Highlands East including Train

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 we stop at the village of Behenjy which is famous for its ”foie gras”, Ambatolampy known for its artisanal factories of aluminum objects like canner. Continuation to Antsirabe: the landscape and the environment reveal rich land laterite, Imerina Villages, Catholic and Protestant churches, lively markets. Arrived at Antsirabe, installation at the hotel. 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 map of Madagascar. This lake has also its legend: two lovers whose the parents refused the marriage ended their day by drowning together. Back to the hotel Couleur Café.. (Step 170 km, 3h30).

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 in marqueteire. Advised 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 us to Ranomafana one of the main national parks of the Big Island. Installation at the hotel Chez Gaspard.. (Step 230 kms, 5 h).

Visit of Ranomafana National Park, which is a park and  covers 41,601 ha of forest. In 2007, it was ranked Heritage as World Natural of the Atsinanana (”The East”). 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 traversed by many rivers that are tributaries of the river Namorona. Lunch advised at Ranomafana. Then, We 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 Délices de l’Orient. (Step 205 kms – 4h30)

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.

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 us 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..

Morning departure from Fianarantsoa. we 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. This reserve was created by a villagers association that provides protection. The walks are between 45 minutes and 2 hours;we will see Catta lemurs. Continuation of the N7 south direction; the landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau of Horombe. We 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, 5 hours)

The Isalo National Park, crisscrossed by rivers and tributaries, 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 in the park. We 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. We include 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)

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”. We 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 Moringa. City tour in the afternoon, we can visit the market of shells or a show room Mohair carpet (Step 215 kms – 4 hours)

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

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.

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