The central highlands and pangalanes channel adventure

Crossing of the highlands with hikes to discover the Zafimaniry villages; Adventure by train to the East coast; Discovery and adventure by pirogue on the Pangalanes canal between Mananjary and Mahanoro; Special discovery of Ranomafana national park, the Palmarium reserve in Ankanin'nyNofy and the green park of Andasibe.

The tour offers an impressive adventure, a walk in the different villages to meet the local population, and two to three days of travel by motorized wooden dugout canoe along the canal from the town of Mananjary to Mahanoro.

Highlights of this tour

v  Appreciation of the historical remains of the capital and visit its sites on your return.

v  Discovery of magnificent and impressive landscapes of the Highlands

v  Discovery of the various craft enterprises during the tour

v  Discovery of the city of Ambositra and the village Zafimaniry

v  Adventure with the only passenger and freight train on the East Coast

v  Adventure during the descent of the Pangalanes Canal

v  Discovery of fauna and flora in the two National Parks of Ranomafana and Andasibe.

v  Discovery of lemurs to be observed closely in the reserve of Vakôna and the reserve of Palmarium while passing Ankanin'ny Nofy.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Antananarivo

DAY 2: Antananarivo - Antsirabe

DAY 3: Antsirabe - Manandona

DAY 4: Manandona - Ambositra - Antoetra - Ifasina

DAY 5: Village Zafimaniry Ifasina - Antoetra - Ambositra - Fianarantsoa

DAY 6:Fianarantsoa - Tolongoina - Ranomafana

DAY 7:Ranomafana - Mananjary

DAY 8:Mananjary - Nosy Varika

DAY 9: Nosy Varika - Pangalanes

DAY 10:Pangalanes - Mahanoro

DAY 11:Mahanoro - Vatomandry - Manambato - Ankanin'nyNofy

DAY 12: Ankanin'ny Nofy - The Palmarium Reserve

DAY 13:Ankanin'nyNofy - Manambato - Andasibe

DAY 14: Andasibe

DAY 15: Andasibe - Antananarivo - Country of origin

Specific Information for the  tour

·         Possible tour duration 15 days / 14 nights

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in comfortable hotels and in gites or camping.

·         4×4 car with a good Driver and a professional French, English, Italian or Spanish speaking Guide according to your request.

·         Accessible all year round except during intense cyclone season

·         Walking tour in the villages to meet fishermen and farmers

·         Variation of transportation: Car, dugout canoe, train, rickshaw

Tour Category

ADVENTURE, DISCOVERY, SOLIDARITY

Activities

-          Hiking by train and dugout canoe

-          Trekking on foot

-          Discovery of fauna and flora in national and private parks and reserves

-          Meeting and exchange with the local population

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, Southeast and East

Important information

Train journeys are set according to the following frequencies:

·         Fianarantsoa - Manakara: Tuesday and Saturday.

·         Manakara - Fianarantsoa: Wednesday and Sunday

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo, the city of a thousand

Our team will welcome you at Ivato International Airport on your arrival and provide your transfer to the hotel. They will show you the program of your tour and give you your travel documents. Possibility to visit the city according to your flight schedule.Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: About 30 minutes

·         Distance: More than 15 km

·         Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or similar

Day 2: Departure from Antananarivo to reach the water city.

Departure to reach the town of Antsirabe, discovery of the Central Highlands with their rice fields and red laterite brick houses. Lunch on the way. A small stop in Ambatolampy to visit the manufacture of pots and other aluminum items. We continue the road, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, rocks and fertile plains with volcanic soil.  On arrival in Antsirabe, the visit of the town of Vakinankaratra, the rickshaw rides on the large avenue going from the station to the “Hotel des Thermes”, are a must. Depending on the weather, we make a discovery of the markets and gem-cutters' workshops before resting. Dinner and night at the Hotel.

·         Duration: 4 hours drive

·         Distance :170 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SOA GUEST HOUSE or similar

Day 3: Visit of the two lakes: Tritriva and Andraikiba

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the two lakes around Antsirabe:

Tritriva: Located at the bottom of a large volcano crater. Tritriva is a beautiful lake, especially when the weather is good. Its clear and dark blue waters give it a very restful aspect of purity. You will be able to take a tour, during which you will have different viewpoints on the lake which has a sacred virtue for the people.

Then, Lake Andraikiba: It is a rather large lake that was formed in the crater of an ancient volcano. It is surrounded by a track that allows you to go around it, with some souvenir shops.

After the visit, you will reach the village of Manandona. Lunch with the host family and then discover the culture of silk weaving. You will also be able to visit the handicraft workshop. The villagers' association has an object to push the schooling of poor children. In the evening, we share a friendly atmosphere. Dinner and night in the gite.

·         Duration: About 4 hours of visit

·         Distance: 35 km of visit + 25km of road

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

·         Accommodation: In a gite with a host family

Day 4: A long drive to reach the village Zafimaniry

Departure for Ambositra in the morning after breakfast, heading south through a beautiful road surrounded by high mountains, rice terraces, eucalyptus forests and crossing many lively villages. We are in the middle of one of the many ethnic groups of Madagascar: the Betsileo. After a discovery of the city of Ambositra, departure for Antoetra on the road by car. Then, a small visit of the village then departure on foot to join the village of Ifasina: it is the first Zafimaniry village. From Antoetra, you will make a hike of about 10 km: three or four hours of walking according to your rhythm to make the round trip and the visit to the nearest typical Zafimaniry village (Ankidodo). This is not a very sporty hike.

The houses are built in wood in a Tenon-mortise way. No nails or screws are used even for the closures. The inhabitants are famous for their wood carvings. You will be able to admire their work on the doors and shutters of the houses as well as all the local craftsmanship. It is a beautiful and typical village. The night of rest is in Ifasina with a friendly meeting. Lunch and Dinner with the host family.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: 75 km of road + 40 km of track + 10km on foot

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

·         Accommodation: In a gîte with a host family

Day 5: Track to the capital Betsileo

Breakfast, then you will leave the village after a small meeting with the local population. Road to Fianarantsoa, the capital Betsileo. Visit of the town and especially through its small streets, you will discover the recently renovated Upper Town. Lunch and Dinner . Transfer and installation at the hotel after the visits.

·         Duration: About 3 hours drive

·         Distance: 10 km on foot + 40 km of track +150 km of road

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: TSARA GUEST HOUSE or similar

Day 6: Train adventure to Ranomafana

Have breakfast very early for the departure by train, a superb walk to discover various things: passing through beautiful villages in a mountainous setting, in contact with the local population. Stop and descent at the station of Tolongoina, it is at PK 62 and 385km of altitude. The car will be there to pick you up by continuing the road to Ranomafana. Arrival at the end of the afternoon, transfer and installation at the hotel. Visit of the village and in the early evening, walk in search of nocturnal animals on the side of the road. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 4 hours by train + about 2 hours by car.

·         Distance: 62 km by train + 65 km of track + 10 km by road

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: IHARY HOTEL or similar

Day 7: Visit the National Park and drive to Mananjary

In the morning, after breakfast, visit of Ranomafana Park to discover various endemic species. You will find 12 species of lemurs such as Hapalemur aureus, Propithecusdiademaedwardsi, ... 6 species of carnivores, 11 species of insectivores, birds .... As far as the flora is concerned, there are medicinal plants, epiphytic orchids and carnivorous plants. Lunch at the restaurant, then continuing the road to reach the town of Mananjary. Discovery of the small towns and the market. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 3 hours drive

·         Distance: 121 km of road

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SORAFA HOTEL or similar

Day 8: Cruise on the Pangalanes waterway

After breakfast, transfer to the pier, start of the cruise on the Pangalanes canal. Stroll along the water where the life of the local people flows gently. Visits of villages. In Ambohitsara a stop for the discovery of "The stone elephant" which would have been brought by the ancestors of the Antambahoaka from Mecca. A meeting with the population, a tasting of local products. Lodging in bivouacs in tents in the village, a friendly meeting with the population. Meals with fresh products bought along the route. Night at the camp.

·         Duration: All day with stops

·         Distance: About 108 km of navigation

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

·         Accommodation: In bivouac

Day 9: Continuation of the adventure on the Pangalanes waterway

Second day of the cruise on the Pangalanes water way. You will have time to enjoy the sunrise. Meeting with the population, visit of villages, discovery of the craft activities and traditions of the local people, possibility to do artisanal fishing with the fishermen, tasting of local products. Lodging in bivouacs in tents on the village, convivial meeting with the population. Meals with fresh products bought along the route. Night in camp in tents.

·         Duration: All day with stops

·         Distance: Approximately 90 km of navigation

·         Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

·         Accommodation: In bivouac

Day 10: Last day of cruise on the Pangalanes waterway

Last day of navigation on the Pangalanes waterway. Continuation of the crossing with a stop in the villages, tasting of local products. Meals with fresh products bought along the route. Arrival at the pier around 2 pm. Transfer and installation at the hotel, visit of the town of Mahanoro. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 4 hours of navigation

·         Distance: About 50 km of navigation

·         Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: Hotel LE PRESTIGE or similar

Day 11:Departure to Mahanoro to join Manambato and Ankanin'ny Nofy by boat.

After breakfast, you leave Mahanoro by car and join the road to Manambato. Have lunch, arrival in Manambato, appointment with the boat for the transfer to Ankanin'ny Nofy. Dinner  and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: About 5 hours of road

·         Distance: About 260 km of road + 45 min of navigation

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: Hotel PALMARIUM or similar

Day 12: Discovery of the Palmarium Reserve

After breakfast, guided tour of the Palmarium reserve. A walk of 3 hours, to discover and approach all the species of the island. A rare and endemic terrestrial and arboreal fauna as well as a magnificent flora.

·         Duration: 3 hours of walk

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: Hotel PALMARIUM or similar

Day13: Return to Manambato by boat and continuation of the trip to Andasibe.

Departure after breakfast for the return to Manambato by boat. Continuation by car to Andasibe. Lunch at the restaurant. Guided visit of the private reserve of Vakôna, canoe trip around the lemur islands. Night stroll in the early evening. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 45 min by boat + 4 hours of drive

·         Distance: 135 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA Hotel or similar

Day 14: Visit of the Analamazaotra reserve.

After breakfast, guided tour of the Analamazaotra Reserve, the special reserve of the Indri indri. Stroll in the primary forest in search of endemic species. There are 12 species of diurnal and nocturnal lemurs including the Indri Indri, the largest lemur in Madagascar, aquatic birds and other species typical of the region. Visit of orchid park, fern. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, discovery of the village, meeting with the local population. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: All day

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA Hotel or similar

Day 15: Return to Antananarivo to reach your home country.

Departure to Andasibe after breakfast, destination Antananarivo with stops along the way. Passage to the handicraft market and discovery of the city according to the flight schedule. Day use at the Hotel, Free dinner and meeting with our team, then transfer to the airport.

·         Duration: 4 hours drive

·         Distance: About 145 km by road, visit of the town and the market

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

·         Accommodation: Day use at Hotel SAHAMALAZA or similar.