DAY 1: TANA
A representative from Ortour will welcome you at Ivato international airport, and then you will be transferred in your private car heading to your hotel for overnight at Louvre (Top) or Hotel Tripolitsa or Chalet des Roses (high-midrange), in BB.
DAY 2: TANA – ANTSIRABE – AMBOSITRA
After breakfast, this morning we drive toward the national route RN7, through the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape passing by Antsirabe and then heading to Manandona where we will start our hike of today. We will be trekking along this area while meeting local people, interacting with them in hope to learn about their culture and what they do in their daily activities, a visit of the local palace and some local weaving shops will be scheduled as well. .After the visit of the village a guided walk back and forth to the waterfall and the mount Ibity will be in the menu as starter of the trekking. Then, we depart to Ambositra through the national road number 7, in Ambositra. Ambositra is famous and the capital of wood carvings in Madagascar, gaining an international reputation and heritage where the local Zafimaniry tribe is undeniably keen on wood work for carving, producing sculptures and marquetry. We visit some workshops, and then you can have some time for shopping and bring home some elegant souvenirs at a few craft shops. This is the best place to buy products made from raffia, woodcarving or even some products made from zebu horn Settle in your hotel, at Violette or Artisan, in BB.
DAY 3: AMBOSITRA – AMBALAVAO – ANDRINGITRA
Leave ambositra, and then continue to Ambalavao, passing by Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo tribe. Then, we continue driving to Ambalavao. Ambalavao is the well-known for its zebu market and a place where we will visit the paper factory of the 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 transcribe the Koran. Leave Ambalavao and then drive to Andringitra National Park of Andringitra located in the South East of Ambalavao. Arrive in Andringitra, Overnight at the Cottage in BB.
DAY 4: ANDRINGITRA
This day is the start of our trekking, following various trails including the Diavolana circuit.Full-day hikes, steep ups and downs requiring a high level of fitness. Activities include extended treks of 7 or more hours a day at altitude and over steep terrain. A good chance to behold the beautiful waterfalls (Rian-dahy&Riam-bavy).The Diavolana hike shows the real beauty of Andringitra National Park; also, it is called the moon landscape due to its view on rock formation and landscape…Camping and night in a tent, in FB.
Day 5: ANDRINGITRA (Peak Bobby ascent)
Trekking further high reaching the ‘Pic Bobby’. Leave in the morning around 8 a.m. The ascent to the Pic Bobby might take 2 to 3 hours hike depending of you pace. This offers a nice overview of Isalo Park and panorama on smooth granite blocks and the rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. ‘Pic Bobby’ is the second highest peak in the island reaching Imarivolanitra, literally means close to the sky offering a superb view and a breathtaking panorama on smooth granite blocks dominated by nice landscape of terraced rice paddies of the Betsileo tribe. Then, spend some time up there and take lunch at spot; Camping and night in a tent, in FB.
DAY 6: ANDRINGITRA – TSARANORO
Today, after breakfast, we are hiking down to Tsaranoro valley. We shall have the chance to enjoy the landscape in this area. Ring-tails and many other animals make home in this park. We cross some local villages contemplating majestic mountains of Tsaranoro in the opposite side. Overnight Camp catta or Tsara camp (in BB)
DAY 7: TSARANORO – ANJA – RANOMAFANA
We leave Tsaranoro, and then drive to Anja reserve, managed by a small community in hope to preserve some endemic animals recorded in this area. Anja is one of the best and easiest places to encounter the ring-tails at their natural habitat. After the visit, we depart to Ranomafana national park passing by Fianarantsoa, a major city of the Betsileo tribe. Stop at Namorona cascade for photo. Settle in your hotel for overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.
DAY 8: RANOMAFANA VISIT
We devote the morning used to explore the park, a very dense forest with green lush vegetation, a mountainous area reaching 950 m of altitude, possessing a great deal 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 spend the remaining time swimming in the hot thermal pool fed from the mouths of geysers or visit the village to closely interact with the locals in hope to learn and understand their cultures. Overnight at Top Hotel: Thermal or Setam Lodge, in HB or in Midrange Hotel: hotel Grenat or Karibo hotel, in BB.
DAY 9: RANOMAFANA – ANTSIRABE
This morning, you depart to Antsirabe, have lunch in Ambositra, and arrive in the afternoon in Antsirabe. Drive to the lake Tritriva for an hour visit and stop at the lake Andraikiba on the way back to Antsirabe.
Overnight at Top Hotel: Plumeria, in BB or in high-midrange Hotel: Vatolahy or Chambre des Voyageur or in Couleur Café, in BB.
DAY 10: ANTSIRABE – TANA – ANDASIBE
After breakfast, we shall undertake some visit at the surrounding areas and in various workshops of semi and precious stones. Then, we drive heading to the Capital, Tana, passing by the high plateau’s mountainous and rice field landscape. While arriving in Tana, we depart towards our destination today Andasibe taking roughly 4 hour drive. Overnight at Top Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge (Top) in BB or in Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.
DAY 11: ANDASIBE
This morning, we drive to Mantadia national park, taking around one hour drive. The park forest of Mantadia provides shelters for many animals necessary for their sustainability. 108 species of birds are known in the park, some of them play an important role in the survival of plants. Besides, there are 14 species of lemur, 51 species of reptiles including the famous Boa and 84 species of amphibians. The terrain in this park requires physical ability for our trek due its lush vegetation with thick forest and tall trees, and high altitude, with lots of ups and downs. We head back to our hotel early in the afternoon.
Overnight at Top Hotel: Vakona Forest Lodge (Top) in BB or in Andasibe Hotel or in Mid-range Hotel: Feon’ny Ala or Grace Lodge in BB.
DAY 12: ANDASIBE – TANA
This morning, we will explore Analamazoatra reserve. A mild walk in the forest will grant you a great deal of windows of opportunity to spot not only the indri but also other lemurs such as the golden sifakas, the eastern woolly lemurs, without forgetting endemic birds and reptiles like the Parson chameleon, the tiny nose-horned chameleons, and so forth. After the visit, leave Andasibe and drive to Antananarivo overnight at hotel du Louvre (Top) or in Hotel Tripolitsa or Chalet des Roses (high-midrange), in BB.
DAY 13 -14-15: TANA – SAMBAVA – MAROJEJY
Today, you will be transferred to the airport to catch a flight going to Sambava. When arriving in Sambava, upon arrival visit the vanilla and gloves plantation then visit their warehouse .After the visit ,leave Sambava to Marojejy, when we arrive in Manantenina village, we shall start our 3 nights/4days trekking in the Marojejy National Park. First, we begin our trek to Camp Mantella where we will discover the lower wet primary forests. Several species of reptiles and amphibians, and birds including the blue Coua and Helmet vanga can be observed in this area. Actually, the Marojejy massif hosts an exceptional abundant biodiversity harboring 12 species of lemur including the Silky sifaka, endemic in the region but globally threatened. Besides, there are more than 125 species of birds, 150 of reptiles and amphibians, 30 species of palm trees and over 300 species of ferns are recorded in this park. The hike might take 4 to 5 hour walk. Also, there could be the possibility to go for a safari walk in hope to search for the brown lemurs, greater dwarf lemur, fork-marked lemur and aye-aye (if we are lucky). Camping
DAY 16: MAROJEJY- SAMBAVA
Leave Marojejy to Sambava .Overnight at the Hotel LasPalmas in BB,
DAY 17: SAMBAVA – TANA
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Tana. End of services.
