11 Days / 10 Nights
Day 1: Antananarivo / Andasibe
Arrive in Antananarivo. Drive to Andasibe through green and luxuriant vegetation. Along the way see Merina villages in the rocky mountains. Arrive at Andasibe and have a night walk to observe
night active lemurs and other nocturnal animals. FEON’NY ALA
Day 2: Natural Reserve of Andasibe
A morning visit of the Reserve to see the Indri Indri – the largest lemurs on the island. The reserve contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, and endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and
many birds. This afternoon visit Andasibe village, a typical Betsimisaraka (The-Many-inseparable) village, and the second largest tribe on the island, who cultivate rice and live mainly off the forest. (B)
Day 3: Andasibe / Antsirabe B
Travel to Antsirabe past spectacular eroded hills called ‘lavaka’ with its rice fields and green landscape. Stop in Ambatolampy for a short visit of this huge agricultural city, also known as a source of aluminum. Arrive in the “European” city of Antsirabe – an elegant city founded by the Norwegians, and well known as the center of the beer industry. CHAMBRES DU VOYAGUER (B)
Day 4: Antsirabe / Ranomafana National Park
Drive to Ambositra, the center of Madagascar’s wood carving industry. The houses are made with ornately carved wooden balconies and shutters with bright colors. Further on we pass the ‘le col
de tapia’, a type of tree, which resists to the brush fires of the area. We continue through rice fields, pine forests, eucalyptus trees and rocky mountains before reaching Ranomafana National Park.
CENTREST (B)
Day 5: Ranomafana National Park
Parc National de Ranomafana, with its rain forested hills and abundant wildlife, has long been considered one of Madagascar’s highlights. Ranomafana’s terrain is characterized by numerous small streams, which plummet down to the beautiful Namorona River. Walk in the National Park for several hours spotting some of the lemurs, chameleons and other animals. (B)
Day 6: Fianarantsoa / Isalo
Leaving Ranomafana we pass Fianarantsoa – the gate to the South and the capital of the Betsileo tribes. This is the centre of the catholic religion and most of the best schools are found here. Head southwards, stopping in Ambalavao for wine tasting, a tradition started by priests and monks who lived in the area. Visit the ‘Anteimoro Paper Factory’ a vestige of the Arabian civilization in the island. Continue to Ihosy, the capital of the Bara tribes, who are the shepherds of Zebu. Pass through the mountain chain of Andringitra, which serves as a transition between the dry south and the green highlands before we arrive in Isalo. ISALO RANCH (B)
Day 7: Isalo National Park
Walk to the ‘Natural swimming pool’ (about 1 ½ hour walk), observing the indigenous vegetation along the way, and perhaps sifakas, brown lemurs and ringtaild lemurs, as well as fifty-five species of
birds, lizards and snakes. We finally reach the swimming pool, with its crystal clear water, which is a great reward after a long hot walk. (B)
Day 8: Isalo / Ifaty
Continue to Tuléar through the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south. En route, we admire the different ‘Mahafaly’ and ‘Antandroy’ tombs. After a short visit of Tuléar we continue
to Ifaty dominated by the spiny forest like the cactus, different euphorbiacea and didieracea and Mangrove trees line the coast alternated by Vezo villages. The sea is dotted with the small pirogues
of the men who make their living by fishing. HOTEL DE LA PLAGE (B)
Day 9: Ifaty
The day is at leisure to explore on your own. Ifaty is an ideal place for diving and snorkeling, and for birdwatching. Take an optional excursion to visit the ‘Reserve Domergue’, to see two kinds
of baobabs, spiny bush, reptiles like ‘boa madagascariensis’, ‘geckos’ and ‘chameleon parsoni’ (the largest one). Take an optional boat trip to see the whales (Jul-Sep) – a spectacular experience! Or
take a walk to the village of Mangily and visit a local school. (B)
Day 10: Ifaty / Tulear / Antanarivo
Early transfer to the airport for the flight back to Antanarivo. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own. RESIDENCE LAPASOA (B)
Day 11: Depart Antanarivo
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
