THE COAST OF CONTRASTS RN7

After breakfast, we will take the road to Antsirabe or « la vichy malagasy ».
It is rich in history and vestiges of the past; especially the strong influence of the colonial past is reflected in the architecture of the buildings. The king of Morocco Mohammed V, as well as his son Hassan II, were exiled in the golden cage: from the hotel of the thermal baths. The thermal springs and their virtues have attracted illustrious personalities.

In BEHENJY, located 42km from the capital,, we will make a stop. A city known for its gastronomy, lovers of the fine palate will have the pleasure of tasting an excellent foie gras,, as the pleasures are multiple, after a gastronomic stop, we will go on foot to discover the market and its surroundings.Free lunch.

We will leave for Ambatolampy. Ambatolampy, is a small hamlet with undeniable charms, it is known for its many family foundries as well as these aluminum objects, pots, kettles and kitchen utensils. We will visit the workshop of Soa, if you feel like it, you will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs. We will cross its landscapes and villages populated by people with big smiles, on the road we will meet fruit and vegetable vendors with large displays well stocked and colorful. Arrival in Antsirabe, installation at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel des Thermes.

DAY 3 : ANTSIRABE LAC TRITRIVA  68Km/03h00 A/R   : 

Breakfast. Antsirabe means “where there is a lot of salt” because of its soils and waters that are very rich in mineral salts. Nestled at 1500 m altitude, it is also a renowned spa that blends into an impressive volcanic landscape. An essentially agricultural region, it also lives from its production of textiles and tobacco. We will start with the visit of the avenue of independence, the station. Then we will take the road to discover this association that is close to our heart «growing up in Antsirabe», dedicated to to the protection of street childrenin Madagascar. Presentation of projects, programs and familiarization with the volunteer team through a fun workshop. After a morning full of emotions, we will go to Lake Tritriva.A beautiful and majestic lake, it is of volcanic origin with a depth of 160m, these waters of an opaque green, it was baptized «sacred and mysterious lake». This is the lake of Romeo and Juliet of Madagascar, a legend that our guide will not fail to tell you. Picnic lunch at the lake. Back in Antsirabe, we will change the means of transport, more local, «pousse pousse pousse»,, we will discover the various craft workshops where many objects are made from zebus horns, but also woven from natural fiber. Sunset, make your best shots magical memories of the city of Antsirabe.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel des Thermes.

 

DAY 4: ANTSIRABE/AMBOSITRA/FIANARANTSOA 340 Km/6:00 Option village Zafimaniry Antoetra : 

After breakfast, departure for Ambositra. Formerly known as “The City of Roses”. Ambositra is a city of art, culture and crafts; an ancestral know-how : The Zafimaniry. Master in Malagasy marquetry, it is distinguished by the use of its forest resources. . The Zafimaniry is a refined art, handcrafted in wood, forms whose Austronesian motifs also evoke an Arab influence present in Malagasy culture. The Zafimaniry are sculpting their houses and objects, such as kitchen utensils, which we will find in several workshops and shops of Ambositra. We will go back toFianarantsoa «the capital of betsileo». During our trip, we will contemplate its wonderful landscapes of rice fields and mountains. Fianarantsoa, literally translated as “the city where good is learned”, bears its name. It was baptized a long time ago «the city of instruction and education», indeed, we will find here schools, bookstores, as well as a multitude of churches. A visit of the city is necessary, the twin city of Antananarivo is divided on three floors;we will start with the «lower town»  a district of traders, lively and very lively. We will also visit the famous workshop of the photographer Pierrot Men. We will cross «average city», more modern with these administrative buildings and banks. We will continue the visit on the heights “The upper town”, vestiges of the past, monuments and essential religious buildings: “The Vatican of Fianarantsoa or the Great Mosque” add a special charm to this place. We will end our day, admiring the sunset on this wine region, in all its splendor, sipping «les coteaux d’Ambalavao» or the «Lazan’i Betsileo».

Dinner and overnight at Tsara Guest House.

DAY 5: FIANARANTSOA/ SAHAMBAVY 23km/02h00 OPTION 163KM/12H MANAKARA:

Wake up early in the morning, breakfast, at 6:30 am direction the station. We will travel to the rhythm of the «mora mora» gently, from Fianarantsoa to Sahambavy by train, the last of the corridor, a pleasant little journey, we will forget our watches. The train “La locomotive” authentic, connects the highlands to the east coast of Madagascar, it will leave when it estimates to reach, the number of passengers required.

We will cross; landscapes of rice fields, waterfalls, bottoms of valleys adorned with lush vegetation the only tea of 400 hectares of the island : Sahambavy. During the stops, the colors and landscapes are breathtaking.  Free lunch. In the afternoon, visit of the tea plantations of Sahambavy, an excursion to the heart of «the road of the tea», fields mostly exploited by women, moments of exchanges around a well appreciated tea.

 

Dinner and overnight at the Lake Hotel.

DAY 6 : PARIS /ANTANANARIVO Optional city tour: 

After breakfast, we will leave Sahambavy for the city of Manakara in 4×4.. Manakara a beautiful coastal town with its charm. This is where the FCE railway line ends. It is also known for its production of spices and tropical fruits, very popular with exports, as well as cinnamon powder, lychees or dried fruit.  Free lunch.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel H1 Manakara.

DAY 7: MANAKARA/MANANJARY 164Km/ 3h00 drive:  

After breakfast early in the morning, along the rails and water, we will go to discover the Canal des Pangalanes accompanied by Mr Rigobert or Riri, on board a local boat, we will cross this emerald part of the Canal des Pangalanes, an exciting universe, between ravinalas, coconut trees and elephant ears. We will have lunch between Ocean and Canal des Pangalanes, organic products, fresh and local to honor your taste buds. We will return to Mananjary.

Dinner and overnight at Le Vahiny Lodge.

DAY 8 : MANANJARY/RANOMAFANA 138Km/ 03h30 drive: 

Early morning departure, after breakfast for Ranomafana. National park, world heritage site. It contains a unique fauna and flora composed of rare species unfortunately endangered. The park has two ecosystems:

its low-altitude dense rainforest (600-800m), its medium-altitude dense rainforest (800-1400m), a bamboo forest, a swamp where plant and animal species such as Pandanus, Varecia variegata variegata, Ecrevisses, Limnogale Mergulus choose as habitat. In your walking shoes, we will make 02 to 03h of walking: the Talatakely Circuit, we will see; guava forest, a great variety of orchids and carnivorous plants that litter the soils and trees; we will continue our hike towards the waterfall, then with a little luck, we will meet the bamboo lemur, the Eulemur rubriventer, amphibians and insects.

Lunch in the park facing the majestic waterfall. After long hours of walking, a relaxing break, a swim in the thermal pool of Ranomafana, a bath close to 38°C, known for its beneficial virtues.

 

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Le Grenat.

DAY 09 : RANOMAFANA/AMBALAVAO 118Km/ 4h00 : 

After breakfast, , departure for Ambalavao.. The region is also famous for its production of wine, silk, chewing tobacco and its zebus market. We will cross fields of vines, nature is really generous; a stop to to visit the Domain of Mahitasoa «vineyards and wine tasting». Ambalavao, is considered as the capital of the zebu, for its big zebus market, only on Wednesday and Thursday. It is also an ancient city where we can admire its houses made of red bricks and floors. En route to the Andringitra massif,» our “Colorado malagasy”.  Ambalavao lunch. We will go to the park of Anja: a beautiful village reserve, , managed by the inhabitants themselves. We will climb this magnificent green mountain range, this beautiful panorama, landscapes worthy of western films. Here cohabitate lemurs cattas, lemurs with ringed tails, lemurs not very ferocious! We will meet in our hearts. Back to the hotel.  

Dinner and overnight in Bougainville.

DAY 10: AMBALAVAO/RANOHIRA   224Km/ 03h30 : 

After breakfast, , early in the morning, we will leave for Ranohira. The Isalo massif promises magnificent landscapes.A Jurassic Continental sandstone ruiniform massif continental datant du jurassique with its typical geomorphology and endemic rupicole vegetation such as Aloe, Euphorbes, Pachypodes, Kalanchoe and the specific fauna of this exceptional habitat, rock reptiles, the vast majority of which are endemic. Arrival in Ranohira, we will take a trail to reach the Isalo National Park. We will make the circuit «cascade of nymphs, natural pool». We will take paths that go around blocks of multicolored stratified rocks, through beautiful tapia forests, to the natural pool, a real oasis, clear waters, surrounded by palm trees and grasses.Picnic lunch. It is these places that give us this sense of protection and tranquility. We will finish this day at the window of the Isalo where it is tradition to watch the sunset when the whole massif is on fire.

Dinner and overnight at the Jardin du Roy..

DAY 11: RANOHIRA/TULEAR  4h00  IFATY  1h00 : 

Breakfast. Departure for Tulear. During our journey, a metamorphosis, we pass from the tropical forest to the massif of the Isalo to dry and arid landscapes. We will continue our descent to the south, at Tulear. Unusual and desert landscapes, the vegetation consists mainly of thorny plants. We will pass through villages called sapphire the best known is ilakaka. A people, the Mahafaly, they were once recognized as formidable warriors. Mahafaly can mean “who is taboo” or “makes happy”. At the level of the tropic of Capricorn, is nestled the city of Tulear. Free lunch. .We will take the road to Ifaty, sandy beaches, it is in Vezo land that we will finish our journey. Idyllic setting, located on the seafront of the Mozambique Canal.

Dinner and overnight stay at La Demeure de la Compagnie des Huiles Essentielles.

DAY 12 : IFATY / TSIANDAMBA 03:30 in a 4×4 on a sandy track: 

Breakfast. We will continue to the rhythm mora mora until Tsiandamba, by taking a sandy coastal track. Tongasoa in Vezo country, far from the beaten paths, away from civilization, nestled on the southwest coast «The Five Senses Lodge».   The invitation to the senses begins as soon as we arrive in front of this immense lagoon where turquoise is competing with emerald. Lunch. Afternoon free

Dinner and overnight at the Five SENSES Lodge.

DAY 13 : TSIANDAMBA 5 SENSES LODGE : 

Breakfast.Farniente Day. Step on the fine blond sand, taste the invigorating warmth of crystal clear water and the joys of nautical activities. (See on site according to your desires)
Breathe in the scents of local essential oils, ylang-ylang, vanilla, pink berry, ginger… Enjoy a refined and colorful cuisine. Listen to the sweet song of the trade winds in the kasuarinabäumen. And fully live your exceptional adventure as you wish.

Dinner and overnight at the Five SENSES Lodge.

DAY 14 : TSIANDAMBA /  TULEAR / ANTANANARIVO : 

After the breakfast, we will return to the runway for Tuléar, according to the scheduled flight schedules of Tsaradia.  

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Cristobal.

DAY 15 :  ANTANANARIVO / PARIS  : 

Petit déjeuner. Transfer to the airport, we say “Veloma” very soon. Flight to Paris.