South and North West
Duration : 14 days / 13 nights
Availability : All year
Route : Antananarivo – Majunga
Highlights :
– The stays by the sea in Ifaty and Majunga
– Isalo and Ankarafantsika National Parks
– The discovery of Zafimaniry art
– The picturesque landscapes of the Highlands and the Madagascan Far West
– The Mahafaly Plateau and its mysterious funerary arts
Day 1 - Antananarivo
Pick-up at Ivato airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Antananarivo - Tuléar -/ Tuléar - Ifaty (45mn - 30km)
After the transfer to the airport, embark on a flight to Tulear and immerse yourself in the beauty of this enchanting destination. On arrival, a friendly pickup service will greet you and take you to your hotel. With its stunning sandy beaches and perfect year-round climate, Tulear is a dream location for lovers of seaside tourism. Take in the breathtaking views as you ride quad bikes along the coastline, explore the crystal-clear waters through water sports, or relax on the beach and enjoy the sun. The possibilities are infinite in Tulear, come and see for yourself! Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 3 : Ifaty
Free stay. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 4 : Ifaty - Ranohira (6h - 265km)
Departure for Ranohira. Stop for a visit of the Antsokay Arboretum which is the perfect place for flora lovers as it is home to nearly 900 plant species, which 90% are endemic. Continuation of road RN7 and appreciation of baobabs in the beautiful scenery of the spectacular Great South landscape. Crossing of the Mahafaly plateau and its numerous tombs surmounted by Aloalo (carved wooden posts). The Mahafaly tomb is a funerary art with representative drawings of the deceased past life. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 5 : Ranohira
Day dedicated to the visit of Isalo national park. This ruiniform massif is a 80 000 ha protected area. It is above all, the habitat of numerous species of fauna and flora, that are scattered throughout the reserve. Apart from reptiles and lemurs, 77 species of birds live there, which 70% are endemic. Hiking in the canyons, and swimming in natural pools will also be on the program. For the more athletic travelers, possibility to visit the reserve by bike (optional). Towards the end of the afternoon, admiration of the sunset through the Isalo Window, an opportunity to take some picture-postcard landscape. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6 : Ranohira - Fianarantsoa (6 h - 285 km)
Continuation to Fianarantsoa. Visit of the Anja village reserve which is a park created by the inhabitants of this district, where we can observe the makis catta. 15km further north, stop at Ambalavao to visit an Antemoro papermaking workshop which is a local handicraft specialty based on avoha, a fibrous bark. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 7 : Fianarantsoa - Antsirabe (6h30mn-240km)
Departure for Antsirabe. All along the road we will appreciate the beautiful traditional houses typical of the highlands. Arrival at Ambositra, visit of the workshops of the most famous Malagasy artisans; their know-how in marquetry and woodcarving, listed in the UNESCO cultural heritage, better known as "art zafimaniry", are so sublime that one can leave the city of Ambositra only after buying some of their products as souvenirs. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 8 : Antsirabe - Antananarivo (3 h 45mn - 171 km)
Continuation of the road towards the capital of Madagascar while contemplating the wonderful landscapes of the Highlands with their sumptuous valleys, small villages, and rice fields. Stop at Ambatolampy to discover some pot workshops and aluminum kitchen utensils manufacturers. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 9 : Antananarivo - Ankarafantsika (8h - 450km)
Departure towards the Northwestern part of Madagascar. All along the RN4, we will appreciate the beauty of the landscapes from the successive hills we are passing. Once arrived in Maevatanana, the gold paradise, we may meet some gold panners in the vicinity. This city is also one of the hottest in Madagascar. Later on, we will cross one of the largest bridges of the country, and we will see at the same time the longest river of Madagascar that flows under it, called Betsiboka. Moreover, we will have a nice view of waterfalls. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 10 : Ankarafantsika - Majunga (2h-115km)
In the morning, visit of Ankarafantsika National Park. With its 136,513 ha, it is very rich in fauna and flora. We will discover there one of the rarest raptors in the world: the sea eagle of Madagascar, also known as the Ankoay, the brown maki, the Nile crocodile, some precious woods, the sacred lake Ravelobe, etc. In the afternoon, continuation towards Majunga. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 11 : Majunga
Take advantage of your free time in Majunga to explore a variety of exciting excursions, such as the jaw-dropping Red Circus, the tranquil Sacred Lake of Mangatsa, or a thrilling quad ride. However, if you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can also simply relax and enjoy the charming atmosphere of this wonderful destination. Next, Majunga is also famous for its impressive baobab tree, which has stood for over 800 years and boasts an incredible circumference of 14 meters. Finally, you cannot fail to notice the famous place called "Bord" which is the most frequented tourist spot in this destination. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 12 : Majunga
Free stay. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 13 : Majunga - Antananarivo
Transfer to the airport and flight to Antananarivo. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 14 : Antananarivo - International flight
Visit of the Dike craft market. Drop-off at the airport for international flight. Included: Breakfast.
Tour Location
Included :
- Reception at Ivato International Airport
- Accommodation in a double room in 2- or 3-star hotels
- Meals as indicated in the program
- Tourist vignettes and tourist taxes in hotels
- All airport / hotel transfers and vice versa as indicated in the program
- Ttransportation with a driver, except at Ifaty and Mahajanga (free stay)
- Fuel and driver's allowance
- Entrance and guiding fees during visits
Not included :
-International flights and the domestic flights Antananarivo-Tulear and Mahajanga-Antananarivo
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (35 euros)
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses
- Services not mentioned in the program