ESENCIAS DEL SUR

Arrival at the capital’s airport, visa formalities, reception by IndigoBe’s Spanish-speaking guide, transfer to the hotel and brief briefing of the route.

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  • AU BOIS VERT LODGE 4*.

Breakfast and departure to Andasibe National Park. During today, our journey to the east of the island will take us through a landscape of rice paddies to the rainforests of this region inhabited by the Bezanozano and Betsimisaraka ethnic groups. We will be able to observe the famous ravinala, the traveler’s tree, symbol of Madagascar. We will have lunch in the town of Moramanga, a crossroads between several secondary roads and an important confluence of ethnic groups from the east of the island. We will visit its lively market and continue to Andasibe National Park. Check-in at the lodge.

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  • MANTADIA RAINFOREST LODGE 4*.
  • RELAIS DE MANTADIA 3*.
  • CYPERUS ANDASIBE 3*.
  • VAKONA FOREST LODGE 3*.
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  Breakfast

Breakfast and very early departure to the Analamazaotra National Park (within the Andasibe National Park) where we will take a walking tour of ± 4 hours, to observe the largest lemur on the island, the famous Indri-Indri, as well as chameleons, frogs, tree ferns, pandanus…. After lunch, a walk through the small town of Andasibe where we will meet the Betsimisaraka ethnic group. At the scheduled time, nocturnal visit to the VOIMMA or Vakona Reserve (depending on the location of our hotel), where we will appreciate various species of endemic fauna of the tropical rainforest as the endearing microcebu. Return to the Lodge.

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  • MANTADIA RAINFOREST LODGE 4*.
  • RELAIS DE MANTADIA 3*.
  • CYPERUS ANDASIBE 3*.
  • VAKONA FOREST LODGE 3*.
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  Breakfast

Very early breakfast and continuation to the Malagasy “Highlands” between a landscape of terraced rice paddies, along the famous RN7 road. Free lunch in the city of Foie-gras, Behenjy, where we can taste various varieties of this exquisite delicacy. Continuation to Ambatolampy, to learn about the curious artisanal manufacture of aluminum pots that are part of all Malagasy homes. In the afternoon, arrival to the city of Antsirabe, thermal city thanks to the discovery of its waters rich in sodium chloride, the city was founded by Norwegian Lutheran missionaries at the end of the 19th century. Check-in at the hotel.

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  • ROYAL PALACE 3*.
  • PLUMERIA HOTEL 3*.
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  Breakfast

Breakfast and departure to the extensive valleys of the Vakinankaratra region, one of the most fertile on the island considered the “garden” of Madagascar. From the village of Manandona we will walk for about an hour through a landscape of rice fields to learn about the agricultural culture and the daily chores of its inhabitants: we can share their daily chores, visit a traditional house, engage in a dialogue, pry about their “fady” and perhaps, if the magic works, enjoy an improvised musical play. On the way we will observe the summit of Mount Ibity, the third highest mountain on the island with 2,345m, a waterfall and a natural pool where we can swim (in our austral summer). Return to our vehicles that will take us back to Antsirabe. After lunch tour in Pousse-Pousse (similar to the rickshaws of India) to tour the historic center of the city. Visit the Atsena Kely (small market) , the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Salette, the train station, as well as the countless buildings of the French colonial era.

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  • ROYAL PALACE 3*.
  • PLUMERIA HOTEL 3*.
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  Breakfast

Breakfast and departure to the capital of Malagasy crafts, Ambositra. At an altitude of 1350 m, this Malagasy village is renowned for its Zafimaniry craftsmen, masters of wood carving. Located in the heart of the highlands, Ambositra is the cradle of the Betsileo ethnic group. We can visit various marquetry workshops, or stroll through its streets and mingle with its colorful characters. If we travel between July and September through the highlands we could find the famous “Famadihana” or return of the dead. Note that in order to attend a “return of the dead” we must be invited, it is a family celebration, not tourist. After lunch continue to Ranomafana National Park, arrival and installation at the hotel.

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  • HOTEL THERMAL 3*
  • CENTREST HOTEL 3*
  • SETAM LODGE 2*SUP
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  Breakfast

Early breakfast and walking tour of Ranomafana National Park where we will take a walk of ± 4 hours in search of lemurs such as Propithecus Edwardsi, Hapalemur Griseus Ranomafanensis or Varecia Variegata highlighting among the 12 different species of lemurs that houses the jungle full of impressive tree ferns, wild orchids, pandanus … Ranomafana is nature in its purest form. This National Park was declared by UNESCO a World Natural Heritage Site of the Rainforests of Antsinanana which comprises six national parks that extend along the eastern coast of the island. After lunch panoramic view of the waterfall over the Namorona River. Continue to the rural village of Sahambavy and its unique and famous tea plantations of the island, where you will find the Lac Hotel, a classic in Madagascar, with charming bungalows on the lake.

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  • LAC HOTEL 3*
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  Breakfast

Breakfast and departure to Ranohira, gateway to the savannah of the Isalo National Park, but not before visitingthe “old city” of Fianarantsoa from where we will have a magnificent panoramic view of the city from the “Haute Ville”. Continue to the village of Ambalavao, to learn about the traditional production of antemoro paper and explore the Anja Reserve through a simple trail of ± 01h30 of duration and observe the graceful lemurs of the maki catta species with ease, as well as chameleons and betsileo-South tombs. Lunch and continuation to Isalo National Park through the Horombe plateau. At this stage we will end our journey through the highlands and begin our descent through the Malagasy savannah, desert landscapes and overgrown villages in the middle of nowhere. Arrival and installation at the hotel.

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  • ISALO ROCK LODGE 4*LUXE
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  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Breakfast and full day dedicated to the visit of the Isalo National Park (easy-medium level). Visit the waterfall of the Nymphs, blue pool and black pool in the famous Namaza Canyon and the spectacular sunset from the “window of the Isalo”. This national park is one of the most famous in the country and has a variety of landscapes that make it a unique enclave. The most visited park on the island has deep canyons where water flows in the form of streams, Bara tombs, caves where the Portuguese and Arabs used to hide… this park is a living testimony of the history of Madagascar. Isalo is a real natural zoo where there are several species of lemurs such as the Eulemur Fulvus, Rufus, Eulemur Rufifrons, Propithecus Verreauxi Verreauxi among others, as well as the endemic palm of Isalo, Bismarkia nobilis, aloes, pachypodiums… Return to the lodge.

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  • ISALO ROCK LODGE 4*LUXE
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  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Breakfast and drive south observing on the way the famous Mahafaly tombs – stone tombs with carved funerary stelae or with paintings of animals, couples, scenes of daily life… They are almost always covered with skulls and horns of zebu – and being able to photograph the first baobabs of southern Madagascar. Short stop to visit the Tropic of Capricorn Monument. After lunch transfer to the Reniala Reserve and its impressive baobab forest. A 1-hour walking tour to observe these impressive trees endemic to the island. Arrival in Ifaty and installation at the hotel.

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  • LES DUNES D’IFATY 3*SUP
  • LA MIRA 3*.
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  Breakfast