Itinerary
- Day 1
Antananarivo
You'll arrive at Ivato International Airport where the tour team greets you and handles your transfer to the hotel. They'll hand over your travel documents and walk through the tour program with you. Depending on when you land, there's time to explore Antananarivo a bit before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the city according to flight schedule
- Day 2
Antananarivo to Antsirabe
After heading out this morning, you'll travel to Antsirabe through the Central Highlands, passing rice fields and red brick houses. The route includes a stop in Ambatolampy to check out a local pot and aluminum factory. Once in Antsirabe, you'll take traditional rickshaw rides through town, visit the markets and gem-cutters' workshops, then settle in for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on the way)
Included Activities
- Visit Ambatolampy manufacture of pots and aluminum items
- Rickshaw rides in Antsirabe
- Visit markets and gem-cutters' workshops (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Ambatolampy - Day 3
Antsirabe
Following breakfast, you'll visit two volcanic lakes near Antsirabe. Lake Tritriva sits in a crater with clear dark blue waters and various viewpoints, then you'll head to the larger Lake Andraikiba. After that, you'll travel to Manandona village for lunch with a local family, where you can see traditional silk weaving and handicraft workshops that support children's education in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with host family), Dinner (Friendly dinner with community)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Tritriva
- Visit Lake Andraikiba
- Discover silk weaving culture in Manandona
- Visit handicraft workshop
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tritriva Lake Andraikiba - Day 4
Antsirabe to Ifasina
This morning you'll head south toward Ambositra through mountain scenery, rice terraces and eucalyptus forests. From Antoetra village, you'll hike about 10 km (3-4 hours round trip) to Ankidodo, the first Zafimaniry village, where houses are built entirely with wood using tenon-mortise construction, no nails involved. The evening connects you with a host family in Ifasina.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with host family), Dinner (Dinner with host family)
Included Activities
- Visit Ambositra
- Visit Antoetra village
- Hike to Ankidodo Zafimaniry village
- View traditional wood-carving craftsmanship
Landmarks/POIs Ambositra Ankidodo - Day 5
Ifasina to Fianarantsoa
After breakfast and a quick community meeting, you'll travel to Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo region. You'll walk through the Upper Town's recently renovated streets, have lunch and dinner, then head to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Fianarantsoa
- Explore renovated Upper Town
Landmarks/POIs Fianarantsoa - Day 6
Fianarantsoa to Ranomafana
An early breakfast gets you ready for a scenic train journey through villages and mountains with chances to connect with locals. You'll be picked up at Tolongoina station and driven to Ranomafana, arriving late afternoon. There's an early evening walk searching for nocturnal animals. If the train isn't running, you'll travel by car instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Train journey through mountainous villages
- Visit Tolongoina station area
- Evening walk in search of nocturnal animals
Landmarks/POIs Tolongoina - Day 7
Ranomafana
After breakfast, a guide takes you through Ranomafana Park where you'll see 12 lemur species, various carnivores, insectivores and birds, plus medicinal plants and orchids. You'll have lunch at the park restaurant, then drive to Mananjary to explore the town and its markets before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ranomafana Park
- Discovery of endemic species and lemurs
- Visit to Mananjary town and markets
Landmarks/POIs Ranomafana Park - Day 8
Mananjary to Pangalanes Canal (Bivouac)
You'll transfer to the pier this morning to start cruising the Pangalanes canal, a waterway where life moves at a slower pace. You'll visit villages along the route and stop to see 'The Stone Elephant,' a sacred rock at Ambohitsara. You'll meet locals, taste regional products and sleep in bivouac tents with meals made from fresh ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meals with fresh products bought along the route), Dinner (Meals with fresh products bought along the route)
Included Activities
- Cruise on Pangalanes canal
- Visit villages
- Visit Ambohitsara and The Stone Elephant
- Meet with local population and taste local products
Landmarks/POIs Pangalanes Canal Ambohitsara - Day 9
Pangalanes Canal
Your second day on the Pangalanes continues with sunrise views and more village visits. You can join fishermen in artisanal fishing, discover local crafts and traditions, and taste more regional products. Another night in bivouac tents with fresh meals prepared along the route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meals with fresh products bought along the route), Dinner (Meals with fresh products bought along the route)
Included Activities
- Continue cruise on Pangalanes waterway
- Visit villages
- Discover craft activities and traditions
- Opportunity to fish with local fishermen
- Taste local products
Landmarks/POIs Pangalanes Canal - Day 10
Pangalanes Canal to Mahanoro
The final day cruising the Pangalanes involves more village stops, local product tastings and meals made from fresh ingredients purchased en route. You'll reach the pier around 2 pm, then transfer to Mahanoro for exploration before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Final Pangalanes cruise with village stops
- Taste local products
- Visit Mahanoro town
Landmarks/POIs Mahanoro - Day 11
Mahanoro to Ankanin'ny Nofy
After breakfast you'll drive from Mahanoro toward Manambato with lunch along the way. From Manambato, you'll take a boat to Ankanin'ny Nofy and check in at your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Manambato - Day 12
Ankanin'ny Nofy
Following breakfast, you'll take a guided 3-hour walk through the Palmarium reserve to approach Madagascar's endemic species. You'll encounter rare land and tree-dwelling animals alongside the region's flora.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Palmarium reserve
- 3-hour walk to discover endemic species
Landmarks/POIs Palmarium Reserve - Day 13
Ankanin'ny Nofy to Andasibe
You'll return to Manambato by boat this morning, then drive to Andasibe for lunch. An afternoon guided visit of Vakôna private reserve includes a canoe trip around lemur islands and an early evening night walk before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided visit of Vakôna private reserve
- Canoe trip around lemur islands
- Night stroll
Landmarks/POIs Vakôna Reserve - Day 14
Andasibe
After breakfast, a guide takes you through Analamazaotra Reserve, home to the Indri indri lemur, Madagascar's largest. You'll see 12 lemur species in primary forest, aquatic birds and other endemic animals, plus the orchid park and fern garden. Lunch at the restaurant is followed by time exploring the village and meeting locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Analamazaotra Reserve
- Search for endemic species and lemurs in primary forest
- Visit orchid park and fern garden
- Discovery of village and meeting with local population
Landmarks/POIs Analamazaotra Reserve - Day 15
Andasibe to Antananarivo
You'll depart for Antananarivo after breakfast with stops at the handicraft market. There's time to explore the city according to your flight schedule. You'll have day use at the hotel, a free dinner and a final meeting with the tour team before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Free dinner with tour team)
Included Activities
- Visit handicraft market
- Exploration of Antananarivo city
