La gare ferroviare à Manakara

Highlands East including Train

from 1.096

( rate based on 4 people )

Original getaway with the Train to Manakara

Discovery the Highlands, and the South and East : the Betsileo and Imerina conutry, Ranomafana Primary Forest Park, encounter with endemic lemurs, the wild coast of Manakara, an original rail route between Fianarantsoa to Manakara, a local canoe ride along the Pangalanes Canal, crossing the Isalo Park and the end of the road. Information Petit Futé : Train Manakara

The highlights of this unusual tour

. Train: Frequency is twice a week. It will be a unique experience for you, discovering isolated villages served only by train. Faces, colors, markets, Madagascar otherwise …
. Canal des Pangalanes in a canoe: a beautiful outing between land and sea.
. A must-see: The majestic Isalo Park of Western
. Anakao: one of the least frequented seaside resorts of the Big Island. White sand beaches, preserved corals. Boat or canoe trips recommended at Nosy Satrana or Nosy Ve.

Informations et questions utiles pour ce circuit Est

. Train Frequencies do not correspond to your travel schedule: no worries we can reverse mid program in relation to the direction of the train, add or remove a day.
. Without going on Manakara can we make a short train journey: there is an alternation, from Fianarantsoa, 4 hours to the village of Tologoina, our 4×4 picks you up and tracks to drop you off in Ranomafana.
. Seaside: you have more days, to vary we advise you to share the end of stay between Anakao and Ifaty
. Another route proposed by the agency including the train and the Pangalanes : yes consult Pangalanes from Mahanoro to Mananjary

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
  • Activity Level Accessible à tous
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  • Group Size Large Group
    12
All about the Highlands East including Train.

Period : This tour is possible all year round.

Level: For all, walking tours adaptable.

Accommodation type :  Higher 2-star level establishments; consult us for a three stars category.

Vehicles / Transport / Framing : Airport transfers are included. The route is done by 4×4 vehicle, supervised by one of our English speaking drivers who will assist you during the tour.

Availability : Private Trip (no grouping), You will inform us of your stay period and we will adapt day by day.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Plan du circuit Escapade - Hauts Plateaux

  1. Day 1 Antananarivo

    Assistance at the Ivato airport and transfer to your hotel Rova Hotel.

  2. Day 2 Antananarivo - Antsirabe

    Your driver picks you up at the hotel,we can start the trip by visiting  the uptown and admire the capital city. Then we head to the ”thermal town” of Antsirabe, down the road you will stop at the village of Behenjy, famous for its ”foie gras”, Ambatolampy known for its artisanal factories of aluminum objects ( canner ) . Continuation to Antsirabe: the environment and landscape reveal rich land laterite, Imerina Villages, lively markets, Catholic and Protestant churches. Arrived at Antsirabe, installation at yourhotel. Depending on time we can exit to Tritriva lake located 15 kms west of town.It is one of the great lakes rather mysterious crater whose shape evokes the map of Madagascar. This lake has also its own legend: two lovers whose the parents refused the marriage ended their day by drowning together. Back to the hotel Chambre du Voyageur. (Step 170 km, 4 to 5 hours ).

  3. Day 3 Antsirabe - Ambositra - Ranomafana

    Breakfast at the hotel and city tour: we will visit a particular miniatures shops (rickshaws, bicycle, trucks). The gem (amethyst, tourmaline, garnet …) are one of the main attractions of Antsirabe. The craftsman ”Chez Joseph” may make cutting demonstrations gems. Continuation of the road South. After Ankaratra’s mountains, we cross of the cultural heritage rice terraces Indonesian. Stop in Ambositra the artisanal capital ; one street of the city is dedicated to shops sculptors on Wood specialized fpr marqueteire. We advise your lunch at ”Artisan Hotel” to savor the Malagasy dish. Romazava ”meat and leafy vegetables. Continuing the road in the heart of Betsileo which will take you to Ranomafana one of the main national parks of the Big Island. Installation at the hotel Ny Tamana. (Step 230 kms, 8 to 9 hours ).

  4. Day 4 Ranomafana - Manakara

    Visit of the National Park of Ranomafaba, which covers 41,601 ha of forest. In 2007, it was ranked Heritage as World Natural of the Atsinanana. It shelters a rich endemic biodiversity, which includes rare species of lemur. The park is also the genetic reservoir of rare and some endemic plant species. It is crossed by many rivers that are tributaries of the river Namorona. Your lunch is advised at Ranomafana. Then, You go head to Manakara , a mid former colonial town with a small port. Manakara is the terminus of the railway FCE (Fianarantsoa- Coast East: 158 km approximately) that connects it to the city of Fianarantsoa in 12 hours minimum. Installation at the hotel La Résidence Manakara. (Step 205 kms – 6 to 7 hours )

  5. Day 5 Manakara / Pangalana Channel

    Guided tour in a traditional pirogue along the Pangalanes’ Channel : admiration of green landscapes and daily life of the fishermen; a picnic lunch will be held on the beach of Manakara at ”Trou du commissaire” (the hole of commissaire). Back to the hotel by mid afternoon. Swimming is not recommended in Manakara due to the strong currents.

  6. Day 6 Manakara - Sahambavy (before Fianarantsoa)

    A state company FCE (Fianarantsoa – Coast – East) insures the routes of the villages between Manakara and Fianarantsoa. This old train still sometimes random for these departures. If it’s not possible to take the train, an alternative route will be offered. Otherwise the train ride allow you to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes of Madagascar. There will be many stops in small villages for which the train is the only way of communication. Arrival late in the afternoon at Sahamabavy or Fianarantsoa. Overnight at the hotel. Lac Hotel
    Train frequencies : in the direction Manakara – Fianarantsoa : Wednesday and Sunday. In the direction Fianarantsoa – Manakara on Tuesday and Saturday. The ride takes on average 12 hours..

  7. Day 7 Sahambavy - Fianarantsoa - Ranohira

    Morning departure from Fianarantsoa. you cross the vineyards (possibility of wine tasting ”Lazan’ny Betsielo”) at Ambalavao. If step falls on a Wednesday or Thursday morning you can attend one of the largest markets of the Zebu: thousands of heads are delivered twice a week. Special entertainment prevails. The capital of zebu is also known for its factory Antaimoro Paper and beautiful silk weaving shop. At the South of the city, visiting the reserve Anja which was created by a villagers association that provides lemur protection. The walks are between 45 minutes and 2 hours;we will see Catta lemurs. Continuation South on the N7 ; the landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau of Horombe. You move to Bara’s countries one the ethnic group of the Island, known for the breeding of zebu. Arrival late afternoon at Isalo, exceptional site in Western décor which presents a variety of majestic landscapes, impressive canyons, rock formations carved by erosion. Installation at the hote Isalo Ranchl. (Step 270 kms, 7 to 8 hours)

  8. Day 8 Isalo

    The Isalo National Park, crisscrossed by tributaries and rivers, extends over 81,540 hectares. This massive ruiniform is a sandstone plateau continental Jurassic. Heavily eroded, only the parceled witnessed by the sandy valleys and canyons remained. A truly exceptional show! There are many possible circuits inside the park. You can make a walk in the morning and another in the afternoon or even make a complete loop in the day, the hotel can prepare you a picnic. Espace Mada includes two circuits which can be combined as follow :
    The cascade of the Nymphs : Easy level up to the waterfall, can be extended through the rugged trails to the black and blue swimming pools in the middle of lush vegetation.
    The natural pool : easy level, done in half a day, the water is very clear, we can swim (a little cool from June to August ). Since the pool, the park guide will take you to a lookout 10 minutes of the site (for panoramic view of Isalo)

  9. Day 9 Ranohira - Tuléar

    Early morning departure towards Tulear, desert landscape where thorny plants emerge. Crossing villages gems of researchers which the more known is Ilakaka, which is sapphire’s city. First glimpse of baobabs and passing by Mahafaly country’s, overlooking the famous tombs of the same name, topped by large carved posts called ”Aloalo”. You visit the arboretum of Antsokay which is located at the entrance to the South Tulear grouping typical flora and many endemic medicinal plants in Madagascar. Installation at the hotel Victory. City tour in the afternoon, we can visit the market of shells or a show room Mohair carpet (Step 215 kms – 5 hours)

     

  10. Day 10 Tuléar - Anakao

    In the morning, transfer by boat to Anakao (1 hour 30 minutes crossing). Installation at the hotel Ecolodge Lalandaka Anakao is a vezo fishermen village’s within a framework of beaches and turquoise waters..

  11. Day 11 to day 12 Anakao

    Relaxing stay at the hotel in Anakao which offers serveral types of activities like : a Vezo pirogue trip along the reef up to the small island of Nosy Ve (we can admire the Phaethon), of dives diving, fishing, snorkelling or kite surfing.

  12. Day 13 Anakao - Tuléar - Antananarivo

    Transfer by boat to Tulear. Airport transfer then domestic flight to Tana. End of our services.

Public rates 2024 in Euros TTC per person

Public rates 2024 of the Tour

Nb Persons Euros / person
2 1 453 €
3 1 209 €
4 1 096 €
Single Room supplement : 281 Euros

Booking modalities

Confirmation by mail of the present tour.
After Espace Mada confirmation for accommodation, transport and eventual flights availability’s : 30% deposit by bank transfer or Online Payment Balance before departure in Tana :

  • Master Card or Master Card
  • Euros Cash.

 

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
Price INCLUDES
  • Double room accommodation
  • Tourist stamps and taxes
  • Half-board except Day 1 ( dinner to your charge )
  • Vehicle 4×4 with English speaking driver from day 2 to day 9
  • Driver allowances – Gazoline
  • Return of the vehicle from Tulear to Tana
  • Entry and guides fees within the reserves and parks (Tritriva Lakae, Ranomafana, Anja, Isalo, Arboretum)
  • Day excursion with traditional pirogue on pangalana the day 5 with lunch
  • All airport transfers
  • Boat transfer Tuléar – Anakao O/R
  • Train tickets Manakara – Fianarantsoa ( 1st Class )
Price DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Drinks, extras and tips, Lunch excpet day 5, Dinners Day 1
  • Activities and Boat excursions in Anakao
  • Domestic flight Tuléar – Tananarive and international flight