On the East Side Of Madagascar, we propose to visit two completely different regions. From the houses in red earth surrounded by rice fields where the population is active in the fields we gradually go down the east coast through the pangalane canal dotted with small villages to end up in the dunes of Ifaty where the time seems to stop.
Day 1: Arrived in Antananarivo
Welcome to the airport by the team of GMT+3 then transfer to the capital of Madagascar and set up in your hotel.
Day 2: Antananarivo-Andasibe
departure to Andasibe National Park. Gradually leaving the mountainous region and plunging into the beautiful landscape of the East. A small stop in Marovezo to visit the Reserve Pereiras: butterfly farm, reptiles and chameleons. After the Tour, continue to Andasibe and then set up in your hotel. Take the lunch, then in the afternoon, visit the private reserve of Vakona Forest Lodge, where you will discover crocodiles, lemurs and some endemic birds…
Day 3: Andasibe
After breakfast, you will visit the National Park of Analamzaotra to discover the biggest lemurs of the island which is Indri Indri then its faunas and flowers. After the Tour, return to the hotel. Night tour before dinner.
Day 4: Andasibe – Manambato
After breakfast, back on the road, still heading east towards Manambato. After lunch, transfer by boat to Akanin'ny Nofy. Night visit in the evening
Day 5: Manambato – Mahanoro
Morning dedicated to the visit of the Palmarium, a private nature reserve of all beauty. The Palmarium is located on a 50ha Peninsula. This situation contributes to the charm of this reserve. You will discover, quite exceptional, a dozen species of lemurs, living in freedom and having the habit of cohabiting together, and a rare and endemic terrestrial and arboreal fauna. The diversity of the flora is not out of the question and this one is magnificent, made up of orchids, palm trees specific to Madagascar, plants able to resist to the drought, impressive vines, carnivorous plants, etc. in the afternoon, departure to reach Mahanoro (by car), the place where you will begin the journey on the pangalanes canal. This canal was built in the early days of settlement. The tour will take 2 nights/3 days sailing to reach Mananjary.
Day 6: Mahanoro-Ansohihy
Breakfast in the morning, today is hiking day and the last day of our stay. It is a fairly easy flat course 5 km long with a low 10m drop at an altitude at sea level. Boat in the boat to reach the starting point located on the ferry of Andranotsara on the RN 11. We walk along this national road (which has become a trail now) on the Left Bank of the canal, we will meet perhaps only one or two cars on this road which has become deserted for the benefit of navigation on the Pangalanes. Passage of the bridge of Ampanalana: photo session of the top of the bridge with panoramic view of the canal and our boat that awaits us below. A short break to visit the village (chatting with the owner of a small bush shop typical of the region, where you can find a little of everything, "Chez Maurice" makes everyone's life better). Re boat to Ambodiharina, a small town well animated by the commercial activities of the canal. Lunch on board, or at your own pace, on the fine sand of the Bank of the mouth of the Mangoro River, and then across this immense mouth. Last stop to visit a plantation of spices; vanilla, cloves, cinnamon ... will perfume your memory rich in color and emotion
Day 7: Ambohimahatsinjo / Asohihy
Peaceful sailing after the rough day of the day before ; first stop at Nosy Varika ("the island of lemurs"). Becoming a big city, the lemurs had to leave their home for the benefit of the man : we will only take the opportunity to go to the market to find some organic and fresh things for lunch; re-embarkation and hold your breath, the crossing of the Great Lake of Analampontsy will last a good three quarter of an hour and it is necessary to rely on the skill and the sense of orientation of our brave pilot to lead to the continuation of the route of the channel, some boats have turned in round having lost the direction. After passing the village, the canal changes shape and flows between high sand banks bordered by forest of niaouli. Lunch on board before arriving in Masomeloka (" les yeux en bias"), a charming town surrounded by coconut trees, discovering the traditions and customs of the villagers. Then welcome to asohihy, between the sea and the canal Des Pangalanes. Late afternoon free: stroll along the white sand beach of the Indian Ocean.
Day 8: Ambohimahatsinjo / Mananjary / Manakara
Departure at 7: 00 am from the embarcadère of the Route des spices. Visit of Ampadimana,discovery of artisanal workshops (weaving, basket weaving, cage construction and canoes),forge...). Continuation by the crossing of the extraordinary Bay of Andragnazavaka
With its immense body of water as far as the eye can see. Stop Boating (" The beautiful village"), the last most northerly village on the East Coast erected by the ethnic group
Antambahoaka, visit of the enigmatic "Vato Sarilambo" (" White Elephant") ») describing the origin of this ethnic group, and of a factory of " betsabetsa »(local Mead), then meals (fresh products bought along the way, based on fruit) Arrival in Mananjary at the end of the afternoon and transfer to Manakara
Day 9: Manakara-Ranomfana
You leave Manakara towards the northwest on a hilly and often winding road. Along the way, visit the small market and the village of Tanala. Possibility of tasting exotic fruits: cinnamon apple, corossol, etc. arrive in the middle of the afternoon in Ranomafana and set up at your hotel. Guided tour of the village and the thermal spring in the afternoon.
Day 10: Ranomfana
The park of Ranomafana is one of the best equipped for the discovery of the rich biodiversity of the humid forests of the eastern coast of the island. It is here that the previously unknown lemur variety of the Golden Hapalemur was discovered in 1986. With its 118 species of birds, many of which are endemic, Ranomafana is also a bird-watching hotspot. Refreshments and overnight.
Day 11: Ranomafana-isalo
Departure in the morning to Ambalavao (PK 466), capital of beautiful betsileo fabrics sometimes fringed with small pearls, and antemoro paper handcrafted from bark. The visit of a workshop is scheduled as well as that of a winery, Ambalavao being also a place of high Malagasy wines. Don't forget to photograph the pretty houses with floor timbers, very characteristic of this locality. Continue to Isalo.
Day 12: Isalo
After breakfast, visit the Isalo National Park (Makis Canyons). After the Tour, return to the hotel.
Day 13: Isalo-Tulear-Ifaty
Transfer to Tuléar through the Horombe Highlands. Passing through the village of Sapphire Ilakaka then continue to Tulear with desert landscapes. Arriving in Tulear, have lunch before returning to the sandy road to Ifaty. When you arrive, check in at your hotel.
Day 14: Ifaty
Free day to admire the beauty of the region.
Day 15: Ifaty - Tuléar-Tana
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival, meet at the airport then transfer to your hotel for lunch. A short half-day to discover the historic Old Town of Antananarivo. Starting with the splendid view of Antananarivo, then from far away from the Queen's Palace (under construction), the former Palace of justices, the Palace of Andafiavaratra which houses the exhibition of objects saved from the fire of the Queen's Palace in 1995.
