CLASSIC SOUTH

✓ We will learn the customs and daily life of seven local tribes in the southern region of Madagascar.

✓ We will explore Ranomafana national park and its endemic fauna with many species such as Greater Bamboo Lemur, Golden lemur and Chameleons. We will also look various kinds of orchids.

✓ We will venture through the deep dry Canyon of Isalo and its endemic flora and fauna.

✓ We will visit a school funded by Tanala Education project.

✓ We will explore the white sands beaches and turquoise blue sea of Ifaty, one of world largest barrier reef

DAY 1: WELCOME TO MADAGASCAR

When you are arrive at the airport, we will be there waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. After picking you up at the airport we will drive to our hotel in Antananarivo and give you a special briefing about our upcoming journey and answer any questions you may have about our upcoming adventure

DAY 2 : ANTANANARIVO-ANTSIRABE

After breakfast on day 2 we will begin our journey with a 3 hour drive to Antsirabe, and experience the beautiful landscape of the “haute plateau”. On our way to Antsirabe we will stop by Ambatolampy to see the local craftwork made from aluminum. Upon arrival in Antsirabe we will check into our hotel and take a moment to get settled in. In the afternoon we will drive over to Tritriva’s sacred Lake, and Andraikiba Lake and spend a day learning about the lake and its great history.

AY 3 : ANTSIRABE-RANOMAFANA

Early in the morning on day 3 we will continue adventure with a 6 hour drive into Ranomafana National Park. Throughout our long drive we will witness the everyday life of the local people that live in this region, the Betsileo tribe. Halfway through our journey we will stop in the town of Ambositra, which is known as the the capital of sculpture Madagascar. In Ambositra we will visit a sculpture workshop and watch how the sculptors work. We will then continue our drive into our final destination for the day Ranomafana National Park. Ranomafana is one of the “wonders” of Madagascar, occupying 400 square kilometers of tropical rainforest (What more can you say about ranomafana?). Upon our arrival into Ranomafana we will check into our hotel and get settled in. In the evening, we do a nocturnal visit of the park and have the chance to see chameleons, frogs and small nocturnal lemurs.

DAY 4: RANOMAFANA –SAHAMBAVY

We will begin day 4 with the diurnal visit. We will spend between two to three hours in the Ranomafana Park and visit the Namorona waterfall. We will also have the opportunity to witness the spectacular flora such as orchids and the wildlife unique to this region including the Greater bamboo lemur, chameleon, wild birds and other. “Ranomafana” directly translate into “warm water” and it was named after the hot spring unique to this region. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to swim in the famous hot springs in Ranomafana. Hot springs are known known by its healing properties and good effects on health such as reducing the stress, soothing the pain, etc. After our visit to the hot springs we will then drive 90 minutes to our final destination for the day Lac Hotel Sahambavy a beautiful hotel with bungalows that extend into lake Sahambavy.

DAY 5: SAHAMBAVY

On day 5 we will visit the largest tea plantation in Madagascar. We will have the opportunity to witness how do they to produce black tea and green tea. This visit will also include a tea tasting at the end of our visit.

DAY 6 : SAHAMBAVY-RANOHIRA

After breakfast on day 6, we will begin our journey to Ranohira. On the way, we will have the chance to admire the beautiful and spectacular scenery of the Fianaratsoa region. We will also have the opportunity to visit a historical place called “Old Town” in Fianarantsoa which is a world heritage site and the capital city of the Betsileo tribe. Then we will continue our journey through the capital of wine in Madagascar, the city of Ambalavao. Ambalavao is known for producing traditional Malagasy clothing “lamba landy” and it has the largest zebu market in all of Madagascar. After our stop in Ambalavao we will continue our journey to our final destination Ranohira, where we check into our hotel and get settled in for the evening.

DAY 7: RANOHIRA

On day 7 we will spend about four to five hours in the morning at the famous Isalo Park. Isalo is special because of the unique wildlife and it is the home of the catta lemur or Maki, Sifaka, wild birds and various reptiles. At the park we will also see the blue and black natural waterfall swimming pool. In the afternoon, we take a little nap (WHERE WILL THEY TAKE A NAP?) before going to enjoy the sunset at “Window of Isalo”.

DAY 8: RANOHIRA-IFATY

On day 8 we will continue our journey from Ranohira to Ifaty, Tuléar. On our drive we will pass through Ilakaka, the region that has the most sapphire in Madagascar. Malagasy sapphire is the highest quality sapphire found in the world. Many Malagasy people from different regions come here to work, that make us to remember the “farwest curiosity” (What is the far west curiosity?). On our drive we will also see the Mahafaly Tomb, and the semi-desert landscape decorated with the baobab and palm trees. Upon our arrival to our final destination for the day Ifaty, we will check into our hotel and get settled in. Ifaty has one of the best beach in Madagascar located along the calm and relaxing waters of the Mozambique channel.

DAY 9: IFATY

On day 9 we will enjoy a day of free time to indulge in as many activities as you like or to simply spend a relaxing day by the beach. Our hotel offers different activities such as visiting the baobab forest, various nautical activity and much more.

DAY 10: IFATY-TULEAR-ANTANANARIVO

After the breakfast, on day 11 we will drive to the airport in Tuléar to catch our flight into Antananarivo. When we arrive into Antananarivo, we will spend about two hours at the lemur’s park and have the opportunity see five different species of lemurs. We will the continue into our hotel for the evening and get settled in.

DAY 11: ANTANANARIVO- HOME COUNTRY

During day 9 of our journey, which is also our last day together, we have a free morning for shop for souvenirs to bring back home. During our shopping tour we will look at Malagasy craftwork, local spices, vanilla, and much more After shopping we will prepare for our departure to Ivato International airport. We will arrive at the airport 2 hours before your departure time.