Chaland Espace Mada sur le fleuve Tsiribihina
Sur la Route Antsirabe Miandrivazo
Hôtel de la Plage Ifaty

Trip West Highlands

from 1.592

( rate based on 4 people )

Tour crossing the West and Highlands along the RN7

Very beautiful Tour in Madagascar combining 2 areas: the western part (downhill of the Tsiribihina River, the Tsingy of Bemaraha, the Baobabs Alley) and the Highlands via the national road 7. A complete and varied approach to the Great Island.

The offer of our local agency

. 17-day tour, spread over a bush part the first week, and a more classic route the 2nd week. You will know a wide variety in terms of landscapes, villages and customs.
. The routes are alternated between all-terrain vehicle, boat, canoe, and walking
. Discovery of two of Madagascar’s largest parks: Bemaraha and Isalo
. Meetings: with Vezo fishermen and villagers from the Highlands

A custom-made Tour

. The day by day was carefully established with the local expertise of our drivers/guides. The objective being the best cutting in relation to road time and visits.
. Flexibility of visits: your driver will adapt to your desires: longer walks, unannounced stops and recommend lunch for small local restaurants
. Possible variations of the tour: integrate Ranomafana Park before Fianarantsoa, stay at the end of the tour in Anakao

Useful links

. Extension to t Dauphin
. Details Tsiribihina River Descent with Espace Mada

. Madisson Your Rural Guide to Antsirabe
. Meeting with the ONG Bel Avenir
. Akamasosa at Father Pedro

  • Reviews 0 Reviews
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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
  • Activity Level Accessible à tous
    1/8
  • Group Size Large Group
    12
All about the Trip West Highlands.

Unusual West and South :

A Tour in the heart of the Menabe country:
The boat descent on the Tsiribihina River, Discovered in isolated places of rare flora and fauna, spectacular panoramas in the Tsingy of Bemaraha

The second part goes up from Morondava on the High Plateaus to go down to the Vezo coast:
You will cross the landscapes of the high plateaus Imerina and Betsileo, visit the Isalo National Park, end of seaside stay in Ifaty

Period : Due to the state of the slopes and the rainy season, the Tsiribihina can be organised from April to November. Regarding the Tsingy of Bemaraha, exploitation from May to Mid November.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Carte circuit Madagascar Combiné

  1. Day 1 Antananarivo

    Arrival in Antananarivo. Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel, located in the city center. Accommodation at Hôtel Belvédère.

  2. Day 2 Antananarivo - Miandrivazo

    Departure at 8:00 am, head to the ”thermal town” of Antsirabe, down the road you  will  stop at the Behenjy  village famous for its ”foie gras”, Ambatolampy known for its artisanal factories of aluminum objects like canner. Arrival in Antsirabe around noon, free lunch; 2:00 pm you hit the road to the West  to arrive in the late afternoon / early evening at the village of Miandrivazo; during the royal time, the king Radama awaited his first wife, who was a daughter of Sakalava King’s.Miandrivazo is located at sea level, and considered one of the hottest cities in Madagascar. Installation at the hotel Princesse Tsiribhina. ( If you travel on Tsiribhina River the day after, briefing with your guide around 7:00 pm )  (Step 390 kms, 12h00 – – possibility o cut in 2 days with night in Antsirabe )

  3. Day 3 Miandrivazo - Boarding point - Tsiribihina Descent

    Your departure is scheduled around 9am from Miandrivazo, Transfer to the heart of the savannah, for the Pier near Masiakampy village. (count 1 hour, 20 minutes of tar, 40 minutes of track). The crew welcomes us on the barge. Barges are motor boats formerly used for the Tobacco transportation. They were then arranged for tourists transport. At the back of the barge is the cockpit and the kitchen. Passengers have benches on the lower deck where meals will be served. A staircase leads to the Solarium equipped with deckchairs.
    The cruise will begin in the middle of the morning, you will cross vast cultivated plains, will sail along the banks and gorges of Tsiribihina and will cross the villagers of the river; they are part of the ”Sakalava” ethnic group, their huts are built mainly of reeds, and roofs made of rice straw or palm leaves. In the late afternoon, refreshing stop and swim at the waterfall of Nosy Ampela (women’s island), a small corner of paradise that houses families of lemurs. The Camp will be set up nearby on a large sandbar.

  4. Day 4 Tsiribihina descent

    The barge continues its navigation in the heart of the meanders of the Tsiribihina river. You will meet piroguiers, motor barges for the freight of local products and by means of transport and exchange for the villagers. In the day, stop to Begidro village famous for its old tobacco concessions. The peasants still cultivate it in a traditional way; you can visit the warehouse. You resume the cruise, landscapes follow one another: cliff bats (Kina Kina), the giant capoquin, rice fields, Berevo village, more modern, with a Catholic school, a dispensary and a gendarmerie. At the end of the day, stop for 30 minutes to the village of Ambatomisay to see our first Baobabs ”Andasonia Za”. The crew will put up the Camp on a beach that can change from one year to another, depending on the rains. After dinner, we you participate, around a sympathic campfire at a traditional dance show. Second Camp.

  5. Day 5 Tsiribihina Descent - Bekopaka

    The landscapes are confused with tamarinds, mango trees, jujube trees, ricins, sensory mimosas, balsas, and date palms. Last day of your cruise to greet once again herons, fishermen, drongos, green bee-eaters, teals, humpback ducks. Arrival by the end of the morning at Bereketa pier in Belo sur Tsiribihina; lunch on board the barge. You join you 4WD which has left Morondava in the morning. It will take more or less 4 hours of track to reach Bekopaka, starting point for excursions in Tsingy of Bemaraha. (120 kms stage, track – 4 to 5  hours) Accommodation Orchidées du Bemaraha * *

  6. Day 6 Manambolo River and Big Tsingy

    After breakfast, you will go for an excursion on a traditional pirogue all along the Manambolo river; it lasts around 1 hour and a half. You will see caves, Vazimba Tombs ( Vazimba were the first ethny leaving in Madagascar) , birds.
    Then departure with your 4WD from Bekopaka to join the starting point of ”Grands Tsingy” ( 17 kms of a bumpy road, it will take from 1 to 2 hours driving according the season ).  The trip is called ”Andamozavakay”, it takes around 4 hours It is not a trek but a slow and observation walk. This not requiere not a particular physical condition, but it is not good for those subject to vertigo or claustrophobia. During the hike you will discover: secondary forest, caves (bring a headlamp) of the diaclases, panoramic views of this unique massif in the world. You  cross a suspension bridge. The set is perfectly safe and very well laid out by the National Park that provides safety harnesses.Back to the hotel after the visit.

  7. Day 7 Bekopaka - Morondava

    Departure at 7:30 am, we return on track to join Belo Tsiribihina. Lunch advised at the restaurant ”Mad Zebu,” one of the best in Madagascar. You will take a ferry boat and cross again the Tsiribihina (45 minutes crossing). It will remain 2h30 to 3 hours to reach Morondava. On the way, you will stop at the Sacred Baobab, a tree with a thousand years of notoriety. End afternoond we will stop at the baobabs alley to enjoy the sunset and take pictures. Arrival at the hotel Sun Beach early in the evening. (Step 220 kms – 8-9 hours of track)

  8. Day 8 Morondava

    Rest day after track. In the afternoon 2 hours of excursion on local pirogue in the middle of the mangroves, stop at Betania , the fishers village, you will see fishermen sailing back on pirogue,

  9. Day 9 Morondava - Antsirabe

    Departure 6am am. Road to Antsirabe. It is advisable to have lunch halfway to Miandrivazo in Princesse Tsiribhina. . Arrival in the late afternoon / early evening. Installation at the hotel. (Stage 550 kms – 12 hours .)

  10. Day 10 Antsirabe

    A rural guided walk around Manandona (located 20 kms South of Antsirabe), picnic included. It consists to visit the villages and It is about 3h to 5h of walk. Discover an old farmers village and wild silk, Protective ditches (or hadivory), the famous ”tamboho” of old time, You will also be brought to meet different types of customs (Famadiana, Famorana, Ala volon-jaza), which may reflect the culture of Malagasy people (season: June, July, August, September). You go for a walking tour in the rural countryside, crossing rice fields and small villages in the area, schools and meeting the real highlands peasant that will make you discover their daily life Folksongs and dancing around a fire with the villagers and families who welcome us at the end of the afternoon (Tandonaka)

  11. Day 11 Antsirabe - Fianarantsoa

    Breakfast at the hotel and city tour: you will visit a particular miniatures shop’s (rickshaws, bicycle, and trucks). The gem (amethyst, tourmaline, garnet …) are one of the main attractions of Antsirabe. The craftsman ”Chez Joseph” may make cutting demonstrations gems. Continuation to the Southern part. After Ankaratra’s mountains, we cross of the cultural heritage rice terraces Indonesian.  Break 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.  Following the road, in the heart of Betsileo lead us to Fianarantsoa  Installation at Hotel Ambalakely.( Step  200 kms, 8 to 9 h )

  12. Day 12 Fianarantsoa - Ranohira - Isalo National Park

    Morning departure from Fianarantsoa. you  cross the vineyards (possibility of wine tasting ”Lazan’ny Betsielo”) at 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 prevails. The capital of zebu is also known for its factory Antaimoro Paper and beautiful silk weaving shop. At the South of the city, visiting the reserve Anja. This reserve was created by a villagers association that provides protection. The walks are between 45 minutes and 2 hours;we will see Catta lemurs. Continuation of the N7 south direction; the landscape becomes more desert. Crossing the plateau of Horombe. We move to Bara’s countries one the ethnic group of the Island, known for the breeding of zebu. Arrival late 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 270 kms, 6 to 7  hours)

  13. Day 13 Ranohira - Isalo

    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 for you 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.

  14. Day 14 Ranohira - Tulear - Ifaty

    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”. You will 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. (Step 250 kms – 5h30). Accomodation Hotel Ifaty Beach.

  15. Day 15 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.

  16. Day 16 Ifaty - Antananarivo

    Transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Tananarive. Transfer to Hotel Belvédère.

  17. Day 17 Antananarivo

    City tour in Antananarivo, begining with the hightown, where there is the Queen palace, continuing to the independance avenue, which is limited by the rail station. After Lunch visit of the flowers market and ended by the handicraft shop to buy some sovenirs. Assistance at the airport to fly back home. End of our services.

Public rates 2024 in Euros TTC per Person

Public rates 2024 of the West Highlands Tour

Nbrs Persons Euros / person
2 2 349 €
3 1 1838 €
4 1 592 €
Single Room supplement : 337 Euros

Booking modalities

Confirmation by email of the tour.
After Espace Mada confirmation for hotels, transport and flights availability’s : 30 % Deposit by bank transfer or Online Payment. Balance should be done before departure in Tananarive :

  • CB Visa only or Master Card
  • Euros or USD Cash.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
Price INCLUDES
  • Accommodation on double room,
  • Necessary tourist taxes.
  • Half-board (Breakfasts and Dinners) except in First and Last Day base B and B
  • Full board basis during the descent of Tsiribihina River
  • Vehicle 4WD with English speaking driver from Day 02 to Day 14
  • Indemnity and daily fees of your driver.
  • Fuels, Return of the 4×4 from Ifaty to Tana
  • Roundtrip transfer on ferries to cross Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers
  • Transfers airport – hotel – airport
  • Tsiribihina river Descent
  • 01 bottle of water / day / person during the descent
  • Boat , gazoline, equipages.
  • 01 Menabe guide during the descent. ( English speaking )
  • Entry and guide fees within the national parks and reserves (Tsingy de Bemaraha, Anja, Isalo)
  • Escursion on pirogue ( Morondava ) to visit the mangrove
  • City tour on pousse-pousse (rickshow) in Antsirabe
  • Hiking around the village of Manandona with picnic lunch
Price DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Drinks, extra and tips, personal fees
  • Lunches a part from the river tour and the hiking in Anrtsirabe.
  • Diners Fist and Last Day, Activities in Ifaty
  • Domestic flights Tolaria – Antananarivo
  • Internationals Flights.