South : Parks and Reserves

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 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 km, 3h30). Accommodation at the Guest House La Chambre du Voyageur or the nice Guest House Couleur Café.

Breakfast at the hotel and city tour: we will visit a particular miniatures shop’s (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. (Step 230 km, 5 h). Accomodation in ”Centrest”

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 Lac Hotel beside a lake (Step 60 km – 1h30)

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’i 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 km, 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. Isalo Ranch (Step 210 km, 5 h)

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, who 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 located at the entrance to the South Tulear grouping typical flora and many endemic medicinal plants in Madagascar. Lunch advised at Tulear. It remains a part of sandy track (around one hour) to reach the seaside resort of Ifaty. (Step 250 km – 4h30). Set at Hotel de la Plage ( Nice hotel located north of Ifaty).

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.