The brilliance of the south

According to flight schedule, reception at the airport and transfer to a guest house.

Departure after breakfast and head south. We will descend through the highlands. The landscape is mainly dominated by mountains and cultivated valleys. Various stops to visit some villages and traditional workshops. Lunch en route. Arrival at the end of the day and transfer to a guest house.

Day of immersion and exchanges, accompanied by a local guide. The morning will be devoted to visiting a potters' village. The villagers will be happy to show you the secrets of their talent. You will be accompanied in the creation of a flower pot with the supervision of a village woman. The art of modeling clay is a talent that is passed down from mother to daughter. (Duration of the activity: 1h30 - Duration of the walk: 1h30 - Difficulty level: low - Elevation gain: 200 m) Afternoon: immersion with local musicians. They will introduce you to the typical instruments of Madagascar. During a 3-hour workshop you will be introduced to Valiha, Kabosy (small Malagasy guitar), djembe or other percussion accompanied by musicians from the city. (Duration of activity: 2 hours)

Liaison day in Ranomafana. We will go towards the east of the island passing through Ambositra and its famous artisanal culture, wood carving. We will still be in the highlands before diving east to reach the Ranomafana forest corridor mid-afternoon. Stop en route to visit the village of Ambatovaky and its traditional blacksmiths. Arrival at Ranomafana at the end of the day. Installation at your hotel.

Day of discovery of the Ranomafana National Park and its natural riches. You will see your first lemurs as well as a multitude of endemic floral species. You will be accompanied by your local guide to understand all the riches of this place. Ranomafana is part of the world heritage classified by UNESCO. The discovery will last approximately 5 hours with an average level of difficulty. Good walking shoes are necessary. Mid-day outing and lunch in the village. In the afternoon, visit the village.

After breakfast, continue south to reach Ambalavao, passing through Fianarantsoa. Stop along the way to visit a traditional village that works sisal. From here we start to descend in altitude. The panorama is wider and less mountainous, the vegetation is scarcer and the temperature rises a little. Arrival at Ambalavao. Visit the locality in the afternoon and check into the hotel at the end of the day.

After around thirty kilometers of asphalt, we take a track towards the Tsaranoro valley. Dream landscape and total change of scenery. Arrival and installation in a bungalow with original decor. After lunch, we begin exploring the valley with a visit to the traditional Betsileo village. Immersion in the community and briefing with your local guide for the next day's walk. Meeting and discussion with the owners of the place: people committed to preserving the environment and the site, in community development initiatives.

Day of discovery of the valley region. Several sites are to be discovered. The sacred forest followed by the ascent of Chameleon Peak or the ascent of Dondy with breathtaking panoramic passages. Each site has its own level of difficulty. It's up to you to choose once you get there. Exchange with the owners of the place: people committed to preserving the environment and local development. Great moment of exchange!

After this beautiful discovery, continue the journey still towards the south to Ranohira, in the Isalo mountain region. You will cross the large Ihorombe plateau and its vast grassy expanses. Arrival midday and check-in at the hotel.

Day of discovery of the Isalo park in the company of your local guide. The second largest park on the island, this massif extends from north to south and covers a large area. During your visit, you will only see a small representative part of the massif. You will discover the natural swimming pool, the ridge path, the Namazà canyon, the two swimming pools of the canyon and the nymph waterfall before leaving in the middle of the afternoon. You will have your lunch served in the middle of the park in the shade of the tapias and under the gaze of curious lemurs. Before sunset, you will head south with the car to discover the famous Isalo window when the rays of the setting sun fall into the perspective of its natural opening. Return to the hotel.

After a relaxing day, it's time to continue your journey. A day's drive from Ranohira to Salary by the sea. 4 hours' drive to Toliara, the capital and main town in the southwest of the island. Short lunch break and return to the road towards Salary which is located to the north. We access it via a three-hour sandy track. This trail takes us through some of the most beautiful regions of Madagascar. Turquoise water and white coral sand, the landscape is enchanting. Arrival at the end of the day and installation in a bungalow.

Day dedicated to the discovery of these famous trees so emblematic of the big island: the baobabs. We take the car north of Salary and after an hour and a half on the track, we arrive in an area where these famous trees abound and put on a show, a real baobab garden. A stop of about an hour there, just to take lots of photos and return to the hotel. On the way back, we meet the Mikea community, a little-known people whose way of life dates back to ancient times. A little immersion into the life of these last true nomads of the south. Return to the hotel for sunset.

FREE DAYS - Two days of relaxation to end your trip by the beach. The hotel is located in a small bay with coral sand and turquoise sea, with bungalows on the hillside all with a view of this small bay. The hotel offers several excursions, by sea or land, including whale outings in season.

Road to Toliara, the city. Arrival at the end of the day after a departure after lunch from Salary. Installation in room for the night.

Depending on the time of the return flight to the capital, transfer to the airport and assistance with health procedures. Check-in and flight to the capital. Arrival and reception at Antananarivo airport, and transfer to the guest house.