Embarcation Pangalanes
Le train de Fianarantsoa à Manakara

The Pangalanes Channel

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PANAGALANES CHANNEL :

Experience an orignal cruise from Mahanoro to Mananajry. Train Manakara – Fianarantsoa. Ranomafana National Park.  An original trip on the East Coast of Madagascar

Navigate the Pangalanes Channel

Stay on the east coast of Madagascar: Tananarive – Brickaville – Mahanoro – Pangalanes Channel – Mananjary – Manakara – Ranomafana – Antsirabe – Tananarive. A river cruise from Mahanoro to Mananjary; the train ride from Manakara to Fianarantsoa; Ranomafana Primary Forest Park.

The East Coast of Madagascar, a trip full of colonial history

The channel creation under Gallieni

During the colonial era, General Joseph Gallieni initiated a project for a channel along the east coast of Madagascar and exert military and administrative control over the region Work began in 1896 to create a 665 km waterway. Local people were involved, 300 people dug the canal in terrible conditions. The work was completed in 1904. Through winding swamps, the canal became a fast-moving route for goods, and led to the settlement of many villages on the shores.

Jean Laborde an explorer arrived on the East Coast of Madagascar

Jean Laborde is one of the great figures of the discovery of Madagascar; How did he get to the Big Island? It was November 8, 1831, his ship lacking water and food, had come to ground on the southeastern coast of Madagascar in front of Vohipeno. During the cruise you can discover Jean Laborde’s famous anchor.

The Fianarantsoa – Manakara

The French settlers began the construction of the line in 1926. This track was operational in 1936. 163 km of railway tracks, 17 stations (designed by the architect of Cantelou) are served; it has 48 tunnels and 65 bridges. Train Trip

With Espace Mada another way to discover the East Coast

Alternatively we offer a second circuit in eastern Madagascar incorporating another part of the Pangalanes from ManambatoEst : Perinet Reserve Pangalanes Sainte Marie

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All about the The Pangalanes Channel.

Description : A trip through eastern Madagascar: discovery of the greenest region of the Big Island. , passing through Mahanoro, the famous Pangalanes channel with a motorized barge , Mananjary, Manakara Ranomafana and Antsirabe.

Period :  All year long subject to weather conditions. Recommended months: September to December. Avoid February.

Access : Accessible to everyone, the steps in the parks are adaptable. 65 bridges. Pangalanes Destination

Accommodation : Simple accommodation in Mahanoro; Recent camp and lodge on the Pangalanes. Subsequently level 2 stars; clean hotels with private sanitary facilities. (3 in Mananjary).

Cars / Transport : Airport assistance is provided. Vehicle with Engglish-speaking driver. Motorized barge for cruising.

Flights : No grouping, tailor-made tour according to your arrival date and your stay time.

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.

  1. Day 1 Antananarivo - Brickaville - Mahanoro

    Morning departure for the East direction Moramanga and Brickaville. Bifurcation to Mahanoro ( starting point of the cruise ) Arrival in the afternoon. Check in Hotel Prestige ( Basic, only choice there ). ( Step of 370 kms / 8 hours )

  2. Day 2 Mahanoro / Asohihy

    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.

  3. Day 3 Asohihy / Ambohimahatsinjo:

    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.

  4. Day 4 Ambohimahatsinjo / Mananjary

    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 Vahiny Lodge.

  5. Day 5 Mananjary - Manakara

    You drive direction Manakara. The afternoon we can visit the town and the seaside. You can also go to the local plantations ( Clove and hot peppers… ) ( step of 180 kms / 4 hours ). Check in “La résidence Manakara

  6. Day 6 Manakara - Fianarantsoa

    A state company called FCE (Fianarantsoa – Coast – East) insures the routes of the villages between Manakara and Fianarantsoa. This old train still sometimes random for these departures. If it’s not possible to take the train, an alternative route will be offered. Otherwise the train ride allow us to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes of Madagascar. There will be many stops in small villages for which the train is the only way of communication. Arrival late afternoon / evening at Sahamabavy or Fianarantsoa. Overnight at the hotel ”Lac hotel”,
    Train frequencies : in the direction Manakara – Fianarantsoa : Wednesday and Sunday. In the direction Fianarantsoa – Manakara on Tuesday and Saturday. The ride takes on average 12 hours.

  7. Day 7 Fianarantsoa - Ranomafana

    Visit of Sahamabvy Tea Plantations. Short way to Ranomafana ( aorund 2 hours ). Set in hotel. In the afternoon you can relax to Thermes wtih hot source water ( Step : 61 Km – 2 hours ) Accomodation Hotle Centrest.

  8. Day 8 Ranomafana - Antoetra ( before Ambositra )

    In the mroning visit Ranomafana National Park, ( from 2 to 4 hours ). It is 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 you take the highland road until Amboistra; before the entrance of the town, bifurcation to Antoetra. Set in a nice Ecolodge. Sous le Soleil de Mada… (Step: 241 Kms – 6 hours )

  9. Day 9 Ambositra - Antsirabe

    Guided picnic walk from Antoetra to the village of Ifasina; immersion in Zafimaniry country. Count 4 to 5 hours round trip. Then we reach Ambositra the artisanal capital.  There’s an hour and a think to reach Antsirabe. Visit Tririva Lake 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. Installation at the hotel Chambre du Voyageur. (Stage: 132 kms from Antoetra – hours ).

  10. Day 10 Antsirabe - Tana

    City tour after the breakfast: you will visit a particular miniatures shops (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 of the road through the highlands to Ambatolampy known for its handicraft factories objects whose aluminum pots to the capital. Installation at the hotel. (Step 170 kms, 4 to 5 hours ) : Rova Hotel.

  11. Day11 Antananarivo

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

Public rates 2024 in Euros TTC per person

Public rates 2024 of Pangalanes Tour

Nb Persons Euros / person
2 1 756 €
3 1 321 €
4 1 064 €
Single Room Supplement : 160 Euros

Booking modalities

Email confirmation of the present trip.
After Espace Mada confirmation for hotels and transport : Deposit 30% of the total by bank transfer or online payment.
Balance before departure in Tananarive  :

  • Master Card or CB Visa 
  • Euros Cash 

 

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
Price INCLUDES
  • Double room(s) accommodation, Necessary tourist taxes
  • Half-board in the hotels, BandB last night. Full-board on the Pangalanes Channel from Day 2 twelve to day 4 midday included, pic nic lunch day 9.
  • Boat and guide on the Pangalanes
  • Vehicle with English speaking driver Day 1 and from Day 5 to Day 10, Driver allowances, gasoline
  • Excursions mentioned in the program, The transfer hotel – airport on Day 11
  • The train ticket Manakara – Fianarantsoa, Entrance and guide fees in Ranomafana park, Tritriva Lake, Sahambavy Tea Plantations, Ifasina Village
Price DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Drinks, extra and Tips, dinners last night, lunchs, excpet during Pangalanes Cruise and on day 9 included
  • International flights