Parks & cultures along the RN7

Duration: 07 days
Type of service: Hotel with breakfast
Accommodation: Top and average hotel
Vehicle type: 4×4
Spoken language of the driver / guide: French, English, Malagasy
Period: from January to December
Price: from €374per person

Tour highlights

The landscapes of the Haut-Plateau, Antsirabe and its surroundings, the Zafimaniry art of Ambositra, the Ranomafana national park, the Sahambavy tea field, Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao and the small park of Anja, Isalo, Toliara.

Tour planning

Itineraries

D+1

Antananarivo

Once you arrive at Ivato international airport in Antananarivo, meet Ortour representative, and then transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight in hotel du Louvre (Top) or Colbert hotel (Top) in BB or Chalet des Roses (high-midrange), or Hotel Tripolitsa (high-midrange) in BB.

D+2

Antananarivo – Antsirabe

After breakfast, morning drive toward the national route number 7, through the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape. While arriving in Antsirabe, visit the surrounding Lake Tritriva, Lake Andraikiba and the workshop of semi and precious stones. Overnight at Couleur Café or Hotel Plumeria (Top hotel) or in (high- midrange). Hotel Vatolahy or Chambre des voyageurs.

D+3

Antsirabe – Ambositra – Ranomafana

Morning departure to Ranomafana through the national road number 7. Stop at Ambositra, a famous woodcarving town, gaining international reputation and heritage where the local Zafimaniry tribe is undeniably keen on wood work for carving, producing sculptures and marquetry. A place you can shop around for souvenirs and visit some workshops. We shall stroll around in town and then continue the drive heading to Ranomafana. We are in the heart of Betsileo tribe area and the part of Madagascar Highlands. Stop for photo at the superb Namorona waterfall. Settle in your hotel for checking and overnight in: Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam in HB or Grenat hotel or Karibo hotel, (midrange) in BB.

D+4

Ranomafana visit – Ambalavao

Morning exploration of the Park. Ranomafana is a very dense forest with green lush vegetation, a mountainous area reaching 1400 m of altitude, certainly possessing a great deal amount of flora and fauna unique in the world with wide varieties of orchids, carnivorous plants, harboring at least 12 species of lemurs including the golden bamboo, greater bamboo, Milne Edward’s sifaka; Also, there are 118 species of birds and 8 species of bats, as well as many rodents, reptiles, batrachians, spiders and butterflies. After the visit take the car and drive to Ambalavao, Overnight at the hotel Tsihiempary Lodge (High-midrange) or Betsileo country lodge (High midrange) in BB.

D+5

Ambalavao – Isalo

After breakfast visit Anja community reserve. This protected reserve extends over 30 hectares, enriched with an amazing ecological wealth of flora and fauna, most notably a home of the ring tail lemur population. Back in the car and we continue driving to Ranohira.
Overnight at: Top Hotel: Relais de la Reine or Jardin du Roy in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or Isalo Ranch in BB

D+6

Isalo – Visit

After breakfast, start hiking in Isalo National Park following the famous Namaza trail; first stop in ‘Piscine Naturelle’ where you can spend few moments swimming. Don’t forget your gear!! Then, another 4 km to walk leading to the camping site where you can take your picnic lunch, after the break; extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘blue pool and black pool’ called the cascade trail. Isalo, covered with 82 000 ha, created in 1962, is the home of the endemic bird known as Benson’s Rock thrush; actually, there are 77 species of birds, 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 98 species of amphibians and reptiles. Overnight at: Top Hotel: Relais de la Reine or Jardin du Roy in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or Isalo Ranch in BB.

D+7

Isalo – Tuléar

The distance from Ranohira to Tuléar is 250 km. Long drive toward the western capital of the Vezo fishing people. 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. Arrive in Tuléar, transfer to the airport for flight back to Tana. Then the tour ends here.

Additional Informations

Rates & conditions

Participants	Price per person for the top option	Price per person for the midrange option
1 Pax	1958€	1490€
2 Pax	1045€	790€
4 Pax	778	520€
6 Pax	772€	457€
8 Pax	707€	407€
10 Pax	665€	374€

Included

A 4WD with a driver who speaks English or a tour guide with a driver.
Fuel
Driver’s meals and his accommodation
Hotel with breakfast
Hotel & half board ( in Ranomafana and Isalo), Note : for the luxury hotels which are not mentioned above , the difference must be applied).
Car Insurance only
Transfers
Entrance fees to the parks
Local guide
Tax

Excluded

Tips
All lunches/ dinners which are not mentioned
Drinks
Internal flights (www.tsaradia.com)
Insurance
All activities which are not mentioned above

Extensions : 1st Option: Anakao

D+7

Isalo – Tuléar

Long drive toward the south west (Tuléar), capital of the Vezo fishing people. Along the way; you will see the fantastic baobabs that can be used as water reservoir for the local inhabitants. Between Tuléar and Sakaraha is the famous big Mahafaly tombs, these are particularly interesting because of the displays representing the daily life of the deceased. Upon arrival in Tuléar, transfer to in your hotel.
Overnight at Top Hotel: Hippocampo Hotel in BB or in high-midrange Hotel at the Victory Hotel in BB.

D+8

Tuléar – Anakao

Pick up from your hotel and then transfer to Anakao by boat. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in : Top Hotel: at Anakao Ocean Lodge in BB or in Midrange Hotel: Prince d’Anakao in BB.

D+9

Anakao (beach)

A full day to relax. However, activities can be arranged from the hotel itself.
Overnight in : Top Hotel: at Anakao Ocean Lodge in BB or in Midrange Hotel: Prince d’Anakao in BB.

D+10

Anakao (beach)

Another full day at leisure. Activities can be arranged from the hotel itself.
Overnight in : Top Hotel: Anakao Ocean Lodge in BB or in Midrange Hotel: Prince d’Anakao in BB.

D+11

Anakao – Tuléar – Antananarivo

This day, take the boat to go back to Tulear; then transfer to the airport to catch a flight back to Tana. Then the tour ends here.

Additional informations

Rates & Conditions

Participants	Price per person for the top option	Price per person for the midrange option
1 Pax	2474€	1790€
2 Pax	1345€	964€
4 Pax	1081€	637€
6 Pax	1072€	607€
8 Pax	1007€	486€
10 Pax	805€	389€

Included

A 4WD with a driver who speak English , or a tour guide with a driver .
Fuel
Driver’s meals and his accommodation
Hotel with breakfast Hotel & half board ( in Ranomafana and Isalo) Note : for the luxury hotels which are not mentioned above , the difference must be applied).
Transfers
Entrance fees to the parks
Local guide
Boat
Tax

Excluded

Tips
All lunches/dinners which are not mentioned above
Drinks
Internal flights (www.tsaradia.com)
Insurance
All activities which are not mentioned above

Extensions : 2nd Option: Ifaty

D+7

Isalo – Tuléar – Ifaty

For today, long drive toward the western capital of the Vezo fishing people. Along the way, 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 displays representing the daily life of the deceased. Arrive in Tuléar, take lunch, and then drive to Ifaty.
Overnight at: Top Hotel: Paradisier in BB or Hotel: hotel Belle Vue (high-midrange), in BB.

D+8

Ifaty

You have the day for you but different activities can be arranged from the hotel. Afternoon guided walk to explore the fascinating floristic spiny forest (octopus trees, euphorbia, baobabs, Pachypodium, moringas, etc), sharing its habitat with other species of animals; amongst those include lemurs, the only place that attracts birders in search of the running coua, Madagascar Harrier Hawk, and many Vanga species. Its magnificent offshore reefs invite exploration that allows local diving centre to run smoothly. Ifaty is a nice place for snorkeling with great view of the coral reefs. Between June and August, humpback whales can be observed off Ifaty’s beautiful white sand beaches. Overnight at: Top Hotel: Paradisier in BB or Hotel: hotel Belle Vue (high-midrange), in BB.

D+9

Ifaty (Plage)

You have the day to relax but activities can be arranged from your hotel.
Overnight at: Top Hotel: Paradisier in BB or Hotel: hotel Belle Vue (high-midrange), in BB

D+10

Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Drive back to Tulear; then transfer to the airport. Catch a flight to Tana.
Then the tour ends here.

Additional informations

Rates & Conditions

Participants	Price per person for the top option	Price per person for the midrange option
1 Pax	2414€	1814€
2 Pax	1285€	958€
4 Pax	973€	607€
6 Pax	966€	587€
8 Pax	888€	503€
10 Pax	841€	452€

Included

A 4WD with a driver who speaks English or a tour guide with a driver
Fuel
Hotel with breakfast
Hotel & half board (in Ranomafana and Isalo) Note : for the luxury hotels which are not mentioned above , the difference must be applied).
Transfers
Entrance fees to the parks
Boat
Local guide
Driver’s meals and his accommodation
Tour guide or driver who speaks English & local guides
Tax

Excluded

Tips
All lunches not mentioned which are not above
Drinks
Internal flights (250 Euro per person)
Insurance

Option Train

D+1

Antananarivo

Once you arrive at Ivato international airport in Antananarivo, meet Ortour representative, and then transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight in hotel du Louvre (Top) (Top) hotel in BB or Chalet de Roses (high-midrange),hotel Tripolitsa (high-midrange) in BB.

D+2

Antananarivo – Antsirabe

Morning drive after breakfast toward the national route number 7, through the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape. While arriving in Antsirabe, visit the surrounding Lake Tritriva, Lake Andraikiba and the workshop of semi and precious stones. Overnight Hotel Couleur Café ,hotel Plumeria for top option Hotel Vatolahy or Chambre de voyageur for (high- midrange).

D+3

Antsirabe – Ambositra – Fianarantsoa

After the breakfast at the hotel, promenade in rickshaw ride, transport widely used by the whole population then you will visit to the crafts men’s workshops. We continue the road to reach Ambositra well known for its carvings on precious wood. Free lunch. We continue to drive to Fianarantsoa through the famous paddy fields. Arrival and installation at the Radama hotel in (BB).

D+4

Fianarantsoa – Manakara

Early in the morning, transfer to the railway station to catch the Fianarantsoa-Manakara train. It takes 10 to 12 hours of time. This tour will make you discover the green landscapes, houses on stilts across the mountain, tunnel. The railway tracks the runway at Manakara airport. At each stop, you would meet the street sellers of fruits, so you will have direct contact with local people. The train is the main means of transport of goods, fruits and vegetables. Overnight at the hotel Parthenay in BB.

D+5

Manakara – Ranomafana

Depart from Manakara. Visit of the vanilla plantation which is about 30 ha, situated 18km from Manakara (30 mn by car), Apart from vanilla, you can also get to know another aromatic plants such as ylang-ylang, niaouli, patchouli or ravintsara. On the way, we will pass through the Ifanadiana village and discover the Antanala tradition. Then, we continue the way in order to reach Ranomafana. Overnight at Thermal or Setam Lodge (Top) HB, or Grenat hotel or Karibo hotel, in BB for midrange.

D+6

Ranomafana – Visit

Morning exploration of the Park. Ranomafana is a very dense forest with green lush vegetation, a mountainous area reaching 1300 m of altitude, certainly possessing a great deal amount of flora and fauna unique in the world with wide varieties of orchids, carnivorous plants, harboring at least 12 species of lemurs including the golden bamboo, greater bamboo, Milne Edward’s Sifaka; Also, there are 118 species of birds and 8 species of bats, as well as many rodents, reptiles, batrachians, spiders and butterflies. In the afternoon, you can relax in your hotel or explore the remaining time swimming in the hot thermal pool fed from the mouths of geysers or visiting the village to closely interact with the locals in hope to learn and understand their cultures. Overnight at Thermal or Setam Lodge (Top) HB, or Grenat hotel or Karibo hotel, in BB for midrange.

D+7

Ranomafana – Isalo

Drive to Ranohira (the name of the nearby village in Isalo) passing by Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe. Then, continue driving south reaching Ambalavao where we visit the paper factory of the paper Antemoro. This secular process to make this paper with bark of the mulberry tree Avoha (Bosqueia danguyana) was introduced in Madagascar in the XVth century by the first Arabic migrants to retranscribe the Koran. Then, visit Anja community reserve. This protected reserve extends over 30 hectares, enriched with an amazing ecological wealth of flora and fauna, most notably a home of the ring tail lemur population. We continue driving to Ranohira.Overnight at: Top Hotel: Relais de la Reine or Jardin du Roy in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or Isalo Ranch in BB.

D+8

Isalo – Visit

First hiking in Isalo National Park following the famous Namaza trail; first stop in ‘Piscine Naturelle’ where you can spend few moments swimming. Don’t forget your gear!! Then, another 4 km to walk leading to the camping site where you can take your picnic Lunch or you can return to village to have lunch. After lunch, extend your hike along the sheltered canyons reaching the ‘Piscine Blue and Noire’ called the cascade trail. Isalo, covered with 82 000 ha, created in 1962, is the home of the endemic bird known as Benson’s Rock thrush; actually, there are 77 species of birds, 14 species of nocturnal lemurs, 98 species of amphibians and reptiles. Overnight in : Top Hotel: at Relais de la Reine or Jardin du Roy in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Orchidée hotel or Isalo Ranch in BB.

D+9

Isalo – Tuléar – Antananarivo

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. Arrive in Tuléar, transfer to the airport for flight back to Tana. Then the tour ends here.

Additional informations

Rates & Conditions

Participants	Price per person for the top option	Price per person for the midrange option
1 Pax	2336€	1712€
2 Pax	1234€	910€
4 Pax	935€	574€
6 Pax	931€	547€
8 Pax	861€	476€
10 Pax	814€	427€

Included

A 4WD with a driver who speaks English , a tour guide and a driver
Fuel
Hotel with breakfast (for the Midrange option)
Hotel & half board ( in Ranomafana and Isalo)
Transfers
Entrance fees to the parks
Driver’s meals and his accommodation
Local guide
Tax

Excluded

Tips
All lunches not mentioned
Drinks
Internal flights (250 Euro per person)
Insurance

Parks & cultures along the RN7

Tour highlights

Itineraries

Antananarivo

Antananarivo – Antsirabe

Antsirabe – Ambositra – Ranomafana

Ranomafana visit – Ambalavao

Ambalavao – Isalo

Isalo – Visit

Isalo – Tuléar

Rates & conditions

Included

Excluded

Extensions : 1st Option: Anakao

Isalo – Tuléar

Tuléar – Anakao

Anakao (beach)

Anakao (beach)

Anakao – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Rates & Conditions

Included

Excluded

Extensions : 2nd Option: Ifaty

Isalo – Tuléar – Ifaty

Ifaty

Ifaty (Plage)

Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Rates & Conditions

Included

Excluded

Option Train

Antananarivo

Antananarivo – Antsirabe

Antsirabe – Ambositra – Fianarantsoa

Fianarantsoa – Manakara

Manakara – Ranomafana

Ranomafana – Visit

Ranomafana – Isalo

Isalo – Visit

Isalo – Tuléar – Antananarivo

Rates & Conditions

Included

Excluded

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