Trekking from the Highlands to the Southern Lagoons

You arrive in Antananarivo in the afternoon. A member of our team will meet you at the airport, and then you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you will meet your guide for a briefing on your trip.

You'll travel towards Antsirabe , crossing the Highlands via a winding road lined with rice paddies and typical highland crops. A stop in Ambatolampy , known for its artisanal foundries, will allow you to visit an aluminum pot factory. You'll arrive in Antsirabe late in the morning. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring this small town and its local artisans .

After a short transfer to the countryside, you'll embark on two days of hiking along well-marked trails through the highland landscapes. You'll traverse rice paddies and typical villages where daily rural life unfolds. These stops offer opportunities to meet the villagers and discover their activities: agriculture , rice cultivation , blacksmithing , livestock farming, and even cart building. You'll spend your nights in guesthouses run by local families, right in the heart of a village.

Early in the morning, you'll set off for Ambositra , the capital of wood carving . You'll visit the Zafimaniry workshops, specializing in sculpture and marquetry . The journey continues to Fianarantsoa , ​​crossing eucalyptus forests in the mountainous Betsileo region. In the afternoon, you'll explore the old town of Fianarantsoa and its cultural treasures before returning to your hotel at the end of the day.

You depart early in the morning, descending from the highlands towards the foothills of the Andringitra Mountains and their imposing granite massifs . Mid-morning, a stop in Ambalavao allows you to explore its lively market, brimming with fruits , vegetables , and handcrafted items , from cooking pots to zebu plow axles. You also visit an Antemoro paper factory, where traditional techniques using Havoa bark are preserved, as well as a wild silk weaving workshop.

In the afternoon, aboard a 4x4 , you take a track that winds between hills and cultivated valleys to reach the Tsaranoro valley, at the foot of the Andringitra massif.

From the Tsaranoro Valley, you begin your ascent early in the morning. Short breaks along the way offer spectacular panoramas and sweeping views of the valley and its famous three peaks, each reaching 800 meters in height. In the afternoon, you reach the primary forest , situated at 2000 meters altitude, amidst the heather . The day ends at the camp, set up at 2050 meters.

At first light, you set off to climb Pic Boby (2658 m), the second highest peak in Madagascar . The well-marked but steep trail leads you through a rocky valley before the final ascent among granite boulders. Once at the summit, weather permitting, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding granite peaks and the Tsaranoro Valley.

After the descent, you cross part of the grassy plateau , then a short climb leads you to the place nicknamed "the aliens," with its astonishing rock formations dotted with small oases. You then descend west of the massif via a steep path, equipped with stone steps, through the savanna and palm trees scattered among the granite. You end the day by setting up camp at the foot of the massif.

Your morning begins with a final half-day hike , leading you to the valley floor. You'll discover the first villages , surrounded by a sea of ​​crops . After lunch at the campsite, you'll take a 4x4 to reach your bus and continue your journey.

Along the way, you reach Ihosy , the capital of the Bara ethnic group, renowned for its zebu cattle-herding traditions. You then cross the vast Horombe Plateau , an immense savannah plain where herds of zebu roam freely. Arrival in Ranohira is scheduled for early evening.

A change of scenery: you explore the ruin-like Isalo massif, sculpted by time and offering unique lunar landscapes . Deep canyons with lush vegetation, savannah with tall grasses and sandstone formations accompany you throughout the day.

Your hike takes you to remarkable sites such as the natural pool , the Makis Canyon , the Rats Canyon , and the Nymphs' Waterfall . You walk through diverse flora, including tapia trees , palms , aloes , euphorbias , and the famous pachypodium , also known as "elephant's foot." Along the way, you'll encounter a rich array of wildlife: birds like the cardinal , chameleons , and the ever-present ring-tailed lemur .

You take the road that runs along the southern edge of the Isalo massif, heading towards the town of Ilakaka , famous for its rapid growth after the discovery of sapphires in 1997. As you cross the Zombitse primary forest , you notice the vegetation gradually becoming more arid. Brick houses give way to mud huts , and the first baobab trees appear along the roadside.

In the early afternoon, you'll travel along the coast heading northwest to reach the fishing village of Ifaty , nestled beside a magnificent blue lagoon . The rest of the day is free, perfect for relaxing and enjoying this peaceful setting.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo . Once there, you will explore the capital and its bustling market , ideal for soaking up the local atmosphere. At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel for your last night on the island.

The following day, you are transferred to the airport for your overnight international flight to France .