Accommodation

15 x Accommodation on half-board during the tour ANTANANARIVONy Andrin’ny Soa Guest House BETAFOMATOR Association AMBOSITRAArtisan Hotel SAKAIVO Villager’s Cottage FIANARANTSOAHotel Ambalakely RANOHIRAIsalo Ranch IFATYHotel de La Plage

Meals

Half-Board Accommodation on full-board from day 3 to day 6

Guide

Local guide English-speaking driver

Others

Entrance fees in parks mentioned in the program All visits mentioned in the program

Transport

A transportation in air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver All transfers

Not included:

Others

Long haul air tickets and taxes Domestic flight Toliara – Antananarivo The Visa fees of 35 € All lunches not mentioned in the program All activities during the days off All insurances All personal items Tips

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Toliara – Antananarivo: 270 €

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Antananarivo, Madagascar! Tongasoa!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Antananarivo, Madagascar! Tongasoa!

At your arrival, you will be welcomed at IVATO international airport by our team, and then we will transfer you to the hotel. If time allows, we will give you some briefing of the tour.

Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2 Antananarivo – Betafo An Exceptional Ironwork
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Antananarivo – Betafo An Exceptional Ironwork

On this day you will begin your adventure, in the morning you will go to the exit of the city to visit the workshop of ironwork of Violette and Dieudonné. There you will discover the different stages of transformation of oil barrels and recycled metal sheets into beautiful lampshades; wall lamps; lizards; baobabs... so many articles in wrought iron or aged metals that are marketed worldwide. The workshop was created to give the chance to marginalized people such as the visually impaired, the handicapped, the homeless, single mothers and ex-prisoners to have work allowing them to provide for their vital needs with dignity. Today, the workshop supports more than 500 families and has become a real small village where there is even a school. After the visit, you will leave towards the south by taking the famous national road 7. By the afternoon you will arrive in Antsirabe: the city of origin of many great Malagasy artists. You will have the opportunity to meet some of them and they will make you discover the typical instruments of Madagascar. These musicians will initiate you to the Valiha, the Kabosy, the Djembe and other percussions. Then, you will go to a small village in Betafo where you will be welcomed by the inhabitants in a simple and friendly atmosphere.

Distance: 196 km by car – about 05 hours

Stay overnight in a Village Lodge.
Day 3 Betafo In The Skin Of A Malagasy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Betafo In The Skin Of A Malagasy

You will have this day to put yourself in the shoes of these Malagasy farmers. You will go for a walk to discover the surrounding villages and the local crafts. You will pass through the enormous rice fields. You will be inspired by the daily life of the population, participation in village activities: breeding and agriculture will be on the agenda. Towards the beginning of the evening, you will attend a folkloric animation around a campfire where all villagers will be gathered to sing and dance in the joy and the good mood: an exciting moment.

The holiday cottage is an organizational project that runs by a group of peasants associates with MATOR. It contributes to improve the living conditions of local people in the area who earn their living from farming and agriculture, around 80%. MATOR has a goal to retain and increase the value of culture and local resources and produce the additional revenue for farmers.

Biking duration: 04 hours

Stay Overnight in Villager’s Cottage.
Day 4 Introduction To The Culinary Arts
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Introduction To The Culinary Arts

As the French writer Michel Déon used to say: "To love a country well, you have to eat it..." yes, this day you will have the opportunity to taste some specialties and the secrets of the Malagasy cuisine will be revealed to you. You will start by buying the ingredients, a small rickshaw ride will lead you to the local market with its stalls decorated by the color of fruits and vegetables. Then, you will go through the preparation of these typical dishes to finally arrive at the tasting of this delicious meal that will amaze your taste buds. In the afternoon, you will leave for Ambositra.

Distance: 114km by car – about 03hours

Overnight in Hotel.
Day 5 Ambositra – Sakaivo The Zafimaniry Countryside
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ambositra – Sakaivo The Zafimaniry Countryside

This day, you will discover the countryside of Zafimaniry which is one of the 18 ethnic groups in Madagascar. Its 25000 habitants live in different villages and hamlets scattered in the mountains of the region. The Zafimaniry is known as the capital of Malagasy handicrafts. Sculpture and wood marquetry are concrete proof of this. The houses are made of wood in a mortise tenon way. The doors and shutters are carved so admirably that the process is classified as world cultural heritage by UNESCO. The walk begins with a climb where the ridge of the mountain opens up to your feet and will lead you then through a dream landscape and a fascinating life stage. The hiking will involve few villages until you reach Sakaivo which is one of the most beautiful villages in the area.

Distance: 32km by car – about 02 hours

Hiking duration: about 05 hours

Overnight Stay in Villager’s Cottage.
Day 6 Sakaivo The Fascinating Life Stage Of Zafimaniry
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sakaivo The Fascinating Life Stage Of Zafimaniry

After a night at the local’s house where you will discover the life in a household, you will then take a small walk to discover the life scene of the population and to explore this charming village implanted on the side of a mountain in the middle of rice terraces. The traditions and customs of the Zafimaniry will be revealed to you. Beliefs and values are represented by geometric patterns such as spider webs symbolizing family ties that are engraved on the houses. You will be introduced to carving and marquetry and you will make an article that you will take home as a souvenir.

Overnight in a Village Lodge.
Day 7 Sakaivo – Fianarantsoa Through Typical Villages
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sakaivo – Fianarantsoa Through Typical Villages

This day you will leave the Zafimaniry country to go back to Antoetra. You will start the hike by climbing a big hill from where you will have a panoramic view on the village: a postcard landscape. You will continue after and during the walk you will discover interesting plants like Aloes and Kalanchoes. You will also cross inhabitants carrying very heavy bags on their backs and that will give you courage for your journey when you imagine that they have to make this route every day on foot. Arriving at Antoetra, you will take the car to join Fianarantsoa by crossing the typical villages of the highlands with their wide fields of culture.

Duration of the hike: about 05h

Distance: 150km by car – about 05h

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 8 The Plateau Of Ihorombe Fianarantsoa – Ranohira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Plateau Of Ihorombe Fianarantsoa – Ranohira

You will continue to drive southwards making a stop at Ambalavao for a visit to a workshop of Antaimoro paper manufacture which is our heritage from the Arabic people. Then another stop at the private park of Anja which is managed by a village community. The story of the "three brothers" will be told again by the local guide. The Cattas lemurs provide a joyful welcome and the large granite rocks will surely impress you. Afterwards, you will continue to Ranohira by crossing the plateau of Ihorombe which is covered by the high savanna but which from time to time is animated by herds of zebus.

Duration of the hike : about 02h

Distance : 283km by car – about 07h

Stay overnight in a Lodge.
Day 9 Hiking Through The Eroded Rock Formation
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiking Through The Eroded Rock Formation

The village of Ranohira is the starting point of all the excursions in the national park of Isalo, this immense ruiniform massif eroded dating from the Jurassic period. The diversity of the landscape, the fauna and the flora makes this park a place not to be missed in Madagascar. You will have these two days to discover the beauty of this exceptional site with its botanical gardens, its various points of view, its innumerable natural swimming pools with limpid waters which invite you for a swimming.

Hiking: around 03h to 07h

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 10 Ranohira – Ifaty Discovery Of The Spiny Forest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ranohira – Ifaty Discovery Of The Spiny Forest

After breakfast, you will leave for Toliara. You will cross Ilakaka, the village of sapphire diggers. Baobabs and multicolored Mahafaly tombs will accompany you along the way. Upon your arrival, you will visit the NGO Bel Avenir which with the collaboration of the foundation Agua de Coco in Spain and the association Eau de Coco in France come to the aid of the underprivileged populations by supporting particularly the children and the women. The NGO intervenes in several fields but it focuses especially on education to make it an engine of development. Afterwards, you will continue your journey to the village of Ifaty where you will visit the Reniala Park which is a thorny forest with an exceptional richness of fauna with its endemic turtles of the South of Madagascar, its chameleons and its numerous species of birds. But the highlight of the visit will undoubtedly be the meeting with the majestic baobabs, some of which have already reached 1000 years.

Distance: 280km by car – about 06h

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 11 The Beautiful Beachside Of Ifaty
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Beautiful Beachside Of Ifaty

You will have these two days free to enjoy the beautiful beach of Ifaty and relax. You can also take a short walk or ride in a zebu cart to discover the Vezo fishing villages "Men of the Sea". You can also undertake activities such as big game fishing, kitesurfing or quad biking. You can also go diving or snorkeling to discover the magnificent corals and swim among the multicolored fishes that seem to have made an appointment for the pleasure of the eyes. It is also possible to go on a whale safari to observe these large mammals celebrating their love in their period from July to mid-September.

The hotel is an initiative of solidarity tourism whose profits directly benefit the local population through various educational projects and environmental preservation of the NGO Bel Avenir. Activities in interaction with the beneficiaries of these projects are offered.

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 12 Flight To Antananarivo, The Capital City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Flight To Antananarivo, The Capital City

After this well-deserved relaxing stay at the beautiful beach of Ifaty, you will now leave the south of Madagascar and return to the capital. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Toliara airport and then flying to the city of thousands. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. If time allows, you will take a small tour of the city to discover the beautiful brick houses overlooked by the imposing Queen’s Palace which offers a panoramic view of part of the city. You can then buy souvenirs at the handicraft market.

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 13 The Humanitarian Association Of Akamasoa Antananarivo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Humanitarian Association Of Akamasoa Antananarivo

In the morning, you will visit the humanitarian association AKAMASOA which was created by Father Pedro in order to help the poor people of Antananarivo who were living on the Andralanitra dump and in the streets of the capital. His aim was to get these people out of the inhuman places where they were living so that they could lead a human life in dignity where three things are inseparable: a home; a job and an education. After more than 30 years of working alongside the poor, centers and huge villages have been built. As an example, for the year 2014 the most important center located in the Mangarivotra district has welcomed 38,000 people who require emergency assistance because they were starving in the streets. The visit will allow you to see the work of this great man who would deserve a Nobel Prize. Afterwards, you will leave for the visit of the Palace of Ambohimanga which is one of the twelve sacred hills and cradle of the Merina ethnic group.

Stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 14 International Departure. Veloma!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

International Departure. Veloma!

After these few days of discovery in the big island, you will leave for the country of your destination. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be taken to Ivato airport and then take off. With our gratitude, we will say "Thank you" and we hope to see you in Madagascar again!

+11

15 days tour

Solidarity, Sustainable And Responsible Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Solidarity, Sustainable And Responsible Tour

Welcome To Antananarivo, Madagascar! Tongasoa!

Antananarivo – Betafo An Exceptional Ironwork

Betafo In The Skin Of A Malagasy

Introduction To The Culinary Arts

Ambositra – Sakaivo The Zafimaniry Countryside

Sakaivo The Fascinating Life Stage Of Zafimaniry

Sakaivo – Fianarantsoa Through Typical Villages

The Plateau Of Ihorombe Fianarantsoa – Ranohira

Hiking Through The Eroded Rock Formation

Ranohira – Ifaty Discovery Of The Spiny Forest

The Beautiful Beachside Of Ifaty

Flight To Antananarivo, The Capital City

The Humanitarian Association Of Akamasoa Antananarivo

International Departure. Veloma!

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