Responsible Journey Through Madagascar’s Highlands

This exceptional journey through Madagascar takes you to the heart of an island of striking contrasts, between high plateaus, tropical rainforests, authentic villages, and some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.
Designed for travelers seeking cultural immersion, unspoiled nature, and soft adventure, this itinerary combines hiking, village encounters, community-based discoveries, and exploration of iconic sites such as Ranomafana, the Tsaranoro Valley, Isalo, and the legendary Pangalanes Canal, explored by kayak.

Over the days, you will cross very different regions, each with a strong identity: the gentle landscapes of the Highlands, the mysterious world of the Zafimaniry, lush primary forests, the peaceful life along the Pangalanes Canal, and the vast rocky expanses of the south around Ranohira and Isalo.
Accommodation alternates between charming hotels, homestays, and camps by the water, offering a deeply human and authentic experience shaped by encounters with local communities and the discovery of an exceptional natural heritage.

A complete and emotional itinerary, ideal for travelers who want to understand Madagascar in all its diversity while enjoying a truly memorable adventure.

Day 1: Antananarivo
Arrival at Ivato Airport and transfer to the city center for your first night of the tour. Havana Resort Hotel or similar.

Day 2: Antananarivo – Antaniditra (300 km, 8 hours of driving)
In the morning, after breakfast, departure heading south towards Antsirabe, our first stop. Along the way, we will appreciate the emblematic landscape of the Malagasy Highlands, with its red brick houses and rice fields. Two hours after departure, we will arrive in Ambatolampy, where we will make a stop to visit a small foundry specialized in manufacturing kitchen utensils. We will reach Antsirabe around noon, just in time for a lunch break. The city tour will be done by rickshaw, winding through the local markets of Tsara Sabotsi and Antsena Kely. We will also discover artisanal traditions, such as silk processing, cutting and polishing of precious stones, as well as the manufacturing of objects from zebu horns. Then, we will continue south to Ambositra, then pass through this town to continue south into the countryside between hills and rice fields, to Antaniditra. Ivato River Lodge Hotel.

Day 3: Antaniditra – Antoetra – Faliarivo – Sakaivo (15 km by car and 20 km trekking)
As part of a solidarity trip to Madagascar, by car, we will go to Antoetra, where a local guide will show us some of the most beautiful Zafimaniry villages. The Zafimaniry people took refuge in this region to escape military service during the reign of Ranavola. Today, the Zafimaniry are famous for their wood carving skills and craftsmanship, inscribed in 2003 on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. It should be noted that this region was once entirely covered with precious wood forests such as rosewood and ebony, but today, little remains. Reforestation programs have been launched, but slash-and-burn cultivation, widespread in Madagascar, will likely complicate these efforts. The best way to discover local customs remains on foot. In the morning, we will begin our excursion from Antoetra, crossing the typical Zafimaniry countryside to reach Faliarivo, a village perched on a rocky promontory, still imbued with a medieval atmosphere. The smiles of the rural population will remain engraved in your hearts. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn more about the daily life of this ethnic group. Night in a typical village house.

Day 4: Sakaivo – Antoetra – Antaniditra (15 km trekking and 15 km by car)
Today’s hike takes place through rice fields and terraces to reach another Zafimaniry village, the best preserved: Sakaivo. After visiting the village and meeting the chief, we have a difficult walk to the viewpoint via about 1000 steps – it will take us 1 hour just to climb the steps, then another 3 hours to reach Antoetra. Ivato River Lodge Hotel.

Day 5: Antaniditra – Ranomafana (150 km, 5 hours of driving)
After breakfast, we resume the road. After the Ivato center, the road becomes very winding and we expect to arrive in the early afternoon. Superb landscapes: we will reach 1,500 m altitude. In Ranomafana, we will visit a local village. Setam Lodge Hotel or similar.

Day 6: Sahambavy – Mananjary (140 km, 4 hours of driving)
Morning visit to Ranomafana National Park, undoubtedly one of the most famous and spectacular nature reserves in the country. The park is located in the heart of the jungle, in a dense tropical forest of about 40,000 hectares and at an average altitude of 1,200 m. The great diversity of animal and plant species in the reserve has attracted the attention of many biologists and naturalists from around the world for decades. Ranomafana has more than 12 different species of lemurs, as well as hundreds of varieties of wild orchids and more than 114 species of birds distributed within this wild jungle. Our hike will last 4 hours. From Ranomafana, we take the road east towards Mananjary. Jardin de la Mer Hotel.

Days 7-8: Mananjary – Ampasimanjeva – Pangalanes Canal (120 km, 3 hours of driving)
We take the road to Ampasimanjeva, where a 3-day kayak exploration of the Pangalanes Canal to Manakara will begin, passing by floating villages, reed-covered banks and dense tropical vegetation. We will camp for the next 2 nights at peaceful waterfront locations, visit isolated communities and observe the slow pace of life along Madagascar’s longest waterway.

Day 9: Manakara
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Manakara, the end of our canal adventure. The rest of the day is free. Antaimoro Hotel or similar.

Day 10: Ranomafana – Ambalavao (310 km, 8 hours of driving)
Most of the day will be devoted to travel: we will return to the Highlands in over 6 hours and finally reach Ambalavao after about 8 hours. On the RN7, we will visit the upper town of Fianarantsoa, famous for its historic district with cobbled streets, colonial houses and artisans’ workshops – a true cultural and intellectual center of the Highlands. Betsileo Country Lodge Hotel or similar.

Day 11: Ambalavao – Ambohimahamasina (35 km, 2 hours of driving)
Not far from Ambalavao, about 30 kilometers southeast, is Ambohimahamasina, a village nestled in the heart of a green and mountainous landscape. This is where Ambondrombe rises, considered the most sacred mountain in Madagascar. Accompanied by a local guide, we will choose our circuit according to our interests: discover the traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants, understand the spiritual and cultural value of the sacred mountain, or explore the exceptional richness of the region’s flora and fauna. The trails wind through terraced rice fields, primary forests and picturesque villages where traditions have been perpetuated for generations. We will spend the night with a local family, an authentic experience allowing us to share a Malagasy meal, exchange with the local family and experience the simple and warm daily life of the countryside.

Day 12: Ambohimahamasina – Tsaranoro (110 km, 4 hours of driving)
From Ambohimahamasina, we resume the road south, towards our next stage: the Tsaranoro Valley.
About ten kilometers south of Ambalavao, we will stop at the Anja Private Reserve, a true natural gem of about 12 hectares. Classified as a protected reserve since 1999, this wonder houses lush vegetation, breathtaking landscapes, as well as a population of more than 300 ring-tailed lemurs, famous for their ringed tails and complete lack of shyness towards visitors. In Anja, nature and humans coexist in perfect harmony – an inspiring example of community conservation where residents actively participate in protecting their environment. After a short hike through the reserve’s trails, we will continue our route to the Tsaranoro Valley. The track leading to the valley is sometimes difficult but spectacular, offering stunning panoramas of the surrounding mountains. We will reach our destination in the early afternoon, to settle in at Tsarasoa Guest Lodge Hotel or similar.

Day 13: Tsaranoro Valley
In the morning, hike to reach Chameleon Peak. The climb is steep and the path very rugged. We will cross a small sacred forest, small streams and the views are incredible. We should return to our ecolodge in the early afternoon after visiting the local village of Morarano. Tsarasoa Lodge Hotel or similar.

Day 14: Tsaranoro Valley – Ranohira (210 km, 5 hours of driving)
The morning will be devoted to reaching our next stage, Ranohira, the entrance to Isalo National Park. In the afternoon, we will visit a typical Bara village, another famous tribe of Madagascar. The Bara are known for their sports practice, their customs, and in particular for the ritual of stealing a zebu to be able to marry a woman. In Madagascar, they are sometimes called dahalo, meaning bandits. The Bara are probably one of the most fascinating tribes in Madagascar; our local Bara guide will be able to explain the most interesting aspects of their beliefs and habits. H1 Isalo Hotel or similar.

Day 15: Ranohira
Isalo is a truly unique park with incredibly varied landscapes: grassy meadows, mountains, deep canyons and tropical oases with picturesque waterfalls flowing into inviting pools. You may consider swimming after a long hike: here temperatures can easily reach 30°C before noon. Wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Before sunset, we will head to the famous Window of Isalo, a rock formation offering one of the best sunset photo opportunities on the circuit. H1 Isalo Hotel or similar.

Day 16: Ranohira – Ambositra (420 km, 10 hours of driving)
Ranohira is our starting point for the return to Antananarivo; we will reach Ambositra in about 10 hours. Possibility to extend the circuit to one of the best beaches in southwestern Madagascar.

Day 17: Ambositra – Antananarivo (260 km, 8 hours of driving)
Last stage of the journey: we will arrive in Antananarivo before evening. Hotel near the airport. Chat’o Park Hotel or similar.

Day 18: Antananarivo
Our last service is transfer to the airport. End of our services.

Price per person: