1. Arrival in Antananarivo: « the city of a thousand soldiers »

Tonga soa, welcome to Madagascar. Once arriving at the airport of Antananarivo, the team of bandro reisen will welcome you. After the formalities of entrance in the Malagasy land, you will be driven directly to your hotel. It will be your first night in Madagascar.

2. Antananarivo – Antsirabe: throughout the highland

After a short tour in the centre of town of Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, we take the way on direction to the old colonial city of Antsirabe. The landscape is characterized by houses made of red mud and the rice fields of the high plateau. On the way, we will stop to visit the artisanal workshops. In Ambatolampy, we visit a family workshop, where the aluminium pans are manufactured in a traditional way. Besides the crafts, the inhabitants of the country live much on agriculture.

3. Antsirabe – Ranomafana: art and crafts

After an early breakfast, we will have a journey of 240 km. Before leaving, we will make a short tour of the city and will visit artisanal workshops. Historically, this city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian, andproposes several tourist attractions. We can visit several artisanal workshops there and semi- precious stone polishing workshops.
The journey from Antsirabe to Ranomafana is a way through valleys and mountains. Rice fields on terrace are current in this undulating area. We will see the typical villages of the high plateaus on the narrow and sinuous way to Fianarantsoa. We will have midday break in Ambositra. This city is well known for its woodcuttings, we will visit shops there. We will arrive at Ranomafana at twilight.

4. Ranomafana: Ranomafana national park

We wake up early today. After the breakfast, we will go to the national park. After the formalities, we will go looking ourselves for the local guide. He will guide us in the park during an hour excursion. He will give explanations about the animals and plants living in this national park. Above all various animal species, the high point of the exploration is “the golden bamboo lemur”.

The excursion at the national park of Ranomafana requires an excellent endurance, because the ways go up and down and even slipping while raining. Everyone need to choose either to stay or to do the excursion according to his or her own capacities and endurances.
The national park of Ranomafana belongs to the natural world heritage of UNESCO. A zone is at the tourists’ disposal, the two others are dedicated fields of research for the naturalists. The national park of Ranomafana is classified as tropical forest.
The excursion is finished around noon.

After the dinner, we will do nocturnal hike along the main road.

5. Ranomafana – Ranohira: Appointment with the catta lemurs

The highlight of the day is the visit of “Anja Park”. The catta lemurs or the ring tailed lemurs live freely in this park of the village. Goodbye high plateausregion, we go on to the south after the excursion. The environment in the southern Madagascar is made of thegrassy savanna and dry landscape, the meetings with the herds of zebus and the imposing granite cliffs.
The journey passes by Ambalavao, literally translated “the new city”. The way passes by Fianarantsoa, the capital of the tribe Betsileo. The Betsileo are very workaholic people. They live on agriculture, especially of rice growing.
The area is characterized by mountainous landscape. Rice fields on terrace cover the tops of mountains. Ambalavao is well known thanks to the creation of artisanal paper and silk scarves. We will visit some workshops.

Before attending the small village of Ranohira, we will pass by Ihosy, the capital of the tribe Bara. The Baras are very singular people because of their culture and tradition compared to the zebus. At the beginning, zebus stealing are men’s tradition to prove their power.

6. Ranohira: Isalo national park

The national park of Isalo is famous because of its spectacular sandstone formations. In spite of the dry climate throughout the year, there are several water supply points in the mountains. Small brooks and rivers feed those multiple oasis in the depth of this region. All the areas are considered by the native Bara as sacred, because they bury their dead in the cliffs. Our excursion leads us in the “Natural pool”. Clean water wait for us at the end of our destination for today, we should not miss the opportunity to take a bathe in this fresh water.

7. Ranohira – Ifaty passing by Toliara: A multifaceted region.

In spite of the monotonous landscape, the trip gets us many surprises. Plateau Mountains and baobab trees dominate the region. It is the first occasion for us to observe these majestic trees. Baobab trees are considered as sacred by the native of the region. This consideration contributes to its protection. On the way, we will observe the sepulchers of the Mahafaly tribe.
We will arrive in Toliara at about the beginning of the afternoon. Toliara is a very hot city. During the day, the city is relatively calm because of the heat wave. After a short halt ,we will go to Ifaty. This idyllic village of fishermen is at 27 km north of Toliara. We will find the small villages of fishermen there, people of this region generally lives on traditional fishing. This area is carpeted with succulent plants.
Before the sunset, we will do an excursion inside the forest of Baobab trees.

8. Ifaty: Day off

Possibility to dive and to snorkel.

9. Flight Toliara – Antananarivo: Transfer

Transfer to the airport of Toliara for the flight to Antananarivo. After arriving in the capital,Transfer to the hotel.

10. Flight Back: Welcome back home.

SERVICES

Included:

• Reception at the airport
• All the transfers : airports- hotels- airports
• Cars with driver and fuel during the travel
• 09 Nights with breakfast
• Entry in the parks and local guides in the national reserves mentioned in the program
• Excursions mentioned in the program

Not included:

• International flights (Europe- Antananarivo- Europe)
• Travel insurances
• Visa about 35,- Euros
• Lunch and dinner
• drinks
• tip
• personal expenses
• optional excursions
• Domestic flight Toliara – Antananarivo