The wonders of the high plateaus by motorcycle
Localisation
Antsirabe-Ranomafana-Ambalavao-Ranohira-Ifaty
Duration
10 days
Welcome at Ivato airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
Early breakfast and early departure for Antsirabe to make stops along the way. Ambatolampy, known not only for its aluminium cooking pot and utensil factories, but also for its horse farms, the few remaining on the Big Island, is a must. Then on to Antsirabe, where time seems to have stood still on the colonial-style buildings, giving it a special charm. Continuation to Antsirabe. City tour by "rickshaw" and discovery of local crafts (miniatures, embroidery and sculptures on zebu horns, embroidery, a master confectioner, then a stroll through the central market). Overnight in BB at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, departure for Ranomafana, then on to Ambositra, capital of Betsileo country and Malagasy crafts capital, through a landscape of rice terraces and fir and eucalyptus forests. Stop at "Chez Victor", a workshop for carving precious woods such as rosewood, rosewood and Eben, as well as marquetry. Continue on to Ranomafana, a small spa nestled in the forest. Arrival in Ranomafana late afternoon. Night at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Ambalavao. Visit the Antaimoro paper-making workshop, the silk workshop and the showroom for souvenir shopping. Then a walking tour of the market and Ambalavao town center.
Departure for the Anja reserve, home to several colonies of catta makis, to get to know this large colony of makis (around 80 individuals, divided into several families) and to find reptiles, represented by chameleons. Picnic lunch with the locals in the middle of a village. Continuation to Ihosy and Ranohira. Cross the Horombe ruiniform plateau, passing through the "Portes du Sud" to continue through the savannah. Overnight in a BB hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by bus for a trek in the Isalo National Park and discovery of the Park. A day to discover the ruiniform Isalo massif, with its impressive Jurassic granite reliefs and sculptures. As you climb through the canyons, you'll come across "lemurs fulvus rufus" and desert plants such as pachypodium rosolatum or "dwarf Baobabs" measuring 50 to 60 cm and dressed in pretty yellow flowers. Possibility of hiking to the natural pool with its translucent water formed by a small stream that winds its way through pandanus and other astonishing aquatic plants. Swimming and relaxation and picnic lunch on site. At the end of the afternoon, rendez-vous at the Isalo window to admire the sunset (cocktails on site). Return to the hotel to enjoy the facilities. Night in BB at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Tuléar, the city of the Sun, crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn, through a desert landscape where the arid vegetation is made up of thorny plants. First glimpse of the baobabs and passage through Mahafaly country. Departure for Ilakaka, the sapphire capital of the world (sapphire deposits considered to be among the largest in the world), a mushroom town bisected by the RN7, a reminder of the gold rush. Photo stop. Visit the open-cast mines, with their impressive gaping holes some thirty metres deep. Then a visit to a lapidary (precious stone cutter, showroom where you can discover the 102 colors of sapphires and a fossil exhibition). Continuation to Tuléar with a brief tour of the town: the shell market, and a visit to the small museum of funerary art. Transfer to Ifaty to the hotel "LA MIRA DE MADIORANO" or similar on a half-board basis, dinner with folk entertainment led by a traditional music group for groups of 10 or more. Overnight in BB at the hotel.
Free days on a half-board by the sea. Various optional activities: diving, deep-sea fishing, outrigger canoe trips to the coral reef, massage, whale safari (from July to the end of September), etc. Possible activities to organise on site: Our swimming pool in the middle of the bungalows Snorkeling (equipment supplied), with tanks and possibility of obtaining PADI levels with initiation of course. Whale watching excursions (June to September). Kite surfing, Wake boarding, Water skiing, Surfing Various excursions in a highly secure boats (two motors), Big game fishing or traditional fishing. Introduction to quad biking and excursions in SOUTH MADAGASCAR. Library, board games, volleyball, badminton, pétanque. Visit to the turtle village Sailing trips in a Vezo pirogue Discovery of local flora, visit to the baobabs trees in the forest behind the hotel. Organisation of picnics with local fishermen. Night in BB at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tuléar airport according to flight schedule. Arrival and welcome at Antananarivo airport; transfer to city center, rest of the day free and check-in at hotel and overnight in BB.
Airport – hotel transfers and vice versa
Hire of a Rail HONDA 750 Africa-Twin or Royal Enfield motorcycle at your request
Fuel for the entire trip
Half-board accommodation in a double room
Mechanic’s guide for the entire trip
Assistance car with fuel for the entire trip
International and domestic flights
Entry visa
Credit card or cash deposit of €1,000 per motorcycle (to be arranged directly with the motorcycle rental company)
Entrance tickets and guides for all tours
Lunches and drinks
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Image gallery
