The Highlands run from the north to the south dividing the eastern side of the Country from the western one. 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).
Antananarivo(Google Map)
The Highlands run from the north to the south dividing the eastern side of the Country from the western one. 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.
Departure soon in the morning and arriving after 3 hours to Antsirabe, the second largest town in the central highlands, situated at 170 Km. south of Antananarivo, attainable along a nice asphalted road that crosses the countryside and the typical villages of the Imerina; visit of the local artisans; have lunch in a restaurant; then visit of the market and the laboratory of workmanship precious and seed-precious stones; in the evening dinner and overnight stay in hotel Couleur Café (standard room) or similar.
After breakfast, departure for a 2 hours trip to Ambositra to visit of the characteristic city of the highland, famous for the valuable handicrafts objects in precious wood; there are many specialized workshops in printmaking, woodcarving and marquetry; artisans usually coming from the nearby Zafimaniry villages, use to work small workshops, though it is very common to observe them working under tree at the street; lunch in restaurant; in the afternoon return to Antsirabe; in the evening dinner and overnight stay in hotel Couleur Café (standard room) or similar.
Breakfast at the hotel; departure towards the Eastern Highlands to reach Andasibe Reserve, among cultivated fields and rice fields, woods of pines and eucalyptus and the typical villages of the local populations Merina and Bezanozano; lunch in restaurant; arrival t the end day to Andasibe; setup in the hotel Vakona Forest Lodge (standard room) or similar; in the evening dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel; whole morning devoted to the excursion in the special reserve of Andasibe, characterized by the rainforest studded of rivers and falls and plenty of luxuriant trees, gigantic ferns, perfumed flowers and thousand variety of orchids; during the excursion you can admire the biggest living lemur, the Indri-Indri, and hear its characteristic call that pervades the whole forest, among other lemurs; Have lunch in the restaurant; at the end, departure to Antananarivo with standstill to Marozevo to admire a breeding of animals, like chameleons, geckos, snakes, crocodiles and beautiful coloured butterflies; continuation to the capital and arriving in the late afternoon.
