MADAGASCAR THE GREAT SOUTH ESCAPE 12 days /11 nights Days Location Supplier Meals Activities 1 Antananarivo Hotel BB Transfer 2 Antsirabe Hotel DBB Visit the Tritriva Lake 3 Ranomafana (National Park) Hotel DBB Visit d'ateliers artisanaux 4 Ranomafana (National Park) Hotel DBB Visit of the Park 5 Fianarantsoa Hotel DBB Ranomafana 6 Andringita Hotel DBB Reserve Anja 7 Andringita Hotel DBB Excursions at Andringi ta 8 Andringita Hotel DBB Excursions at Andringi ta 9 Ranohira (Isalo) Hotel DBB 10 Ranohira (Isalo) Hotel DBB National Park of Isalo 11 Antananarivo Hotel BB 12 Antananarivo Itinerary at a glance L = Lunch, D = Dinner, BB = Bed & Breakfast, Trf = Transfer Visit of Ambohimanga Visit Market & Town- Transfer Reference DOD2022
Detailed Itinerary Day 1 - Antananarivo Meet by our representative on your arrival at Ivato airport and transfer to your hotel. Night at hotel - BB Day 2 - Antananarivo - Antsirabe After breakfast, you will take the road to the South on the famous National N 7 towards Antsirabe. Stops set off this route to appreciate the typical landscapes of the central highlands with their outside rice fields, their forest of eucalyptus, their brick-built high houses in thatched roofs Stop at the small village of Ambatolampy situated at the foot of the massif of Ankaratra, and visit a craft factory of aluminum kitchen utensils. Check in on arrival in Antsirabe, and lunch (own account). Then visit the lake Tritrive and go round (30-40 minutes) of this magnificent lake in a volcanic crater, so cold that the water takes a magnificent turquoise green color. The legend says that two lovers whose families were rival and opposed to marriage, committed suicide to prove their love (Romeo and Juliet, Malagasy Version). The lake is sacred and people come to bathe to purify themselves and to make offerings to the ancestors on the sacred stones... Back to the town and time permitting you will have a city tour to discover the splendid colonial houses vestiges, of which the hydropathic establishment on lakesides built at the beginning of the XIXth century. Some famous local handcrafts shops also deserve the visit if time permits. A "pousse-pousse tour" is possible for those who wish to experiment this kind of current and very usual transport in Antsirabe.
Day 3 - Antsirabe - Ranomafana (National Park) After breakfast, continue south towards Ambositra, also called the city of roses, the cradle of Malagasy wood carving art, the capital of the wooden sculptures. You will have the opportunity to visit some craft workshops. After lunch at "Chez l'artisan" (own account), you will continue the road to the Betsileo tribe region, passing by Ambohimasoa where you take the bifurcation which leads you to Ranomafana; This National Park spreads out on 41600ha and is the home of the most important biodiversity of the East rainforest. After check in you may visit the research center VALBIO (own account), implanted on the site and managed by the American Cooperation for the benefit of the local population; this gives you the opportunity to have a first information about the species present in the park, and the important biodiversity in Ranomafana. Day 4 - Ranomafana (National Park) Early walk and activities in the park. Ranomafana National Park is a lush tropical rainforest with high cliffs overlooking deep gorges and very rich fauna and flora. A morning excursion (minimum 2-3 hrs walk) allows you to discover its magnificent landscapes and his luxuriant vegetation on which an important healing plants, giant 'fangeons', epiphytic orchids but also, a variety of cactus (!), Rhipsalis madascariensis, which, contrary to all cactus of the world who like the dry and hostile circles, grows in the humidity and is besides a Plant Parasite. We find 110 species of birds there among which 36 are endemic, hundreds of species of chameleons and frogs among which several are also endemic, lemurs among which two are very rare, the hapalémur with snub nose (Hapalemur simus) and the gold hapalémur or the gold lemur bamboo (Hapalemur Aureus). Discovered in 1987, this latter has the peculiarity to feed essentially on shoots of an endemic variety of bamboo which contain some cyanide, which in daily quantities can kill ten human beings!
Day 5 - Ranomafana (National Park) - Ambalavao After breakfast, check out and back on the road towards Fianarantsoa, the capital of Betsileo ethnic group, landscape of vineyards and red plains Visit of the old town before to continue to Ambalavao, a country-town famous for the workshop of Antemoro paper and weaving of wild silk. Day 6 - Ambalavao - Andringitra After breakfast discover the Anja Reserve where cute lemurs catta (Lemur Catta), called Maki, live in small colonies; they are recognizable in their tail lined from 14 black and white rings. They spend a lot of time on the ground and are not too wild, thus they can be easily spotted, that it is even possible to have one on the shoulder. Drive to Andringitra, the paradise of climbing and hiking. Your hotel is at the foot of the Tsaranoro valley, a lovely resting place probably one of the most nice site of your itinerary. Enjoy wonderful escape during a walk in the mountains. Day 7 & 8 - Andringitra Several possibilities of walking will be proposed to you from the hotel and accompanied by a local guide. We advise you the ascent of "Mount Chameleon" (+- 4 hours of walking), a place where you will have a view on the impressive valley. Picnic on the site or at the hotel. Free time in afternoon to discover the surroundings.
Day 9 - Andringitra - Ranohira (Isalo) After breakfast you will leave the valley to Isalo National Park. You will pass by the table-land of Horombe and will discover unmissable landscapes which will undoubtedly awaken your curiosity. These compressed masses of sands which over the years has been taken an amazing look, or another magnificent endemic flora will leave you speechless. Check in at the hotel ; time permitting, meet you later for the sunset at the Isalo Window. Day 10 - Ranohira (Isalo) Full day exploring the Isalo National Park which spreads over 815 km². Different trails are available depending your fitness: - The Natural Swimming Pool (easy walking of +-3 hours for 6 km) and the Namaza Caves and spectacular canyon, ripped crests, white sandstone peaks, lunar trays, Bara necropolises cliffs, Sakalava tribe tombs are on the program of this magic site, as well as the "natural swimming pool", pond in turquoise waters fed by a waterfall, inviting to relax and for bathing under the curious looks of lemurs catta. - Makis Canyons and Namaza Forest (+- 6 hours of sports walking), adding Nymphs waterfall, Blue swimming pool and Black swimming pool (possibility of bathing). Both excursions are convenient for Bird watching (more than 50 species), harmless reptiles and endemic plants (dwarf baobabs, pandanus, pachypodium). Picnic lunch (own account). Afternoon return to the hotel. Personal effects to be planned Bottles of water and a snack Bug spray Hat and sunscreen (average temperature 28 C can reach 32-35 ) Walking shoes Bathing suit / towels (for swimming )most welcome in this heat Various activities are also available at the hotel (swimming pool, massage, horseback riding... etc.) for those who don't want to walk.
Day 11 - Ranohira (Isalo) - Antananarivo After breakfast, transfer to Tulear, also called 'city of the sun', a real ethnic and cultural mosaic placed under the sign of smile and permanent sunlight... On the way you can see the Mahafaly tombs with colorful designs which represent sequences of life of the deceased. Drop off at the airport and fly to Antananarivo. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Night at hotel - BB Day 12 - Antananarivo Today you may have a city tour and visit the handcraft market depending on your fligh time, lunch at a local restaurant (own account). Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Are included:. Meet on arrival at Ivato, the International airport of Antananarivo.. Transfers airport - hotel / port or vice versa as specified in the route.. All transport during the tour in air conditioned vehicles with English speaking driver/guide.. Accommodation in hotels as specified in the itinerary.. All meals as specified in the itinerary, included picnic lunch.. All guide fees and park/reserve entrance fees. Are excluded:. All international and domestic flight costs and visa fees (25 Euros) or assistance unless otherwise specified.. All tips, drinks and personal expenses as well as unspecified items.. Travel insurance, it is a condition that all clients traveling with Dodo Travel and Tours must have appropriate travel insurance, including emergency medical evacuation cover.