts of the city or go to the local markets to buy some souvenirs. Finally you will be taken to the airport where you will say goodbye to the red island. You will fly home with new impressions.
