Day 01: Arrive Antananarivo
Reception at Ivato Antananarivo airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Antananarivo – Antsirabe (3h45 – 171 km)
Departure for the road towards the South, the RN7. Stop at Ambatolampy, 73km from Antananarivo, to discover the workshops of pots and aluminum kitchen utensils manufacturers. Continuation to Antsirabe. We can admire the beautiful landscapes of the Highlands all along the road : sumptuous valleys, small villages, and rice paddies will fascinate you. Arrival in Antsirabe, the spa town, and the first industrial center of Madagascar. It produces two of the most famous brands of beer in the Island. In the afternoon, visit of the mythical Lake Tritriva, one of the most mysterious places in Madagascar. This ancient crater is a site in which two lovers would have drowned themselves because of forbidden marriage, and then they reincarnate as branches intertwined with two neighboring trees coming out of a bank rock. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Antsirabe – Ranomafana (6h – 230 km)
Departure towards Ranomafana. All along the road, we will appreciate the beautiful traditional houses, typical of the highlands. Arrival in Ambositra after 2 hours, workshops visit of the most famous Malagasy artisans; their know-how in marquetry and woodcarving better known as “art zafimaniry”, are so sublime that one can leave the city of Ambositra only after buying their product as a souvenir. After the lunch, continuation to Ranomafana. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa (1h30 – 60km)
In the morning, visit of Ranomafana National Park which is part of the Atsinanana humid forests and therefore, registered in the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. This tourist site is crossed by 25 rivers and is home to a great diversity of fauna and flora, some of which is the rare golden hapalemur, an endangered species. In the afternoon, continuation to Fianarantsoa. Visit of this city and its monuments, among which about fifty religious édifices. It also gained wide reputation thanks to its vineyards, it is the only producer of wine (white, red, rosé and gray wines) in Madagascar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Fianarantsoa – Ranohira (6h – 285km)
Continuation of the road towards Ranohira. After 60 km, stop at Ambalavao to visit an Antemoro papermaking workshop which is a local handicraft specialty based on avoha, a fibrous bark. 15km further south, visit of the Anja village reserve which is a park created by the inhabitants of this place rich in biodiversity. We can observe the particular makis catta lemur. Continuation to Ranohira with a fascinating crossing of a new type of landscape, that of the Far West of Madagascar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Ranohira
Day dedicated to the visit of Isalo national park. This ruiniform massif is a 80 000 ha protected area. It is above all the habitat of numerous species of fauna and flora scattered throughout the reserve. Apart from reptiles and lemurs, 77 species of birds live there, which 70% are endemic. Hiking in the canyons, and swimming in natural pools will also be in the program. For the more athletic, possibility to visit the reserve by bike (optional). Towards the end of the afternoon, admiration of the sunset through the Isalo Window, an opportunity to take some pictures postcard landscape. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Ranohira – Ifaty (6h – 265km)
Departure to Ifaty. Crossing of the Mahafaly plateau and its many tombs surmounted by Aloalo (carved wooden posts). The Mahafaly tomb is a funerary art with representative drawings of the deceased’s life. Appreciation of baobabs in the beautiful scenery of the Great South spectacular landscape, then stop for a visit of Antsokay arboretum which is the perfect place for flora lovers since there are about 900 plant species, which 90% are endemic. Arrival in Ifaty in the afternoon, it is the quintessence of the trip to Madagascar for seaside tourism enthusiasts: sun throughout the year, marvellous beach, quad bike ride by the sea, canoe trip, water sports, Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: Ifaty
Free stay. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Ifaty
Free stay. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Return flight from Tuléar to Antananarivo
Transfer to the airport and return flight to Antananarivo. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Antananarivo – International return Flight
Visit of the dike craft market. Transfer to the airport for International Return flight.

Day 01: Antananarivo
Welcome to Madagascar. This country’s capital is the charmingly crowded Antananarivo – a fun, hilly place to explore. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at at airport & transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Andasibe National Park
Leave Antananarivo in your dust after breakfast, heading for Andasibe National Park (approximately 4 hours). Stop en route at Pereyras Nature Farm – a private reserve that’s home to chameleons, frogs, snakes and so much more wildlife. This evening, you’ll have an opportunity to take night walk through the forest at Mitsinjo – a privately-owned reserve, where you’ll encounter nocturnal species including endemic butterflies and lemurs. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Andasibe National Park
Andasibe is the most visited park in Madagascar and famous for the 11 species of lemur that call it home. Aside from lemurs, you’ll find endemic birds including the long-eared owl and the rufous-headed ground roller, as well as the smallest living chameleon – brookesia minima – and many times types of reptiles, insects and frogs. This region is popular thanks to an abundance of unique wildlife, and you’ll have an opportunity to discover them during a guided walk through the national park. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Antsirabe
Drive to Antisrabe (approximately 6-7 hours). Antsirabe maintains a Malagasy touch with all the tranquillity of a small European town, thanks to the contrast of its bustling street markets and Colonial-style facades. Located in the highlands, it’s a popular spa town thanks to the hot springs and thermal baths, and the colourful rickshaws known as ‘pousse-pousse’ are a popular form of transport. On arrival check into your hotel and enjoy a group dinner in the Gazebo within the grounds of the Guest House.

Day 05: Ambositra
Make the short journey to Ambositra this morning, home to the third-largest ethnic group in Madagascar – the Betsileo people. Take a visit to the nearby Sandrandahy villages and explore the process of silk production, which is an important part of Malagasy culture. The use of silk was once reserved exclusively for royalty, but now everyone is free to wear it though its use is more often used for the dead. When a Malagasy is buried, their body is wrapped in a large, silk sheet known as a ‘lambamena’ and, after a few years, the family traditionally return to the tomb to exchange the sheet for a new one. This custom is known as famadihana, and each village specialises in one step of the production. Enjoy a local lunch before spending a free evening in Ambositra. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Ranomafana
Travel this morning to Ranomafa National Park, a journey of about 5 hours. Located in the southeastern part of Madagascar, this park is home to a number of rare species. Ranomafana means ‘hot water’ in the Malagasy language and the area is haven for small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, as well as palms, bamboo, orchids and carnivorous plants. It’s home to 13 species of lemur, including the famous golden bamboo lemur, which was first reported in the area in 1985 and is one of the reasons why the government decided to protect this forest. Enjoy some free time on arrival, and you may want to consider taking an optional night walk once the sun goes down. Your accommodation tonight is a small cottage located within the park’s boundaries. Perhaps consider visiting the thermal springs after which the town is named. Located across the Namorona River. The outdoor swimming pool fed by the springs is popular spot to take a dip. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Ranomafana
Continue exploring Ranomafana, this time on a guided walk. Keep your eyes peeled for lemurs, striped civets, mongooses, goshawks, geckos, frogs and butterflies. You may even spot an incredible net-casting spider or the world’s smallest chameleon. Relax into the day, and once again spend the night within the park. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Fianarantsoa
Travel this morning to Fianarantsoa – a colourful town known for its markets and handicrafts. This heritage site is a must-see, with its long, paved roads, labyrinths of small paths and old houses with flower-studded balconies and tiled roofs. Take a day visit to a typical Malagasy village for an insight into how the majority of the island’s population live, then take a local walk to explore the surrounding countryside,which is dotted with rice paddies and vineyards that produce Fianarantsoa’s famous wine. You’ll get a chance to sample local cuisine with a lunch stop in the villages then, in the afternoon, visit the historical old city of Fianarantsoa on foot. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09-10: Isalo National Park
Drive approximately 8 hours west toward Isalo National Park. You’ll stop at the Anja Community Reserve on your way – a great spot to observe lemurs and learn a little more about the local culture. The local villagers will be your guide on this excursion, and your leader will be able to translate all the knowledge they can pass on to you. Isalo is known for its variety of landscapes, from rainforests and rolling plains teeming with life to strange geological formations and deep-cut canyons. And of course, there are a variety of lemur species roaming around the place because – well, this is Madagascar. Spend a couple of days exploring the park, which is home to over 80 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and 14 species of mammals including three lemur species – ring-tailed, red-fronted and Verreaux’s sifakas lemur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Anakao
You’ll be up early today (approximately 5.30 am) to travel to Toliara Harbour, from where the group will take a boat to Anakao. Imagine perfect white sandy beaches beside turquoise waters, and that’s Anakao – a small, laid-back town in which fishing is the main occupation. Enjoy a free day taking it easy on the beach, soaking up some sun and swimming in the clear waters of the Mozambique Channel. You’re on island time now – so chill out and bask in the golden glow of Anakao.

Day 12: Anakao
Today is another free day of leisure in this paradise. Consider taking a full-day tour of Tsimanampetsotse National Park – a birder’s paradise named for its spectacular lake. More than 100 species of bird can be found here, including pink, greater and dwarf flamingos, as well as the gray-brown mouse and white-footed sportive lemurs. Maybe paddle a canoe out to the mirage of Nosy Ve instead and check out the beaches and reef, or just hang out in Anakao town and make the most of its convenient beaches. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Antananarivo
This morning, transfer to Toliara by boat for the flight back to Antananarivo. Flights in Madagascar can be delayed and often experience late schedule changes. You need to be prepared that there may be some waiting time in Tulear today depending on the scheduled flight time for the day and your scheduled boat transfers, but this is all part of the fun. Back in Antananarivo this evening, enjoy a celebratory night with your new travel companions – perhaps toast Madagascar with a local beer or two. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Antananarivo – Departure Day
With no activities planned for today, your adventure ends today after breakfast and you are free to leave at any time.