Period: From May to November
DAY 1: ANTANANARIVO
DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE
DAY 3: ANTSIRABE – MANANDONA – VISIT THE WATER FALL
DAY 4: THE MOUNT IBITY – AMBOSITRA
DAY 5: AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA
DAY 6: VISIT OF RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK – AMBALAVAO
DAY 7: AMBALAVAO – ANJA – ANDRINGITRA
DAY 8: ANDRINGITRA – DIAVOLANA
DAY 9: ANDRINGITRA (Pic bobby ascent)
DAY 10: ANDRINGITRA (Tsaranoro)
DAY 11: ANDRINGITRA – ISALO
DAY 12: VISIT OF ISALO NATIONAL PARK
DAY 13: ISALO – TULEAR– IFATY
DAY 14: IFATY
DAY 15: IFATY
DAY 16: IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO
ANTANANARIVO
A representative from Ortour will welcome you at Ivato international airport, and then you will be transferred in your private car heading to your hotel for overnight at Louvre (luxury) or Chalet des Roses (high-midrange), at Hotel Rova (high-midrange), in BB.
ANTANANARIVO- ANTSIRABE
After breakfast, this morning we drive along the RN7 to Antsirabe, through the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape. When arriving in Antsirabe, visit the surrounding: sacred lake of Tritriva, and the workshop of semi-precious and precious stones. Overnight at the hotel Plumeria (luxury) or at the hotel Menabel (luxury) in BB or in high-midrange Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageur in BB.
ANTSIRABE – MANANDONA- VISIT THE WATERFALL
The morning after enjoying breakfast, leave Antsirabe and drive to Manandona where we will start our hike. We will be trekking along this area while meeting local people, interacting with them in hope to learn about their culture and what they do in their daily activities. In addition to spectacular landscapes: waterfalls, natural pools, caves, the massif is home to famous cultural sites: royal tombs, the tomb of the Vazimba, Rova (Royal Palace), and some local weaving shops will be scheduled as well. After visit return to Antsirabe . Overnight at the hotel Plumeria (luxury) or at the hotel Menabel (luxury) in BB or in high-midrange Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageur in BB.
THE MOUNT IBITY – AMBOSITRA
Morning walk to the mount Ibity, this is the fourth highest Mountain in Madagascar, located 25 km from the city of Antsirabe, behind a rocky and spectacular landscape, the Massif d’Ibity is currently part of one of the major sites of the Vakinankaratra region. It is renowned for its rich flora, fauna, geology and culture.
More than 280 plant species have been recorded in the Ibity massif to date, among them, three endemic families: Astoropelacae, Kaliphorecae, Sarcolaenaceae (see: Endemic flora of the Ibity massif).
Also rich in fauna, there are mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles such as “The Furcifer” which is one of the best known endemic species of Ibity (see: Endemic fauna of the Massif d ‘Ibity).
The summit of Massif d’Ibity, culminating at 2,254 m, is the highest of the rocky outcrops in Madagascar. The Massif d’Ibity contains semi-precious stones mainly quartz, beryl and tourmaline.
Then, we depart to Ambositra through the national road number 7, in Ambositra. Ambositra is famous and the capital of wood carvings in Madagascar, gaining an international reputation and heritage where the local Zafimaniry tribe is undeniably keen on wood work for carving, producing sculptures and marquetry.Overnight at the hotel Artisan, in BB.
AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA
Morning visit in workshops, and then you can have some time for shopping and bring home some elegant souvenirs at a few craft shops. This is the best place to buy products made from raffia, woodcarving or even some products made from zebu horn, drive from Ambositra to Ranomafana through the national road number 7 and number 25. On the way we stop half an hour at Namorona Waterfall, this around 9 km before reach Ranomafana. Arrive in Ranomafana in the afternoon, relax at the hot spring swimming pool or visit the surrounding village of Antanala tribe. Overnight at the hotel Thermal or at Setam Lodge in HB or in midrange Hotel: Grenat hotel or Karibo hotel in BB.
VISIT OF RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast a full day exploration of the famous Ranomafana Park. It 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 in the park, drive to Ambalavao pass by Fianaratsoa.
While arriving visit at the Antemoro paper factory, a paper fabric made from bark of the mulberry tree called ‘Avoha’ (Bosqueia danguyana), introduced in Madagascar in the XVth century by the first Arab settlers.
Overnight at the Tsihenimpary Lodge (midrange) or at the Betsileo Country Lodge(high-midrange) in BB.
AMBALAVAO- ANJA-ANDRINGITRA
Leave Ambalavao after the breakfast, get into the 4wd and drive to Anja park , Anja community reserve. Is a protected reserve extending over 30 hectares, enriched with an amazing ecological wealth of flora and fauna, most notably a home of the ring tail lemur population after visit drive to Andringitra national park where the hiking will start. Overnight at the Cottage.
ANDRINGITRA-DIAVOLANA
Morning breakfast and start the trek with guide and the porters. Walk through 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. Overnight Camping in FB.
ANDRINGITRA (PIC BOBBY ASCENT)
Early morning walk till the ‘Pic Bobby or Imarivolanitra literally means close to the sky. The ascent to the Pic Bobby might take 2 to 3 hours hike depending on your 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 . Then, spend some time up there and go down to Iantaranomby Overnight Camping , in FB.
ANDRINGITRA (TSARANORO)
This the third day of the trek, go down to Tsaranoro Valley .The massif of Tsaranoro is not any more reserved for the world elite in climbing. The Tsaranoro Valley is 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-tailed lemurs. Various species of falcon, snakes, lizards, chameleons and plenty of orchids can be found. The best period for climbing and visiting the valley is from March to December. Overnight at the campcatta (Midrange) or Tsarasoa Lodge (Midrange)
TSARANORO- ISALO
Drive to Isalo National Park along the RN7 you will pass the beautiful landscape of bishop’s hat. Arrive in Ranohira before dark, visit at the window of Isalo at the sunset .Overnight in high-end Hotel: Relais de la Reine (hight-end) or Jardin de Roy (high-end) in HB, or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or at H1 hotel in BB
VISIT OF ISALO NATIONAL PARK
The plan of today is hiking in Isalo National Park following the famous Namaza trail. First, stop at ‘Piscine Naturelle’ where you can spend few moments swimming. Don’t forget your gear! Then, another 4 km hike leading to the camping site where you can take your picnic lunch or you can return to village to have a lunch. . After lunch, extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘Piscine Bleue and Noire’ called the cascade trail. There is a good chance to see flocks of ring tails, red fronted browns, the so-called dancing Sifaka and so much more. 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: Relais de la Reine ( hight-end) or Jardin de Roy (high-end) in HB, or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or at H1 hotel in BB.
ISALO – TULEAR- IFATY
The distance from Ranohira to Ifaty is 265 km. long drive toward the south west (Tuléar), capital of the Vezo fishing people. Along the way, short stop just right after the Zombitse National Park, there are plenty of baobabs that can be used as water reservoir for the local inhabitants. Between Tuléar and Sakaraha is the famous big Mahafaly tomb, particularly interesting because of the displays representing the daily life of the deceased; while arriving in Tuléar, settles for lunch, and then continue driving to Ifaty. Overnight in high-end Hotel: hotel le Paradisier in HB or La Mira (high-end).in HB or in High-midrange Hotel: at Bamboo hotel or at Bella Donna hotel in BB
IFATY
You have the morning to explore activities from the hotel to the fascinating floristic spiny forest (octopus trees, euphorbia, baobabs, pachypodiums, moringas, etc), sharing its habitat with other species of animals; amongst those include lemurs, the only place that attracts birders in search of the running coua, Madagascar Harrier Hawk, and many Vanga species. Its magnificent offshore reefs invite exploration that allows local diving centre to run smoothly. Ifaty is a nice place for snorkeling with great view of the coral reefs. Between June and August, humpback whales can be observed off Ifaty’s beautiful white beaches. Overnight in high-end Hotel: hotel le Paradisier in HB or La Mira (high-end).in HB or in High-midrange Hotel: at Bamboo hotel or at Bella Donna hotel in BB
IFATY
You have your last day relax on the beach, Overnight in high-end Hotel: hotel le Paradisier in HB or La Mira (high-end).in HB or in High-midrange Hotel: at Bamboo hotel or at Bella Donna hotel in BB
IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO
Leave Ifaty and drive to Tulear; then transfer to the airport for flight heading to Tana waiting for flight home.
