Day 01 : ANTANANARIVO
Arrival at Ivato International Airport. Welcome by your agent who will conduct a trip review and delivery of travel documents. Transfer to town. Overnight at your hotelArrivée à l’aéroport international d’Ivato.
Day 02 : ANTSIRABE
Road to the south in the early morning. Stop in Ambatolampy which profile its silhouette on the bluish horizon of the Ankaratra at 1500m altitude and which is also the capital of aluminum in Madagascar. Visit of the craft factory of aluminum pots. Then continuation to Antsirabe, a spa, it is called "the city of water" it has become a very important economic city, famous for its fresh products and its mineral water called "visy gasy". On your arrival, city tour on rickshaw, a means of locomotion: train station, the Grande Avenue and its totem, the spa hotel ‘Hotel de Thermes’ ... .Installation to your hotel at the end of the day
Day 03 : ANTSIRABE
Departure for the walking tour of the upper town of Betafo. Stop at the falls of Antafofo, continuation of the walk through the rice fields, stop in a blacksmith village; on the way discover traditional tombs where people come to make their offerings and ask for blessing. Descent then on Betafo for the visit of the city, with its houses having wrought iron verandah. Stop at the large Market in Betafo. Back to Antsirabe, stop at Talata to visit a traditional silk weaving workshop. Return to your hotel at the end of the day
Day 04 : RANOMAFANA
Continue to Ambositra, the capital of marquetry as well as the country of the Zafimaniry. Visit some exhibition workshops of wood carving crafts. Continue on Ranomafana that you will reach at the end of the day. Overnight at your hotel
Day 05 : FIANARANTSOA
Guided tour of Ranomafana National Park. It is a meeting place of varied ecosystems: dense and humid forest of average attitude, with some ombrophiles. Very green decorations in general where orchids abound. Covering an area of about 41000 ha, the park is home to 114 species of birds, reptiles, butterflies, insects galore, two rare species of lemurs: Golden Hapalémur and Hapalémur simus and many others ... At the level of the flora includes several medicinal plants, giant fangs, epiphytic orchids. Then a visit to Tanala village, forest people, to discover the daily lifestyle of its inhabitants. They still live from forest resources: bamboo, resins, medicinal plants, fruits, wild honey, river fish.... Departure for Fianarantsoa at the end of the afternoon, this is where we ‘learn the good’. Settle at your hotel at the end of the day.
Day 06 : ANDRINGITRA
4 hours of walking and 862m + 250m of cumulative elevation gain.
Early departure towards the Andringitra massif. Along the way you can enjoy the visit of the vineyard of Soavita with possibility of tasting the local wine. In Ambalavao, visit a workshop of handcrafter wild silk and ‘Antemoro’ paper. After these visits, you will take the track that leads to the entrance of the National Park about 45 km. Beautiful landscapes, given the state of the track, you will have time to contemplate. In Namoly, you will enter the park and start your first day of hiking to go to the site of the royal bath and join the campsite in Andriampotsy for a duration of about 4 hours of walking and 400 m of elevation gain. Settle at the first camp, at the foot of huge granite cliffs, at an altitude of 2050 m.
Day 7 : ANDRINGITRA
09 hours of walking and 1,000m + 1,400m of cumulative elevation gain.
Early morning awakening with the first rays of the sun and departure to attack the ascent of Boby Peak. The ridge on which the summit is located is very exposed to the climatic influences of the East with high humidity that can quickly cover the summits and spoil your beautiful climb to this prestigious peak of Madagascar. After only 2h30 of walk, you will reach the peak from where you will be able to benefit from an exceptional panorama on the whole region. In very good weather, you can even see the Isalo massif further south. We retrace our steps, then continue on the circuit
«extraterrestrial» You will understand very quickly why this circuit is so called. Surreal lunar landscapes in a mountain setting that you will not forget. On the descent after this beautiful landscape you cross the endemic palm forest of this slope "ravenea glauca" until the Iantaranomby camp at the edge of a river in which you can cool off.
Day 8 : TSARANORO
5 hours walk 140m + 850m- cumulative elevation gain.
Departure after breakfast for the descent to the Tsaranoro Valley. Possibility to see Pachypodium enchyflorum, different species of aloe and lizards. Once a foot of the massif, the path continues to cross several villages of Barabory; of Betsileo and Bara cultures mix. From the village of Morarano, you will begin the crossing of this beautiful valley Tsaranoro, to wind up at your hotel
Day 9 : RANOHIRA
Departure for the visit of the small sacred forest of Tsaranoro where you will discover the famous Ring-tailed lemurs, Lemurs Catta. The sacred forest is also a place where you will find many Bara and Betsileo tombs. A natural pool is added to the enchantment of this forest. Crossing rice terraces, then arrive in Tsarasoa, where the village of Soavahiny is translated as "where the guests are welcome". Then, continuation to Ranohira which is a very small village, at the edge of the Isalo massif, the Malagasy Colorado, base of the excursions in the park. Settle at your hotel at the end of the day.
Day 10 : RANOHIRA
Day dedicated to the pedestrian discovery of the Isalo massif, its ruiniform massifs, its flora and fauna, its rock formations carved over time. Discovery of the natural pool and Namaza waterfall. We can sometimes meet lemurs, birds or chameleons. Possibility of bathing. You will end the day admiring a sunset at the window of Isalo. Return to your hotel at the end of the day.
Day 11 : RANOHIRA
Departure for the circuit Via Ferrata, which is 27kms north-west of Ranohira. Crossing rice farmers, passing Sakalava tombs and Bara, a very special view for an ecotourism circuit, the savannah predominates. Existence of riparian forest which is the natural habitat of the local fauna. Discovery of Pachypodium. Point of view, giving access to the plateau and the bottom of the canyons, a panoramic point of view on the ruiniform massifs. This circuit is rather sporty, with a moderately weak slope until the Sakalava tomb. 750m of the circuit is of very high degrees of slope. Guaranteed thrill for the adventurous! Return to your hotel at the end of the day
Day 12 : IFATY
Road to Tulear. Crossing desert landscapes or very poor vegetation consists of thorny plants. Overview of Mahafaly Tombs en route. Arrival in Tulear, which is a port city under the Tropic of Capricorn and remains a starting point for excursions in the deep south, to discover a wild bush. Visit the arboretum of Antsokay to discover the authentic fauna and flora of the Great South of Madagascar. Then drive to Ifaty, a fishing village facing the majestic bay with turquoise water, ideal place for relaxation and diving, far from civilization although Tuléar is only 15 minutes drive.
Day 13 : IFATY
Ifaty, is a mini seaside resort in the shade of palm trees, on a beach of beauty, where we practice a whole range of activities related to the sea. It is a haven of peace far from any civilization, lost between the turquoise waters of the lagoon and the sub-desert vegetation of the interior country, very rich in medicinal plants. Possibility of various activities: diving, canoe trip, visit of the baobab forest in Mangily ...
Day 14 : IFATY
Day at leisure in Ifaty.
Day 15 : ANTANANARIVO
Transfer to Tulear airport as per flight schedule. Flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be met by your guide for a departure to Ambohimanga: visit of the Queen's Summer Palace and the palace of the First Great King Andrianampoinimerina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city, a burial site and a set of sacred places. Associated with a strong sense of national identity, it has maintained its spirituality and sacredness in the practice and spirit of the people for some 500 years. It remains a place of worship and pilgrimage that one comes to visit Madagascar and elsewhere. Transfer to the airport, formalities and dinner on board.
