MADAGASCAR BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH: AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Antananarivo

  

  Welcome and transfer to the hotel in Antananarivo, the capital, which is the beating heart of Madagascar. Indeed, the "City of a Thousand" is at once the largest economic, political, historical, and cultural hub. Antananarivo is a stop not to be missed, as it has undeniable tourist appeal, which is not always apparent at first glance. The palaces, streets, squares, and houses of the upper town tell a fascinating past. Welcome upon your arrival and transfer to the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 2

  Diego

  

  Flight to Diego Suarez. Welcome by your guide at the airport. Transfer and check-in at your hotel. Check-in at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 3

  Diego

  

  32 KMS +/- 30 min by road + crossing by motorized or traditional dugout canoe Road to Ramena, we board a speedboat for the Emerald Sea. The immense bay of Diego Suarez is the emblematic site of the northern tip of Madagascar. With its inner bays, it is among the largest bays in the world and, for many, among the most beautiful! We invite ourselves to judge for ourselves. With the fishermen from the village of Ramena, we embark to follow the bay for a while, take the pass and head out into the Indian Ocean to approach the small islands not far from there. Here, the sea is green and we call it emerald. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 4

  Diego

  

  50 KMS +/-1h Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the visit of the Amber Mountain National Park. Accompanied by the park guides, we hike in the lush forest. This park is home to exceptional vegetation with tree ferns, palms, orchids, many exotic species, while beautiful conifer alleys line the track leading to the forest station. Waterfalls and crater lakes enhance our walk. And of course, the Malagasy fauna with the friendly lemur. We encounter the crowned lemur, the Sanford's lemur. 7 species share the area. We also get to know chameleons, geckos, and other uroplatus. The birds in the park are as numerous as they are colorful. In the afternoon, drive and walk around the bay: the Dunes and Pigeons bays. Walk in Orangéa, along the Ramena beach and the cliff, the pass leading to the Indian Ocean is very close. Walk up to the lighthouse. Here we are at Cap Miné, a place full of history where some remains of the French presence are still visible. Check-in at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 5

  Ankarana

  

  140 KMS +/-5h Breakfast at the hotel. In a 4x4, we go around the Amber Mountain massif and head south. Between Diego and Nosy Be, we stop at 2 amazing sites: first the Red Tsingy, a dry riverbed and clay, then those of Ankarana, a former coral barrier. For both, water, wind, and a lot of time have produced this result: astonishing sculptures, a limestone massif like a stone forest! Arrival at the hotel in the early afternoon. Check-in at the hotel on a half-board basis.

• day 6

  Ankarana

  

  Visit for a day We leave the hotel to visit the Ankarana massif, then discover the great Tsingy and the caves (owls, crowned lemurs, mongooses, tenrecs, bats…). Lunch at your own expense. Night at the hotel with half board.

• day 7

  Antsohihy

  

  450 KMS +/- 7 of road Early departure. A section of the track is a bit difficult, but the journey offers you a surprising scenery. Arrival in Antsohihy at the end of the day. Night at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 8

  Ankarafantsika

  

  350 KMS +/- 6 of road After breakfast, we take the road towards Ankarafantsika. We pass through many villages, but also large stretches of savannah. Check-in and overnight at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 9

  Ankarafantsika

  

  Breakfast at the hotel, departure for the visit of Ankarafantsika Park. Ankarafantsika includes a unique floristic formation on a sandy massif, in which there are faunal species with a very high rate of endemism and not represented in other protected areas. The park also features varied and contrasting landscapes, such as different types of forests, savannah, lakes, or the "lavaka" of Ankarokaroka, the result of gigantic erosion. Check-in and overnight at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 10

  Antananarivo

  

  465 KMS +/- 6 by road Departure a little early for the Malagasy capital. It is a long day of travel that we are undertaking today; fortunately, the quality of the asphalt is perfect. The area is rather inhospitable but oh so beautiful. Then come the small towns of Maevatanana and Ambondromamy. This is where we cross the vast Tampoketsa plateau, an uninhabited, uncultivable area, where it is either very hot or very windy. Going down a long escarpment, we leave behind on the road the almost unique village of Ankazobe. Arrival at the end of the day in Antananarivo. Check-in at your hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 11

  Antsirabe

  

  170 KMS +/- 3h30 by road Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the South. As soon as you leave Antananarivo, the rice fields and characteristic villages of the central highlands of Madagascar shape the landscape. In Ambatolampy, a stop allows you to discover the amazing work of the aluminum pot makers, the ones you find all over Madagascar. Overnight at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 12

  Ranomafana

  

  253 KMS +/- 6h drive After breakfast, head towards the land of the Betsileos, then stop at Ambositra. Cultural discovery is the hallmark of this lively little town full of surprises. Stalls of carved wooden objects and marquetry line the alleys: statuettes, spears, jewelry boxes, paintings, furniture... The main creators of these works are the Zafimaniry, and a visit to their workshops is a must. Along the way, you can admire the beauty of the wooden sculptures atop tombs. Continue to Ranomafana. Check-in at the hotel with bed and breakfast.

• day 13

  Ranomafana

  

  Breakfast then visit to Ranomafana National Park. Ranomafana National Park offers a lush landscape of humid tropical forests. Alongside this luxuriant vegetation, there are secondary formations that continue to grow and expand within the park. Due to the high humidity that characterizes the climate of Ranomafana, the park is crossed by numerous streams that originate in the massifs, then wind through the rugged landscape or hills to flow into magnificent waterfalls and spectacular falls. They also form natural pools nestled in a dreamlike setting. In addition to these natural sights, Ranomafana also builds its reputation on its thermal stations. REM: 3 to 4 hours of walking depending on your physical condition Note, from June to August, high humidity Equipment to bring: walking shoes, rainwear, mosquito repellent spray Check-in at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 14

  Tsaranoro

  

  After breakfast, head south with the last descents from the plateaus through the wine region of Fianarantsoa. On the way, visit the Anja village reserve, where you will get up close to the lemurs. Anja is home to the northernmost population of the best-known lemur: the ring-tailed lemur. Afterwards, we continue to Tsaranoro. Check-in at the hotel with bed and breakfast.

• day 15

  Ranohira

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Upon leaving the camp, we cross the sacred forest of Tsaranoro, the cemetery of the valley's inhabitants. By setting out early in the morning, we will have a good chance of seeing lemurs warming themselves in the sun. After a short climb towards Tsaranoro, we turn off to cross the stream coming from the plateau. A short refreshing break, then we follow the stream up to reach the plateau. We will then turn left, towards the summit of Langera, known as "The Chameleon." After a final steep section, caution is advised to reach the ridge, where you can enjoy the landscape at your leisure. After the picnic, or just a snack depending on the time, you will descend towards the village of Morarano, then back to the camp through the valley floor. Walking in the valley floor is often hot, but you can stop along the river to cool off. After the visit, our route opens onto the vast southern expanse with the crossing of the Ihorombe plateau, a vast steppe frequented by herds, which stretches to the foothills of the Isalo massif. Duration: 4h round trip Difficulty: Not very difficult Elevation gain: approx. 600 m Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel with bed and breakfast.

• day 16

  Ranohira

  

  Isalo National Park is located in the Ihorombe region, about 700 km from Antananarivo. It borders the commune of Ranohira, which serves as its entry point, and covers an area of about 80,000 hectares. Visitors are enchanted by its natural pools, majestic canyons, and caves formed in rocks dating from the Jurassic period. All arrangements are made to allow everyone to fully enjoy their stay in the park. Numerous hotels, apartments, villas, and bungalows are available for them to have a pleasant time in the wilderness. If you wish to try the experience, we offer vehicle rentals (cars, 4*4s, minibuses, quad bikes, motorcycles) and the assistance of a guide. Check-in at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 17

  Ifaty

  

  300 KMS +/- 5h drive Departure from Ranohira to reach Tuléar. The vegetation of the South gradually takes its place in the landscape: baobabs, aloes, euphorbiaceae... Along the road, you can observe the impressive herds of zebu as well as the tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic groups. The mushroom villages of sapphire seekers are born in desert expanses. Arrival in Tuléar, in the heart of a landscape of rocky massifs with spectacular shapes. Short tour of the city, then continuation to Ifaty. Stop along the way to visit the Reniala reserve. Check-in at the hotel in bed and breakfast.

• day 18

  Ifaty

  

  Free days. Several activities are possible from your hotel. The sea and the beach invite you to relax and unwind. Check-in at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 19

  Ifaty

  

  Free days. Check-in at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 20

  Antananarivo

  

  After the last dive in Tuléar, according to the Tsaradia flight schedule, transfer to Tuléar for the flight to Antananarivo. Transfer and check-in at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

• day 21

  Antananarivo

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. If the weather permits, you will make a short stop at the craft market for some shopping. Transfer to the airport.