Discovery of the contrasting trees

This tour is characterized by visits to the national heritage. The Baobabs is one of the most beautiful sites of the Big Island. This place, not far from Morondava, is unavoidable during a trip to the center-west of Madagascar. In this site, you will be astonished to see these trees of more than 30 meters in height bordering the track leading to the banks of the Tsiribihina river on more than 20 km.

At sunset, the colors behind these giant trees offer an exceptional spectacle. A sacred baobab tree stands out among those lining the track. The locals come here to deposit offerings and honour their ancestors. According to legends, the Gods did not appreciate the baobabs' excessive pride, so they decided to plant them upside down, putting the roots in the air. You will also see baobabs said to be in love, which according to the beliefs of the locals can bring good luck to couples. On the premises, the most striking species is the Andasonia grandidieri. Of course, this tree is endemic to Madagascar. The tour also offers a great attraction on the great Tsingy classified World Heritage by UNESCO.

Highlights of this tour

v  Discovery of the capital and its historical sites especially on the way back.

v  Meeting with the manufacturers of aluminium casseroles

v  Discovery of the breathtaking landscapes of the Highlands (savannah, rice fields, mountains...)

v  Visit of the city of Antsirabe by rickshaw

v  Sunset on the Baobabs Avenue

v  Nocturnal visit in search of endemic species

v  Exploration of the famous Tsingy of Bemaraha

v  Scuba diving in Belo sur Mer

v  Relaxation during your stay by the sea in Belo sur Mer

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Country of embarkation - Antananarivo

DAY 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe

DAY 3: Antsirabe - Marofandilia

DAY 4:Marofandilia - Bekopaka

DAY 5: Bekopaka

DAY 6: Bekopaka - Morondava

DAY 7: Morondava - Belo sur Mer

DAY 8 and 9: Belo sur Mer

DAY 10: Belo sur Mer - Miandrivazo

DAY 11:Miandrivazo - Antananarivo

DAY 12: Antananarivo - Country of origin 

Specific information for the tour

·         12 days / 11 nights tour

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in luxury hotels and comforts

·         4WD car with a professional driver and an English, French, Italian or Spanish speaking guide according to your choice.

·         Accessible all year round except during intense cyclone season

·         Canoe trip, possibility to meet and exchange with fishermen.

·         Variation in transportation: Car, dugout canoe, rickshaw

Tour Category

ADVENTURE, DISCOVERY, FAMILY

Activities

-          Walking tour

-          Diving in Belo sur Mer

-          Discovery of fauna and flora in private parks and reserves

-          Enjoy beautiful beaches

-          Discovery of culture and tradition

Group Size

Unlimited number but at least 2 people for a guaranteed departure, if solo, you just have to pay the extra indicated in the program.

Regions

Highlands and Central West

Day 1: Welcome Reception

Upon your arrival at Ivato International Airport, our team will welcome you warmly and brief you on your trip with the corresponding documents. Then, transfer to the hotel where you will spend a night.

·         Duration: 30 min

·         Distance: 15 km

·         Accommodation: GRAND HOTEL URBAN or similar

Day 2: Discovering the City of Water

After breakfast, departure for Antsirabe. Stop in Ambatolampy to meet the manufacturers of aluminum casseroles, Lunch at the restaurant. In Antsirabe, visit of the Tritriva lake where a tree with an interlaced trunk reminds the legend of two young people condemned to a love forbidden by their parents and who commit suicide in the old crater. A trip to the City of Water in a rickshaw. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 4 hours

·         Distance: 170 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: FLOWER PALACE HOTEL or similar

Day 3: Searching for nocturnal animals

After breakfast, road to the West of Madagascar. Discovery of its beautiful landscape like the savannas, mountains, rivers with bridges made during the colonial period. Stops on the villages to look at the way of life of the people, the tradition... There we have lunch on the way before continuing the journey. 14 km before the town of Morondava, you take a bifurcation towards Marofandilia, through the baobabs Avenue. Installation at the lodging. In the early evening, there will be a night visit in the reserve in search of lemurs, chameleons, birds, snakes ... Dinner and overnight at Camp Amoureux.

·         Duration: about 8 hours

·         Distance: 560 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: CAMP AMOUREUX or similar

Day 4: Adventure to Bekopaka

After breakfast, there will be a tour of the private reserve. Afterwards, you take the track to Bekopaka. You take the ferry for about 40 minutes to cross the Tsiribihina river. Lunch at leisure at the restaurant in Belo-Tsiribihina. Continuation of the road where you will cross the Manambolo river, still by ferry, but this time it will be for 10 minutes. Installation at your hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 6 hours

·         Distance: 150 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: L’OLYMPE DE BEMARAHA or similar

Day 5: Exploration of the Tsingy of Bemaraha

After breakfast, you will discover the Tsingy of Bemaraha, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Its sharp peaks that form the limestone massif reach up to 30 meters. From the limestone rocks formed by a deposit of fossils and shells that died under the sea two hundred million years ago, the Tsingy of Bemaraha offer one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Big Island. The Tsingy of Bemaraha are part of the network of National Parks of Madagascar. The proposed tours are different according to the physical condition of the visitors: Andamozavaky and Ranotsara's tours, of rather difficult level (four to six hours of walk), are the tours of the big spaces, dizziness and strong sensations. The hike begins 17 km north of the village of Bekopaka to reach gigantic limestone cathedrals, dense networks of faults, deep crevices, limestone blocks carved into blades or sharp needles that make the Great Tsingy. For the more timorous, the Little Tsingy tours represent an interesting alternative, more moderate without being less spectacular. Picnic lunch during the visit. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: Visit all day long

·         Meals included: Breakfast and picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: L’OLYMPE DE BEMARAHA or similar

Day 6: Admiring the sunset at the Baobabs Avenue

After breakfast, you will return to Morondava by taking the road and then the ferries. There we have lunch on the way before continuing the journey. You will attend the sunset at the Allée des Baobabs. These trees are specific to the region. Madagascar has six species out of the eight existing in the world. After enjoying the beautiful sunset, you will continue to Morondava. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 7 hours

·         Distance: 230 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SELECT HOTEL or similar

Day 7: The unavoidable passage to the baobab forest

There are two localities called Belo, one on the banks of the Tsiribihina and the other on the banks of the Mozambique Channel.

The adventure begins, leaving in the morning in a 4x4 car towards the south of Morondava. A passage in the Kabatomena river (easily accessible during the dry season) before entering the baobab forest. We pass through several villages and before arriving in Belo sur Mer, we cross the famous local salt works. Lunch at the restaurant in Belo sur Mer. It is a small isolated fishing village on the lagoon. A paradise for lovers of sun and scuba diving. Night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 03 hours

·         Distance: 80 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: ECOLODGE DU MENABE or similar

Day 8 and 9: Free days in Belo sur Mer

Free days in Belo sur Mer where you can do different activities such as: take a trip into town or just laze on the fine sand of the beach. You will discover the white sand, a turquoise blue sea, palm trees and the construction of schooners and dhows. In the whale season, there is the possibility to see whales. Otherwise, you can always admire the lagoon with its fine white sand, get to know the Vezo people, famous for their pirogues, whose main activity is fishing. Visit the islets Andravoho, Andriangary and Andriamitaroka by sail or motor pirogue. Or the magnificent Tropical Aquarium. Possibility also of scuba diving and kite surfing. Lunches and Dinners , night at the hotel.

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: ECOLODGE DU MENABE or similar 

Day 10: To where the King waits for his wife

Departure for Miandrivazo through landscapes full of contrasts, after breakfast. Miandrivazo is watered by the Tsiribihina. Its main characteristic is that at dawn you see smoke rising towards the sky, proof that the city is alive. The guide will surely tell you the historical meaning of "Miandrivazo". It dates back to the time of King Radama I. When the sovereign returned from his conquests of the Southwest, he sent a messenger to find a princess from Malaimbandy. While meditating on the nearby hillside while waiting for his devotee and messenger, passers-by greet him and ask him about his anxious look. His answer is: "Miandry vazo aho. "This simply translates into: " I'm waiting for a wife." Indeed, this wife is Princess Rasalimo. So the name of the town was taken from this story. Lunch at the restaurant in Miandrivazo. Visit and city tour. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 7 hours

·         Distance: 356 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: Hotel PRINCESSE TSIRIBIHINA or similar

Day 11: Return to the capital

Morning departure for the capital. You will cross the Highlands again and admire the landscape with its different types of traditional houses, rice fields and inhabitants. Lunch on the way before continuing the journey.

Arrival in Antananarivo at the end of the afternoon where a room is at your disposal. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: about 8 hours

·         Distance: 390 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: GRAND HOTEL URBAN or similar

Day 12: Return to the country of origin

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the historical remains of the capital. About twenty kilometers north of the city is the cradle of the Merina monarchy in Ambohimanga or "the blue hill". Along the way, you will discover a center committed to the education of autistic children. This is the Padre Pio Charity House, supported by our Tour Operator in its charitable activities. Lunch at the restaurant on the way. The room is at your disposal until your departure in the evening. Dinner offer and day use at the hotel. Then transfer to the airport for your flight home.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: approx. 40 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

·         Accommodation : RELAIS DES PLATEAUX or similar

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