The Great West in detail

1. Arrival in Antananarivo, welcome at the airport by our guide.
2. Overnight at the hotel

1. Breakfast at the hotel. Head towards National Road 7; on the agenda, a visit to the iron-to-aluminum workshop in Ambatolampy. Free lunch. Arrival in Antsirabe with the possibility to visit a semi-precious stone cutting workshop and the zebu horn workshop.
2. Overnight with breakfast at the hotel.

1. A day of travel through a diverse landscape. Passing through a landscape shaped by the 'lavaka' phenomenon and some surprising villages. Located on the banks of the Mahajilo River, one of the tributaries of the Tsiribihina River, Miandrivazo is the starting point for the barge cruise.
2. Arrival in the capital of Menabe in the late afternoon.

1. Breakfast is taken very early in the morning, then departure for Bekopaka. Stop at Tsimafana, the port where ferries cross the Tsiribihina River. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant cruise on the river to Belo sur Tsiribihina. Lunch will be enjoyed on-site. The journey continues to the banks of the Manambolo River, accessible after approximately four to five hours of driving from Belo sur Tsiribihina. Board another ferry to reach Bekopaka.
2. Check-in at a hotel for three nights.

1. The Petit Tsingy is more accessible. However, the Grand Tsingy is worth the detour. A hike, preceded by 17 km of track, takes us to the heart of the Grand Tsingy. This vast expanse of razor-sharp rocks forms one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Madagascar. Good physical condition is required; the climb is not easy, but the beauty of the view makes it worthwhile.
2. We return to the starting point in the late afternoon.

1. After breakfast, return to the village of Belo sur Tsiribihina. In the afternoon, arrive at the Kirindy Reserve. A night visit will allow you to see the fossas and many other endemic plants. The Kirindy Reserve is recognized for its local endemism and diversity, related to the biotopes of the South and West of Madagascar.
2. Overnight at the Kirindy Reserve lodge.

1. The off-road adventure begins here, with the first leg being 80 km to the beautiful small fishing village of Belo sur Mer, known for its dhow building. Enjoy a canoe ride, swimming, a walking tour of the dhow building workshop where they are handcrafted, and a visit to the village.
2. Overnight at Ecolodge du Menabe or similar.

1. After breakfast, we continue on the track to reach the agricultural village of Manja. Then we head to the village of Bevoay, where we will cross the Mangoky River by ferry. Note that in this part of the island, baobabs are ubiquitous.
2. Overnight at hotel

1. We stroll through the quaint and charming town of Morombe, where time seems to have stood still. 45 km away, we reach the beautiful site of Andavadoaka, where the coral barrier ends.
2. Overnight at the hotel.

1. Free day
2. Overnight at the hotel

1. To follow the traces of zebu carts, we travel along the coastal track in a 4x4 vehicle. This excursion allows us to cross vast spiny forests dotted with baobabs. We then arrive at Salary, a seaside village with striking charm. Indeed, we are inevitably charmed by the white sandy beaches.
2. Overnight at the hotel

1. We continue along the coastal track before reaching the seaside resort of Ifaty. After lunch, we head to Tuléar, the capital of the Southwest.
2. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

1. Boat transfer to the Vezo ethnic village of Anakao. Check-in at the hotel. Free day. Visit the village to discover the daily life of the Vezo fishermen.
2. Overnight in Anakao.

1. Free day. Swimming and canoeing on this vast and beautiful lagoon. Coral sand and emerald sea await. On-site activities include visiting Nosy Ve and/or Nosy Satrana.
2. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

1. The great southern region of Madagascar and its coastal track. River crossings, vast sandbanks surrounded by a cactus forest, encounters with Antandroy families perched on their zebu carts. Arrival at the village of Itampolo, a unique seaside site of natural and untamed beauty. A magical place with a dream beach...
2. Dinner and overnight at a lodge.

The longest and most beautiful 4x4 stage of the great South. River crossings, vast sandbanks surrounded by a cactus forest, encounters with Antandroy families perched on their zebu carts.

1. For this day, visit the special reserve of Cap Sainte Marie. You'll encounter a diverse fauna and flora: birds, whales in season (August to November), turtles, spiny bushes (dwarf vegetation and coastal dune thicket), and dwarf baobabs, among others.
2. After the visit, return to the hotel. Check into your bungalow, which offers a superb view of the site and the sea.
3. Dinner and overnight stay at the eco-lodge.

1. End of the trail, passing by funerary tombs adorned with stelae and zebu horns, through semi-desertic areas where the track seems endless. Visit the very pleasant Berenty Nature Reserve, located on the southern bank of the Mandrare River. This true nature sanctuary is especially known for its lemurs and its highly diverse flora and fauna.
2. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse.

1. Final stretch through the dry vegetation of the great south before entering another Malagasy world: Fort Dauphin and its oceanic climate. The landscape changes, and you approach a greener region. Along the way, you'll encounter nepenthes (carnivorous plants) and trihedral palms, including Neodypsis decaryi.
2. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

1. Transfer by car and then by boat through the marshes to the village of Evatraha: discover this beautiful white sand bay bordered by primary forest. Free day: swimming, fishing, coastal walks…
2. Overnight stay at the ecolodge.

1. Complete change of scenery by this beautiful white sand bay bordered by primary forest. Activities for the day include snorkeling, fishing, sea turtle observation, lobsters, sun and beach, coastal walks, exploration of uninhabited islands, and strange-shaped granite blocks.
2. Overnight stay at the ecolodge.

1. Free morning at Lokaro. In the afternoon, transfer to Fort Dauphin. Free afternoon for a stroll around town or rest at the hotel.
2. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

1. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your flight to Antananarivo.
2. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.