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Sunreef Travel Madagascar
FROM THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS TO THE PANGALANES CANAL
Itinerary: Antananarivo-Ampefy-Itasy-Ampefy- Soavinandriana-Faratsiho- Antsirabe-Manandona-Ranomafana-Mananjary-Ambohitsara-Ambodirafia-Asohihy-Mahanoro-Vatomandry-Andasibe-Antananarivo.
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From Ampefy, a tourist destination 3 hours west of the capital, on the shores of Lake Itasy, to Antsirabe. We cross volcanic landscapes, dotted with lakes and rivers, as well as the mountains and rice fields of the central highlands. We then begin our descent towards the east coast, passing through Ranomafana and its national park. We then sail on the Canal des Pangalanes and finish our long loop in the Andasibe Mantadia forest. A sanctuary for the largest of lemurs: the Indri-indri.
Climat
From November to April :rainy season
May to October: dry season
Period: All year round
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day 1
PARIS – ANTANANARIVO
Flight Paris – Antananarivo
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Day 2
ANTANANARIVO – AMPEFY
Welcome by our guide on arrival in Antananarivo. Then we take the national 1 direction due west. Crossing the typical villages of the Highlands and volcanic landscapes of the Itasy region. In Analavory, we leave the national and turn left for Ampefy. This is a small town on the shores of Lake Itasy where we arrive in the late morning. Then, we settle down at the hotel La Terrasse. Après-midi, nous visitons en voiture puis à pied à Amparaky (Andranomandroatra) où jaillissent des geysers.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 3
HIKE TO LAKE ITASY AND ILOT DE LA VIERGE
Continuation of the programme, with a day's hike to Islet de la Vierge. The walk begins just outside the village. Beyond the village, we discover the progression through the volcanic hills. We'll also see a landscape of rice paddies and other food crops along the shores of Lake Itasy. Against the backdrop of the fishermen's pirogues on the lake, we meet the local population. Finally, we end our walk at the summit of the îlot de la Vierge. It is considered to be the geodesic centre of Madagascar. Panoramic view of the whole region. Afterwards, we return to Ampefy by car, stopping off in the villages along the way.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 4
THE VOLCANO HIKE
First, our hike will take us through the mountains to the west of Ampefy, which overlook the entire region. Here, we climb and walk alongside extinct volcanoes, through the crops that shape the landscapes we cross. Then we meet the peasants where they work, smiling generously and often very discreetly. The end of our walk takes us west to the legendary Lily Falls. Finally, we return to the hotel at the end of the day.
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Day 5
AMPEFY – SOAVINANDRIANA – FARATSIHO – ANTSIRABE
First, we pass through Soavinandriana, the largest village after Ampefy, before reaching Faratsiho. By the way, the route is a succession of rich agricultural valleys in the west of the Ankaratra. And mountain roads with steep climbs followed by long, winding descents. All in all, the landscapes are superb, with every shade of green reflected in the patchwork of cassava crops. There are also sweet potatoes and potatoes on the hillsides and rice fields in the valleys. We then join the Nationale 7 (the road to the south) just outside Ambohibary, arriving in Antsirabe in the late morning. Once there, we'll have time for a short tour of the town and, if you fancy it, a rickshaw ride. This is the way their citizens get around.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
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Day 6
MANANDONA HIKE
Our favourite walk, especially for its human aspect. First of all, a day created in collaboration with a young association of Manandona villagers. They have set up gîtes and organised original hikes. Part of the profits will be used for development projects in the surrounding villages.
Afterwards, a guide from the association will take us to meet the farmers and craftsmen of the Hautes Plateaux. Most of them grow rice using zebus. Others raise silkworms, blacksmiths, basket-makers or carpenters. We'll then head off to explore the various landscapes. These include hills and ridges. We'll also see villages clinging to the slopes, with high brick houses and thatched roofs. There is also a mosaic of rice fields in the valleys. Finally, we return to Manandona at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight in a village gîte.
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day 7
MANANDONA – RANOMAFANA
Road to Ranomafana. Stop in Ambositra to visit the Zafimaniry craftsmen. We then stop for lunch. We continue on to Ranomafana in the afternoon, arriving there at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 8
RANOMAFANA – MANANJARY
Continuing the programme, we visit Ranomafana National Park to discover the emancipation of its biodiversity. Afterwards, we have lunch while enjoying the break. Then it's on to Mananjary. Along the way, we cross the Vatovavy region. A mountain range teeming with stones such as emerald, ruby and amethyst. Finally, arriving in Mananjary in the late afternoon, we settle into Vahiny Lodge. It is located 3 km outside the town, close to the Pangalanes Canal and within a 3-hectare plantation of tropical trees.
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Day 9
MANANJARY – AMBOHITSARA – AMBODIRAFIA
After breakfast, board our boat for the river cruise on the Canal des Pangalanes.
Then we will visit Mahela to discover its peculiarity. Precisely, we will see the anchor of Jean Laborde where sank of confidence and architect of Queen Ranavalona 1st (1828 to 1861). Also, we will discover the village of Ampandomana and its blacksmiths, Ambohitsara and its «white elephant». These are two enigmatic statues believed to have been brought back from Mecca by Raminia. The latter is the ancestor of the local ethnic group, the Antambahoaka.
Continuing the tour, we continue sailing on the Canal, exploring landscapes of daily life in symbiosis. And all this in a natural environment filled with legends and beliefs.
Dinner and overnight in a bivouac
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Day 10
AMBODIRAFIA – ASOHIHY
On our second day on the river, we'll see some extraordinary vegetation. In particular, we explore forests of bamboo, palm trees, ferns, pandanus, raffia and elephant ears. At the same time, aquatic plants and the comet (a rare species of orchid) line the canal. Better still, we'll discover different varieties of water birds: dendrocygnes, kingfishers, parakeets and green-backed herons. We will also make a short stop to visit the village of Nosy Varika. As we sail along, we'll come across the "bush boats" and the ballet of the pirogues. We then stop for lunch and a picnic on board. Strolling along the canal, we reach Masomeloka and then Asohihy at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight in a bivouac
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Day 11
ASOHIHY – MAHANORO – VATOMANDRY
After breakfast, we board the boat and make our way to Ampanalana via a small inlet canal. We then pass fishermen's pirogues in the lush network of lakes and lagoons that make up the canal. We then cross the mouth of the Mangoro River. Several kilometres wide, it is one of the highlights of our day's stage. Afterwards, lunch and a picnic on board. In mid-afternoon, we head off by car, along the 11A national road, towards Vatomandry. We reach Vatomandry at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 12
VATOMANDRY – ANDASIBE
Departure for Antsampanana. The road winds through narrow valleys between the dense forest and the Pangalanes Canal. Next, a stop at the tropical fruit stalls of Antsampanana. Then we head due west for Andasibe, towards the centre-east of the country in the middle of the rainforest. We arrive at the end of the morning and check into our hotel Feon’ny Ala. In the afternoon, visit the village of Andasibe on foot. It's just 3 km from the hotel, so it's a good warm-up for the next day's hike.
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Day 13
ANDASIBE
Discovery day of the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Then, after breakfast, hike in the forest to discover the site. Precisely, the proximity of Tana makes it the most visited park in the country. Moreover, it is in this region that we meet the Indri-indri, the largest lemur. From there, his behavior in group is exciting, your guide will introduce you to his manners. Also, many other species share the site, such as grey bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus), woolly avahi (Avahi Laniger) etc. Also, the flora of this park is quite interesting. There are several varieties of medicinal plants. We will also spend part of the day visiting the orchid park. Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 14
ANDASIBE – ANTANANARIVO – INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Road to Tana, which we reach in the late morning. Free morning to visit the craft market close to your hotel. Late afternoon transfer to the airport and assistance with boarding your international flight home.