THE TREASURES OF THE SOUTH

Arrival in the capital according to the flight schedule.

Management of airport formalities, reception and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

170 km: about 4 hours’ drive (asphalt road)

Breakfast and departure for the visit of Antananarivo, whose original name was Analamanga (blue forest) is also commonly called “The city of the Thousand”, name attributed after the conquest and defense of a thousand warriors. Founded in the early seventeenth century, and inhabited by Etnia Merina, which in Malagasy means “those who live on the highlands” is arranged on 12 sacred hills, at a height between 1200 meters. and 1500 meters. The visit of this capital will lead us to admire the Palace of the Queen “Rova” (closed on Tuesday), the great boulevard of the Independence “the esplanade of Analakely” with its typical railway station of the time.

Departure for Antsirabe passing through Ambatolampy, crossing landscapes and small traditional villages of the Merina ethnic group, made of red brick houses. Arrival in Ambatolampy, stop visit a craft workshop of pots and pans family.

Continuation for Antsirabe, «The city of water» important agricultural and industrial center.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

260 km: about 6 hours’ drive (asphalt road with potholes)

After breakfast, short tour of the city of Antsirabe with visit of a workshop to see the work of the horn of Zebu and visit of a manufacture of miniature toys.

Departure for Ambositra through landscapes and plateaus with beautiful rice terraces (from the Far East).

The interest of Ambositra lies mainly in its craftsmanship. The proximity of the Zafimaniry region and the green forest of the East has made it the capital of wood processing. The cultural influence Zafimaniry and Betsileo is very important and is found through the traditional and geometric patterns related to everyday life. There are many craft workshops specializing in engraving, wood carving and marquetry. In general, craftsmen work in small premises in their houses and sometimes we can find them under some trees in their garden. Continuation to Ranomafana, arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

65 km : about 2 hours’ drive (asphalt road)

Breakfast and departure for the visit of the national park of Ranomafana. The name of this park comes from the thermal springs of the region, since “Ranomafana”, means “hot water” in Malagasy. Between 600 meters and 1400 meters of altitude with an area of 41600 hectares, the park was inaugurated in May 1991. The park has its raison d’être for the conservation of its beautiful tropical forest very dense at low altitude, and mountainous in height with endemic plant species such as orchids Bulbophyllum. At the same time, the park is home to a very rich and still little-known fauna. For example, the rare lemur Hapalemur Aureus was only discovered in 1987. Waterfalls, streams and rugged terrain make this natural park unique. The endemicity of its fauna and flora attracts many foreign researchers especially of American nationality who created the VALBIO research center.

The park is crossed by the river Namorona, and inhabited by the ethnic Tanala, known for their ability to produce honey and their particular agriculture called Tavy.

Visits will be accompanied by local guides and rangers. The park can be visited all year round, preferably during the dry season from May to September.

After the visit, departure for Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo ethnic group, and open door to the wonderful South.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

Km 285: about 7 hours’ drive (asphalt road)

After breakfast, visit the historic town of Fianarantsoa called Tanàna Ambony (or upper town), built in the nineteenth century on a hill from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the area. With its stairs, alleys, bell towers and old brick houses surrounded by verandas, it is one of the most original Malagasy cities. After the short visit, departure for Ambalavao famous for the artisanal manufacture of the paper of ANTAIMORO, formerly produced from the processing of the papyrus, today almost extinct and therefore of these times one uses the zest of the macerated AVOHA, worked and decorated with natural flowers, strictly decorated by hand.

Continuing our descent towards the South, stop at the forest of ANJA which will give you the opportunity to know a family of Lemuri Makis. Anja will allow us to discover: chameleons and reptiles of Madagascar. Continuation to Ranohira, crossing the Ihorombe plateau.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

(ISALO NATIONAL PARK: NAMAZAHA CIRCUIT + NATURAL POOL) 5/6 HOURS OF TREKKING

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the Isalo National Park through the magnificent Namazaha circuit, with stop at the natural swimming pool formed by a small stream that can be seen rocks, surrounded by Pandanus aquatic plants and lush palm trees; Beautiful flora and fauna………. Nature could only choose better than Isalo to celebrate the majesty and richness of the landscape of Madagascar. Plausible witness of continental drift. This rocky landscape is one of the most beautiful Malagasy landscapes, dating from the Jurassic with gorges carved for generations by deep canyons, such as the Maki canyon and the Souris canyon forming strange environments. Many gatherings in the Isalo, baptized by the Malagasy «Colorado Malagasy» are organized and can be pedestrian or easy to interpret: the natural pool, the waterfalls of water lilies, etc… Isalo is a national park, with the UNESCO convention, in 1962 and covers an area of 80,000 hectares. Located between 500 meters and 1200 meters above sea level, it is a granite massif that offers at a glance a uniform relief in the middle of a meadow resembling the African savannah. A totality of endemic flora, particularly the “Pachypodium” and the “Aloe” share the territory of the lemurs: lemurs Fulvus, Propitheque, and the Verreaux, small reptiles, chameleons, geckos, and varieties of insects.

The park also contains many sacred places of the local inhabitants, the Bara, who bury their dead in the caves of the canyons. Possible encounter with the Lemur Fulvus Rufus, observation of the Pachypodium rosolatum «Baobab nano» from 50 to 60 cm which, during the flowering period, are covered with extraordinarily yellow flowers.

In the late afternoon, go with the sunset at the “Isalo window”, an unusual rock formation from which you can admire a splendid sunset.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Ranohira – Tulear: Km 250: about 5 hours’ drive (asphalt road)

Breakfast and departure to the South by crossing Ilakaka, land of researchers of Saphirs, while browsing the typical landscape of the Malagasy South: arid vegetation, baobab, and thorny forest. The different forms of Alo Alo, wooden funerary stems artistically carved, adorn the graves Sakalava, Mahafaly, Antandroy covered with showy paintings.

Arrival in Tulear, the city of the sun.

In the afternoon, departure for an excursion to Ifaty which is 30km from Tulear, for the visit of the “forest of Reniala” or baobabs forest.

After the visit, return to Tulear with dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free sea stay.

Transfer and accommodation at the hotel of your choice for the sea stay of 03 nights or more :

NORTH OF TULEAR WITH TRANSFER BY CAR FROM TULEAR :

–  Ifaty 

–  Tsiandamba 

–  Ambatomilo 

SOUTH OF TULEAR WITH BOAT TRANSFER FROM TULEAR :

–  Anakao 

Free seaside holiday.

Free seaside holiday.

Arrival in the capital, welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for the visit of Ambohimanga, one of the 12 sacred hills that surround Antananarivo, former residence of the Merina monarchy. The royal hill of Ambohimanga is an exceptional testimony of the civilization that developed in the Malagasy Highlands from the 15th to the 19th century, cultural and spiritual traditions, cults of Kings and Ancestors intimately associated with each other. The landscape of the sacred hill of Ambohimanga is associated with real events (historic site of Malagasy unification) and beliefs (ancestor worship) still alive, with outstanding universal value.

The royal hill of Ambohimanga is composed of a royal city, a royal burial place and a set of sacred places. Ambohimanga “blue hill” or “beautiful hill” was the ancient capital of the Merina dynasty and even after the seat of government was transferred to Antananarivo for political reasons, it remained a kind of sacred place and was forbidden to foreigners for a long timeThe entrance to the village of Ambohimanga is marked by one of the seven large traditional gates that protect the inaccessible top of the hill. Inside the Rova, we will find the former residence of King ANDRIANAMPOINIMERINA, and the summer residence of Queen RANAVALONA with some souvenirs and objects of the time, including rare pieces of the canons of Jean LABORDE.

In the afternoon, visit the typical market of the Digue, which exhibits a wide variety of artisanal products from all parts of the island.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Transfer in time according to the flight schedule to take the return flight.

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