THE SOUTHERN ROUTE, WITH A DETOUR TO TSARANORO

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 of a fascinating past.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the south. As soon as you leave Antananarivo, rice paddies and villages characteristic of Madagascar's central highlands take center stage. In Ambatolampy, we stop to discover the astonishing work of the aluminum casserole makers, found throughout Madagascar.

After breakfast, off to Betsileos country, with a stopover in Ambositra. Cultural discovery is the trademark of this lively little town, full of surprises. Stalls of carved woodwork 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.

Breakfast then visit to Ranomafana National Park,
After the visit go on to Fianarantsoa.

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

After breakfast, we head south for the final descent from the plateaux through the wine-growing region of Fianarantsoa. Picking, drying, fermenting or oxidizing, tasting: the world of tea is revealed during a visit to Madagascar's only tea plantation. Spread over more than 350 hectares, this production site is located in the High Plateaux, in the Fianarantsoa region. On the way, 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 ring-tailed lemur. Afterwards, we continue to Tsaranoro. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel Leaving the camp, we cross the Tsaranoro Sacred Forest, the cemetery of the valley's inhabitants. If we set off early in the morning, we'll have a good chance of seeing lemurs basking in the sun. After a short climb towards Tsaranoro, we branch off to cross the torrent coming from the plateau. After a short, refreshing break, we continue along the torrent until we reach the plateau. We then turn left towards the Langera summit known as "Le Caméléon". After a final steep climb, caution is advised to reach the ridge where you can enjoy the scenery at your leisure. After a picnic lunch, or just a snack depending on the time of day, you'll head back down towards the village of Morarano, then back to the Camp via the valley floor. The walk along the valley floor is often hot, but you can stop along the river to cool off. Duration: 6h round trip Difficulty: Not very difficult Ascent: approx. 600 m

After breakfast, our route opens out onto the wide open spaces of the south as we cross the Ihorombe plateau, a vast steppe frequented by herds of cattle that stretches to the foothills of the Isalo massif. On arrival, Night at the hotel.

Isalo National Park is located in the Ihorombe region, around 700 km from Antananarivo. It adjoins the commune of Ranohira, which serves as its entry point, and covers an area of some 80,000 hectares. Visitors are enchanted by its natural pools, majestic canyons and caves formed in rocks dating back to the Jurassic period. Every effort has been made to ensure that visitors enjoy their stay in the park to the full. Numerous hotels, apartments, villas and bungalows are available to ensure a pleasant stay in the wilderness.

Depart Ranohira for Tuléar. Southern vegetation gradually takes its place in the landscape: baobabs, aloes, euphorbias... along the way, you can observe impressive herds of zebus and the tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic groups. The mushroom villages of the sapphire miners rise from the desert expanses. Arrival in Tuléar, in the heart of a landscape of spectacularly shaped rocky massifs. Short tour of the town, then on to Ifaty. Stop on the road to visit the Reniala reserve. Night at your hotel.

Day at leisure,
Many activities available from your hotel. The sea and beach invite you to relax and unwind.

After a final dive in Tuléar, depending on Tsaradia flight schedule, transfer to Tuléar for flight to Antananarivo. Transfer to your hotel and check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel and,
If we have time, we can do a short stop at the craft market for some shopping. Transfer to the airport.