Between land and sea, tracks and cruise

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to Tananarive

  Welcome. Transfer from the airport to the hotel on a full board basis. Briefing on the rest of the itinerary. The afternoon is devoted to visiting the historic and administrative capital of the country, in other words "the city of a thousand": Rova Palace and Analakely market. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

• day 2

  Tananarive-Antsirabe

  3 hours by road; that's the time needed to reach Antsirabe. In the afternoon: visit of the lakes and surroundings of Antsirabe, which remains one of the country's rice granaries. Depending on the weather, the small lakes circuit is ideal for a picnic. 1H30 maximum for Lake Tritriva in particular. This will be an opportunity for our local guide to explain to us the many "fady" and taboos of the region around this volcanic lake, 146 meters deep, much appreciated by Commander Cousteau. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Antsirabe-Ambositra

  2h of paved road to reach Ambositra, the capital of handicrafts. After lunch, visit of the city and the Zafimaniry marquetry and basketry workshops, which, along with agriculture, are the only resources of the "Haute Mastiatra" region. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Ambositra-Ranomafana

  A few more turns on the RN7 before turning towards the east coast and the humid tropical forest, heading to Ranomafana, a small spa village and entrance to the national park of the same name. First short 2-hour circuit to do in the afternoon before heading to the hotel for dinner and the night. Bring rain gear for this occasion, since we are in the middle of the "forest corridor" and it rains almost all year round.

• day 5

  Ranomafana National Park

  After breakfast, a large 3-hour tour awaits you in the national park and its primary forest, where endemic fauna and flora are present: about ten species of lemurs recorded, giraffe beetle, orchids, multicolored amphibians... and, with a bit of luck, the famous fosa. 3 more hours of driving to reach Ambalavao, the last village of the highlands before crossing the desert. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  The Anja Reserve

  The stage is divided into 2 sections. First stop at the Anja village reserve, a sanctuary for ring-tailed lemurs amidst majestic granite boulders. 3 hours of driving are planned to reach Ranohira, the gateway to the Isalo massif. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Isalo National Park

  Ruiniform massif in the middle of the desert, also called the "Malagasy Colorado", which offers several routes depending on the level of difficulty and physical condition. To do in picnic mode: the big loop, natural pool, Namaza circus, nymphs' waterfall, black and blue pool. 12 km to cover in the day, about 7 hours with breaks, without rushing. Return to the hotel for dinner and the night.

• day 8

  Isalo-Tuléar

  Short stop in Ilakaka and visit to the gemstone showrooms and sapphire mines to break up this half-day drive. Visit of the city of Tuléar, the "luminous one", and boarding the schooner "Jack Sparrow" for a briefing and the first night on board.

• day 9

  Tuléar-Mangily

  First day of sailing heading outside the 3rd largest coral barrier in the world, heading towards Mangily and its lagoon. During the season, it is possible to spot large marine mammals such as humpback whales before passing through the channel that will take us to the first anchorage on the Roses massif: a protected marine reserve, ideal for snorkeling. Lunch, dinner, and overnight on board.

• day 10

  Mangily-Ambatovaky

  Biggest day of sailing between these 2 villages, during which we have to leave the lagoon. It's another opportunity to observe whales, go trolling for fish, or simply relax on the schooner's sundeck. Dinner and overnight on board or at the hotel.

• day 11

  Ambatovaky

  Rest day on the private beach of the Ambatovaky guesthouse. Outrigger canoe ride, botanical tour, ping-pong, and an exhibition of decorative wood are offered during this charming stopover. Full board at the hotel and overnight stay of your choice.

• day 12

  Ambatovaky-Salary

  2h of sailing on turquoise water inside the lagoon are necessary to reach Salary, an authentic fishing village. Beach activities with full board at the hotel and overnight stay of your choice: in a double room or aboard the Jack Sparrow.

• day 13

  Salary

  Sporty atmosphere, as a sea outing is planned that day to observe whales, take your first dive or complete your diving levels. Indeed, the main attraction lies in the hotel's water sports center, which offers dives on 17th-century wrecks and their many hidden treasures. Full board at the hotel.

• day 14

  Salary-Andravona

  Last short stage inside the lagoon to reach Andravona and its lodge; an opportunity to meet the Mikea, an ethnic group thought to have disappeared for decades. Afternoon activities of your choice: quad biking, kitesurfing, flyboarding, baobab forest... Full board at the hotel and overnight stay of your choice.

• day 15

  Andravona-Tuléar

  Return by 4x4 with 4 hours of track through the bush. Short swimming-lunch break by the sea before returning to civilization and the city of Tuléar for the last shopping. Authentic evenings guaranteed on weekends, since the city's motto remains "Toliara tsy miroro" = Tuléar never sleeps. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 16

  Domestic flight Tuléar-Tananarive

  Domestic flight Tuléar-Tananarive