FROM THE ANDASIBE JUNGLE TO THE LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTH

Welcome and transfer to hotel Antananarivo, the capital and beating heart of Madagascar. The "City of a Thousand Cities" is the country's largest economic, political, historical and cultural hub. Antananarivo is a stopover not to be missed, as its undeniable tourist appeal is not always apparent at first glance. The palaces, streets, squares and houses of the upper town tell the story of a fascinating past.
Welcome on arrival and transfer to your hotel in bed and breakfast
Night at the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Andasibe.
Visit the Mandraka Butterfly Farm on the road. Here you'll encounter an impressive concentration of chameleons, geckos, lizards and, of course, butterflies. Afternoon arrival in the village of Andasibe.
Nocturnal visit of Vakona reserve.
Night at the hotel

After breakfast, departure for a guided tour of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park or Analamazaotra . A 3-hour forest hike to discover the park's flora and fauna, including the Indri Indri, the largest and most advanced species of lemur. In the afternoon, visit the VOI village park, where you'll discover the famous Indri Indri lemurs, the largest in Madagascar.
Night at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the capital, then on to the south.
As soon as you leave Antananarivo, rice paddies and villages characteristic of Madagascar's central highlands shape the landscape. In Ambatolampy, stop off to discover the astonishing work of aluminum casserole makers, found all over Madagascar.
Night at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel, departure for a hike.
This walk around Betafo will enable us to discover both the human aspects (customs, traditions, daily activities...) and the geographical aspects (landscape...) of the region. In short, it's a tour that "sums up" what the Malagasy highlands are all about.
We begin our tour at the entrance to the town of Betafo. The walk takes us through rice paddies and many other food-growing fields. We continue our expedition by discovering typical villages of the region, in particular the village of blacksmiths (possibility of visiting the inside of a house).
Along the way, we're sure to spot traditional tombs here and there (but never at random) (we could visit a few). We then reach the upper town of Betafo, where one of the first Lutheran temples in the Vakinankaratra region was built.
On the way back to Antsirabe, we can stop off at Talata, where we can visit a traditional silk-weaving workshop.
Night at the hotel

Difficulty: Medium
Trekking ability: Good walker
Duration: approx. 05 hours / + 70 metres approx.

After breakfast, visit the town and miniature workshops then to Betsileos country, stopping off at Ambositra. Cultural discovery is the trademark of this lively little town, full of surprises. Stalls of wood carvings and marquetry line the alleyways: statuettes, assegais, jewelry boxes, paintings, furniture... The main creators of these works are the Zafimaniry, and a visit to their workshops is a must. Along the way, you can admire the beauty of the wooden sculptures on top of the tombs. Continuation to Ranomafana.
Night at the hotel

Breakfast followed by a visit to Ranomafana National Park.

Ranomafana offers a verdant landscape of tropical rainforests. Alongside this lush vegetation are secondary formations that continue to grow and expand within the park. Due to the high humidity of Ranomafana's climate, the park is criss-crossed by numerous watercourses that originate in the massifs, then criss-cross the steep landscape or hills to spill over in magnificent cascades and spectacular waterfalls. They also form natural pools nestling in a dreamlike setting. In addition to these natural spectacles, Ranomafana is also renowned for its thermal spas.

REM: 3 to 4 hours' walk, depending on your physical condition.
Caution: high humidity from June to August.
Equipment to bring: walking shoes, rain gear, mosquito spray.

Night at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. On the road , visit the Anja village reserve, where you can get up close and personal with lemurs. Anja is home to the northernmost population of the best-known lemur: the catta lemur.
After the visit, the road opens out onto the wide open spaces of the south, crossing the Ihorombe plateau, a vast steppe frequented by herds of cattle that stretches to the foothills of the Isalo massif.
Night at the hotel

After breakfast, hike in the National Park of Isalo with a local guide. Isalo is a huge massif, eroded during the Jurassic time, one of the most spectacular in the country. Bara tribes used to bury their dead here, until they earned enough money to buy a silver coffin. Along the way you will see a botanical garden, canyons, beautiful viewpoints, a natural swimming pool and waterfalls. Nature lovers will have the opportunity to learn about the endemic plants of Isalo, among which the aloe and the bottle plant. Catta lemurs will often cross your path. At the end of the day drive to the Isalo Window to watch a beautiful sunset

REM: 4 to 5hours' walk, depending on your physical condition.

Night at the hotel

Early after breakfast continue to Tulear (320km/5h). Stop in Ilakaka, a small market town of sapphire diggers. Because of the precious stones, the village population exploded. Thai, Sri Lankan, and Malagasy have come to this Malagasy Far West. The first baobabs will emerge after Ilakaka. Colourful Antanosy and Mahafaly tombs are often to be seen along the road. The flora is changing into deciduous thorny forests and baobabs. Balance the evening at leisure in Ifaty. Le Paradisier is a great quiet place to stay on the beach, located a bit outside of the main village. Visit baobab forest before going to the hotel.

Night at the hotel

Free day.
Several activities are available from your hotel. The sea and beach invite you to relax and unwind.
Night at the hotel

Free day.
Several activities are available from your hotel. The sea and beach invite you to relax and unwind.
Night at the hotel

After a final dive in Ifaty, depending on Tsaradia flight schedule, transfer to Tuléar for flight to Antananarivo.
Night at the hotel

According your flight, transfer and assistance at the airport