Honeymoon Trip Madagascar

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, villages Imerina, Catholic and Protestant churches, lively markets. Arrived at Antsirabe, installation at the hotel. Depending on time we can exit to Tririva 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. (Step 170 kms, 3h30) Set in a nice guest house Couleur Café.

Early morning departure south of Antsirabe. Rural walk around Manandona which is located 22km south of Antsirabe along the RN7, through beautiful landscapes of middle mountain, The village is at 1450m above sea level enjoying an ideal climate for rice production, Varieties of vegetables and other food crops (cassava, sweet potatoes, taro, potato, etc.) We will walk from village to village, immersion in the rural Malagasy world and meeting with farmers and their families; visit traditional Merina huts with their history; opportunity to participate in rural activities (cow milking, rice transplanting, vegetable growing, etc.); we will also see the production of silkworms using traditional tools (caterpillars, spinning and silk weaving). Picnic outdoors towards the end of the walk before joining the vehicle. Continuation of the southern road. After the mountains of Ankaratra, we will cross rice terraces inherited from the Indonesian culture. Stop at Ambositra the craft capital; a street in the city is dedicated to the wood carvers shops specialized in marquetry. The Artisan Hotel offers tasting of the national Malagasy dish, ”Romazava”, made with meat and brèdes. The rest of the journey, in the heart of the country Betsileo will take us to Ranomafana, one of the main national parks of the Big Island. Installation at the hotel Centrest. (260 kms stage, 6 hours).

Ranomafana is a park covering 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; visit from 2 to 4 hours. ( we can adapt the visit timing according to your fitness ). Continuation to Sahambavy in the afternoon , near tea plantations, located before Fianarantsoa. Installation at the hotel beside a lake (Step 60 kms – 1h30). Lac Hotel hotel base bungalow.

Visit tea’s plantations at Sahambavy then we head to Fianarantsoa, ride on the upper town; we will cross the vineyards (possibility of wine tasting ”lazan’ny Betsileo”) up to 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 reigns there. The capital of zebu is also known for its factory Antaimoro Paper and beautiful silk weaving … At the exit of the village, we leave the national to take a track that leads to Tsaranoro Valley bordering the massif Andringitra. Bungalow Installation (Camp Catta) or Lodge (Tsara Camp) near huge cliffs. (Step 130 kms, 3h30)

Guided tour in the Valley of Tsaranoro. The walks are not lacking on the site and you can choose on the spot according to your physical condition. Among these, the chameleon circuit is more complete (duration maximum 6 hours) you will cross the Sacred Forest Tsaranoro cemetery of the inhabitants of the valley. The morning, you will have a good chance to see lemurs Catta reheating the sun. After climb towards Tsaranoro , we turn to go cross the stream that comes from the top. A short break for refreshing and we go back along the stream up lead on the board. Then you branch off on left towards the top of Langera called “The Chameleon”. A last steep slope, we must be carefull , reaching the edge where you can enjoy the scenery while at leisure. Picnic, or just a snack in depending on the time, then you descend towards the village of Morarano, and join your site hosting.

The road is a track before finding the N7 for aournd five hours: the landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau Horombe. We move to Bara’s countries one the ethnic group of the Island, known for the breeding of zebu. Arrival at the end of the 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 hotel. (Step 210 kms, 5 h). Check-in Satrana Lodge.

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 ”La Batisse”. City tour in the afternoon, we can visit the market of shells or a show room Mohair carpet (Step 215 kms – 4 hours)
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Transfer to the Airport ( provided by the hotel ) to connect flight back Tana. Overnight at hotel Bois Vert which is closed to the Airport.

Transfer to the Airport and connexion flight to Nosy Be. Transfer at Nosy Be Hotel.

Half-board at the Hotel. Water sports (snorkelling, scuba-diving, fishing) and boat excursions around the islands (Nosy Komba, Tanikely, Sakatia, Lokobe Reserve …) can be arranged with the hotel.

Transfer to the Airport . Flight back to Tana. End of our services

Transfer to the Airport and connexion  flight to Sainte Marie. Transfer at Princess Bora Lodge Base Villa Charm

Half-board in Hotel . Water sports (snorkelling, scuba-diving, fishing) and boat excursions (whales watching) can be arranged with the hotel.

Transfer to the Airport . Flight back to Tananarive . Enf of our services.