Madagascar Nature Reserve Parks

Asssitance at Ivato internationl aiport and trasnfer to your hotel. Accomodation Hôtel Chalet des Roses 

Picked up by the driver who will take you to the high city ( ”Haute Ville” ). to admire view on Antananarivo. Then, departing to Antsirabe; stops along the way at Behenjy, Ambatolampy well known for its aluminum artisanal manufactures. Continuation of Road NAtional 7: environment and landscape reveal latérite lands, Protestant / Catholic churches, typical villages “Imerina”, lively markets. Arrival in Antsirabe, installation at your hotel Chambre du Voyageur. According timing to Lake Tritriva located 15 kilometers west of the city. The Lake is one of the large crater; quite mysterious; its shape evokes the Madagascar map. It has a legend: two lovers whose parents refused marriage,  ended their day in drowning hand in hand. (Stage of 170 kms, 5 hours)

Early morning departure south of Antsirabe. Rural walk closed to Manandona, located 22 kilometers from Antsirabe along the Road National 7, through beautiful landscapes of middle mountain, this village culminates at 1450 meters above sea level enjoying an ideal climate for rice production, varieties of vegetables and other food crops (sweet potatoes,  cassava, taro, potato, etc.) . You will walk village to village, immersion in rural Malagasy world, meet farmers, their families; visit Merina huts; opportunity to participate to rural activities like cow milking, vegetable growing, rice transplanting .. ); you will also see silkworms production, using traditional tools (spinning; caterpillars, and silk weaving). Picnic at the end of the walk before joining your vehicle. Continuation southern road. After the Ankaratra mountains, you cross rice terraces inherited from Indonesian culture. Stop in Ambositra the craft capital; a street is dedicated for wood carvers shops, specialized in marquetry. The Hotel  Artisan offers tasting of national Malagasy dish, called ”Romazava”, made with brèdes and meat. Rest of the journey, in the heart of Betsileo country will take you to Ranomafana, one of the main primary forest national parks of the Big Island. Installation hotel Centrest. (260 kms stage, 8 to 9 hours).

Ranomafana is a park covering more than 40 000 forest hectares. In 2007, it has been ranked Heritage as World Natural of the Atsinanana . It shelters various endemic biodiversity including rare lemur species . Park  is also a genetic reservoir of rare and  endemic plant species. It is crossed by rivers tributaries of Namorona river ; guides visit in the from 2 to 4 hours. ( it can be adapted according fitness ). Afternoon, visit ( 1 hour 30 ) of typical village Tanala, located 15 kilometers south of Ranomafana:  Village has 53 homes. Visit a small royal palace, a home, a school. Exchanges and Meetings with farmers and you will hear songs and participate to traditional dances. Continuation till Sahambavy by the end of afternoon, located before Fianarantsoa. Installation at the hotel , near tea plantations, Lac Hotel (Step 60 kms – 2 hours )

Visit of Sahamabvy Tea Plantation. Tour on the high city of Fianarantsoa; You will cross vineyards, and join Ambalavao. If the stage falls Thursday, you can attend one of the largest markets in The Zebus: thousands of heads are sent there twice a week. There is a special animation. The capital of zebu is also well known as its beautiful silk weaving shop and its Antaimoro Paper factory. Visit Anja Reserve (Catta Lemurs). At the exit of the village, you leave the national to take a track that leads to the Valley of the Tsaranoro on the edge of the Andringitra massif. Installation in Lodge located near huge cliffs. ( Stage of 130 kms, 4h30.)

Day 6

A guided tour in Tsaranoro  Valley. The walks are not lacking on the site and you can choose according to your physical condition, visits on the spot  Among these, the chameleon ‘circuit’ is  the more complete (duration  maximum 6 hours), you will cross Tsaranoro  Sacred Forest cemetery of the inhabitants valley. In the morning, you should have good chance to observe lemurs Catta reheating the sun. After climb towards Tsaranoro , you turn to go cross the stream that comes from the top. Short break for refreshing and  you 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, you should be careful , reaching the edge where you can enjoy the scenery while at leisure. You go down towards Morarano village to your accommodation site.

The road is a track before finding the National 7 for approximately five hours: landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau of Horombe. You move in Bara’s countries one of the ethnic group of the Island, known for the breeding of zebu. Arrival by the end of the afternoon at Massif  Isalo, exceptional site in Western decor presenting  impressive canyons,  a variety of majestic landscapes, rock formations carved by erosion. Installation at your hotel. Isalo Ranch (Step 210 kms, 5 to 6 hours)

Isalo National Park, criss-crossed by tributaries and rivers, covers 81,540 hectares. This ruiniforme massif, heavily eroded, , looks like plateau dating from Jurassic of continental sandstone. Only witnesses fragmented by the sandy valleys and canyons remain. An exceptional show! There are several walking tours. For example, you can start ny a walk in the morning and another one in the afternoon , or even an option during the day for a complete loop. A village Association will suggest a lunch, middle of nature. We generally suugest 2 walks that could be combined:
– Morning : natural pool ( Piscine Naturelle ) : level quite easy on half a day; water there is clear, you can swim safely (fresh temperature from June to August). From the pool, the local guide will take you for a ten minutes lookout  (panoramic view Isalo)
– Afternoon :  waterfall of the Nymphs ( ‘Cascade des Nymphes’ ): easy level also up to waterfall, it could be extended to black and blue pools, via rugged paths, in the heart of lush vegetation.

Early morning departure for Tolaria, thorny plants emerge in a desert landscape. Crossing villages gems; the more known is Ilakaka, comparede to a Sapphire’s city. First glimpse of Baobabs and crossing by Mahafaly country’s, overlooking famous tombs which are topped with large carved posts called ”Aloalo”. You will visit Arboretum of Antsokay , located before Tulear entrance.This arboretum regroups typical flora and various Madagascar endemic medicinal plants. Lunch advised there or in Tulear. It remains only one hour to reach Ifaty  Accommodation . Ifaty Beach for 2 nights. (Step 250 kms – 6 hours ).

Seaside stay;  hotel staff offers many activities: visiting a baobab forest, diving, fishing, snorkelling, output Vezo dugout along the coral reef, quad biking, turtle village … All these activities could be easely arranged on site.

Tulear airport transfer managed by hotel. Domestic Flight for Tananarive. End of trip ”Madagascar Nature Reserve Parks”