Discovering Madagascar: Myths and Legends

Bemiray Tours

Tour highlights:

Bemiray tours

Jour 01: Arrivée à AntaDay 01: Arrival in Antananarivonanarivo

Meet and greet and transfer to your hotel

Overnight at Trois Métis (bed and breakfast)

Jour 01 Arrivée à Antananarivo

Day 02: Antananarivo – Antsirabe

4 to 5 hours by road, including stops

Early in the morning, at around 7:00 a.m., we leave Antananarivo and head south towards the Central Highlands.

After lunch, we continue our journey towards Antsirabe, with a stop at Mandraka Park, a private reserve known as Madagascar Exotique. The park is dedicated to the breeding and conservation of butterflies and other animal species.

We then continue towards Madagascar’s first thermal town. Along the way, we travel through picturesque villages and discover some of the typical landscapes of the Malagasy Highlands, particularly the impressive rice fields and terraced paddies.

We may also stop to visit a traditional foundry and discover the local techniques used to manufacture household utensils.

Lunch at your own expense along the way.

Arrival in Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region, located in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Covering an area of 16,599 km², Vakinankaratra is one of the smaller regions of Madagascar. It borders Bongolava to the northwest, Itasy to the north, Analamanga to the northeast, Alaotra-Mangoro and Atsinanana to the east, Amoron’i Mania to the south, and Menabe to the west.

Antsirabe is particularly famous for its numerous rickshaws, known locally as pousse-pousse, which have become one of the city’s most distinctive features.

Overnight at Chambre des Voyageurs, half board.

Jour 02 Antananarivo – Antsirabe

Day 03: Antsirabe

After a briefing with your guide, we set off for an immersive exploration of Madagascar’s first thermal town.

Antsirabe is known for its relatively cool climate, its local industries and the large number of rickshaws operating throughout the city.

After an early start, we meet our local guide for a 4- to 7-hour hike.

We head towards Betafo, located 22 km west of Antsirabe along National Road 34, where we begin our exploration of the surrounding villages.

Highlights include:

  • Visit to a traditional blacksmith’s village
  • Visit to a rope-making and basket-weaving workshop
  • Visit to Antafofo and the Andriamamovoka waterfall
  • Discovery of Lake Tatamarina
  • Visit to Madagascar’s first Lutheran church, built in 1867
  • Visit to the Royal Tomb
  • Panoramic views of the typical Vakinankaratra landscape, including its impressive terraced rice fields
  • Picnic lunch

In the afternoon, we visit the Betafo market, particularly lively on Mondays, before heading to the Andranomafana Betafo thermal springs. A relaxing bath is highly recommended after the hike.

At the end of the day, return to Antsirabe.

Overnight at Royal Palace Hotel, including breakfast.

Jour 03 Antsirabe
Jour 03 Antsirabe
Jour 03 Antsirabe

Day 04: Antsirabe – Ranomafana National Park

227.2 km of winding roads – approximately 4.5 hours, including stops

After breakfast, departure at around 8:00 a.m. for Ambositra.

Ambositra is the capital of the Amoron’i Mania region and is renowned as Madagascar’s centre of woodcarving, thanks to the presence of the Zafimaniry people, a subgroup of the Betsileo ethnic group.

The town is home to numerous workshops and shops selling beautifully crafted wooden boxes, chessboards, figurines and other traditional objects. Zafimaniry woodcraft is recognized as part of Madagascar’s cultural heritage.

Lunch at your own expense.

We then continue towards Ranomafana National Park, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight at Centre Est, half board.

Jour 04 Antsirabe – Ranomafana National Park
Jour 04 Antsirabe – Ranomafana National Park

Day 05: Ranomafana National Park – Ambalavao

110 km of winding roads – approximately 2.5 hours, including stops

Ranomafana is also known as one of Madagascar’s famous thermal destinations.

Early in the morning, we enter the national park at around 7:30 a.m. to make the most of the day.

Located in southeastern Madagascar, Ranomafana National Park protects a spectacular tropical rainforest ecosystem. It is home to numerous rare and endemic species, including the golden bamboo lemur, greater bamboo lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur and Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, as well as more than 130 species of frogs.

Established in 1991, the park was created to protect the unique biodiversity of the region and reduce human pressure on the protected area. It forms part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Around 10:00 a.m., we continue our journey towards Fianarantsoa, where we stop for lunch and take the opportunity to explore the historic Upper Town.

Fianarantsoa was founded in the early 19th century by the Merina to serve as an administrative capital for the newly conquered Betsileo kingdoms. Its name means “Good Education” in Malagasy.

Today, it is considered an important cultural and intellectual centre of Madagascar. The city is home to some of the island’s oldest Protestant and Lutheran cathedrals, the country’s oldest theological seminary, as well as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Fianarantsoa.

Fianarantsoa is also considered Madagascar’s wine capital, thanks to the numerous vineyards and wine-producing activities found in the surrounding region.

We then continue towards Ambalavao, located at the southernmost edge of the Central Highlands.

Depending on the schedule, we may visit a workshop producing the famous Antemoro paper, a traditional Malagasy craft introduced through Arab influence.

Ambalavao offers a fascinating combination of landscapes, traditions, craftsmanship and rural life. The region is also known for agriculture and cattle farming, with rice, peanuts and cassava among the main crops.

This journey offers an intimate encounter with an authentic Madagascar — its landscapes, culture and people — creating memories that will stay with you long after your return.

Overnight at Betsileo Country Lodge, half board.

Jour 05 Ranomafana National Park – Ambalavao
Jour 05 Ranomafana National Park – Ambalavao

Day 06: Ambalavao – Ranohira

210 km of paved roads – approximately 4.5 hours, including stops

A relaxed morning followed by a visit to a workshop dedicated to the famous Antemoro paper, one of Madagascar’s traditional crafts.

This unique papermaking tradition has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated with Arab merchants who arrived on the southeastern coast of Madagascar and introduced papermaking techniques for reproducing religious texts, including the Quran.

The Antemoro people later adopted and developed this technique, using the paper to transcribe sacred and esoteric texts.

Depending on our schedule, we may make a detour to Anja Community Reserve, where we can observe local wildlife, including lemurs, as well as traditional tombs decorated with zebu skulls.

Lunch at your own expense.

We then continue towards Ranohira, gateway to Isalo National Park.

Overnight at Satrana Lodge, half board.

Jour 06 Ambalavao – Ranohira

Day 07: Isalo National Park

A full day dedicated to exploring the spectacular landscapes of Isalo National Park.

Depending on your physical condition and preferences, several hiking and sightseeing options are available within the park.

Isalo National Park is one of Madagascar’s most remarkable protected areas. Its landscape is dominated by spectacular Jurassic sandstone formations shaped by erosion, creating a unique ruiniform massif surrounded by endemic vegetation.

The park is home to characteristic species of aloe, euphorbia, pachypodium and kalanchoe, as well as wildlife specially adapted to this extraordinary environment.

Highlights may include:

  • Canyon of the Makis
  • Rats Canyon
  • Nymphs’ Waterfall
  • Natural Swimming Pool
  • Portuguese Grottoes

Lunch at your own expense.

Overnight at Satrana Lodge, half board.

Jour 07 Parc national de l’Isalo

Day 08: Ranohira – Toliara – Ifaty

250 km – approximately 4 to 5 hours by paved road, including stops

After breakfast, we head towards Toliara, the capital of the Atsimo-Andrefana region, located approximately 936 km southwest of Antananarivo.

As we travel further south, the landscape gradually transforms into savannah and bushland, offering a striking contrast with the landscapes of the Central Highlands.

Toliara lies on a broad coastal plain surrounded by dunes and mangroves, close to the Tropic of Capricorn along the Mozambique Channel.

Lunch at your own expense.

The nearby coral reef, known as the Great Reef, stretches for approximately 18 km along the coast and is around 3 km wide. The coastline is bordered by a shallow underwater platform that gradually slopes towards the sea.

To the north lies the Fiherenana Delta.

We continue towards Ifaty.

Overnight at Vovotelo, half board.

Jour 08 Ranohira – Tuléar – Ifaty

Day 09: Ifaty

A free day to enjoy Ifaty at your own pace.

Several activities are available, depending on your interests:

  • Deep-sea fishing
  • Scuba diving
  • Quad biking
  • Snorkelling
  • Cycling
  • Walking and beach activities

Lunch at your own expense.

Overnight at Vovotelo, half board.

Jour 09 Ifaty
Jour 09 Ifaty

Day 10: Ifaty – Toliara – Antananarivo

Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport and flight to Antananarivo.

Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Trois Metis, half board.

Day 11: Antananarivo – Talatan'ny Volonondry

Local tourism offers a unique window into the cultural and historical richness of a destination.

At Talatan’ny Volonondry, we invite you to experience Madagascar from within through an authentic cultural immersion.

The visit takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on foot, allowing you to take your time, appreciate the local surroundings and discover some of the area’s hidden treasures.

Talatan’ny Volonondry is particularly renowned for its production of Koba, a traditional Malagasy delicacy.

You will not only discover the lively local market, but also have the opportunity to witness the preparation of Koba from beginning to end.

Discover the fascinating history and evolution of this traditional dish, an important symbol of the region’s culinary heritage.

We will also explore the world of Malagasy silk.

Every culture has its own unique way of celebrating and expressing its traditions. In Madagascar, the way silk is worn, particularly during ceremonies, plays an important role in cultural identity.

You will discover how Malagasy silk is produced, which raw materials are used, and the ancestral craftsmanship behind this unique tradition.

Beyond these discoveries, your visit will be enriched by a range of cultural activities and opportunities to interact with local residents.

While enjoying traditional local dishes, you will take part in activities alongside members of the community, creating genuine and unforgettable moments of cultural exchange.

Talatan’ny Volonondry is more than just a destination — it is an experience and a journey through Madagascar’s history, traditions and culture.

Return to Antananarivo at the end of the day.

A special lunch will be arranged, including a cultural performance and a meeting with a local artist. This will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, encouraging meaningful intercultural dialogue.

Overnight at Trois Metis, including breakfast.

Jour 11 Antananarivo – Talatavolonondry
Jour 11 Antananarivo – Talatavolonondry

Day 12: Antananarivo – Departure

Your final day is dedicated to souvenir shopping and enjoying some free time in Antananarivo.

Lunch at your own expense.

Transfer to the airport, assistance with departure formalities and flight back to your home country.

End of our services.

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Please note: Prices may vary depending on accommodation availability.