Meeting the Betsileo

Day 1 : Antananarivo

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel by our representative. Welcome to Antananarivo! The capital of Madagascar, located in the Central Highlands region. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 1 : Antananarivo

• Meals: dinner not included

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

Day 1 : Antananarivo

Featuring a garden and a restaurant, Green Palace is located 4 km from Ivato International Airport. Private parking is available on site. Wi-Fi is accessible in public areas. Each room is equipped with a TV and air conditioning. They all come with a private terrace overlooking the garden and a private bathroom with a shower.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe > Ambositra

After breakfast, we'll head to Ambositra via National Road 7. Along the way, we'll stop in Ambatolampy to visit the metalworking and pottery workshop, renowned for its production of various aluminum utensils. We'll then continue our journey, passing through Antsirabe, which translates to "where there is a lot of salt." Finally, we'll arrive in Ambositra, famous for its traditional craftsmanship, especially woodcarving, its vibrant cultural scene, and enchanting mountain landscapes. You'll check in at the hotel upon arrival.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe > Ambositra

• Duration: Approximately 7 hours of driving

• Distance : 260 km

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

• Your hotel in Ambositra: L'Artisan Hotel (no website) or similar

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Antsirabe > Ambositra

The hotel was created by a sculptor named Victor to showcase Malagasy craftsmanship, particularly in carved wood. The place is calm and beautiful. To accommodate its guests, the hotel has 8 rooms and 10 bungalows. The restaurant offers traditional Malagasy cuisine. It is also possible to dine outdoors in the afternoon accompanied by a traditional Malagasy musical group. It is an ideal place to stay for friends, families with teenagers or children, seniors, business travelers, and individual travelers.

Day 3 : Ambositra > Antoetra > Sakaivo

After breakfast, we start the 5 to 6-hour hike. The trail is quite steep, which prolongs the walk. We pass through forests, reaching a Catholic structure built on a rocky platform, now formed into a large cross. Don't forget the magnificent view! The woodworking skills of the Zafimaniry people were proclaimed by UNESCO in 2003, and all the houses in the area are genuine local works of art.

Day 3 : Ambositra > Antoetra > Sakaivo

• Duration: 5 to 6 hours of hiking

• Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch included, dinner included at the host's house

• Your accommodation in Sakaivo: Homestay

Day 3 : Ambositra > Antoetra > Sakaivo

Day 4 : Sakaivo > Ambositra

Breakfast, followed by a 5 to 6-hour hike. To return to Antoetra, we'll pass through mountains and valleys, and some original and typically Zafimaniry villages, especially the village of Ifasina. Return to Ambositra and check into the hotel.

Day 4 : Sakaivo > Ambositra

• Duration: 5 to 6 hours of walking

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

• Your hotel in Ambositra: L’ARTISAN HOTEL (no website) or similar

Day 4 : Sakaivo > Ambositra

Day 5 : Ambositra > Fianarantsoa

After breakfast, let's explore the artisanal market of Ambositra. This market is filled with local artisans selling a variety of handicrafts resulting from woodwork, textiles, basketry, ironwork, pottery, embroidery, and traditional musical instruments. Departure for Fianarantsoa, the city of the Betsileo tribe. The city sprawls across three tiers with its traditional houses, numerous churches, and viticulture culture. A true road hub, it is located 400 km from Antananarivo in the heart of the southeast region. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 5 : Ambositra > Fianarantsoa

• Duration: +/- 4 hours drive

• Distance : 150 km

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

• Your hotel in Fianarantsoa: AMBALAKELY HOTEL (www.hotelambalakely.com) or similar

Day 5 : Ambositra > Fianarantsoa

Nestled in lush nature, this charming establishment shines for all its guests with its 10 impeccable rooms featuring a simple and authentic style, distinguished by local woodwork and furniture. The view of the rice fields will delight lovers of simple and lively rural scenes, while numerous paths will allow walkers and joggers to explore the Betsileo hinterland, composed of rice paddies, hills, and welcoming hamlets, offering magnificent panoramas.

Day 6 : Fianarantsoa

Breakfast; we head to the village of Mahasoabe for a traditional canoe descent along the Matsiatra River. Over a distance of 25km, we will discover the life and customs of the artisans throughout the descent. After this canoeing adventure, we will visit Sahambavy to discover the unique tea plantation in Madagascar. This plantation covers approximately 300 hectares of land and employs up to 250 farmers. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 : Fianarantsoa

• Duration: full day

• Meals: breakfast & picnic lunch included, dinner not included

• Your hotel in Fianarantsoa: AMBALAKELY HOTEL (www.hotelambalakely.com) or similar

Day 6 : Fianarantsoa

Day 7 : Fianarantsoa > Ranohira

After breakfast, we will drive to Ranohira via the RN7. Our first stop will be in Ambalavao for a visit to the artisanal workshop of the famous Antemoro paper. This activity reflects the cultural richness of Madagascar. The paper is renowned for its quality and unique texture, and is used for artistic purposes due to its durability and distinctive appearance. We will then continue our journey and stop at Anja Park, known for its population of lemurs, especially 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, composed of different species of endemic plants from Madagascar. After visiting the park, we will proceed to Ranohira to admire the sunset at the Window of Isalo, an iconic natural site in the Isalo National Park. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 7 : Fianarantsoa > Ranohira

• Duration: +/- 7 hours drive

• Distance : 270 km

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

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

Day 7 : Fianarantsoa > Ranohira

The Isalo Ranch is a charming combination of 20 comfortable bungalows and a restaurant with a pool, set in a beautiful tropical garden. Each bungalow features an en-suite bathroom, hot water, mosquito nets, and a private terrace. For environmental reasons, solar energy is used to generate electricity. Built in a traditional style, the restaurant offers a selection of menus filled with creative and natural foods, featuring culinary influences from local, French, Asian, and Oriental cuisines.

Day8 : Ranohira

This day will be dedicated to exploring the Isalo National Park. This rugged sandstone formation has been shaped by wind and water erosion over millions of years. The park offers several well-marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. We will continue our walk to the natural swimming pool located in the deep canyons. Along the way, you may spot a variety of lemurs, chameleons, and various bird species, as well as endemic rock-loving vegetation, including aloes, euphorbias, pachypodiums, and kalanchoes. Return to the hotel for the night.

Day8 : Ranohira

• Duration: Full day

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

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

Day8 : Ranohira

Day 9 : Ranohira > Antsirabe

After breakfast, we'll return to the highlands by taking the same route. We'll pass through Ambalavao, Fianarantsoa, Ambositra, and make a stop at Antsirabe for the night. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 9 : Ranohira > Antsirabe

• Duration: +/- 10 hours drive

• Distance : 510 km

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

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

Day 9 : Ranohira > Antsirabe

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

Day 10 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

After breakfast, we continue our journey to Antananarivo, passing through Ambatolampy. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, we head to the Upper Town to admire the sunset. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 10 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

• Duration: +/- 4 hours of road trip

  Distance : 170 km
  

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

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

Day 10 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

Day 11 : Antananarivo

After breakfast, we will visit the Digue market where numerous vendors offer a variety of locally made products. It's an ideal stop to purchase souvenirs at reasonable prices. Then, we'll proceed to Ivato airport for the return flight.SAFE TRAVELS AND SEE YOU SOON!

Day 11 : Antananarivo

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch not included.

Day 11 : Antananarivo