Period : From May 15th to October
DAY 1: ANTANANARIVO
DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO – MORONDAVA –KIRINDY
DAY 3: KIRINDY- TSINGY OF BEMARAHA
DAY 4: TSINGY
DAY 5: TSINGY – MORONDAVA
DAY 6: MORONDAVA – ANTSIRABE
DAY 7: ANTSIRABE -AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA
DAY 8: RANOMAFANA VISIT – AMBALAVAO
DAY 9: AMBALAVAO – ANDRINGITRA
DAY10: PICK BOBBY- IANTARANOMBY
DAY11: IANTARANOMBY- TSARANORO
DAY12 :TSARANORO- ISALO
Day 13:ISALO VISIT
DAY 14:ISALO – TULEAR – IFATY
DAY 15-16: IFATY
DAY 17:IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO
DAY 18: ANTANANARIVO- ANDASIBE
DAY 19: MAROMIZA VISIT
DAY 20: ANALAMAZAOTRA VISIT
DAY 21: ANDASIBE – ANTANANARIVO – FLY HOME
ANTANANARIVO
Arriving at Ivato international airport in Antananarivo, meet Ortour representative, and then transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight I at the hotel du Louvre ( Luxury) or at the hotel Palissandre (luxury) or at the Chalet des Roses ( Midrange) or Hotel Rova (high-midrange), in BB.
ANTANANARIVO-MORONDAVA-KIRINDY
Take a flight to get to the western part of Madagascar. Morondava is the capital of the tribe of ‘Sakalavan’iMenabe’. Visit the famous ‘Baobab Alley’. The trip in the west coast precisely in Morondava is best known for its Baobab species that the nation itself possesses a large number of 7 out of 8 species worldwide, and Adansonia grandidieri is the most majestic species reaching 30m in height. We continue driving to Kirindy Reserve, a privately managed forest by a Swiss company. Night walk in the forest in search of endemic animals.Kirindy is the best place in the whole island to observe the rare Coquereli’s giant mouse, lemur and pygmy mouse-lemur, fork-crowned lemur, Gray mouse lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur and the red-tailed sportive lemur; with 50 species of reptiles, several bats, tenrecs, mongooses, the jumping rat, etc… completing the mammal population.
Overnight at Relais du Kirindy (high-midrange) or in Akiba Lodge (high-midrange) in BB.
KIRINDY- TSINGY OF BEMARAHA
Morning visit at Kirindy reserve. The Fosamakes its home in this reserve and can be found in the forest in hunt for its prey. Also, there are 40 species of birds, 8 species of lemurs including the brown lemurs and the dancing sifakas. These long-legged, white with dark patches, leap among tree trunks high in the canopy, propelled by their powerful hind legs but continually maintaining an upright posture. After the morning visit, leave Kirindy and drive to Tsingy of Bemaraha.
Overnight at hotel Soleil du Tsingy (high-end) in BB or the hotel Orchidée de Bemaraha, (high-midrange) Le Grand Hotel (midrange hotel) in BB
TSINGY
Full day visit at both the Great and Little Tsingy. Scientists estimate that the park endemism rate reaches 86, 7%. There are 11 species of lemurs recorded, with five families of Bats, 103 species of bird species. The index of the reptiles and amphibians is as large as Bemaraha possessing 34 species. During the hike in the park, there is a broad canyon crossed by a swinging suspension bridge. Harness has to be put on and avoid skirts for females or flip flops. Amid all this grey pinnacles sprout the green plants, pachypodiums and other succulent plants. Expect to see the Giant Coua, the long eared owls perched on tree branch.
Overnight at hotel Soleil du Tsingy (high-end) in BB or at the hotel Orchidée de Bemaraha, (high-midrange) Le Grand Hotel (midrange hotel) in BB.
TSINGY – MORONDAVA
Drive back to Morondava. Stop en route to see the twin Baobabs , the Baobab Alley; about 15 km north of Morondava. The best times to visit are at sunset, when the colours of the trees change. Overnight at the Palissandre de l’Ouest (high-end) in HB. Or at the hotel Vezo Beach (high-end) or in High-midrange at Chez Maggie or Select in BB (midrange).
MORONDAVA – ANTSIRABE
We depart after breakfast going to Antsirabe. We stop in Miandrivazo for lunch. Other stops would be necessary since magnificent landscape, amazing viewpoint, including stop to interact and learn local cultures. We settle in your hotel when arriving in Antsirabe for overnight at the hotel: Plumeria (Luxury) or at the hotel Menabel, ( Luxury) in BB or at the Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageurs, (high-midrange) in BB.
ATSIRABE – AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA
Depart to Ranomafanathrough the national road Number 7. Stop at Ambositra, a famous town, gaining international reputation and heritage where the local Zafimaniry tribe is undeniably keen on wood work for carving, producing sculptures and marquetry. We shop around and visit some workshops, trying to find carved wood or a piece of marquetry box minutely done. We stroll around in town and then head to Ranomafana. We are in the heart of Betsileo tribe area. We are on the highest part of Madagascar Highlands and the road is more and more winding. We turn off to the east and arrive in the rainforest in late afternoon.
Overnight : at the Thermal hotel ( high-midrange) or at Setam Lodge, ( high-end) in HB or in Midrange Hotel: at Grenat hotel or at Karibo hotel, in BB.
RANOMAFANA VISIT – AMBALAVAO
Morning to explore the Park, Ranomafana is a very dense forest with green lush vegetation, a mountainous area reaching 1300 m of altitude, certainly possessing a great deal amount of flora and fauna unique in the world with wide varieties of orchids, carnivorous plants, harboring at least 12 species of lemurs including the golden bamboo, greater bamboo, Milne Edward’s sifaka; Also, there are 118 species of birds and 8 species of bats, as well as many rodents, reptiles, batrachians, spiders and butterflies. After the visit, drive to Ambalavao passing by Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe. Ambalavao is the well-known for its zebu market and a place where we will visit the paper factory of the Antemoro. This secular process to make this paper with bark of the mulberry tree Avoha (Bosqueiadanguyana) was introduced in Madagascar in the XVth century by the first Arabic migrants to retranscribe the Koran.
Overnightin high midrange hotel: Hotel Tsienimparihy or Betsileo Country Lodge, in BB.
AMBALAVAO- ANDRINGITRA
Leave Ambalavao and then drive to Andringitra National Park of Andringitra located in the South East of Ambalavao. Upon arrival, it is the start of our trekking following various trails including the Diavolana circuit,
.Full-day hikes, steep ups and downs requiring a high level of fitness. Activities include extended treks of 7 or more hours a day at altitude and over steep terrain. A good chance to behold the beautiful waterfalls (Rian-dahy&Riam-bavy) The Diavolana hike shows the real beauty of Andringitra National Park; also, it is called the moon landscape due to its view on rock formation and landscape..Camping and night in a tent, in FB.
ANDRINGITRA ( PEAK BOBBY ASCENT) – IANTARANOMBY
Trekking further high reaching the ‘Pic Bobby’. Leave in the morning around 8 a.m. The ascent to the Pic Bobby might take 2 to 3 hours hike depending of you pace. This offers a nice overview of Isalo Park and panorama on smooth granite blocks and the rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. ‘Pic Bobby’ is the second highest peak in the island reaching Imarivolanitra, literally means close to the sky offering a superb view and a breathtaking panorama on smooth granite blocks dominated by nice landscape of terraced rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. Then, spend some time up there and take lunch at spot .Overnight in a tent, in FB.at Iantaranomby.
IANTARANOMBY – TSARANORO
This the third day the trek down to Tsaranoro Valley .The massif of Tsaranoro is not any more reserved for the world elite in climbing. The TsaranoroValleyis a walkers paradise, an ideal location for individual day treks or guided multi-day expeditions with overnight camping. The treks lead through open savanna and tropical humid or dry forest. Tsaranoro is the primary habitat for Ring-tailedlemurs. Various species of falcon, snakes, lizards, chameleons and plenty of orchids can be found. The best period for climbing and visiting the valleyis from March to December. Overnight at the campcatta (Midrange) or Tsarasoa Lodge (Midrange).
TSARANORO – ISALO
After breakfast, we leave Tsaranoroand we continue our road trip toward south leaving behind the highlands of Madagascar while contemplating magnificent southern landscapes dominated by savanna, dry bush and semi desert land of southern Madagascar. We shall reach Ranohira village and settle in our hotel overnight at Isalo Rock Lodge ( luxury) or Relais de la Reine, in HB or in Midrange Hotel H1 or Hotel Orchidée, in BB.
ISALO VISIT
We will have a full day hike in Isalo National Park along the Namaza trail. First, stop in ‘Piscine Naturelle’ where you can spend few moments swimming. Don’t forget your gear! Then, another 4 km is necessary leading to the camping site. After lunch, extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘Piscine Bleue and Noire’ called the cascade trails. Isalo, covered with 82 000 ha, created in 1962, is the home of the endemic bird known as Benson’s Rock thrush; actually, there are 77 species of birds, 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 98 species of amphibians and reptiles. Overnight in high-end Hotel: Isalo Rock Lodge or Relais de la Reine (high-end), in HB or in Midrange Hotel: H1 hotel or at the Hotel Orchidée, in BB.
ISALO – TULEAR – IFATY
Long drive toward the south-western capital of the Vezo fishing people. The famous Mahafaly tombs abound all along the way between Sakaraha and Tulear, having particular rather than peculiar cultural traits of this typical southern tribe, whose tombs displays various images representing the daily life or dreams of the deceased. Arrive in Tuléar, take lunch; and then continue to Ifaty along the sandy path.
Overnight at: High Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue or at the hotel Bamboo Club in BB or at the hotel Paradisier (Luxury) in BB.
IFATY
Full day at leisure during your whole stay in Ifaty. However, some activities can be arranged by your hotel, on your charge. Ifaty grants you a relaxing place by the beach where you can go diving, snorkeling, take a dugout canoe ride with the Vezo fishermen. Besides, Ifaty spiny forest abounded by extraordinary vegetation of euphorbia, didieracea, aloes is another important place to see the giant baobabs, the nocturnal southern sportive lemurs, some endemic birds like the sub-desert mesite found nowhere else, the running coua and so on. Overnight at: High Midrange Hotel: Belle Vue or at the hotel Bamboo Club in BB or at the hotel Paradisier (Luxury) in BB.
IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO
Drive to Tuléar for transfer to the airport to catch a flight heading back to Tana overnight at hotel du Louvre (Luxury) or at the hotel Chalet des Roses ( high-midrange) or at the Hotel Rova (high-midrange), in BB.
ANTANANARIVO – ANDASIBE
We start our journey towards the Eastern part of the island. Morning departure heading to Andasibe (roughly 5 hour drive) also known as Perinet… Upon arrival, visit theforest of VOIMM is divided in 3 areas dedicted to total preservation, ecoturism, and traditional exploitation. The park hosts 11 species of lemurs, camaleons, lizards, howls, and many other animals. It is possible to visit the forest by day and night through 6 km of itineraries.
Overnight at the high-end Hotel: Mantadia Lodge or at CyperusHotel(high-end hotel )in BB or in Mid-range Hotel: at the hotel Feon’ny Ala or at Grace Lodge in BB.
ANDASIBE – MAROMIZA VISIT
This morning, we drive toMaromiza national park If you want real unadulterated wilderness then the Réserve de Maromizaha is what you’re looking for. This 100-sq-km ecotourism reserve, about 8km southeast of theMantadiais more the preserve of scientists and researchers than tourists and it offers a genuine wilderness experience. The area is home to 14 somewhat elusive and only partially habituated lemur species, including diademedsifaka and black-and-white ruffed lemurs, both of which are also found at Parc National Mantadia.
Overnight in high-end Hotel: Mantadia Lodge or AndasibeCypérusHotel (high-end) in BB or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’nyAla or Grace Lodge in BB.
ANDASIBE – ANALAMAZAOTRA VISIT
After breakfast, we will explore the Analamazoatra reserve in search of the biggest lemurs called Indri indri, the panda like lemurs, whose eerie calls can be heard miles away from your hotel. Mild walk in the forest would surely grant you a great deal of windows of opportunity to spot not only the indri but also other lemurs such as the golden sifakas, the eastern woolly lemurs, without forgetting endemic birds and reptiles like the Parson chameleon, the tiny nose-horned chameleons, and so forth. Overnight at the high-end Hotel: Mantadia Lodge or at CyperusHotel(high-end hotel )in BB or in Mid-range Hotel: at the hotel Feon’ny Ala or at Grace Lodge in BB.
ANDASIBE – ANTANANARIVO – FLY HOME
We leave Andasibe and drive to Antananarivo to catch a flight taking you back home. End of our service.
