1- The Highlands and Handicrafts
2- The Wide-Open Spaces of the South and its exceptional biodiversity
3- An adventure off the beaten path
4- The famous Avenue of the Baobabs
Crossing the Highlands from Antananarivo to Toliary in the South with a 4wd car, this trip is a true microcosm of Madagascar’s diversity, it offers a spectacular road trip. Then, continuing to Morondava through the South/West, sometimes on the sandy track , enjoying spectacular views of the beaches along the Mozambique Channel, the land of the Vezo people, the nomads of the sea; sometimes inland, along laterite red tracks, through the regions inhabited by the Sakalava, Mahafaly, and Antandroy ethnic groups, where one can explore tropical forests inhabited by shy lemurs, savannahs where mighty baobabs grow, and the bush studded with the incredible octopus trees, crossing either the rivers via their slow winding course or their dried beds (during the dry season).
A large part of the route winds along the Coral Reef, the second largest in the world; a world apart, an atmosphere of purity and tranquillity with the powerful rumble of waves outside the lagoon in the background. Ampasilava, Salary… the beaches of the Coral
Reef invite to experience this uncommon habitat, revealing a fascinating world, full of magic and charm. There one can dive into the depths of the reef’s transparent waters, and be slowly rocked by the gentle tide; while time seems to stand still, one feels stolen away and mesmerised by its enormity, punctuated only by pirogues with an outrigger which silently parade themselves. The luxurious beauty of vegetation cannot fail to capture your attention, and hours become days in this vast and succulent expanse. When travelling on tracks that lead to the South/West of Madagascar, one can rediscover the forgotten rhythms of life, be at one with Nature, and experience a truly unspoilt land. An unforgettable journey into the depths of the soul of the Earth.
| Arrival at the international airport of Ivato; after formalities process, meet with our representative and driver; then we will take you on a tour of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, or “the city of a thousand,” from the lower city to the upper city perched on the hill of Analamanga, where you will find the most typical buildings of the Merina civilization, the people who inhabit this region, and also the remains of the Queen’s Palace in Manjakamiadana. At the end of the visits, you will go to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. Accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight. |
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Breakfast at hotel; departure by private car to Antsirabe, reachable along a road that winds through the countryside, where you can admire extensive rice fields and the work of the fields that varies according to the seasons; also the typical villages of the crossed regions, the Imerina and the Vakinankaratra; along the way, stop in the large village of Ambatolampy to visit the artisans who manufacture valuable aluminum objects, both decorative and for daily use; free lunch in a local restaurant; then continuation of the road to Antsirabe. Upon arrival, visit of the thermal town of Antsirabe, characterized by many historic residences along wide tree-lined avenues, the typical market of Asabotsy, especially to discover various local products, then accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight.
| Breakfast at the hotel; continuation to Ranomafana; on the way, visit to the town of Ambositra, famous for its valuable wooden handicrafts; among them the Zafimaniry, UNESCO Intangible World Heritage; after the visit, free lunch in restaurant; continuation of drive towards the eastern slopes, arriving in the afternoon at the Ranomafana National Park; visit of a small tribute known as the “Tanala Village” for a cultural share with the locals; then, accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight. |
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Breakfast at the hotel; whole morning dedicated to hiking in the park, among streams, rushing waterfalls, along the paths that cross the rainforest where various species of lemurs and other endemic animals will be observed; free lunch at a restaurant; in the afternoon, continuation of the itinerary to Fianarantsoa, the main town of the Betsileo; visit to the typical Upper Town of Fianarantsoa, listed in the « World Monument Watch » as one of the 100 most vulnerable historical sites in the world; at the end of the visit, continuation of the trip to Ambalavao; upon arrival, accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight.
| After breakfast; visit of a typical handicraft factory where we will witness the creation of the « Antemoro Paper »; continuation of the itinerary towards Isalo National Park; stop along the road to visit Anja Reserve, which offers the opportunity to spot an important group of Catta lemurs; free lunch at a restaurant; continuation through the savannah and Horombe plain, with arrival at the end of the day at the park; accommodation at hotel; in the evening, dinner and overnight. |
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After breakfast, full day dedicated to hiking in the park; the Isalo National Park is a unique ecological representation within Madagascar National Parks sites: a ruinous massif of continental sandstone from the Jurassic period with its typical geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloe, Euphorbia, Pachypodium, Kalanchoe….) and the specific fauna of this exceptional habitat (rock reptiles, most of which are endemic); the park is also characterized by canyons, rock pinnacles and limestone spires of the most bizarre shapes, streams, natural lakes fed by rivers and waterfalls, where you can swim, forests inhabited by lemurs of various species; free picnic lunch; after the visit, accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight.
| After breakfast of the itinerary to Ifaty; on the way, you will discover some types of baobabs in Andranomaitso; then continuing to the Zombitse National Park for a visit; this Protected Area boasts an « exceptional biodiversity” to discover other types of baobabs and birds; free picnic lunch; afternoon drive to arrival in Ifaty through the beautiful lagoon. Arrival in Ifaty at the end of the day. Accommodation at hotel; in the evening, dinner and overnight. |
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After breakfast, continuation of the itinerary along the track further north, passing through breath-taking coral beaches; free lunch in restaurant; then continuation of the trip through the shrub savannah and tribal villages of the Sakalava and Masikoro peoples; you will frequently see local trucks loaded with cotton and various products
along the road; arrival in Ambatomilo at the end of the day, accommodation at hotel; in the evening, dinner and overnight.
| Breakfast at the hotel, whole day dedicated to relaxing on the beautiful coral beach or discovering the surroundings; free lunch at the hotel, afternoon relax on the beach. Accommodation at hotel; in the evening, dinner and overnight at the hotel. |
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After breakfast, continuing the itinerary to the coast along the piste through savannah where you can admire rare species of baobabs; free lunch on the way; arrival at the end of the afternoon to the city of Morombe, the main centre of the Vezo ethnic group; in the evening, dinner and overnight at a simple hotel (simple Ecolodge **no
other choice**).
| After breakfast, according to the available time, exploration of the area where there is a very peaceful atmosphere that offers the opportunity to meet local people who inhabit these places in the neighbouring villages, the Sakalava; then continuation of the itinerary; barge crossing of Mangoky River in the village of Bevoay; free lunch at a restaurant along the way; the journey continues north along the piste through forests, where you can observe mighty baobabs together with typical animals such as iguanas, geckos, uroplatus; arrival in a small fishing village of the Vezo people along the coast; the Malagasy coast along the Mozambique Channel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country thanks to the geographical isolation that makes it almost untouched; dinner and overnight at hotel. |
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Breakfast at the hotel; morning visit the charming village of Belo, inhabited by Vezo fishermen known for the skill of manufacturing the « botry », the typical local boats, made entirely of wood, that ply the Mozambique Channel, today as in the past centuries, connecting the coasts of Madagascar and further north to the Comoros archipel; Belo is not only a beach, but a region of incredible natural interest; departure to Morondava for about 4 hours of drive; free
picnic lunch; continuation of the road until Kirindy reserve; at the end of the day, evening walk in the forest; this forest is a real playground for naturalists and nature lovers; it is home to a very diverse diurnal and nocturnal fauna; you will mainly find species of lemurs including nocturnal ones, birds, reptiles and with some chance, you may find the “fosa” an endemic predator; after the visit, dinner and overnight.
| Breakfast at hotel; morning visit of the Forest of Kirindy; the forest is one of the best destinations for bird watching like the Red-tailed Vanga, Madagascar Sparrowhawk, Coua, Bird-of-paradise and Strip-bellied Hawk; bird watchers will greatly appreciate a visit to these unique places; after the visit, free lunch at a restaurant; take the road back to Morondava in the afternoon; at sunset, along the track, the famous Baobab avenue, where these gigantic and wonderful trees take on surprising colors when the sun sets, stop in the savannah to watch the impressive spectacle; arrival in Morondava at the end of the day and accommodation at hotel; in the evening dinner and overnight. |
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After breakfast at the hotel, drive back to the highlands towards Antsirabe, along the journey you will explore the daily life of the rural communities and the villages architecture as well as the beautiful landscape of the highlands; free lunch at a restaurant along the road; arrival at Antsirabe by the end of the day; accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight.
| After an early breakfast, drive back to the capital along the National Road 7; you will certainly enjoy the incredible scenery of the rural areas of various regions with its rice fields and the traditional villages; upon arrival in Antananarivo, at the end of the morning, transfer to the airport for your international flight. Time to say goodbye! The memories of this unique trip will stay with you for the rest of your life. End of services. |
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