Journey to the Southeast with the Legendary Train

Madagascar, also known as the "Red Island": a vast diversity with unique nature that can give you a new sense of freedom. Embark on an unforgettable journey from the captivating Antananarivo, the Malagasy capital, to the paradisiacal beaches of Ifaty, passing through hidden treasures along the railway line connecting Sahambavy to Manakara.



Price starting from: 885 Euros/pax***


*Rate applicable for 10 pax or more


*Please contact us for a customized quote

Domestic Flight Prices: 

Route

Price per person

Tuléar - Tana

180 à 275 Euros

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

Breakfast. Road trip to Antsirabe, the thermal city on the national road 7, where we'll traverse the typical landscape of the highlands, rocky hills, savannahs, terraced rice fields, and vast orchards. Stop in Ambatolampy to visit the aluminum pot foundry workshop. Continuing on to the city of Antsirabe, known for its rickshaw transports. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

  • Duration: +/- 4 hours by road

  • Distance : 170 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Antsirabe: SOUIMANGA HOTEL (www.souimanga-hotel.com) or similar

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

Located three kilometers from the city center of Antsirabe, amidst a conservatory garden of endemic Malagasy plants and beyond, in an exceptional setting, the team of "Souimanga Hotel-Restaurant" welcomes you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. An original hotel that emphasizes sustainable and ecological development through its concepts of autonomy, natural culture, and solidarity projects.

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

Breakfast, then we'll take the train to the southeast of the island. This adventure can take 8 to 10 hours of travel. The highlight of this journey is that it not only offers lush landscapes but also allows you to discover the daily life of the locals. For some villages along this railway, the train is the only means of transportation. We will pass through 17 stations, 67 bridges, and 48 tunnels before reaching the town of Manakara. Arrival in Manakara in the late afternoon.

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast included, picnic

lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Manakara: PARTHENAY CLUB (www.hotel-manakara.com) or similar

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

Nestled in a lush green setting within a 2-hectare tropical garden, Parthenay Club Hotel enjoys a privileged location for relaxation. You will be captivated by this haven of peace, ideal for a stopover and rejuvenation. The bungalows are built with traditional materials, each equipped with a private bathroom powered by solar energy. The restaurant offers local specialties made with fresh ingredients, including traditional Malagasy cuisine mainly focused on seafood.

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

After exploring the city, we leave Manakara to reach Ranomafana and check into the hotel.During the night visit, we first wait for the spectacle of mouse lemurs, and then, after a few minutes, observe them jumping and moving. We walk along the road in search of other nocturnal animals: chameleons, frogs, birds…

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

  • Duration: +/- 5 hours by road

  • Distance : 180 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranomafana: Centrest Sejour (no website) or similar

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

Centrest Sejour Hotel is conveniently located a short distance from the center of Ranomafana. Its rooms are set within charming gardens. Centrest is a fairly basic hotel offering simple but comfortable accommodation. The hotel features 18 spacious rooms. Each room has a private bathroom, and mosquito nets are provided on the beds.

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

After breakfast, we depart for Fianarantsoa, the city of the Betsileo tribe. The city sprawls across three levels with its traditional houses, numerous churches, and viticultural culture. A true crossroads, it is located 400 km from Antananarivo in the heart of the southeast region. The name means "Place of good learning." The city is divided by a steep incline: the lower city and the upper city. We continue our journey; upon arrival in Ambalavao, we visit the artisanal workshop where the famous Antemoro paper is made. This activity reflects the cultural richness of Madagascar; the paper, renowned for its quality and unique texture, is used for artistic purposes due to its durability and distinctive appearance.

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

  • Duration: +/- 6 hours of road travel

  • Distance : 122 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ambalavao: Aux Bougainvillées (no website) or similar

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

At the Aux Bougainvillées hotel, you'll have the opportunity to discover the production of "Papier Antaimoro" (a type of papyrus), a skill dating back to the 16th century of Arab origin. The hotel offers individual rooms as well as family rooms, all equipped with private bathrooms. The restaurant serves a varied cuisine, simple and of various origins.


Day 10 : Ranohira

After breakfast, we'll spend the day exploring the Isalo National Park, an exceptional natural area spanning 81,540 hectares, where the rugged sandstone formations have been shaped by wind and water erosion over millions of years. Following a well-marked trail on land and rock, we'll continue to the natural swimming pool located deep within the canyons. This lush canyon is surrounded by vegetation that blends into the tall grass savanna. The park boasts a unique ecosystem, with endemic rock-dwelling vegetation including aloes, euphorbias, pachypodiums, and kalanchoes growing on exposed sandstone. You'll find naturally sculpted monuments such as the Window, the Boot, the Wolf, the Queen, as well as natural pools and waterfalls.

Day 10 : Ranohira

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Tuléar: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 10 : Ranohira

 

Day 12 : Ifaty

A free day awaits you. Take the opportunity to explore the lively market, go hiking through breathtaking landscapes, and relax on the pristine beaches. An enriching experience in the heart of this oasis of tranquility. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Ifaty

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included.

  • Your hotel in Ifaty: BELLA DONNA (www.labelladonnahotel.com) or similar.

Day 12 : Ifaty

 

Day 14 : Antananarivo

After breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. SAFE TRAVELS AND SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

Day 14 : Antananarivo

  • Meal: Breakfast included, lunch not included.

Day 14 : Antananarivo

 

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

Our representative welcomes you upon arrival at Ivato airport and transfers you to your hotel. Welcome to Antananarivo! The capital of Madagascar, located in the central Highlands region. It is known for its Asian influences, numerous stairs, steep hills, palaces, cobbled streets, churches, and rice field landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

  • Meal: Dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Antananarivo: GREEN PALACE (no website) or similar

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

Featuring a garden and a restaurant, Green Palace is located 4 km from Ivato International Airport. It offers private parking and Wi-Fi in common areas. Each room is equipped with a television, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower. Additionally, all rooms have a private terrace overlooking the garden.


Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

After breakfast, we head south, taking a winding road through typical highland landscapes and rice fields all the way to Ambositra. Upon arrival in this village known for its craft market and renowned for marquetry and wood carving, we'll make a stop to visit the artisanal market. Then, we continue towards Sahambavy, the only tea plantation region in Madagascar. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

  • Duration: +/- 7 hours drive

  • Distance : 257 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Sahambavy: LAC HOTEL SAHAMBAVY (www.lachotel.com)

Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

The Lac Hotel offers the comfort of its rooms arranged in charming typical bungalows, some on stilts, scattered in a tropical garden. The Lac Hotel will seduce you with its gardens, its calmness, and attentive staff. You can enjoy the surrounding tourist sites and discover the charm of "Betsileo".

day 5 : Manakara

Excursion d’une journée sur le canal des Pangalanes à la découverte des plantations d'épices et de vanille, des petits villages typiques et de leur artisanat traditionnel. Arrêt au « Trou de commissaire », baignade à la piscine naturelle… Déjeuner pique-nique à base de fruits de mer. Retour à l’hôtel.

day 5 : Manakara

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Manakara: PARTHENAY CLUB (www.hotel-manakara.com) or similar

day 5 : Manakara

 

Day 7 : Ranomafana

Breakfast, let's set out to explore Ranomafana.With a local guide, we begin our hike in Ranomafana National Park. The park has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The park is home to approximately 15 endemic lemur species in Madagascar and hosts many flowing waters (some of which are hot springs).

Day 7 : Ranomafana

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranomafana: Centrest Sejour (no website) or similar

Day 7 : Ranomafana

 

Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

We'll continue our journey and make a stop at Anja Park, known for its population of lemurs, particularly the Ring-tailed Lemur. Located 12km south of Fianarantsoa, the park is also home to various bird species, chameleons, and other fascinating animals. The surrounding vegetation is lush, with different species of endemic plants from Madagascar. After visiting the park, we'll proceed to Ranohira to admire the sunset at the Window of Isalo, a natural iconic site in the Isalo National Park. We'll then check into the hotel.

Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

  • Duration: +/- 5 hours of driving

  • Distance : 210km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranohira: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

The Isalo Ranch is a charming combination of 20 comfortable bungalows and a restaurant with a pool, located in a beautiful tropical garden. Each bungalow features a private bathroom, hot water, mosquito nets, and a private terrace. For environmental reasons, solar energy is used to produce electricity. Built in a traditional style, the restaurant offers a selection of menus filled with creative and natural foods, inspired by local as well as French, Asian, or Oriental culinary influences.

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

After breakfast, we'll head towards Ifaty, located 45km north of Tuléar, to visit the Reniala Reserve. This spiny forest is the last remnant of the primary forests in the south. For several years, efforts have been made to establish several groups of ring-tailed lemurs inside the reserve, but it's also home to many species of birds and reptiles. Upon arrival at the hotel, the rest of the day is free for leisure.

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

  • Duration: +/- 7 hours drive

  • Distance : 295 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ifaty: BELLA DONNA (www.labelladonnahotel.com) or similar

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

 Located in Ifaty, just a few steps from the beach, La Bella Donna offers a garden, free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant. The property features a bar and a private beach area. It offers a 24-hour front desk, room service, and free Wi-Fi.


day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

Transfer to the Tuléar airport and flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival at Ivato airport, you will be greeted by your guide for transfer to the hotel. If time allows, visit the Artisan Market of La Digue for any last-minute shopping: souvenirs or gifts for family and friends.

day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

**** Possibility of program changes depending on flight schedule

  • Duration: 1-hour flight

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

 



Price starting from: 885 Euros/pax***


*Rate applicable for 10 pax or more


*Please contact us for a customized quote

Domestic Flight Prices: 

Route

Price per person

Tuléar - Tana

180 à 275 Euros

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

Our representative welcomes you upon arrival at Ivato airport and transfers you to your hotel. Welcome to Antananarivo! The capital of Madagascar, located in the central Highlands region. It is known for its Asian influences, numerous stairs, steep hills, palaces, cobbled streets, churches, and rice field landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

  • Meal: Dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Antananarivo: GREEN PALACE (no website) or similar

Day 1: Arrival > Antananarivo

Featuring a garden and a restaurant, Green Palace is located 4 km from Ivato International Airport. It offers private parking and Wi-Fi in common areas. Each room is equipped with a television, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower. Additionally, all rooms have a private terrace overlooking the garden.


Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

Breakfast. Road trip to Antsirabe, the thermal city on the national road 7, where we'll traverse the typical landscape of the highlands, rocky hills, savannahs, terraced rice fields, and vast orchards. Stop in Ambatolampy to visit the aluminum pot foundry workshop. Continuing on to the city of Antsirabe, known for its rickshaw transports. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

  • Duration: +/- 4 hours by road

  • Distance : 170 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Antsirabe: SOUIMANGA HOTEL (www.souimanga-hotel.com) or similar

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe

Located three kilometers from the city center of Antsirabe, amidst a conservatory garden of endemic Malagasy plants and beyond, in an exceptional setting, the team of "Souimanga Hotel-Restaurant" welcomes you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. An original hotel that emphasizes sustainable and ecological development through its concepts of autonomy, natural culture, and solidarity projects.

Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

After breakfast, we head south, taking a winding road through typical highland landscapes and rice fields all the way to Ambositra. Upon arrival in this village known for its craft market and renowned for marquetry and wood carving, we'll make a stop to visit the artisanal market. Then, we continue towards Sahambavy, the only tea plantation region in Madagascar. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

  • Duration: +/- 7 hours drive

  • Distance : 257 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Sahambavy: LAC HOTEL SAHAMBAVY (www.lachotel.com)

Day 3:Antsirabe > Ambositra > Sahambavy

The Lac Hotel offers the comfort of its rooms arranged in charming typical bungalows, some on stilts, scattered in a tropical garden. The Lac Hotel will seduce you with its gardens, its calmness, and attentive staff. You can enjoy the surrounding tourist sites and discover the charm of "Betsileo".

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

Breakfast, then we'll take the train to the southeast of the island. This adventure can take 8 to 10 hours of travel. The highlight of this journey is that it not only offers lush landscapes but also allows you to discover the daily life of the locals. For some villages along this railway, the train is the only means of transportation. We will pass through 17 stations, 67 bridges, and 48 tunnels before reaching the town of Manakara. Arrival in Manakara in the late afternoon.

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast included, picnic

lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Manakara: PARTHENAY CLUB (www.hotel-manakara.com) or similar

Day 4 : Sahambavy > Manakara

Nestled in a lush green setting within a 2-hectare tropical garden, Parthenay Club Hotel enjoys a privileged location for relaxation. You will be captivated by this haven of peace, ideal for a stopover and rejuvenation. The bungalows are built with traditional materials, each equipped with a private bathroom powered by solar energy. The restaurant offers local specialties made with fresh ingredients, including traditional Malagasy cuisine mainly focused on seafood.

day 5 : Manakara

Excursion d’une journée sur le canal des Pangalanes à la découverte des plantations d'épices et de vanille, des petits villages typiques et de leur artisanat traditionnel. Arrêt au « Trou de commissaire », baignade à la piscine naturelle… Déjeuner pique-nique à base de fruits de mer. Retour à l’hôtel.

day 5 : Manakara

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Manakara: PARTHENAY CLUB (www.hotel-manakara.com) or similar

day 5 : Manakara

 

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

After exploring the city, we leave Manakara to reach Ranomafana and check into the hotel.During the night visit, we first wait for the spectacle of mouse lemurs, and then, after a few minutes, observe them jumping and moving. We walk along the road in search of other nocturnal animals: chameleons, frogs, birds…

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

  • Duration: +/- 5 hours by road

  • Distance : 180 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranomafana: Centrest Sejour (no website) or similar

Day 6 : Manakara > Ranomafana

Centrest Sejour Hotel is conveniently located a short distance from the center of Ranomafana. Its rooms are set within charming gardens. Centrest is a fairly basic hotel offering simple but comfortable accommodation. The hotel features 18 spacious rooms. Each room has a private bathroom, and mosquito nets are provided on the beds.

Day 7 : Ranomafana

Breakfast, let's set out to explore Ranomafana.With a local guide, we begin our hike in Ranomafana National Park. The park has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The park is home to approximately 15 endemic lemur species in Madagascar and hosts many flowing waters (some of which are hot springs).

Day 7 : Ranomafana

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranomafana: Centrest Sejour (no website) or similar

Day 7 : Ranomafana

 

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

After breakfast, we depart for Fianarantsoa, the city of the Betsileo tribe. The city sprawls across three levels with its traditional houses, numerous churches, and viticultural culture. A true crossroads, it is located 400 km from Antananarivo in the heart of the southeast region. The name means "Place of good learning." The city is divided by a steep incline: the lower city and the upper city. We continue our journey; upon arrival in Ambalavao, we visit the artisanal workshop where the famous Antemoro paper is made. This activity reflects the cultural richness of Madagascar; the paper, renowned for its quality and unique texture, is used for artistic purposes due to its durability and distinctive appearance.

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

  • Duration: +/- 6 hours of road travel

  • Distance : 122 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ambalavao: Aux Bougainvillées (no website) or similar

Day 8 : Ranomafana > Ambalavao

At the Aux Bougainvillées hotel, you'll have the opportunity to discover the production of "Papier Antaimoro" (a type of papyrus), a skill dating back to the 16th century of Arab origin. The hotel offers individual rooms as well as family rooms, all equipped with private bathrooms. The restaurant serves a varied cuisine, simple and of various origins.


Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

We'll continue our journey and make a stop at Anja Park, known for its population of lemurs, particularly the Ring-tailed Lemur. Located 12km south of Fianarantsoa, the park is also home to various bird species, chameleons, and other fascinating animals. The surrounding vegetation is lush, with different species of endemic plants from Madagascar. After visiting the park, we'll proceed to Ranohira to admire the sunset at the Window of Isalo, a natural iconic site in the Isalo National Park. We'll then check into the hotel.

Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

  • Duration: +/- 5 hours of driving

  • Distance : 210km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ranohira: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 9 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

The Isalo Ranch is a charming combination of 20 comfortable bungalows and a restaurant with a pool, located in a beautiful tropical garden. Each bungalow features a private bathroom, hot water, mosquito nets, and a private terrace. For environmental reasons, solar energy is used to produce electricity. Built in a traditional style, the restaurant offers a selection of menus filled with creative and natural foods, inspired by local as well as French, Asian, or Oriental culinary influences.

Day 10 : Ranohira

After breakfast, we'll spend the day exploring the Isalo National Park, an exceptional natural area spanning 81,540 hectares, where the rugged sandstone formations have been shaped by wind and water erosion over millions of years. Following a well-marked trail on land and rock, we'll continue to the natural swimming pool located deep within the canyons. This lush canyon is surrounded by vegetation that blends into the tall grass savanna. The park boasts a unique ecosystem, with endemic rock-dwelling vegetation including aloes, euphorbias, pachypodiums, and kalanchoes growing on exposed sandstone. You'll find naturally sculpted monuments such as the Window, the Boot, the Wolf, the Queen, as well as natural pools and waterfalls.

Day 10 : Ranohira

  • Duration: Full day

  • Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch included, dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Tuléar: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 10 : Ranohira

 

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

After breakfast, we'll head towards Ifaty, located 45km north of Tuléar, to visit the Reniala Reserve. This spiny forest is the last remnant of the primary forests in the south. For several years, efforts have been made to establish several groups of ring-tailed lemurs inside the reserve, but it's also home to many species of birds and reptiles. Upon arrival at the hotel, the rest of the day is free for leisure.

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

  • Duration: +/- 7 hours drive

  • Distance : 295 km

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

  • Your hotel in Ifaty: BELLA DONNA (www.labelladonnahotel.com) or similar

Day 11 : Ranohira > Toliara> Ifaty

 Located in Ifaty, just a few steps from the beach, La Bella Donna offers a garden, free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant. The property features a bar and a private beach area. It offers a 24-hour front desk, room service, and free Wi-Fi.


Day 12 : Ifaty

A free day awaits you. Take the opportunity to explore the lively market, go hiking through breathtaking landscapes, and relax on the pristine beaches. An enriching experience in the heart of this oasis of tranquility. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Ifaty

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included.

  • Your hotel in Ifaty: BELLA DONNA (www.labelladonnahotel.com) or similar.

Day 12 : Ifaty

 

day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

Transfer to the Tuléar airport and flight to Antananarivo. Upon arrival at Ivato airport, you will be greeted by your guide for transfer to the hotel. If time allows, visit the Artisan Market of La Digue for any last-minute shopping: souvenirs or gifts for family and friends.

day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

**** Possibility of program changes depending on flight schedule

  • Duration: 1-hour flight

  • Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

day 13 : Ifaty > Toliara> Antananarivo

 

Day 14 : Antananarivo

After breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. SAFE TRAVELS AND SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

Day 14 : Antananarivo

  • Meal: Breakfast included, lunch not included.

Day 14 : Antananarivo

 

Included in the price:

  • 1 French-speaking guide
  • Airport/hotel/airport transfers
  • Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis during the trip
  • Picnic lunches on Days 4, 5, and 10
  • Car rental and fuel
  • Entrance fees and guiding fees: Ranomafana National Park, Anja Park, Isalo National Park, Reniala Reserve
  • Visits and excursions mentioned in the program
  • Municipal taxes and tourist vignettes
  • 1L bottle of water per day

Not included in the price:

  • International flights
  • Damage insurance (baggage, cancellation, medical expenses, repatriation, COVID...)
  • All lunches and dinners mentioned as "not included" in the program
  • Activities and visits not mentioned in the program
  • Drinks, tips, and personal expenses
  • Internal flight with Tsaradia (all fees and taxes included): Tuléar - Antananarivo.