1- Ampefy and its crater lakes
2- The biggest lemur in the world the “Indri Indri”
3- The spa town of Antsirabe
The Highlands run from the center to the western side of the Country. It is also known as the Plateau and culminates in three main massifs : the Tsaratanana, on the north, where you can find the highest mountain in Madagascar (the Maromokotra, 2686 m.) ; the Ankaratra, a little south, near Antsirabe, with its Mount Tsiafajavona (2643 m. high) and the Andringitra, further south, near Ambalavao, with its Imarivolanitra (2658 m. high). In this region you can discover the original tropical forest for exemple in Andasibe-Mantadia Reserve (east of the capital). Apart the extensive forests, there are also tropical scenery in some other places, mainly near the lakes and rivers. Elsewhere you can admire bucolic landscapes with vast rice fields in the flooded plains or on the hill side terraces that recall the splendid amphitheatres of southeast Asia. You also find pine and eucalyptus woods, many rivers and lakes and typical villages with small red clay houses. The Highlands are the most populated and developed region of the Country, and have many important centres, usually set along the main roads. The capital of Madagascar Antananarivo, « the City of Thousands », is conveniently located in the middle of this wide region. Some villages of particular
interest are to the South: Ambatolampy, particularly known for its artisan production of aluminium-wares; Antsirabe, a small town enlivened by swarms of coloured rickshaws; Ambositra, the chief seat of precious wood-working. Or, to the east, you find the village of Moramanga, nestled among deep forests, which is the seat of the important school of the « Géndarmerie » (Police Academy).
Arrival at the international airport of Ivato; after formalities, meet your driver; after greetings, departure by car to the city. Visit of the Queen’s Palace in Manjakamiadana. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the top of the capital. After the visit, transfer to your hotel in the city. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
| Breakfast at the hotel; departure for Ampefy along National Road No. 1 towards the west of Antananarivo; stop to visit Lemur’s Park, a park with several animals endemic to the large island, as well as other important representatives of Malagasy flora and fauna; continuation of the journey through the bucolic landscapes of villages and countryside, which gradually give way to large spaces where the view embraces endless horizons. On arrival, continue for sightseeing of the region and the beautiful Lilly waterfall; accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight. |
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Breakfast at the hotel; depart by car for Antsirabe through cultivated fields and typical villages to Antsirabe; this spa town, whose name means “rich in salt” but which is also known as “the city of water” for the therapeutic virtues of its hot springs; free lunch in restaurant; in the afternoon, tour of the town of Antsirabe by posy posy (rickshaw) characterized by the bustling comings and goings of this means of transportation; the many historic mansions along wide tree-lined avenues, local artisans producing various kinds of handicrafts and workshops for working precious and semiprecious stones; accommodation; dinner and overnight at hotel.
| Breakfast at the hotel; in the morning, rural tour of the Antsirabe countryside to discover the daily life of the locals. Lunch with them. Early afternoon departure for the capital through rice fields and typical villages with houses made of red bricks like the color of the earth; stops for a visit to the pottery and aluminum work in Ambatolampy; continue the journey to the capital; accommodation at hotel; dinner and overnight. |
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Breakfast at the hotel. Departure in the morning along the road that crosses the eastern plateau, among pine and eucalyptus forests, rice fields in the plains and the typical Merina and Bezanozano local populations villages; stop in Marozevo to visit the chameleon reserve: you will see many varieties of endemic animals: reptiles, chameleons of all sizes and colors, batrachians, snakes, geckos, iguanas, crocodiles and lemurs; after the visit, continuation to Andasibe; check-in at the lodge; afternoon visit of a villagers reserve followed by a nocturnal visit.
| After breakfast, start of the excursion in the reserve of Analamazaotra, characterized by high altitude rainforest dotted with streams and waterfalls, in a profusion of lush trees, gigantic ferns, fragrant flowers and a thousand varieties of orchids; during the excursion we can see the largest living lemur, the Indri-Indri, well-known for its characteristic call that pervades the whole forest; then visit the impressive Vakona private reserve to observe animals, including crocodiles, snakes, herons, chameleons and lemurs. at the end of the visit, free lunch; in the afternoon, return on the National Road n°2 and return to the capital. End of services. |
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