Adventure Expeditions to Andringitra and Isalo National Parks in 12 days

  • Duration

    12 days / 11 nights
  • Travel style

    Soft adventures
  • Location

    Andringitra - Isalo - Ifaty

Tour Details

Availability: From mid-April to early November, inaccessible during rainy season (mid-November to March)

Operated by: Madagascar Tourism Expeditions.

Madagascar known as the home to one of the richest ecosystems in the world, and the most rewarding destinations for anyone with a broad interest in nature, wildlife and adventure.

This itinerary, dedicated to nature and adventure lovers, will take us to the Southern part of Madagascar during which you will be in the heart of an astonishing landscape. You will mainly have a trekking day through the famous Andringitra National Park where you will have an opportunity to climb the famous Pic Bob, the third highest mountain in Madagascar. And through the canyons of Isalo National Park, which is the most visited park in Madagascar with astonishing landscapes of natural massive rock uniform dating from the Jurassic era, with a typical and amazing wildlife species.

What to expect

Highlights: Andringitra National Park – Tsaranoro Valley – Pic Boby – Isalo National Park – Reniala spiny forest

Activities: Hiking – Adventure - Wildlife

Difficulty: High

Holiday Type : Tailor-made

You will visit: The Southern part of Madagascar

Trip style: Wildlife Enthusiast - Groups – Photographers – Solo Traveller – Couple

Comfort level of the accommodation : From Standard to High

Transportation: 4*4 - Minibus (depending on group size)

Physical demand: Include activities like walks and hikes

Tour Plan

Day 1 Arrival in Antananarivo

Arrival at the international airport of Antananarivo.

After immigration and customs formalities, meet and greet with your English-speaking guide. Proceed to money exchange then transfer to the hotel.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Antananarivo - Ambositra

After breakfast, drive on to Ambositra to the Southern part of the Island. Main stop at Ambatolampy, which is mainly known for its forging and foundry industry, famous for its production of kitchen utensils made of aluminum. Arrive at Antsirabe, have lunch there, then short city tour to discover the region, and visit of the small handicraft fabrics. After that, drive to Ambositra, famous for the woodcraft and typical art made of wood. Upon arrival, you can have a visit of some woodcraft shops before your checking.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Ambositra – Ambalavao - Andringitra

After breakfast, drive on to the south to reach Andringitra passing by the big town of Fianarantsoa where you will have lunch, then drive to the village of Ambalavao and visit the local paper factory, which allowed visitors to learn more about this famous paper “Antemoro paper”. Then another visit at the silk workshop to discover about spinning and weaving of wild silk using traditional methods. Then head on to the lodge after the visit.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Andringitra

You leave your lodge very early in the morning crossing the Sahanambo Valley. After the formalities for entering the Park in Morarano, you continue your hike at the foot of impressive cliffs in Andringitra National Park. The climb can be difficult and stimulating in some courses. You will go through the Diavolana circuit, at 1950m, and spend the night in Andriampotsy (2100m) at your own pace. It is an excursion of 10 hours of walking around with an ascent in one day of 1400m of altitude. From birds, lizards (Oplurus quadrimaculatus), or chameleons (Furcifer lateralis) will be your route companies. Picnic lunch and dinner are provided. It is a trek of high level which requires a very good physical condition

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Andringitra

Early awakening with the first rays of the sun and departure to attack the ascent of the Pic Boby (2658m), which has 3000 steps in all. The ridge on which the summit is very exposed to the climatic influences of the East with high humidity which can quickly cover the pics and thus ruin your beautiful climb to this pic prestigious of Madagascar. After 3 hours of walking, you will reach the pic from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the whole region. In very good weather, you can even see the Isalo massif further south. Descent to continue on the circuit “extraterrestrial ". You will quickly understand why this circuit is called like this: landscapes surreal moons. Lunch will be served at the edge of a river. On the descent (very technical) after this superb landscape, you cross the endemic palm forest to the “Iantaranaomby” campsite (1650m) on the edge of a river in which you can refresh. Dinner with songs from our team and warmer night in a tent

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Andringitra

Departure after breakfast for the descent to the Sahanambo valley. You see the Tsaranoro and Chameleon mountains then cross the villages of Barabory (Manamisoa and Morarano) for arrival after 4 hours of walking. Arrival to the lodge and enjoy your lunch.

Afternoon relaxes after this incredible hiking.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Andringitra – Isalo

Leave Andringitra and drive on to the south passing through Ambalavao again, to reach Isalo, the main village at the entry of the national park, you will arrive at destination. Have lunch and enjoy your afternoon at leisure or go for a visit of the interpretation house of Isalo National Park to know more about the park.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Isalo

Today you will have a day trekking expedition into the Isalo National Park. This is among the best and most visited park in Madagascar, with astonishing landscapes of natural massive rock uniform dating from the Jurassic era, with a typical and amazing wildlife species. The visit begins by a morning walk through the forest and canyons, on the way you may see including the ring-tailed lemurs and red fronted brown lemurs; it is also a good spot for birding as it is the home of the Benson’s rock thrush with picnic lunch.

Late in the afternoon, drive back to the lodge with a short stop at the sandstone window of Isalo to enjoy the sunset. A real post card that deserves the detour.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Isalo – Tulear - Ifaty

Today after breakfast, head on towards the city of Toliara, passing through the village of Ilakaka which is famous for the sapphire mines and its Zombitse forest and finally to the quiet coastal beach village of Ifaty, situated at 30km north of Toliara. Upon arrival; have lunch and have an afternoon at leisure to enjoy surrounding.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Din

Day 10 Ifaty – Birdwatching into Reniala Spiny Forest

Today we will have an early morning expedition into the spiny forests nearby. Baobab trees will be seen along the main trail and you will be able to do a bird watching at the same time as this forest is a great spot to locate the long-tailed ground roller and other interesting bird species such as the Green Capped Coua, Geckos, snakes, warty chameleons can also be spotted in the forest.

After this expedition you will return to your hotel for lunch and the rest of the day will be spent at leisure.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Ifaty – Tulear – Antananarivo

Enjoy a morning at leisure depending on your flight schedule. Then, transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the highland to reach Antananarivo. At arrival, transfer to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Antananarivo - Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, today, go for a city tour to discover the town of Antananarivo and its history. After that, transfer to the airport to take your exit flight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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