The Pangalanes Channel

Pick up at the airport or your hotel, and departure direction Perinet Reserve (Analamazaotra  National Park).  Short break on the way at farm Pereyras farm  which is a private reserve for various insects and breeding reptiles (lizards, amphibians, snakes, chameleons, amphibians). Installation at your hotel in Andasibe ( Andasibe Cyperus Hôtel ) . (Step 150 kms – 4 to 5h00). Aournd 6 pm, night visit closed to the to observe “microcebus”. (  small lemurs only visibles by night ).

At 8 am,  guided visit of Analamazaotra reserve. The trip is called “Indri 1” or “Indri 2”, (it lasts from 2 to 4 hours). Analamazaotra is known for its bigest lemurs the “indri indri”; its cry very strong wakes the forest. An indri can jump until 10 meters. In the afternoon transfer to private reserve of Vakona ( (lémurs island , and crocodile park ) and back hotel after this second visit.

Departure in the morning, continuation of the Eastern route; at Antsampanana, turn off towards the North for Mahanoro . Installation at the hotel. (225 km stage – 7 hours).   Check in  Serenity Hôtel.

Mahanoro / Asohihy : :Embarkation at the river port of Mahanoro and sailing for this first day on the Pangalanes Canal. Crossing the immense mouth of the river Mangoro River. Stop in Ambodiharina, a small town well animated by the commercial activities of the canal. Stopover in Ampanalana: visit to the village (en chatting with the owner of a small bush stall typical of the region, where you can find a little bit of everything, Chez Maurice” arranges the life of everything well the world). Lunch on board (fresh produce purchased along the route, based on seafood…), and then welcome to the La Route des Spices in Asohihy, between the sea and the Pangalanes canal. Late afternoon at leisure:stroll along the white sandy beach of the Indian Ocean, and/or swim in the Will on the side of the canal, photo ops of the unforgettable sunset over the Pangalanes Canal. Country dinner and campfire at the end of the evening, accompanied by the folk songs and dances of the young people of the village.

Asohihy / Ambohimahatsinjo: Second day of cruising on the Pangalanes. Stop at Masomeloka (”the eyes at an angle”), a charming little town nestled by coconut palms, discovery of the traditions and customs of the villagers. Re-embarkation, the canal will change © Copyright The Spice Route 2024 and rushes between high sand slopes bordered by forest of niaouli before reaching the great lake of Analampontsy. The crossing will last a good three-quarters of an hour and you have to rely on the skill and sense of the orientation of our valiant pilot to lead to the continuation of the route of the canal, some boats went around in circles having lost their course. Stopover at Nosy Varika (”The Island of the Lemurs”). It has become a large city, the lemurs have had to leave their homes for the benefit of man: we will just take the opportunity to go to the market to find a few things organic and fresh for the meal. Arrival at the bivouac in Ambohimahatsinjo (”where we sees the whole horizon”), we chose this spot that overlooks the canal to set up camp, so that you can admire the comings and goings of the bush boats and other rowing canoes of fishermen who hurry to Returning home before nightfall.

Day  6

Ambohimahatsinjo / Mananjary : Departure at 7:00 am. Stop at Ambohitsara (”The Beautiful Village”), the last northernmost village on the east coast erected by the Antambahoaka ethnic group, visit the enigmatic ”Vato Sarilambo” (”White Elephant”) recounting the very origin of this ethnic group, and a factory of ”betsabetsa” (local mead), then meal. Continue by crossing the extraordinary bay of Andragnazavaka with its immense body of water as far as the eye can see. Visit of Ampadimana, discovery of craft workshops (weaving, basketry, etc.) cage and canoe construction, forge…). Take advantage of this visit to do when shopping for souvenir items, you’d be spoilt for choice. Peaceful sailing to Mananjary. End of the cruise and installation at your hotel.End of the cruise.  Installation at the hotel H1 Mananjary.

City tour of Mananjary in the morning, road to Ranomfana. Before arriving at the Park, stop for a guided tour of a typical Tanala village located 15 kms before Ranomafana. you will visit a school, and local habitation. Meet with villagers and you will assist to traditionnel danses.. Then check-in at the hotel Centrest. (140 km stage – 4 hours)

Ranomafana is a primary forest park, the second after Andasibe ( Superficie of 41,601 ha of forest ). Rare species of lemur, Endemic biodiversity. It is crossed by many small rivers affluent of Namorona river Namorona; guided visit of from2 to 4 hours. After lunch, driver will present you a Vanilla Plantation.

We take the highland road until Ambositra; before the entrance of the town, bifurcation to Antoetra. Set in a nice Ecolodge : Ivato River Lodge .(Step: 241 Kms – 6 to 7 hours )

Guided walk from the Antoetra to Ifasina Village; Immersion in Zafimaniry country. Estimate four hours round trip with more elevation changes. (According on the physical condition, visit can be limited to visiting Antoetra Village). Then we reach Ambositra the artisanal capital. It will remain 2 hours to join Antsirabe. Installation : Chambre du Voyageur.- (Step 132 km – 4 hours ).

Morning transfer to Tritriva, mysterious lake that looks exactly as Madagascar shape. Then, take the RN 34 to join Betafo  Village West of Antsirabe. Start of the ride by visiting manufacturers for traditional Malagasy popcorn, you can taste. Beyond the traditional paths, to go even further, meet real Malagasy peasants. Up of the Ambatomalaza hill, you discover a very beautiful view of the whole commune, ideal place to take a ” Picnic lunch”. Then you will be greeted by local families. This is a great opportunity to learn the wayt of life of farmers and for example learning Malagasy culinary arts. Here, it is possible to taste different types of Malagasy dishes like ” ravimbomanga and patsa” , ” trondro maina + romazava” , sweet potato fries, etc. Meet the brickmakers . Visit Mandritsara, the village named ” Capital of blacksmiths” where they make tools used by villagers daily like spade, knife…  Continuation to the “Antafofo Falls”. The walk leads you in the middle of rice paddies where there are Egrets and Herons. Before going back to Betafo (market every Monday), you finish the visit with a royal tomb. Then return to your hotel in Antsirabe.

City tour after the breakfast:  visit a particular miniatures shops (bicycle, rickshaws, and trucks). The gem (tourmaline,  amethyst, garnet …) are in Antsirabe one of the main attractions. The craftsman ”Chez Joseph” will show gems demonstrations. Continuation of the road through the highlands, crossing Ambatolampy known for its handicraft factories objects whose aluminum pots, until the capital. Installation at Chalet des Roses. (Step 170 kilometers, 4 to 5 hours )

Transfer to  Ivato Airport for your international flight. End of our services.