TOUR’S HIGHLIGHTS: The highland’ s landscapes, Antsirabe and the surrounding, Ambositra’s woodcarving, Ranomafana  national park , Ambalavao and the small park of Anja,  Isalo national park,  the savannath of the south, Tulear . 

EXTENSION: Beach break: Anakao, Ifaty, Domaine d’Ambola

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Number of people: from 2 people
Type of service: hotel with breakfast.
Accommodation: hotel (top) and midrange
Vehicle type: tourism or minibus
Language spoken of driver / guide: French, English, Malagasy
Period: all year
Price: from 350 Euro per person

Note: There are lots of possibilities about trip extensions. Just click on the "Option" to see and know more about them.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Tana

Upon arrival at Ivato international airport, direct transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Anjary (midrange) or Hotel de Louvre (top)

Day 2: Tana - Antsirabe

After breakfast, morning drive toward the national route R7, through the high plateau’s landscape: mountains and ricefield scenery.
Visit the surrounding: Lake Tritriva, Lake Andraikiba and the workshop of semi and precious stones.

Stay at Hotel Le Retrait (midrange) or Hotel de Thermes (top), Villa Camélia (top)

Day 3: Antsirabe - Ambositra - Ranomafana

Two hours drive to the famous woodcarving centre of Madagascar. Spend few hours visiting the art shops of Malagasy crafts. After lunch, continue driving toward Ranomafana which might take the whole afternoon. Late afternoon arrival at the rainforest area of Ranomafana

In  Ranomafana NP, a whole foresty park, spreads on 41,601 ha. It was classified World Natural Heritage of the Atsinanana in 2007. It shelters a big wealth in endemic biodiversity but in danger. We can see the rare species there and seriously threatened lemurs. The park is also the genetic reservoir of some rare and endemic plant species. It is browsed by many rivers that are the affluents of the Namorona stream. There are 20 species of mammals, including 12 species of lemurs.  In the afternoon, relax at the hotspring swimming-pool. Overnight at the hotel Centr’est (top) or Setam Lodge (top), Hotel Chez Cristo (midrange)

Day 4: Ranomafana - Ambalavao

Back to the forest to spot the famous Golden Bamboo lemur, the Great Bamboo lemur and many different species of birds such as Pitta-like Ground roller, Velvet Asity, Frances Sparrow-hawk, Madagascar Buzzard, etc. - Several animal species have been recorded including 115 species of birds. About thirty among them exist exclusively in the primary forest of the park.   
- 90 species of butterflies, 98 species of amphibians and 62 species of reptiles; chameleons, lizards and fish. After the visit, continue driving toward Fianarantsoa, and then continue to Ambalavao known for its charming colonial architected houses and the ‘Antemoro Paper’ products. Fresh flowers are then applied to give it a unique form.

Not only those products but you can also visit the zebu market on Wednesdays and find the local people making a traditional deal.

And then, drive to Anja Park which is around 12 km from Ambalavao on the R7, one of the places where the ring-tailed lemurs are easily found. After the visit, drive back to Ambalavao and stay at Hotel Boungainvillier (midrange) or Hotel Tsienimparihy (midrange).

Note that for the Top option will stay in Fianarantsoa at Tsara Guest House (Top) or Zomatel (top) and make visit in Ambalavao, Anja Park and after continuing to Ranohira (Isalo)

Day 5: Ambalavao - Isalo

Morning visit in Ambalavao and Anja Park for the top option; continue driving to Ranohira. Isalo is part of the ‘Commune’ of Ranohira, in the region of the Ihorombe. It is 279 Km south of Fianarantsoa. The park, furrowed of rivers and their affluents, spreads over 81 540 ha. This massive ruiniforme is a plateau of continental sandstone dating from the Jurassic.Very much eroded, only the parceled witnessed by the sandy valleys and the canyons: a really exceptional show.  It takes almost the day leaving the highlands driving to the big south gate through its savannah grassland. Afternoon arrival at Ranohira, the village of Bara tribe just close to Isalo Park. Overnight at Satrana Lodge (top)/Jardin du Roy (top)

Hotel Orchidée (midrange)

Day 6: Isalo

Visit in the park accompanied by a local guide. Walk at Namaza trail to spot the ring-tailed lemurs, Verreaux’ Sifaka, and red-fronted brown lemur before relaxing at the ‘Piscine Naturel’. The animals of Isalo are typical of the climate with vegetation and the geomorphology of the park. These are for a very strong majority of the endemic species. 77 species of birds live in Isalo among which the Benson rock-thrush, Pseudocossyphus bensoni, an endemic species of Madagascar that is well protected. We can also find 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 8 of which were introduced and seven, endemic to Madagascar. Reptilian, amphibians, carnivores, insectivorous and gnawing rodents complete the list.

Overnight at Satrana Lodge /Jardin du Roy (top) or at Hotel Orchidée (midrange)

Day 7: Isalo - Tuléar

Ranohira - Tuléar and Ifaty: 265 km. Long drive toward the western capital of the Vezo fishing people. Along the way, just right after the Zombitse, on your way, you will see the fantastic baobabs that can be used as water reservoir for the inhabitants.  Between Tulear and Sakaraha is the famous big Mahafaly tombs. These are particularly interesting because of the sceneries representing the daily life of the deceased. Our service ends as soon as you arrive in Tulear. So you have two choices to fly back to Tana or to go to the seaside to relax for a few days.

Price:

-Included:

- A car with a driver

- Fuel

- Bed and breakfast

- Entrance fee to the parks

- Internal flight booking only

- Driver’s meals and his accommodation

- Tour guide (applies only for a group)

- Tax

- Car insurance only

- Transfer

-Excluded:

- Tips

- Drinks

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Internal Internal flight ticket

- Laundry

- Local guide

- Porters

- Other insurance types

- Other activities which are not mentioned above