MYSTIC WEST AND RN7 DISCOVERY
If you have a thirst for vast open spaces and an adventurous spirit, then this journey is made for you! An itinerary rich and diverse, allowing you to explore the West, then the Great South, before heading back towards the center of the island through the Highlands.
The crossing of the wild Great West begins with a journey along the Tsiribihina River, followed by off-road 4x4 tracks leading to the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Our adventure continues with the discovery of the immense turquoise blue lagoon of the West, surrounded by vegetation marked by baobabs and octopus trees.
For the final part of the trip, we ascend to the Highlands to explore, both by road and through hikes, the Isalo Massif, the Tsaranoro Massif with its lemurs, and the breathtaking terraced rice fields.
The final price of this MYSTIC WEST
AND RN7
DISCOVERY tour
will vary
depending on the desired
customization. However, please let us
know your budget and the plan you have in mind, and we will provide a final price that
suits your needs.
Distance to travel : 2100 Km
Total duration : 19 Day - 18 Night
Period : All year round
Difficulty :
80%
Comfort :
20%
Rating :
Itinerary for this 19 days
Antananarivo – Antsirabe – Miandrivazo – Belo sur tsiribihina - Bekopaka – Morondava – Belo sur mer – Manja – Moronmbe - Andavadaoka - Salary - Ifaty - Tulera - Ranohira - Andringitra - Anja - Ambalavao - Fianarantsoa - Ambositra - Antsirabe - Antananarivo
ITINERARY
DAY 1 : ANTANANARIVO
Arrival at Ivato. Steps for the visa. Guests are welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. Installation at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2 : ANTANANARIVO - MIANDRIVAZO
We take the road in the morning towards Antsirabe. A mosaic of typical Highland landscapes unfolds before our eyes, with rice fields, small waterfalls, and traditional houses built of red earth. We make a few stops along the way, including a visit to an artisan aluminum foundry in Ambatolampy, where pots and kitchen utensils are crafted. We arrive in Antsirabe by late morning and take the opportunity to visit the famous miniature craftsmen, the zebu horn workshop for unique souvenirs, and the embroidery workshop run by women. Finally, we leave the Highlands behind and cross the vast savanna-covered plains, reaching Miandrivazo, located on the banks of the Tsiribihina River. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3-4 : TSIRIBIHINA RIVER DESCENT (2 NIGHTS)
Once we arrive at the port, we board a motorboat and begin the descent of one of Madagascar's largest rivers. Along the way, we observe a variety of aquatic birds and other species inhabiting the riverbanks, such as chameleons perched on the reeds. Lunch on board. Culturally, this river holds great significance in various sacred ceremonies, such as the Fitampoho, the royal relic bathing ritual of the Sakalava kings of Menabe, believed to purify and bring renewal according to local beliefs. In the evening, we set up our bivouac on the riverbanks.
DAY 5 : BELO sur TSIRIBIHINA - BEKOPAKA
In the morning, we navigate for a few hours to reach the port. After lunch on board, we finally disembark, marking the end of our river descent. We continue for a few minutes on the trails of the Menabe coastal plain, at the heart of the Sakalava region, to reach Belo sur Tsiribihina, a charming fishing village. Our journey then continues on a rugged 4x4 track to Bekopaka. Along the way, we admire numerous baobab trees and beautiful forests. Upon arrival in the small village of Bekopaka, we catch a glimpse of the banks of the Manambolo River and possibly its stunning gorges.
DAY 6 : BEKOPAKA
Departure by 4x4 towards the Grands Tsingy, located about twenty kilometers from the village of Bekopaka. This circuit offers an in-depth exploration of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park: deep crevices, caves, canyons, and labyrinths, leading to a 50-meter-long suspended bridge. Crossing it, we reach the top of the Tsingy, where a viewpoint provides a breathtaking 360° panorama of this exceptional landscape. Return in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite.
DAY 7 : BEKOPAKA - MORONDAVA
In the morning, we take the 4x4 towards Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, crossing stunning savanna-like landscapes. After the folkloric ferry crossing of the Tsiribihina River, we continue towards Morondava on a track passing through vast dry forests, typical of the region. Along the way, we stop at the famous Avenue of the Baobabs to admire a magnificent sunset, one of the highlights of the area. We arrive in Morondava in the early evening. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8 : MORONDAVA - BELO sur MER
We take the track towards Belo sur Mer, a small Vezo fishing village nestled in a beautiful bay, renowned for its traditional construction of dhows and schooners. Along the way, we travel through a landscape dotted with baobab trees and cross the Kabatomena River at a 150-meter-long ford, leading to a stunning saltwater expanse. We arrive at the village by late morning and spend the afternoon relaxing on a pristine white sand beach, perfect for swimming, or exploring the surroundings: shipyard, fishing village, pirogue excursions, or even snorkeling to discover the coral reefs.
DAY 9 : BELO su MER - MANJA
In the morning, we continue our journey through the heart of Sakalava country towards the village of Manja. This route passes through a semi-arid landscape with a dense population of jujube trees and scattered savanna woodlands. Along the way, we observe beautifully decorated and colorful Sakalava tombs, reflecting the status of the deceased. This journey also offers opportunities to stop in lively small towns before arriving in Manja in the afternoon. There is an option to visit the village and its local market before spending the night in a bush hotel.
DAY 10 : MANJA - MOROMBE - ANDAVADAOKA
Early departure through Sakalava country to reach Bevoay, a small village on the riverbank. After crossing the Mangoky River by ferry, we head towards the coast, arriving in Morombe in the early afternoon. The track winds through mangroves and follows the mangrove forest before revealing the first bottle-shaped baobabs and octopus trees. The final stretch of road to Andavadaoka offers stunning views of small sandy coves along the coast. Overnight stay at a seaside hotel.
DAY 11 : ANDAVADAOKA - SALARY - IFATY
Our journey comes to an end with a free day in Ifaty. This is the perfect time to relax, swim, and unwind on the white sandy beaches of the Ifaty lagoon. You can also embark on a picturesque pirogue excursion, a traditional boat widely used by the local population. For those who prefer exploration, visit the Vezo fishing villages along the coastline. Here, you will discover their daily way of life, particularly their fishing traditions, as the Vezo people maintain a strong connection to the sea and its sacred beliefs.
DAY 12 : IFATY - TULEAR - RANOHIRA
In the morning, we head to the city of Tuléar, where you will have the opportunity to take a short tour of the local market. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to the small village of Ranohira. Along the way, we cross stunning semi-desert landscapes resembling savannas, adorned with Antandroy and Mahafaly tombs. The scenery then shifts as we pass through the Zombitse dry forest before reaching the majestic Isalo Massif in the late afternoon.
DAY 13 : RANOHIRA
We dedicate a full day to exploring the Isalo National Park. Our hike takes us through this Jurassic-era sandstone massif, shaped by time, featuring a unique geomorphology, endemic vegetation, and a diverse fauna, including rock-dwelling reptiles, most of which are found nowhere else. You will witness otherworldly landscapes, where deep canyons vanish into the savanna, dotted with tall grasses and forests of tapia trees. Guided by a local expert, we follow well-marked trails to discover natural pools, waterfalls, and playful lemurs. This journey through time unveils a fascinating geological and cultural heritage while offering breathtaking panoramic views. We return to the village by late afternoon for an overnight stay.
DAY 14 : RANOHIRA - ANDRINGITRA
We continue our journey across the semi-desert plateau of Horombe to reach the heart of Bara country, an ethnic group known for zebu herding. Leaving the main road behind, we take an off-road track in a 4x4 vehicle to reach Camp Catta, nestled at the foot of the Tsaranoro Massif, one of the most majestic mountains of Andringitra.
DAY 15 : ANDRINGITRA
Hiking in the Andringitra Massif, where a unique and pristine fauna and flora thrive, including the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur Catta), recognizable by its black-and-white striped tail. We set off to explore this wild region, rich in legends and ancestral beliefs.
DAY 16 : ANDRINGITRA - FIANARANTSOA
Transfer back to the main road to reach Ambalavao, where we will visit a traditional Antemoro paper workshop. We then continue our journey to Fianarantsoa. In the late afternoon, a short walking tour is a must to explore the city’s historic charm: its religious buildings, century-old houses, lively alleys, and stairways winding between homes. The walk culminates at the hilltop, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
DAY 17 : FIANARANTSOA - AMBOSITRA
Early departure to the village of Sahambavy, home to Madagascar’s only tea plantation. During our visit, we will learn about the tea-making process, from harvesting to packaging. The tour concludes with a tea tasting session and a short walk through the vast plantation, where we can observe tea pickers at work (in season). We then continue our journey towards Ambositra, crossing the scenic landscapes of the Highlands. Upon arrival, we visit the renowned Zafimaniry art workshops, known for their exquisite wood carving and marquetry. Check-in, dinner, and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 18 : AMBOSITRA - ANTSIRABE - ANTANANARIVO
Early departure towards Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, approximately 260 km away. We make a stop in Antsirabe to visit the famous miniature crafts workshop, the zebu horn artisans for unique souvenirs, and the embroidery workshop for women. Continuing along RN7, we take a second break in Ambatolampy to explore a traditional aluminum pot-making workshop. These visits depend on the schedule of your return flight. The journey continues through rice fields and traditional villages before reaching Antananarivo. If time allows, we take a short city tour before heading to the airport for international departure assistance or to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 19 : ANTANANARIVO - FLIGHT BACK
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the city of Antananarivo. Last shopping at the craft market. At the scheduled time, departure to the Ivato airport for the international flight. Boarding formalities.
Include
- Vehicle rental for the entire journey from Tana to
Tana
- Fuel for
the whole circuit
- Service of a French-speaking driver-guide
for groups of 1 to 4 people
- Service
of a French-speaking tour guide for groups of 5 or more -
Accommodation in single,
double, or triple rooms in hotels
- Meals as specified in the
program
- Entrance
fees and mandatory local guide fees in national
parks (Bemaraha, Isalo)
-
Welcomes and land transfers as planned in the itinerary
-
Visits and excursions as
detailed in the program
- Tourist tax in hotels.
Not include
- The visa.
- Tips
- personal expense and none specified items
- International flights and domestic flights.
- Personal spending.
- Drinks.
- Lunch
- dinner
- travel insurance
Let's build your trip together
To better assist you, we invite you to contact us so we can discuss and build your travel
project to
Madagascar with
you !!!
Feel free to write to us or call us from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM GMT+3, Monday to Saturday, and
Sunday
from 1:00 PM
to 5:00
PM.
