Crossing the Great Island

Only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (from May 2024), flight to Morondava. Welcome by your driver-guide, then transfer and check-in at your hotel. Depending on flight timing, a walk to Kimony beach and return in the late afternoon. Lunch at your own expense. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Palissandre Côte Ouest or similar.

Overnight: Palissandre Côte Ouest ★★★★ — Half board

212 Km, dirt track, about 10 hours of driving including stops A long day on dirt tracks heading north toward the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Crossing savannas and baobab forests to Belo Sur Tsiribihina. From there, we board a ferry to cross the river. Lunch in town at your own expense, then we continue the road to Bekopaka. Arrival in the late afternoon. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Olympe de Bemaraha or similar.

Overnight: Olympe de Bemaraha — Half board

Transfer by car to the small Manambolo jetty. We begin with a peaceful ride in a traditional dugout canoe (capacity 4 people) to discover the steep 50-to-80-meter-high gorges of the Manambolo River. We pass through different types of vegetation, ranging from dense sub-humid forest to dense semi-deciduous dry forest. After about 30 minutes on the water, we stop for a short visit to caves containing some archaeological remains, before reaching the cliff. Picnic lunch prepared by us. We then continue on foot through the forest toward the Small Tsingy, a first approach to the massif through the labyrinths, a few elevated trails and viewpoints. The walk ends in the mid-afternoon, then back to the hotel. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Olympe de Bemaraha or similar.

Overnight: Olympe de Bemaraha — Full board

A one-hour transfer by 4x4 to reach the starting point of the hike to explore the Great Tsingy. The route offers magnificent sights of gigantic limestone cathedrals, dense networks of fissures, deep crevasses, and limestone blocks carved into blades or sharp points, forming a vast field of Tsingy. The passages over the roof of the Tsingy offer a breathtaking panorama over the whole massif. 5 to 6 hours of visiting, including breaks; moderately difficult route. Some technical sections, mini climbs, crossing a monkey bridge, crawling through the labyrinths... require good physical fitness. Not suitable for people who are claustrophobic or prone to vertigo. Equipment to bring: hiking shoes or good sneakers, sun protection, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle. Picnic lunch prepared by us. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Olympe de Bemaraha or similar.

Overnight: Olympe de Bemaraha — Full board

212 Km, dirt track, about 10 hours depending on the ferry crossings at Bekopaka and Belo-sur-Tsiribihina. A long day on dirt tracks to Morondava. Halfway, we board a ferry to cross the Tsiribihina River. In the late afternoon, we'll take the time to stop at the Avenue of the Baobabs to admire a magnificent sunset through these majestic, legendary trees! Arrival at the hotel in the early evening. Lunch at your own expense. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Palissandre Côte Ouest or similar.

Overnight: Palissandre Côte Ouest ★★★★ — Half board

90 Km, dirt track, about 5 hours with stops We leave Morondava fairly early to continue the adventure to Belo sur Mer. We take a secondary, sandy track to reach one of the most typical fishing villages on the west coast. The track also crosses a few river fords or dry riverbeds, depending on the season. Arrival in the mid-afternoon. Lunch at your own expense in Belo sur Mer. Please note: The track from Morondava to Belo sur Mer has become difficult due to unexpected river flooding. As a result, we reserve the right to change this route at the last moment depending on track conditions, as follows: Morondava – Mandabe – Manja, without going through Belo sur Mer. This overnight stay would then be replaced by an extra night in Andavadaoka or Salary. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Ecolodge du Menabe or similar.

Overnight: Écolodge du Menabe — Half board

Free day in Belo sur Mer. Several activities can be arranged from your lodge. Belo sur Mer is one of the most beautiful villages on the west coast. This coastline also boasts several ecosystems: coastal lagoons, coral lagoons, mangroves and dunes. Lunch at your own expense in Belo sur Mer. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Ecolodge du Menabe or similar.

Overnight: Écolodge du Menabe — Half board

100 Km, dirt track, about 5 hours by road depending on stops We set off again to reach Manja. We briefly leave the coastal track to head inland. We are now in Sakalava territory. We cross wide plains of grassy savanna to Manja, a noisy and colorful town by day... Check-in at a very simple hotel. This stage is compulsory in order to continue toward the southwest. Picnic lunch prepared by us. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Kanto Hôtel or similar.

Overnight: Kanto Hôtel — Full board

210 Km, dirt track, about 7 hours depending on the crossing of the Bevoay ferry located halfway. Early morning departure for a long day on dirt tracks. Drive by 4x4 to Andavadaoka. Stop at Bevoay to cross the Mangoky River on a rustic motorized ferry! The road leads us through a dry deciduous forest of euphorbias, thorny scrub and jujube trees. We rejoin the coastal track at Morombe, a small western hamlet and a supply stopover point for Morondava and Tuléar. Arrival in Andavadaoka in the late afternoon. Picnic lunch prepared by us. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Laguna Blu Resort or similar.

Overnight: Laguna Beach — Full board

56 Km, dirt track, about 3 hours with stops Morning by the sea at Andavadoaka, to enjoy the beach, the lagoon or the coral reef. Lunch at your own expense. Departure after lunch. We take a coastal track to reach Salary through a beautiful landscape: a baobab forest facing a lagoon. Arrival in Salary in the late afternoon. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Ambatovaky Lodge or similar.

Overnight: Ambatovaky Lodge — Half board

Free day by the sea. Several activities can be arranged from the hotel: Water activities: traditional dugout canoe ride, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, water sports… Land activities: quad-bike ride, visits to Vezo villages, … Humpback whale watching in July and August Lunch at your own expense. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Ambatovaky Lodge or similar.

Overnight: Ambatovaky Lodge — Half board

96 Km, dirt track, about 3 hours by road depending on stops A bit more of the morning by the sea, then we take the track again after lunch toward Tuléar. Arrival in the late afternoon. Lunch and dinner at your own expense. Overnight and breakfast at Moringa Hôtel or similar.

Overnight: Moringa Hôtel ★★★ — Half board

243 km, paved road, about 4 hours with stops Orientation tour of the town of Tuléar in the early morning. The market visit is great fun; it's known for its stalls of traditional medicinal plants and gris-gris charms said to cure everything. We head toward Isalo National Park… Arrival at lunchtime, free to choose. Check-in, lunch on your own and a free afternoon of activities at the hotel (via ferrata, mountain biking, horseback riding, visit to the eco-plantation, spa). Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Relais de la Reine or equivalent.

Overnight: Le Relais de la Reine ★★★ — Half board

A full day visiting Isalo National Park. Transfer to the park entrance for a hike through the finest sites of the massif. We first reach the natural pool via a trail running through magnificent rock faces hiding the tombs of the Bara people, with stops at a few viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas over the massif. After the swim, we continue the hike along a ridge line on the eastern side of the massif, ending at the Namaza cirque and forest. With a bit of luck, we'll come across a few groups of lemurs. For the more adventurous, the walk continues to the black and blue pools and then to the Nymphs' Waterfall. About 5 hours of walking, 350 to 500 m of cumulative elevation gain, medium difficulty, hiking trail. Equipment to bring: hiking shoes or good sneakers, sun protection, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle. Picnic lunch prepared by us. About Isalo National Park: Madagascar's oldest geological formation reveals its secrets here. This continental sandstone massif, sculpted into ruin-like shapes, dates back to the Jurassic period. Its highly distinctive geomorphology, shaped by erosion, offers a display of colors and forms… Considered the second-largest national park in Madagascar, it holds astonishing biodiversity and a very specific wildlife. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Relais de la Reine or similar.

Overnight: Le Relais de la Reine ★★★ — Full board

215Km, about 5h30/6h by road depending on stops Another morning to enjoy the Isalo massif. Possibility of exploring the park's largest canyons (Rat Canyon and Makis Canyon). We enter an impressively green world; the route crosses a few rocky outcrops, their walls covered with a magnificent carpet of moss and ferns. We also spot a few colonies of sifaka lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs. Lunch at your own expense in the village or along the way, then we head toward Ambalavao. Arrival in the late afternoon. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Betsileo Country House or similar.

Overnight: Betsileo Country Lodge — Half board

60Km, about 1h30/2h by road depending on stops We have a long morning to enjoy this beautiful mountainous region. After a few visits in town, we drive on to the edge of town to reach the Anja Community Reserve. This small gallery forest, at the foot of an impressive granite dome, is home to several colonies of ring-tailed lemurs. Some reptile and bird species can also be spotted here. Finally, it is also a sacred mountain, home to ancient burial sites that have today become places of worship. 2 to 3 hours of walking in the park. Lunch at your own expense at the lodge. In the afternoon, we take the road to Fianarantsoa. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Tsara Guest House or similar.

Overnight: Tsara Guest House — Half board

61Km, about 2 hours by road depending on stops A walking visit to the old quarters of Fianarantsoa, through lovely lanes and staircases. Then, a drive to Ranomafana park, followed by a guided walk through the Ranomafana forest. Ranomafana National Park is covered mainly by humid tropical forest and montane forest. It is home to a remarkable biodiversity, with abundant and varied wildlife including the golden bamboo lemur, as well as rich, lush vegetation thanks to the climate and its many waterways. Up to 3 hours of walking, up to 200m elevation gain, easy walk, hiking trail. Equipment to bring: hiking shoes or good sneakers, sun protection, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle. Lunch at your own expense in the village. In the afternoon, we set off for a kayaking trip on the Namorona River. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Hôtel Thermal or similar.

Overnight: Hôtel Thermal — Half board

230 Km, about 6 hours by road depending on stops Before setting off on another day of driving, a visit to Ranomafana village. Then we join and gradually climb the N7 along a winding road lined with eucalyptus and mimosa trees. A short stop in Ambositra, where we go to discover sculptors and marquetry craftsmen in their own quarters. Skilled, friendly artisans who will be delighted to welcome us into their homes. Lunch at your own expense on site. Arrival in Antsirabe in the late afternoon. Dinner, overnight and breakfast at Hôtel Chambres du Voyageur or similar.

Overnight: Chambre du Voyageur — Half board

169 Km, about 4 hours by road depending on stops Before setting off for the capital, we make the most of the morning for one last walk in the countryside. Depending on your preference and fitness, it can be done by bike or on foot. We'll go and discover the fertile volcanic plains of the Vakinankaratra… a look at rural life in the Highlands. Mountain-biking option: depending on fitness, a route of 15km to 30km. Up to 4km of climbing on both routes. On the 30km route, 11km of descent. Route on a smooth laterite track. 2 to 4 hours, medium level, paved road and hiking trail

Overnight: Trois Métis — Half board

Last day in Tana. Depending on your return flight, possibility of a historical, panoramic walk through the old quarters of Tana. Transfer and assistance for the return flight.