NATIONAL ROAD N°7

Road trip in Madagascar

This trip “national road 7” allows to discover a variety of landscapes which justifies its fame. The asphalt road winds between the hills and valleys of the highlands from Antananarivo to Antsirabe, then Ambositra and Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo region, to finally reach the Mozambique Channel at Tulear. A dugout canoe trip and walk loop allows you to enjoy the panorama of the Betsiléo hills, and to meet the villagers by walking for a few hours. Discover Ranomafana National Park: an immersion in the rain-forest which allows the observation of lemurs in a natural environment. Then, head towards the south of the island, crossing completely different, mineral and chaotic landscapes of Isalo National Park, then the sapphire mines of Ilakaka, before reaching the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel. Along the way, three natural parks and reserves will have been visited, allowing you to meet lemurs and discover the beauty of the endemic flora of this biodiversity sanctuary.

Starting at 800 € /guest

PRICE & CONDITIONS

INCLUDED	NOT-INCLUDED
The all trip in van 5-7 seats confortable	Domestic flight Tuléar-Tana back on Air-Madagascar, allow around 170 €.
Fuel	Drinks, extras…
English speaking local driver	Extra cost «single room» : 220 €
All services described in the program	Free meals, allow 90 €
Entrance fees and guide fees in the private or national parks: Ranomafana ntl park (D4), river Matsiatra (D5), Anja (D6), Isalo nth park (d7). Visit sapphire mine and private arboretum of Antsokay (D8).	Tips (30 €)
Overnight accommodation and breakfast in double or twin rooms with bathroom and WC. Continental comfort.	Your health-luggage-repatriation health insurance.
Half-board formula except D8, D9.
Lunches day 2, 3, 5, 8.
Tourist stickers and tourist taxes.

HEALTH

No compulsory vaccination
Anti-malarial treatment is recommended
Bring mosquito repellent

PRICE

Itinerary : reverse option possible
Price on a “6 pax” basis: From Antananarivo from € 690 / pax.
Price on a “4 pax” basis: From Antananarivo from € 790 / pax.
Price on a “2 pax” basis: From Antananarivo from € 1 090 / pax.

FAVORABLE WEATHER PERIOD

From mid April to late December

PAPERWORK

Valid passport, visa 35 € for less than 30 days staying

ÉQUIPEMENT

Headlamp (essential)
Small backpack (25 liters) for the day of travel
Mosquito repellent “tropical version »
Filter glasses with retaining cord
Cap
2 to 3 short-sleeved shirts for the day
1 to 2 shirt (long sleeves) for the evening
1 to 2 swim and walking shorts
1 pair of “technical” sandals such as “keen” for walking and traveling comfortably with your feet in water, mud or sand
1 light “stop-rain” jacket
4 to 5 used T-shirts to donate during the trip

Road trip in Madagascar

This trip “national road 7” allows to discover a variety of landscapes which justifies its fame. The asphalt road winds between the hills and valleys of the highlands from Antananarivo to Antsirabe, then Ambositra and Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo region, to finally reach the Mozambique Channel at Tulear. A dugout canoe trip and walk loop allows you to enjoy the panorama of the Betsiléo hills, and to meet the villagers by walking for a few hours. Discover Ranomafana National Park: an immersion in the rain-forest which allows the observation of lemurs in a natural environment. Then, head towards the south of the island, crossing completely different, mineral and chaotic landscapes of Isalo National Park, then the sapphire mines of Ilakaka, before reaching the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel. Along the way, three natural parks and reserves will have been visited, allowing you to meet lemurs and discover the beauty of the endemic flora of this biodiversity sanctuary.

Starting at 800 € /guest

PRICE & CONDITIONS

HIGHLIGHTS

TRANSPORT

Comfortable van with an english speaking local driver that will show you any unmissable spot and every best place for shooting.

YOU LIKE WALKING ?

We arranged some stages to allow you to walk 2 to 3 hours by finding your van at the bend of a hill, or at the corner of a rice field. A way to meet the villagers and take ownership of the landscape.

ACCOMODATION

Bungalows throughout the course in DBL and TWN rooms with bathroom and toilet. The standard in « middle-range » but we can offer you on request European 3-4 stars equivalent on day 1, 2, 6, 7.

ITINERARY

It crosses the highlands and the almost desert landscapes of the south to reach the sea. On the way, we savor the villages and the encounters that each break, each stage stages the country and its different ethnic groups.

FLORA & FAUNA

As you travel south, you’ll meet lemurs, volcanoes, rice fields and zebus and make a detour east to visit the rain forest of Ranomafana before paddling on the Matsiatra river in a dugout canoe.

10 DAYS' TRIP

with 3 options : look at our section « extensions »

HIGHLIGHTS

TRANSPORT

Comfortable van with an english speaking local driver that will show you any unmissable spot and every best place for shooting.

YOU LIKE WALKING ?

We arranged some stages to allow you to walk 2 to 3 hours by finding your van at the bend of a hill, or at the corner of a rice field. A way to meet the villagers and take ownership of the landscape.

ACCOMODATION

Bungalows throughout the course in DBL and TWN rooms with bathroom and toilet. The standard in « middle-range » but we can offer you on request European 3-4 stars equivalent on day 1, 2, 6, 7.

ITINERARY

It crosses the highlands and the almost desert landscapes of the south to reach the sea. On the way, we savor the villages and the encounters that each break, each stage stages the country and its different ethnic groups.

FLORA & FAUNA

As you travel south, you’ll meet lemurs, volcanoes, rice fields and zebus and make a detour east to visit the rain forest of Ranomafana before paddling on the Matsiatra river in a dugout canoe.

10 DAYS' TRIP

with 3 options : look at our section « extensions »

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Tana – Antsirabe

Departure around 09:30. You leave Antananarivo for the south on the famous “national road 7” which winds between the rice fields and climbing the hills, which allows you to observe the landscape of the highlands. Free meal in Behenjy to discover the “malagasy” foie gras.
Visit one of the artisanal foundry workshops (Ambatolampy) which make aluminum pots for all the housewives on the island.
Continuation on the RN7 which crosses fertile plains surrounded by mountains, the route is very suitable for photo stops to Antsirabe, the spa town of the volcanic highlands.
Hôtel in Antsirabe.
Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals: dinner.
Transfer distance by road: 170 km – duration: +/- 3h30

DAY 2

Antsirabe – Ihasy- Ambositra- Antoetra

In the morning, visit a tourmaline quarry then hike between the rice fields to the village of Ihasy.
Visit to the public school and the health center, possible, appreciated and useful donations, then lunch at the Ihasy lodge.
We then join Ambositra by the RN7 before continuing to the ecolodge located in the countryside to stop there.
Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals : Continental breakfast – dinner
Transfer distance by road and track: 130 km – duration: +/- 4h30
Walking: +/- 2h30

DAY 3

Antoetra – Ambositra – Ranomafana

In the morning, visit artisan workshops in Ambositra (marquetry) then drive to “Ranomafana” national park, with lunch stop at the Ambohimasoa belvedere.
Lunch-show (Malagasy songs and dances) in front of the panorama, continuation of the road in the afternoon to join Ranomafana to stop there.
Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.
Transfer distance by road: 160 km – duration: +/- 4h00
Walk: +/- 1 hour

DAY 4

Ranomafana – Fianarantso

Early in the morning, guided morning hike (3 hours) to observe the lemurs in the national park.
Free lunch in the village and transfer to Fianarantsoa for a stopover after visiting the upper town and watching the sunset at the belvedere.
Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.
Transfer distance by road: 70 km – duration: +/- 2 hours
Walking: +/- 3h00

DAY 5

Fianarantsoa – Ambalavao

Oxygenation day to soak up the Betsiléo landscape: paddle on the river Matsiatra in a dugout canoe, picnic on the bank, hike to cross the hamlets and meet the locals at work in the rice fields.
You arrive at the Sahambavy tea plantation (visit possible on weekdays), then return to Fianar and transfer to Ambalavao (60 km, 2 hours).
Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.
Transfer distance by road and tracks: 130 km – duration: +/- 4h00
canoe descent +/- 3h00
Walking: +/- 2h00

DAY 6

Ambalavao – Ranohira

Visit the “antaimoro” paper factory, then drive south across the Horombe plateau to reach the Isalo National Natural Park.
On the way, guided tour of the Anja nature reserve (lemurs). Free lunch along the way. Stopover in Ranohira.
Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.
Transfer distance by road: 200 km – duration: +/- 4h00
Walking: +/- 1h30

DAY 7

Ranohira

Guided tour of “Isalo” national park. Natural pools.
Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).
Free lunch to be provided in the form of a picnic.
Transfer distance per track: 20 km – duration: +/- 1 hour
Walking: +/- 3h30

DAY 8

Ranohira – Tuléar-Mangily

(250 km, 4h00) with the visit of a sapphire mine in the village of Ilakaka, then the visit of the arboretum of Antsokay and lunch on the spot, Tulear transfer, in the afternoon and continuation to Ifaty 30 km away km to reach Mangily beach.
Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast
Transfer distance by road: 250 km – duration: +/- 4h30
Walk: +/- 0:30

DAY 9

Mangily

Day of rest and beach in Mangily. We recommend the “dugout and snorkelling” excursion offered by the hotel (equipment provided) to discover the aquarium of the protected marine reserve and the visit of the baobab forest “Reniala”.
Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).
Meals: Continental breakfast

DAY 10

Airport transfer and assistance for check-in of the return flight to Tana (the flight is not included in our basic rate, but we can take care of it).
Meals: Continental breakfast

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Tana – Antsirabe

Departure around 09:30. You leave Antananarivo for the south on the famous “national road 7” which winds between the rice fields and climbing the hills, which allows you to observe the landscape of the highlands. Free meal in Behenjy to discover the “malagasy” foie gras.
Visit one of the artisanal foundry workshops (Ambatolampy) which make aluminum pots for all the housewives on the island.
Continuation on the RN7 which crosses fertile plains surrounded by mountains, the route is very suitable for photo stops to Antsirabe, the spa town of the volcanic highlands.

Hotel in Antsirabe.

Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals: dinner.

Transfer distance by road: 170 km – duration: +/- 3h30

DAY 2

Antsirabe – Ihasy- Ambositra- Antoetra

In the morning, visit a tourmaline quarry then hike between the rice fields to the village of Ihasy.
Visit to the public school and the health center, possible, appreciated and useful donations, then lunch at the Ihasy lodge.
We then join Ambositra by the RN7 before continuing to the ecolodge located in the countryside to stop there.

Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals : Continental breakfast – dinner

Transfer distance by road and track: 130 km – duration: +/- 4h30
Walking: +/- 2h30

Marche : +/- 2h30

DAY 3

Antoetra – Ambositra – Ranomafana

In the morning, visit artisan workshops in Ambositra (marquetry) then drive to “Ranomafana” national park, with lunch stop at the Ambohimasoa belvedere.
Lunch-show (Malagasy songs and dances) in front of the panorama, continuation of the road in the afternoon to join Ranomafana to stop there.

Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.

Transfer distance by road: 160 km – duration: +/- 4h00
Walk: +/- 1 hour

DAY 4

Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa

Early in the morning, guided morning hike (3 hours) to observe the lemurs in the national park.
Free lunch in the village and transfer to Fianarantsoa for a stopover after visiting the upper town and watching the sunset at the belvedere.

Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.

Transfer distance by road: 70 km – duration: +/- 2 hours
Walking: +/- 3h00

DAY 5

Fianarantsoa – Ambalavao

Oxygenation day to soak up the Betsiléo landscape: paddle on the river Matsiatra in a dugout canoe, picnic on the bank, hike to cross the hamlets and meet the locals at work in the rice fields.
You arrive at the Sahambavy tea plantation (visit possible on weekdays), then return to Fianar and transfer to Ambalavao (60 km, 2 hours).

Night in rooms (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.

Transfer distance by road and tracks: 130 km – duration: +/- 4h00
canoe descent +/- 3h00
Walking: +/- 2h00

DAY 6

Ambalavao – Ranohira

Visit the “antaimoro” paper factory, then drive south across the Horombe plateau to reach the Isalo National Natural Park.
On the way, guided tour of the Anja nature reserve (lemurs). Free lunch along the way. Stopover in Ranohira.

Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast / dinner.

Transfer distance by road: 200 km – duration: +/- 4h00
Walking: +/- 1h30

DAY 7

Ranohira

Guided tour of “Isalo” national park. Natural pools.

Night in bungalows (“simple” DBL or TWN category with bathroom and wc).

Free lunch to be provided in the form of a picnic.

Transfer distance per track: 20 km – duration: +/- 1 hour
Walking: +/- 3h30

DAY 8

Ranohira – Tuléar-Mangily

(250 km, 4h00) with the visit of a sapphire mine in the village of Ilakaka, then the visit of the arboretum of Antsokay and lunch on the spot, Tulear transfer, in the afternoon and continuation to Ifaty 30 km away km to reach Mangily beach.

Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast

Transfer distance by road: 250 km – duration: +/- 4h30
Walk: +/- 0:30

DAY 9

Mangily

Day of rest and beach in Mangily. We recommend the “dugout and snorkelling” excursion offered by the hotel (equipment provided) to discover the aquarium of the protected marine reserve and the visit of the baobab forest “Reniala”.

Night in bungalows (“comfort” category DBL or TWN with bathroom and wc).

Meals: Continental breakfast