Madagascar Authentic Mid-Range Tour
- Madagascar
- Tour
This 12-day tour takes you to the most beautiful spots on the Big Island. Discover handcrafts along the way and visit several national parks and reserves on this tour. See unforgettable landscapes nestled in the heart of Madagascar and, of course, meet the lemurs in the Ankafobe Reserve.
Upon arrival, your professional English-speaker guide will welcome you at the airport. Your guide will assist you if needed in any formalities at the airport then accompany you at your hotel. You are free to spend the rest of the day as you pleased.
Since you're in the capital, let's discover an interesting eco-tourism spot. We'll be heading for Ankafobe, we'll stop off in the small village of Ambohimanarina to visit a workshop where clay charcoal stoves are made. In addition to farming and livestock-raising, stove-making is part of their livelihood. Continuing our journey, we reach the Ankafobe reserve. Whether you're a history buff or a nature lover, the 30-hectare Ankafobe forest is well worth a visit.This is where the Sohisika or "Schizolaena Tampoketsana" grows, considered to be one of the rarest trees in the world. Several animal species also live in this prodigious reserve, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, and the Eulemur fulvus: all live freely in the reserve. After an exciting hike, the famous Andriamamovoka waterfall is an ideal spot for a picnic. Of course, this outing promises breathtaking scenery and a guaranteed return to the source. Amazed by this enriching visit, return to our hotel for a restful night.
This incredible journey will take us along National Route 2: to the east of Madagascar. You'll marvel at the lush green landscapes of the rainforest, rice paddies, waterfalls, villages and more. Once we arrive in Andasibe, a night tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the flora and fauna that awaken after sunset.
Today, you will have the opportunity to discover Andasibe National Park. This is a natural jewel in the east of Madagascar, offering visitors a unique experience at the heart of tropical biodiversity. Renowned for its exceptional flora and fauna, the park is a must-see destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Lemur watching is the main attraction of your visit. These majestic primates can reach up to a meter in height and are distinguished by their black and white coats. You will be amazed by their agility as they move between the trees, using their powerful hind legs to make impressive leaps. Afterwards, you will visit Vakona Reserve: a private reserve of the Vakona Forest Lodge hotel, located around 6 kilometers from the village of Andasibe. It features a crocodile lake, various species of reptiles and batrachians, several endemic plants. You will encounter Madagascar’s dancing lemurs also called Sifaka, the Small bamboo lemurs, and the Maki vari.
After breakfast, we get back to Antananarivo. Once again, you'll be able to enjoy the magnificent green landscape of the east throughout the journey. Stopover at Pyerieras private farm “Madagascar Exotique” for a one-hour tour. Indeed, you will discover some endemic species of Madagascar including reptiles, Geckos, butterflies including the largest butterfly on earth called a comet, ….
After breakfast, you'll take national road number 7 (RN7) to Antsirabe, some 171 km away. On the way, you'll visit Ambatolampy, where you'll discover the unique know-how of the local population: the manufacture of aluminum cooking pots. The day ends in the spa town of Antsirabe. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Today we'll be heading for Fianarantsoa. Before leaving, we'll take a rickshaw ride to get to know the town of Antsirabe. Discover the city of water, starting at the majestic Independence Square station. It's a large, green and peaceful avenue with a view of the old Antsirabe station. Continue your tour with a visit to the 50-year-old cathedral. Nearby, you can appreciate the Hôtel des Thermes, one of Antsirabe's most emblematic buildings. Beneath its imposing structure, the hotel will plunge you back into the 80s with its European-style architecture. We then set off for Fianarantsoa. On the way, we'll discover Ambositra. This is Madagascar's most productive town for handicrafts. It's the ideal place to visit and discover ancestral art and stock up on souvenirs! The products on display at the many market stalls and in the various stores show the extent of the know-how of Ambositra's simple, passionate craftsmen. We then continue our journey to Fianarantsoa.
Located in the Isalo massif, the village of Ranohira is above all the starting point for exploring the incredible richness and diversity of Madagascar's Colorado, the Isalo National Park. Made up of rocks formed over 150 million years ago, the park alternates between desert landscapes and verdant canyons, criss-crossed by numerous rivers that rise from magnificent natural pools to create a captivating visual effect. All you need is light clothing and the essentials for this incredible adventure: good walking shoes, a short shirt, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and, above all, water! Regular hikers are treated to a refreshing dip in the park's natural pool. Afterwards, you'll visit a typical Malagasy village called "Village Bara". A Bara village is surrounded by layers of thorny cactus and sisal, and their houses are generally built from reeds coated with earth mixed with zebu dung. The roofs are thatched with "Bozaka", a grass that grows in Isalo.
Today's program takes us to Ambalavao. We'll be visiting a silk fabric workshop. This workshop will take you through the various stages of silk transformation, from the tree to the silky, colorful scarf. The tour begins in the courtyard, where you can see the difference between wild and farmed silk, both of which are found in Madagascar. The women of the workshop then demonstrate how to cook, spin and dye silk, before moving on to the very impressive weaving stage.
Today is dedicated to the return journey to the colonial city of Antsirabe. At several points, you will make photo stops to enjoy the beautiful scenery and have the opportunity to stretch your legs. You will reach the colonial city in the late afternoon.
Today, you have to say Goodbye to the beautiful Madagascar. We will first drive to the capital Antananarivo. Then, you will be transferred to the airport. With a lot of new impressions and authentic experiences, you fly back home.