South — the solidarity RN7, from Tana to Anakao

Day 1: Arrival in Madagascar according to the schedule of the airline you have chosen. Welcome and transfer to your hotel. Recover from the overnight flight. In the early evening, welcome drinks, meeting the other members of the group and a briefing on how the trip will unfold. Half-board accommodation at the Hostel Père Pédro. Day 2: Accompanied by a guide, we will explore the most beautiful neighborhoods of Tana on foot. We will wind through the stairways and alleys that link the small neighborhoods perched on the capital's hills, discovering cultural landmarks, historic monuments and religious buildings that have shaped the city's history. Stop at the Queen's Palace (closed on Tuesdays), which is, among other things, the best viewpoint in the city, followed by a visit to the Photography Museum (closed on Mondays). We end the tour at Fondation H, the city's first contemporary art museum. Malagasy lunch reserved by our team at the Toko Telo restaurant. In the early afternoon, an electric-assisted bike ride through the countryside around Tana. A transfer of around 30 minutes to leave the city, then we set off to explore the magnificent landscapes typical of the highlands, with their waterways, rice paddies and fields surrounded by the twelve sacred hills. Half-board accommodation at the Hostel "Père Pédro"

169 km, paved road, 6h to 6h30 of travel depending on stops. After breakfast, we take the time to visit and meet the staff at the Akamasoa center. See for yourself the miracles achieved by one man, through his dedication, passion and determination to help the most disadvantaged. That man is Père Pedro, a symbol of generosity and commitment. After spending many months living in poverty alongside the most disadvantaged, he founded the Akamasoa association, with the participation and empowerment of all its beneficiaries. A few figures in brief: 13,000 children in school, 2,800 jobs created, 18 villages, 2,400 homes… We head south after lunch, reserved by our team at the hotel. Discover the rural world of the Malagasy Highlands, the architecture of traditional houses, the rice paddies and the farming techniques specific to the region... Half-board accommodation at the "Résidence des Hauts Plateaux" hotel

273 km, paved road, 9h to 9h30 of travel depending on stops. After breakfast, we make a few visits around Antsirabe, then drive on to Ambositra, a multi-ethnic trading hub where masters of fine woodworking can be found. After a short stop, we go to discover sculptors and marquetry craftsmen in their workshops — skilled, friendly artisans who will be delighted to welcome us into their homes. Lunch reserved by our team en route. Continuation to Ranomafana along a mountain road lined with eucalyptus. Arrival in the late afternoon. Half-board accommodation at the "Thermal" hotel

117 km, paved road, 5h to 5h30 of travel depending on stops. Early morning, guided walking tour of 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, along with rich, lush vegetation thanks to the climate and its many waterways. We head to Fianarantsoa after the visit. Lunch reserved by our team in town, then continuation through the vineyards of Betsileo country: destination Ambalavao. Check in at the Betsileo Country House. Half-board accommodation at the "Betsileo Country House" hotel

Day 6: 224 km, paved road, 5h to 5h30 of travel depending on stops. Before continuing, a stop at the "Anja" village reserve, a park managed by a local community. A short walk to encounter the best-known of all lemurs, the ring-tailed lemur, emblem of the Great Island. You may also come across curious reptiles such as Parson's chameleon, the largest of all chameleon species, or approach strange-looking plants sprouting from the rocks. The walk can continue to a viewpoint. Picnic lunch prepared by our team. A change of climate and scenery marks the entrance to the Deep South. Rocky massifs, some of them sacred, now define the landscape. We pass through the legendary Gates of the South and cross the Ihorombe plateau. We are now in the heart of Bara territory. We continue to Isalo, arriving in the late afternoon. Check in at the hotel. Half-board accommodation at the "Relais de la Reine" hotel. Day 7: Departure from the hotel at 7:00 a.m. A day visiting Isalo National Park. Transfer to the park entrance for a hike across the massif's most beautiful sites. We first reach the natural pool via a trail that winds between magnificent rock walls hiding Bara tombs. Stops at a few viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas over the massif. After swimming, we continue the hike along a ridgeline on the eastern side of the massif, ending at the Namaza cirque and forest. With luck, we will cross paths with a few groups of lemurs. For the more adventurous, the walk continues to the Black Pool and the Blue Pool, then to the Nymphs' Waterfall. Lunch reserved by our team at the hotel. Around 4h30 of walking, 350 to 500 m of cumulative elevation gain, moderate difficulty, hiking trail. About Isalo National Park: Madagascar's oldest geological formation reveals its secrets. This continental sandstone massif, with its ruin-like formations, dates back to the Jurassic period. Its highly distinctive geomorphology, sculpted by erosion, offers a display of colors and shapes... Considered the second-largest national park in Madagascar, it holds remarkable biodiversity, including endemic rock-dwelling vegetation such as aloes, euphorbias, pachypodiums and kalanchoes, as well as a distinctive fauna. Free half-day to enjoy the site and the activities around the hotel. Self-guided walk around a corner of the massif, visit to an organic plantation, spa, horseback riding or cycling. Half-board accommodation at the "Relais de la Reine" hotel

240 km, paved road, around 6h to 6h30 of travel. Departure for Toliara after breakfast: half a day of driving through the small boomtowns of sapphire prospectors. A glimpse of the vegetation typical of the Malagasy South: aloes, baobabs, euphorbias, as well as magnificent Mahafaly tombs. Lunch reserved by our team. The afternoon will let you enjoy and explore the town of Tuléar. Arrival in Tuléar and dinner at a good restaurant in town. Bed & breakfast accommodation at the "Moringa" hotel

Day 9: Transfer to Tuléar harbor, then a 1h boat ride to Anakao. Anakao is a fishing village south of Tuléar, facing a magnificent lagoon. It is a typical village where settled Vezo fishermen and Tanala farmer-herders live side by side. The kindness and hospitality of the local people are matched only by the beauty of the scenery: white sand beaches bordered on one side by a strip of coastal dunes with endemic flora, and on the other by a lagoon of clear, ever-changing waters. Lunch not included, at your own expense. Half-board stay at the "Safari Vezo" hotel. Days 10–11: Free days at your leisure, with activities available on site. This is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons in Madagascar. Stretching for hundreds of kilometers along the island's southwest coast, these fine, wild white-sand beaches combine with the turquoise sea to form the perfect setting for an unforgettable beach stay. Several activities can be organized from the hotel: Water activities: surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, traditional dugout canoe rides, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, water sports… • Land activities: visit to Tsimanampetsotsa National Park • Humpback whale watching in July and August. Lunch not included, at your own expense. Half-board stay at the "Safari Vezo" hotel

1h transfer by car + flight Tuléar – Tana. Depending on flight times, transfer by car to Tuléar. Vehicle and guide provided until the plane takes off. Lunch reserved at a restaurant in Tana or Tuléar depending on flight times. Flight to Antananarivo. Welcome and transfer to your hotel. Bed & breakfast accommodation at the "Trois Métis"

Last day in Tana. Shopping and sightseeing in the city. The City of the Thousand, Antananarivo, opens the doors of its small shops, stalls and colorful markets. From art to craftwork, not forgetting local products and spices, everything is available for some quality shopping. In search of the best addresses, our guides will steer you from shop to shop, according to your tastes: sculpture, marquetry, ironwork, fine grocery, antiques, chocolate, rum… Every spot is a place of inspiration and delight. Lunch not included, at your own expense. Depending on flight times, transfer to Ivato airport for the return flight to France.