South : Parks and Reserves

Picked up at your hotel by your driver who can take you to the high city to admire the view of the capital ( Haute Ville ). Then, departing for the town of Antsirabe, you will stop along the way to the village of Behenjy famous for its foie gras, and to Ambatolampy known for its artisanal manufactures of aluminum objects including pots. Continuation to Antsirabe: the landscape and the environment reveal rich laterite lands, typical Imerina villages, Catholic or Protestant churches, lively markets. Arrival in Antsirabe, hotel installation and exit to Lake Tritriva located 15 kms west of the city. It is one of the large crater lakes quite mysterious whose shape evokes the map of Madagascar. This lake also has its legend: two lovers whose parents refused marriage ended their day by drowning hand in hand. Back to the hotel Chambre du Voyageur. (Stage of 170 kms, 3h30)

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, 5 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 ). Then visit of typical village around 1h30 in the heart Tanala, located 15 kms south of Ranomafana which has 53 homes. We will visit a small royal palace, a school, a home. Meetings and exchanges with farmers and we will hear songs and see a traditional dances. Continuation to Sahambavy in the afternoon , near tea plantations, located before Fianarantsoa. Installation at the hotel beside a lake Lac Hotel (Step 60 kms – 1h30)

Visit of Sahamabvy Tea Plantation. Tour on the high city of Fianarantsoa; We will cross vineyards (possibility of tasting local wines -”Lazan’ny Betsielo”) to Ambalavao. If the stage falls on a Thursday, you can attend one of the largest markets in The Zebus: thousands of heads are sent twice a week. There is a special animation. The capital of zebu is also known as its Antaimoro Paper factory and its beautiful silk weaving shop. Visit the Anja Village Reserve (Catta Lemurs). At the exit of the village, we 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, 3h30.)

A guided tour in the Tsaranoro  Valley. The walks are not lacking on the site and you can choose visits 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. You go down towards the village of Morarano to your accomodation site.

The road is a track before finding the N7 for around five hours: the landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau of Horombe. We move to Bara’s countries one of 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 decor which presents a variety of majestic landscapes, impressive canyons, rock formations carved by erosion. Installation at the hotel. Isalo Ranch (Step 210 kms, 5 h)

The Isalo National Park, criss-crossed by rivers and tributaries, covers 81,540 hectares. This ruiniform massif is a plateau of continental sandstone dating from the Jurassic. Heavily eroded, only witnesses fragmented by the sandy valleys and canyons remained. A truly exceptional show! There are several possible walking tours in the park. For example, you can take a walk in the morning and another in the afternoon or even make a complete loop during the day, a village association can prepare you a lunch in the middle of nature. We include 2 circuits that can be combined including:
– The natural pool ( Piscine Nturelle ): easy level, takes place in half a day, the water is very clear, you can swim there (fresh from June to August). From the pool, the park guide will take you to a lookout 10 minutes from the site (panoramic view of the Isalo)
– The waterfall of the Nymphs ( Cascade des Nymphes ): easy level up to the waterfall, it can be extended via rugged paths to the black and blue pools in the heart of lush vegetation.

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. Lunch advised at Tulear. It remains one small hour to reach the seaside resort of Ifaty. Hotel de la Plage. (Step 250 kms – 4h30).

Seaside stay to the hotel which offers various activities: visiting a baobab forest, output Vezo dugout along the coral reef, diving, fishing, snorkelling, quad biking, turtle village … All these activities can be arranged on site.

Tulear airport transfer. Flight to Tananarive. End of our services.