The West: a breathtaking adventure

Day notes

Tongasoa in Madagascar! 

Arrival at Ivato international airport. You will be met at the airport by our team and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival, your travel designer in Madagascar will meet you at the hotel for a general briefing on your stay and activities. In the event of a late flight, the briefing will take place tomorrow.

Day notes

After breakfast, you'll discover the capital, in particular the Haute Ville. A visit to Antananarivo's Haute Ville, the historic and cultural heart of the Malagasy capital, is a fascinating immersion in Madagascar's history and heritage. Perched on one of the city's twelve sacred hills, the Haute Ville offers breathtaking panoramic views of Antananarivo and the surrounding area.

After the visit, we head for Antsirabe. We take the famous RN7, a 1,000-kilometer link between the capital and Tuléar, the major city in the south. We cross the fertile highlands, where green and red blend together: the green of terraced rice fields, the red of brick villages and laterite soil. This is the land of the Merina ethnic groups, the country's main ethnic group occupying the whole of central Madagascar. 

En route, you'll stop off at Ambatolampy. Here, you'll visit an aluminum foundry workshop, where you'll learn about the artisanal process of making aluminum pots, a local specialty.

Continuing your journey to Antsirabe, you'll be enchanted by the varied landscapes that unfold before your eyes. The picturesque landscapes are punctuated by small traditional terracotta houses, typical of the region.
 

Day notes

After breakfast, visit this spa town renowned for its hot springs and colonial architecture. You'll explore the city on board a rickshaw, a traditional means of transport. You'll visit the city's main sites, including the historic train station, cathedral, old colonial-style hotels, local markets and craft workshops. 

Continuing westwards towards Miandrivazo, the terrain gradually changes, with green hills giving way to more arid, semi-desert landscapes. Mountains give way to plateaus, and vegetation becomes sparser, marked by baobabs and cassava plantations. 
Arriving in Miandrivazo, one of Madagascar's hottest towns, you're on the banks of the Tsiribihina River. Miandrivazo is also known for its relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality.

Day notes

Departing from Miandrivazo, you drive through arid, semi-desert plains, where sparse vegetation is dominated by towering baobabs and cassava plantations. The winding roads pass through traditional villages where the inhabitants still live authentically, in harmony with their environment.

As you approach Morondava, the road offers spectacular views of landscapes typical of Madagascar's western region. The vegetation becomes slightly denser, and the baobabs, emblematic symbols of this region, become more and more numerous, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.

Arrival in Morondava marks a notable change in climate and landscape. Morondava is a lively coastal town, renowned for its sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

Day notes

After breakfast, departure for Kirindy. The adventure begins! You'll pass through local villages and landscapes typical of western Madagascar, with rice fields, tobacco plantations and vast expanses of baobab-studded savannah. The road, though bumpy, offers an authentic immersion in Madagascar's rural life.

Arrival at the Kirindy reserve marks the start of an exceptional adventure. Kirindy is a private reserve located in a dry deciduous forest, famous for its unique biodiversity. It's one of the best places to observe Madagascar's wildlife, including lemurs, fossa (Madagascar's largest predator), and a variety of endemic birds, reptiles and insects.

At nightfall, nocturnal tours are particularly popular, offering the chance to see nocturnal animals such as mouse lemurs and chameleons.

Day notes

After breakfast, visit Kirindy Forest Reserve, a fascinating experience of Madagascar's unique biodiversity. Located in a dry deciduous forest, this reserve is home to a wide variety of endemic species, some of which are rare and endangered. The daytime visit to Kirindy Forest begins with a guided hike along the reserve's trails. Accompanied by experienced and passionate guides, you'll have the opportunity to explore the diversity of flora and fauna in this unspoilt forest. One of the highlights of the visit is lemur watching. Kirindy is home to several species of lemur, including the Verreaux's lemur (or Verreaux's sifaka) and the red-tailed lemur, also known as Coquerel's sifaka. Guides are familiar with the habits of these primates, and can often spot them in the trees or moving through the canopy.

After the visit, you'll head back to Bekopaka. 
The road winds its way through varied landscapes, passing from dry forests to open plains, then to the impressive rock formations that herald the approach of the Tsingy. Along the way, you have the chance to admire the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of western Madagascar.

Arrival in Bekopaka marks the start of a unique adventure in the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Bekopaka is a small town on the edge of the Tsingy National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned the world over for its sharp karst formations and lunar landscapes.

Day notes

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as you explore the Grand Tsingy de Bemaraha, an exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Your day starts early, with an early-morning departure to take full advantage of this unique adventure. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you'll enter the heart of the Grands Tsingy, the spectacular karst formations for which the park is world-famous. These sharp limestone peaks, sculpted by erosion over thousands of years, create a fascinating, vertiginous labyrinth. Well-marked trails and suspension bridges offer breathtaking views of this unique landscape.

The Grands Tsingy are home to exceptional biodiversity. Your guide will introduce you to endemic species of plants and animals that have adapted to this rocky environment. You may be lucky enough to spot lemurs, rare birds and other fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

One of the highlights of your day will be crossing the famous Grands Tsingy suspension bridge. This bridge, suspended over karst formations, offers a thrilling and unforgettable experience. 

Day notes

Your day begins with an early departure from Bekopaka. You hit the road, passing through varied and picturesque landscapes. The journey is an adventure in itself, with off-road routes. Along the way, you'll marvel at the raw beauty of the landscape.

In the late morning, you'll arrive at Tsangajoly, an idyllic spot where nature reigns supreme. Take time to relax or explore the hotel's surroundings. 

Day notes

Your day starts early at Tsangajoly, a true birdwatcher's paradise. At dawn, when nature awakens, you embark on a birdwatching session. Accompanied by a guide, you'll immerse yourself in the melodious songs and flapping wings of the many species of birds that inhabit this region.

At the end of the morning, continue on to Morondava. 

ou'll have the chance to stroll among these giants of nature, capturing spectacular photos and feeling the quiet, ancestral energy that emanates from this unique place.

Day notes

At your scheduled domestic flight time, the hotel team will transfer you to Morondava Airport. 
Once you arrive in Tana, we'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. 

Day notes

Day to be organized according to your flight schedule. 
Your travel designer will visit you to debrief the trip before your return flight. We then transfer you to the International Airport at your scheduled check-in time. 

Thank you for traveling with us and for making a positive impact throughout the trip.