The Canal des Pangalanes
Localisation
Antsirabe-Ranomafana-Canal des Pangalanes-Andasibe
duration
11 days
Reception on your arrival at the airport. Settling at the hotel in BB
Breakfast at the hotel. Then you will leave the capital and head for the South. You will travel along the RN7 Road. You will have a stop at Ambatolampy to visit a workshop of pots and other kitchen utensils made with salvaged aluminium.
You will journey through mountain chains, ricefields and typical villages of the high plateaux. Then you will continue the journey onto Antsirabe which you reach at the end of the morning. Antsirabe is a town called “The City of water” because of its thermal springs with therapeutic properties. Discovery of Antsirabe in the afternoon. Overnight in BB
After breakfast, you will continue the trip towards Ambositra, situated at 90 kilometres southward from Antsirabe. Ambositra is the capital of Malagasy craft industry. Here you will have the opportunity to discover the works of the Zafimaniry, an ethnic group living in that area and whose members are skillful woodcarvers. You will visit some workshops of sculpture and marquetry. Then you will continue the journey towards Ranomafana. Overnight in BB
The morning will be devoted to the discovery of the National Park of Ranomafana.It will be a great opportunity to see several species such as lemurs, birds, and amphibians, but also the endemic plants of Madagascar. You can opt for either 2 hours or 4 hours of visit depending on your physical conditions. Free time in the afternoon. You can visit the village or have a bath in the thermal pool. Overnight in BB
You will leave Ranomafana and go to the east coast of the Island. Crossing the most beautiful landscapes of this area, the cascades, the forests, the fishermen’s villages, etc. There are so much things to look at. Overnight in BB
You will leave the pier at 7 and start the cruise over the Canal des Pangalanes. Continuation by the crossing of the extraordinary Bay of Andragnazavaka with its immense man-made lake which stretches as far as the eyes can see. A stop at Ambohitsara (“The beautiful village”), the last village set in the north of the east coast by the Antambahoaka ethnic group.
Visit of the enigmatic “Vato Sarilambo” (“White Elephant”) which tells the very origin of this ethnic group, and a factory of “betsabetsa” (the local mead). Then you will have a meal (composed of fresh products bought during the crossing, mainly composed of seafood, etc.).
Arrival in bivouac at Ambohimahatsinjo (“where the whole horizon can be seen”). This place is chosen for the camping because it overhangs the Canal and it helps you enjoy the view of the comings and goings of the motorized traditional boats and other rowing canoes used by the fishermen who hasten to get back home before the nightfall. Dinner in the countryside and campfire at the end of the evening, cheered up with traditional songs and dances by the young people of the village. Overnight in FB in tend.
Peaceful navigation after the busy journey the day before. First stop at Nosy Varika (“the Isle of Lemurs”). As this place had become a large town, the lemurs had to leave the place where they used to live and let the humans settle over.
We will go to the town only to buy fresh food at the market for our midday meal. Then we will get back to the boat for a breathtaking crossing over the great Lake of Analampotsy which will last for 45 minutes. We will rely on the skills and the good sense of direction of our courageous pilot to get through the next course of the Canal. In fact, many boats have gone around and around in this site as they have lost their sense of direction.
After going across the village, the Canal changes its course and rush between high sand slopes bordered with forests of niaoulis. We will have lunch on board before arriving at Masomeloka (“sidelong eyes”), a small charming village nestling under coconut trees. We will discover the traditions, the ways and customs of the villagers. Then we will go to the camping site set at Asohihy, between the sea and the Canal of Pangalanes.
Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in FB in camping
Today is the last day of the cruise. First stop at Ampanalana: visit of the village. We can talk with a shopkeeper who owns a typical shop in that area, where we can find almost everything, which makes things fine. Then we will have a stop at Ambodiharina, a small town which is quite bustling because of the commercial activities of the Canal.
We will have lunch either on board or according to your rhythm, on the fine sand by the embouchure of the River of Mangoro. After lunch, we will cross this immense embouchure. We will have a last stop to visit a spice plantation. Vanilla, cloves and cinnamon will make your memories fragrant and rich in colours and emotions. Arrival at Mahanoro at about 4 in the afternoon. Then we will drive onto Vatomandry. Overnight in BB
After breakfast, you will continue the journey to Andasibe. The national road is going across the area around the east forests, small villages and ricefields. A stop at Marozevo to visit the private Reserve of Peyreiras.Arrival at Andasibe at the end of the morning. Overnight in BB
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided visit of the Reserve of Analamazaotra. Andasibe is the only natural habitat for the Indri Indri, the biggest lemurs. While having a walk, we will discover the other diurnal lemur species, birds and various plants with therapeutic properties.
Return to Antananarivo after breakfast. Overnight in BB
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
– End of services –
Price per person from 1780€
Galerie d'images
