gassitours - local tour guide in madagascar, tsiribihina river, trip to Madagascar

SOUTHERN TOUR VIA MANAKARA BY TRAIN : 15 days

Itinerary : Tana, , Antsirabe, Ambositra, , Fianarantsoa , Manakara, Ranomafana, Ambalavao, Ranohira, Tulear , lfaty , Tana

DAY1:

Welcoming at the international airport of Tana, then transfer to your chosen luxury or upper range hotel situated 15km south of the airport.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN TANA:

CarltonHotel ( ex Hilton ) 5*
Colbert Hotel:www.colbert-hotel.com ( Luxury Hotel)
Palissandre Hotel: www.hotel-palissandre.com (luxury)
Sakamanga Hotel (midrange comfort)
Meva Guest House (midrange comfort)
Tana Jacaranda (midrange comfort)
Chalet De Rose Hotel (midrange comfort)

DAY2: Tana to Antsirabe : (170km; 4hours)

We will meet up in your hotel next morning then we proceed along the RN7 following the highland sceneries, rice fields in terraces, red clay houses moved to the west. We will head to Antsirabe. On our journey we will stop at the village of Ambatolampy after 70 km driving South of Tana, which is famous for its aluminium. We will visit an aluminium foundry there, before continuing on our journey to Antsirabe.
Antsirabe, which means a place of much salt, is famous four its thermal pools which are rich in healing properties. The town attracts many locals and tourists due to its cool climate and location. Antsirabe is also the capital of rickshaws, and THB, the local beer. Be sure to enjoy the taste of a true Malagasy beer whilst here.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN ANTSIRABE:

Résidence Camélia : Upper range
Couleur Café : Upper range
Arotel : Upper range
Hasina Hotel : midrange comfort
Le Retrait Hotel : midrange comfort

DAY3: Antsirabe to Fianarantsoa :

After some visit of workshops & tour with rickshaws in Antsirabe, we proceed our journey to Fianarantsoa, the capital city of the Betsileo tribe. Halt in Ambositra the capital of the woodcarving, possibility to visit artisan markets also a good option to buy souvenirs whilst the capital is here. After lunch in Ambositra , we continue driving till Fianarantsoa.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN FIANARANTSOA:

Tsara Guest House: (luxury)
Zoomatel : (semi luxury)

DAY4: Fianarantsoa to Manakara by train ( 10 hours )

We will leave early in the morning at the hotel, and then transfer to the train station of Fianarantsoa.The train leaves Fianarantsoa at 7 o’ clock. The evergreen beautiful landscape of the south east cost of Mada while travelling by train is one of the spectacular & highlight in this trip as well as meeting up with the local Malagasy people. You should bring snack while travelling.
Arrival in Manakara in the afternoon, then transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN MANAKARA:

Delice d'oriant : (Midrange comfort & overlooking the Indian Ocean)
Le Parthenay Club : (Midrange comfort & overlooking the Indian Ocean)
Antemoro hotel : (Midrange comfort & overlooking the Indian Ocean)

DAY 5: Manakara

Excursion along the Pangalana Channel by dugout canoe. Fresh sea food will be prepared for you by the boatmen.
City tour of Manakara by rickshaws in the afternoon.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN MANAKARA:

La Vanille Hotel : (midrange comfort)
Le Parthenay Club : (Midrange comfort & overlooking the Indian Ocean)

DAY 6: Manakara to Ranomafana NP:

After breakfast, drive to Ranomafana NP. We head to the beautiful and lush Ranomafana NP. The name means hot water, and relates to the natural hot water springs that you can experience here. The National Park was created in 1991 in order to protect the newly discovered, unique "Bamboo lemur.
Arrival in Ranomafana in the afternoon. Possibility to go at a night walk to spot nocturnal lemurs, chameleons & frogs.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN RANOMAFANA

SETAM Lodge: (luxury)
Domaine Nature: (Luxury)
Centrest Hotel : (Semi Luxury)
Ihary Hotel : ( Midrange Comfort )
Manja Hotel ( midrange Comfort )

DAY 7 : Ranomafana NP :

Exploring the NP of Ranomafana. This is the best reserve for lemurs’ encounters , no fewer than 12 species are seen in the park.

This includes the most notable two species: the golden bamboo lemur and the greater bamboo lemur. Other mammals include the Malagasy striped civet (strictly nocturnal) and Ranomafana NP is an excellent chance of seeing it, eastern ring-tailed mongoose belongs to the endemic subfamily Galidiinae.We will also see many species of birds, chameleons ..;
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN RANOMAFANA:

SETAM Lodge: (luxury)
Domaine Nature: (Luxury)
Centrest Hotel : (Semi Luxury)
Ihary Hotel : (Midrange Comfortt)
Manja Hotel ( midrange Comfort )

DAY8: Ranomafana to Ranohira

Today we continue the trip along the National7; we pass through the capital of the Betsileo Tribe, Fianarantsoa, which means place of good learning.

The Betsileo Tribe is well known for being invincible!!! We then head to Ambalavao, which is a very beautiful and quaint town. A visit to a local workshop gives you an opportunity to see the craftsmen and women at work. We will stop at ANJA Park, which is a sanctuary of ring- tailed lemurs and this reserve was created by the local village to protect the fauna in Madagascar. It's a perfect opportunity to come close to the lemurs, take some great photos and witness how local villages can make a positive impact on protecting the environment. After lunch we continue our trip till Ranohira by passing through the non man land plateaux of Horombe;

Arrival at Ranohira by the end of the afternoon. Possibility to visit the natural rock windows for sunset photos.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN RANOHIRA:

Jardin du Roy (Luxury)
Isalo Rock Lodge (Luxury)
Relais de La Reine (Luxury)
Satrana Lodge (Luxury)
Isalo Ranch (midrange comfort)
Orchidee Hotel (midrange comfort)

DAY 9: lsalo NP

Today we will explore the natural wonders of Isalo NP which includes canyons, trekking, natural swimming pools and waterfalls. You will see 3 kinds of lemurs, such as the Ring-tailed lemur, Brown lemur and the Sifaka. Birds include the Madagascar Wagtail and Benson's rock thrush which is endemic in Isalo NP. There are also White throated rail, Madagascar kestrel and Madagascar coucal.
Overnight at :
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN RANOHIRA:

Jardin du Roy (Luxury)
Isalo Rock Lodge (Luxury)
Relais de La Reine (Luxury )
Satrana Lodge (Luxury )
Isalo Ranch (midrange comfort)
Orchidee Hotel (midrange comfort)

DAY 10: Ranohira to lfaty:

We will head directly to Tulear the capital of the South of Madagascar. This trip will take around 6 hours. We stop at the Arboretum of Antsokay to visit this private arboretum reserve.
We have lunch there, and then transfer to lfaty for a relaxing.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN IFATY:

Les Dune Hotel: www.lersdunesdifaty.com (luxury with swimming pool)
Hotel Paradisier : www.paradisier.com (luxury with swimming pool)
le Nautilus : ( Luxury with swimming pool )
Lakana Vezo Hotel: (mid range comfort)
Mangily Hotel: (mid range comfort)

DAY 11, 12, 13 :

Relaxing days at lfaty beach.
Overnight at:
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN IFATY:

Les Dune Hotel: www.lersdunesdifaty.com (luxury with swimming pool)
Hotel Paradisier: www.paradisier.com (luxury with swimming pool)
le Nautilus : ( Luxury with swimming pool )
Lakana Vezo Hotel: (mid range comfort)
Mangily Hotel: (mid range comfort).

DAY 14: lfaty to Tulear then flight to Tana.

Transfer to the airport of Tulear following the flight schedule to fly to Tana.
Arrival in Tana then transfer to your chosen hotel.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN TANA:

CarltonHotel ( ex Hilton ) 5*
Colbert Hotel:www.colbert-hotel.com ( Luxury Hotel)
Palissandre Hotel: www.hotel-palissandre.com (luxury)
Sakamanga Hotel (midrange comfort)
Meva Guest House (midrange comfort)
Tana Jacaranda (midrange comfort)
Chalet De Rose Hotel (midrange comfort)

DAY 15: City tour of Tana:

We will meet in Tana, the capital city of Madagascar. A tour of the town visiting historical landmark followed by a visitof the Royal Palace of Ambohimanga (blue hill) situated 18 km north of Tana which has recently been named a world heritage site by UNESCO. This will complete our day tour of Tana, then transfer to the lnternational airport of Tana to fly home following your flight schedule.
Pricing:

2 to 3 persons: 585 euros pp
4 to 7 persons: 485 euros pp
8 person & more: contact me

Tour included:

Transfer airport/hotel /airport
Car + fuel during the tour
Escort of an English speaking guide during the tour
Driver + his food & rooms
NPs & private reserve fees during the visit
Local guide fees during the visit of NPs & Private reserves
City tour of Tana
Ticket train to Manakara
Excursion along the Pangalana Channel in Manakara

Tour excluded:

All accommodations during the tour
Domestic ticket flight (Tulear to Tana)
Personal spending money
Tips

Meals
Tips
Best regards
Your friendly tourguide
Belaza