The RN7 is the most famous highway in Madagascar and brings you from Antananarivo to Tulear. During this tour you visit three parks. Starting in Antananarivo you go to Antsirabe and from there via Ambositra to Ranomafana NP. After visiting this park you go via Ambalavao and Anja Park Reserve to Isalo NP to hike through the sandstone massifs. This tour ends in Tulear. From here you can visit the beaches of Anakao or Ifaty or you can take a domestic flight to other part of the island.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP |
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ITINERARY: |
Antananarivo – Antsirabe – Ambositra – Ranomafana National Park – Ambalavao – Anja Park Reserve – Isalo National Park – Tulear |
PRICE INCLUDES: |
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PRICE EXCLUDES: |
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Please contact us for the price.
The final price depends on your choice of hotels: luxury or mid-range. For hotel suggestions, please check our recommended hotels.
The tour starts the day after arrival at the international airport.
This private tour can be customized according to your style. Any element can be tailored – activities, length, hotels and destinations
Day 1: |
ANTANANARIVO - ANTSIRABEIn the morning you drive to Antsirabe, the city of the ‘pousse pousse’, located at 1500 meter altitude in the central highlands. You pass rice paddies and drive through the mountains. Along the way, you can visit a craft market and see the tombs of the Merina. Antsirabe means ‘place of much salt’. It’s a nice city with colonial houses and a cathedral. It’s possible to visit lake Andraikaba, that is located 7 km outside the city. You can walk around the lake or visit the gemstone market next to the lake. |
Day 2: |
ANTSIRABE - AMBOSITRA - RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARKOn the way from Antsirabe to Ranomafana you pass the typical highland scenery of rice paddies. You stop in Ambositra, the centre of Madagascar’s woodcarving industry, to visit the handicraft factory. After lunch you continue to Ranomafana NP, on the way you stop to see the biggest waterfall in Madagascar, Rian-Draono Be. Ranomafana means ‘hot water’. During the colonial area this friendly village was a thermal bath centre. Today people go to Ranomafana to visit the national park, the place where the rare big bamboo lemur lives. You can do a nocturnal walk in the park with a local guide to see mouse lemurs, frogs and chameleons. |
Day 3: |
RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARKAbout 20 years ago, the golden bamboo lemur was discovered in the forest near the village of Ranomafana. Subsequently, the national park was established to protect this rare lemur. After breakfast you drive to the entrance of the park where you meet your local guide. You can choose from several walks ranging from a few hours to half a day. In the rainforest you can see the Edward’s sifaka, the golden bamboo lemur and reptiles. There are also about 96 bird species, some endemic. In the afternoon you can visit the village or go to the thermal bath and swim in the hot swimming pool. |
Day 4: |
RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK - AMBALAVAO - ANJA PARK RESERVE - ISALO NATIONAL PARKToday you drive to Isalo. You stop in Ambalavao to visit two traditional factories, the Wild Silk factory and the Antaimoro Paper factory. On Wednesday the biggest zebu market of Madagascar is held in Ambalavao. You will also visit the community-run Anja Park Reserve, where you can see the traditional Bara family tombs, caves and ring tailed lemurs. You can picnic on the top of the rock or you can continue the way to Ihosy to have a lunch. |
Day 5: |
ISALO NATIONAL PARKAfter breakfast you go to Isalo NP. You visit the park with a local guide. Isalo is sacred to the Bara tribe. The Bara use the caves as cemeteries. Isalo is dominated by narrow ravines and by wind and water sculptured rocks. First you hike to the natural swimming pool and after a swim you hike to the Namaza circuit. You can also choose to do only one if these hikes. After the hike you drive to the Window of Isalo.Overnight in a hotel RELAIS DE LA REINE |
Day 6: |
ISALO NATIONAL PARK - ZOMBITSE NATIONAL PARK - TULEARAfter visiting Zombitse NP you continue the way to Tulear, you pass the region of cotton. You see the traditional tombs of the Mahafaly and the painted tombs of the Bara and the Antandroy tribe. The tour ends in Tulear, from where you can travel to Ifaty.Overnight in hotel PARADISIER |
Day 7: |
VISIT THE RENIALA FORESTToday you visit Reniala, the forest of baobab and the turtle village.Overnight in hotel PARADISIER |
Day 8-9: |
RELAXING NEAR THE BEACH IN IFATY.diving and snorkeling, or watching walls on october, Overnight in hotel PARADISIER. |
Day 10: |
TRANSFER AIRPORT IN TULEAR TO ANTANANARIVO.Overnight in hotel CHALET DES ROSES. |
Day 11: |
ENDS OF TOURSDepends on the departure of the International flight. The sightseeing in Antananarivo |