Madagascar Loop Tour : The West and the RN7
This Madagascar loop tour allows you to discover the West, RN7 with your Tour Operator. Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Ambatomilo and Salary.
The Madagascar loop tour allows you to explore most of the island. Discover the Tsingy of Bemaraha and the dhow making at Belo sur Mer in this Madagascar loop tour, passing by the beautiful beaches of Andavadoaka to Ifaty then continue your adventure on the National Road 7 to reach Antananarivo.
Madagascar loop tour
Duration: 20 days / 19 nights
Itinerary : Antananarivo – Antsirabe – Morondava – Bekopaka – Morondava – Belo sur Mer – Manja – Morombe – Andavadoaka – Salary – Tuléar – Ranohira – Ranomafana – Antsirabe –Antananarivo
− Tsingy of Bemaraha National Park: Extensive cathedrals of limestone and crumbly rocks composed of fossilized shells and subsequently shaped by rainwater. UNESCO World Heritage site
− Isalo National Park: Ruiniform massif of continental Jurassic geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloes, Euphorbia, Pachypodes, Kalanchoe…) as well as rock reptiles, avifauna, primates…
− Ranomafana National Park: A dense humid forest of low and medium altitude, plant and animal species such as Pandanus, Varecia, Crayfish, Limnogale Mergulus
− Dhow and schooner making discovery, salt flower harvesting in Belo sur Mer
− Baobab Alley and Baobab in love discovery / RABESANDRATANA Oceanographic Museum visit and Zafimaniry arts discovery
− White sand beaches and turquoise water of Salary/Andavadoaka/Belo sur Mer
− The asset of this Madagascar loop tour: mini safari in the South West
Day 1. ANTANANARIVO
Depending on your booking date, a warm reception and a nice meeting will be reserved for you at Antananarivo airport. Transfer to your hotel to prepare for the next day’s adventure!
On the way to make memories!
Night at hotel.
Day 2. ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE
On the way to the National 7 passing by Behenjy town to taste its famous local foie gras known as the best in Madagascar. It is also known for its «menakely»: very tasty rice fritters. You will also taste tasty sausages and roasted chickens with local spices. Behenjy is a true gastronomic city.
Then back on the road and stop at Ambatolampy, a small town typical of the highlands region, located a few kilometers of the Ankaratra massif. It is known for its foundries, for the manufacture of copper, aluminum articles and utensils.
Continuation towards Antsirabe «The city of water». Installation at your hotel and a small city tour.
Night at hotel.
Day 3. ANTSIRABE – MORONDAVA
After breakfast, on the way to the city of Morondava and let yourself be carried away by the landscapes’ variation all along the road.
Arrival at destination, relaxation to prepare for the next day.
Night at hotel.
Day 4. MORONDAVA – BEKOPAKA
Resumption of the adventure to reach Bekopaka while discovering the Menabe region.
Once arrived, transfer to your hotel and relaxation.
Night at hotel.
Day 5. TSINGY OF BEMARAHA NATIONAL PARK (Manambolo Gorge – Little Tsingy)
To start the day, visit of the Manambolo gorge which is a large limestone cliff carved by the river millions of years ago forming impressive caves. Then we continue to the Little Tsingy at the entrance to Bemaraha National Park.
The Tsingy are extensive limestone cathedrals and friable rocks composed of fossilized shells and subsequently shaped by rainwater giving it the merit of one of the whole island’s most spectacular landscapes .
Night at hotel.
Day 6. TSINGY OF BEMARAHA NATIONAL PARK (Great Tsingy)
The second day will be dedicated to the visit and discovery of the Great Tsingy 15 km from Bekopaka. This visit requires a good physical condition, rewarded then by a breathtaking view to the top of the Tsingy.
Night at hotel.
Day 7. BEKOPAKA – MORONDAVA
On the way to Morondava city, crossing a dry forest track and a grassy savannah.
A small detour to the Baobab in love, then discovery of the famous Baobab Alley at sunset. An authentic show that will amaze you among your most beautiful memories.
Night at hotel.
Day 8. MORONDAVA – BELO SUR MER
Back on the road on a white sand track for Belo sur Mer. Fording some rivers during the trip like Kabatomena, Maharivo… After crossing the immense saline of Belo, an amazing white landscape awaits you.
Night at hotel.
Day 9. BELO SUR MER
Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Belo sur Mer and the deep blue lagoon. But different activities will be proposed to you by your hotel according to your desires. In particular, dugout canoe trips to observe the rich flora and fauna of the region, swimming, observation of local crafts, the large salt works, manufacture of dhows and schooners that make the reputation of the village.
Night at hotel.
Day 10. BELO SUR MER – MANJA – MOROMBE
Resuming the track to join Morombe by crossing the Mangoky River. A cumbersome landscape of thorn forest dotted with Baobabs borders along the track. You will be surprised by the giant Baobab tree of about 20 meters of circumference being the oldest of Madagascar.
All along the way, you can admire Baobabs with vast savannah landscape and some villages.
Night at hotel.
Day 11. MOROMBE – ANDAVADOAKA
Resume the coastal track along the Mozambique Channel to reach Andavadoaka with a view of beautiful beaches and deep blue sea.
Arrival at your destination, installation at your hotel and rest of the day free.
Night at hotel.
Day 12. ANDAVADOAKA
Free day to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Andavadoaka and the deep blue of the sea. But different activities will be proposed to you by your hotel according to your desires.
Andavadoaka is also a fishermen’s village with an enchanting landscape combining white sand, baobab forest and green lagoon as far as the eye can see.
Night at hotel.
Day 13. ANDAVADOAKA – SALARY
Direction to Salary through landscapes of dry forests where baobabs are omnipresent. Salary is a small fishing village between Andavadoaka and Tulear (a little over 100 km north of Tulear).
A true masterpiece of nature, a sumptuous landscape on the edge of the Ambatomilo lagoon, baobabs, white sand dunes, and an encounter with the Vezo people await you.
Night at hotel.
Day 14. SALARY
Free day to enjoy the Salary Bay. Its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see make it a paradisiacal place, all in an almost unreal calm. You can only hear the waves sound in this virgin and still preserved nature. The place is quite isolated, it is not on the usual tourist tours. The bay of Salary is a destination, not a passage. It is perfect for travelers who want to recharge their batteries.
Nevertheless, different activities will be proposed to you by your hotel according to your desires.
Night at hotel.
Day 15. SALARY – TULÉAR (RABESANDRATANA Oceanographic Museum) – RANOHIRA
Resumption of the road in the direction to Tuléar city. RABESANDRATANA Oceanographic Museum visit presenting the richness of the Mozambique Channel seabed. You can discover corals, sponges, shells, turtles and fish as well as mollusks reflecting the maritime heritage of Madagascar’s Southern region
Continuation to Ranohira.
Night at hotel.
Day 16. ISALO NATIONAL PARK
Visit of the Isalo National Park which represents a unique ecology within the Madagascar National Parks network. The Isalo National Park contains a ruiniform massif of continental Jurassic geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloes, Euphorbia, Pachypodes, Kalanchoe…).
The specific fauna of this exceptional habitat is largely endemic (rock reptiles, avifauns, primates…). Isalo is the Colorado of Madagascar, an open window on Southern biodiversity.
Night at hotel.
Day 17. RANOHIRA – FIANARANTSOA – RANOMAFANA
After breakfast, drive to the capital of the Betsileo country: Fianarantsoa.
A small city tour then resumed the road for Ranomafana National Park.
Arrival in Ranomafana, relaxation at your hotel.
Night at hotel.
Day 18. RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
The day will be devoted to the visit of Ranomafana National Park containing a dense humid forest of low and medium altitude, a bamboo forest, a swamp where plant and animal species such as Pandanus, Varecia variegata variegata, Crayfish, Limnogale Mergulus choose as habitat. The Park represents in itself the biodiversity of the Eastern rainforest.
Night at hotel.
Day 19. RANOMAFANA – AMBOSITRA (Zafimaniry arts) – ANTSIRABE
Departure to reach Antsirabe passing by Ambositra formerly called “The city of roses”. It is the capital of the territory “Zafimaniry” and especially a city of art, culture and crafts (master of Madagascar’s marquetry). It is worth visiting this city to acquire a know-how in craftsmanship.
Visit the craft stalls selling Zafimaniry wood sculptures, furniture and the famous marquetries testifying to the creativity and mastery of this very special art. After having been enriched by these different cultures, back on the road again to Antsirabe.
Night at hotel.
Day 20. ANTSIRABE – ANTANANARIVO
After breakfast, back on the road to the Capital passing through an astonishing landscape contrast between nature and architecture, culture and people without forgetting the terracotta houses and rice fields along the way.
According to the international return flight schedule, possible small detour to the artisanal market located on the dike road to finish your trip in Madagascar.
Transfer to the airport.
End of Temea Tour services.
− Reception at Antananarivo international airport
− Transfers airport-hotel-airport in Antananarivo
− Crossing rivers in ferries
− Vehicle rental with fuel and driver service
− Accommodations in double room / twin
− Half board
− Vignettes and tourist taxes
− Entrance fees at parks/reserves/sites for this Madagascar loop tour with local guide fees
− International flights, airport taxes
− Visa and travel insurance
− Lunches except those included
− Tips, personal expenses, drinks
− All free activities
− Any other service not mentioned in this Madagascar loop tour
− Other factors independent of our services (increase in airport taxes…)