Day 1: Antananarivo
ITALY / ANTANANARIVO (-/-/-)
Experience a unique journey with a tour of southern Madagascar, traveling through breathtaking landscapes, authentic culture, and unspoiled nature. Starting from Antananarivo, we will discover the Lemur Park in Ampefy and the incredible natural wonders of Antsirabe. You will cross the central highlands to explore Isalo National Park, with its spectacular canyons, and the lush rainforest of Ranomafana, home to lemurs and endemic species. Along the way, you will also visit traditional villages and colonial towns, immersing yourself in local life among zebu markets and animist ceremonies.
Horses will not be missing, although the distances and terrain of this destination do not allow us to use them as our main mode of transport.
For those with more time available, the journey continues to Nosy Be, a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters and golden beaches. Here you can relax, dive among coral reefs, explore enchanting islands like Nosy Komba and Nosy Iranja, and enjoy unforgettable sunsets. A perfect adventure of nature, culture, and sea.
Arrival at Antananarivo airport; after customs formalities, meet and transfer to the capital for a visit to the lower city and the upper or old city, perched on the Analamanga hill, where the most typical Merina civilization buildings are found, including the Queen's Palace ruins and the Palace of Andafiavaratra. At the end, check-in at Urban Hotel (4*) or similar, dinner at leisure and overnight.
Day 2:
ANTANANARIVO / AMPEFY (B/-/D)
125 km – approx. 3 hours: excursion to Lemur’s Park, Analavory Geyser, and sunset horseback ride. Breakfast at the hotel; departure for Ampefy along National Road No. 1 heading west; stop to visit Lemur’s Park, a protected area home to several endemic animals of the island, such as the Sifaka, Fulvus, Variegata lemurs and characteristic tortoises; continuation through bucolic landscapes of villages and farmland, gradually opening to wide spaces and vast horizons, until reaching Ampefy, the main village in the fertile volcanic region of Itasy, dominated by the large lake of the same name. A generous land with flourishing crops: rice, cassava, corn, vegetables, papaya, pineapple; upon arrival, check-in at Hostellerie du Grand Lac & Spa (4*); lunch at leisure; in the afternoon, visit the Analavory geysers about 20 minutes by car from Ampefy; a unique natural marvel with jets of steam rising high; then transfer to Ranch Fanirina for a first horseback experience. Horse assignment and start of the sunset ride through green hills, plains, and typical villages; an engaging ride ideal for gently exploring the area; panoramic views over Ampefy and surroundings; return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Antsirabe
AMPEFY / ANTSIRABE (B/-/D)
140 km – approx. 3 hours: Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the stables and horse assignment. Morning ride along the great volcanic lake and traditional Malagasy villages until reaching Lily waterfall; stop by the waterfall to enjoy the beauty and tranquility; picnic lunch suggested; afternoon departure by car to Antsirabe through cultivated fields and typical villages; upon arrival, visit of the town whose name means “rich in salt” but also known as “the city of water” for its thermal springs, with lively rickshaw traffic, historic mansions, local artisans crafting various handmade items, and gemstone workshops; check-in at Plumeria Hotel (3*) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Ranomafana
ANTSIRABE / RANOMAFANA (B/-/D)
242 km – approx. 7 hours: Breakfast at the hotel; visit the typical Asabotsy market to discover local products and meet people from the surrounding countryside; then departure for Ranomafana; stop in Ambositra to visit this charming highland town, famous for its fine woodcraft in engraving, carving, and marquetry; artisans usually come from nearby Zafimaniry villages; the Zafimaniry woodcraft is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Heritage; lunch at leisure; continue through terraced rice paddies of the highlands; arrival in late afternoon at the eastern side where the mountain rainforest lies; check-in at Thermal Hotel (3*) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Ranomafana
RANOMAFANA (B/-/D)
Full day excursion in Ranomafana National Park and visit to Tanala village. Breakfast at the hotel; departure for the park trek along rivers, waterfalls and rainforest trails to observe several lemur species including the rare golden bamboo lemur, and other endemic animals and plants; lunch at leisure; afternoon visit to a Tanala ethnic village to experience traditional music and dance, visit the village chief’s house, and observe daily life; return to lodge; dinner and overnight.
Day 6:
RANOMAFANA / RANOHIRA (B/-/D)
332 km – approx. 8 hours: visit to Anja Park. Breakfast at the hotel; continue the journey; stop in Ambalavao, home to one of the largest zebu markets and a workshop making the precious Antemoro Paper from avoha, a semi-aquatic shrub similar to papyrus; then visit the Anja Forest, a protected area with green savanna and beautiful mountains, where Catta lemurs (ring-tailed lemurs) live in the wild; lunch at leisure; continue journey through changing landscapes from highland farming areas to savannahs and then to rocky semi-arid deserts; arrival in Isalo late afternoon with the warm hues of the sunset over the landscape; check-in at Le Relais de la Reine (3*) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Day 7:
RANOHIRA (B/-/D)
Full-day excursion in Isalo National Park. Breakfast at the hotel; full-day excursion in the park; Isalo is a unique ecological habitat in Madagascar's National Parks: a Jurassic sandstone massif with unique geomorphology and endemic rock vegetation (Aloe, Euphorbia, Pachypodium, Kalanchoe) and fauna (mostly endemic rock reptiles); the park also features canyons, rock pinnacles, bizarre limestone formations, water streams, natural pools fed by rivers and waterfalls, and forests inhabited by various lemur species; picnic lunch recommended; return to hotel after visit; dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Toliary
RANOHIRA / TOLIARY (B/-/D)
250 km – approx. 6 hours. Breakfast at the hotel and day on horseback. Transfer to Les Rênes d’Isalo equestrian center, horse assignment, and departure. Ride with views of the massif and discovery of small Bara villages frozen in time: the dominant ethnic group near Isalo NP, semi-nomadic highland herders, mainly raising zebu; crossing the stream on the return to the center. Lunch at leisure. Afternoon drive to Toliary through savannah and bush; pass through gemstone mining areas like sapphires, with small boomtowns; also pass through areas with unique funerary monuments of local tribes adorned with carved wooden "Alo-Alo" (Sakalava, Mahafaly, Antandroy). Arrival in Toliary, check-in at Bakuba Hotel (Ecolodge 4*) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Antananarivo
TOLIARY / ANTANANARIVO (B/-/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Toliary airport for domestic flight to the capital. Lunch at leisure. Upon arrival, transfer to the city. According to flight schedule, possible excursion in Toliary or Antananarivo (see below). Check-in at Au Bois Vert Lodge (4*) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Toliary: visit Reniala Forest with various baobab species and over 1000 endemic plants adapted to dry climates; endemic birds such as Uratelornis and Monias, reptiles, turtles like Astrochelys and Pyxis.
Antananarivo: visit the Croc Farm near Ivato airport, with crocodiles, lemurs, chameleons, baobabs and other endemic species.
Day 10: Nosy Be
ANTANANARIVO / ITALY (B/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Italy or extension to Nosy Be.
EXTENSION
ANTANANARIVO / NOSY BE (B/-/D)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Nosy Be. After customs formalities, meet and greet with our local representative; departure for Lemuria Land, a nature reserve in the middle of Ylang Ylang plantations, a plant used in perfume production; the visit allows the discovery of various plant species, such as rare succulents, and wildlife including lemurs and chameleons; lunch at leisure; transfer to Palm Beach Resort & Spa (4* – sea view bungalow) or similar; dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Nosy Be
NOSY BE (B/-/D)
Horseback excursion and Mont Passot. Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to Ambaro Ranch for a half-day horseback excursion; the ride passes through bushland villages and cassava fields, then along the shores of a lake, which is also the water reservoir of the “island of perfumes.” Along the route, among agave, mango trees and palm groves, crocodiles can sometimes be spotted—one of Nosy Be’s 12 sacred crater lakes that surround Mont Passot and its reserve. The ride continues downhill toward the beach, where riders can finally enjoy a gallop, ending with a refreshing swim with the horses. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, visit Andoany (Hell-Ville), the island’s capital, and especially Bazary Be, the colorful market where you can see fragrant spices, tropical fruit, and locally crafted wooden or fiber items. Along the way, enjoy the scents of coffee blossoms, pepper, fruit trees; but the name "island of perfumes" comes mainly from the flowers of Ylang Ylang, cultivated all over the island. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cocktail at Mont Passot, a volcanic hill offering a 360° panoramic view over Nosy Be, surrounded by eight sacred crater lakes, home to unique freshwater fish. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Nosy Be
NOSY BE (B/L/D)
Excursion to Nosy Tanikely + Nosy Komba. Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the port and a 40-minute boat ride to Nosy Tanikely, a protected marine reserve: mask and snorkel are all you need to dive into a real-life aquarium. Just a few meters from shore, in shallow waters, you can admire the dazzling display of coral reefs, sea anemones, colorful coral fish, and crustaceans. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, continue by boat to Nosy Komba, the second largest island in the archipelago; visit the park with its lemurs (Macaco and Lepilemur), harmless reptiles, chameleons, insects, tropical birds, the fishing village with its traditional pirogues, and the local market known for wood carvings and embroidered tablecloths. Return to Nosy Be and transfer to hotel; dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Nosy Be
NOSY BE (B/L/D)
Excursion to Nosy Sakatia and horseback ride. After breakfast, departure for the excursion to Nosy Sakatia, “the island of orchids,” protected and recognized by the Ministry of the Environment. The tour includes exposure to local culture and traditions (rituals, legends), agriculture (pineapple plantations, rice paddies, orchids, medicinal plants), and snorkeling in the island’s clear waters. Mask, fins and snorkel are provided for an unforgettable dive into this peaceful paradise. Picnic lunch under coconut palms. In the afternoon, return to Nosy Be and transfer to the ranch for an afternoon horseback ride through bushland and farmlands, before ascending to the sacred lake with panoramic views over the surrounding islands. Descend through teak forest back to the beach, where you’ll again have the chance to enter the water and swim with your horse. Return to lodge; dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Nosy Be
NOSY BE (B/L/D)
Excursion to Nosy Iranja. Breakfast at the lodge; departure for a boat excursion to Nosy Iranja (approx. 1.5 hours). Nosy Iranja consists of two islands of stunning white sand and turquoise sea: the larger Iranja Be and smaller Iranja Kely. The two islands are connected by a white sandbank over 1 km long and 300 meters wide during low tide. With the return of the tide, the islands separate again for a few hours. Sea turtles also come here to lay eggs during high tide at night. Picnic lunch. Free time for swimming and relaxation. Return boat transfer to Nosy Be in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15:
NOSY BE / ITALY (B/-/-)
After breakfast, free time on the beautiful beach; then transfer to the airport.
Note: The itinerary described above is indicative. It may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. It is possible to choose only the 9-night “Grand Terre” part, only the Nosy Be extension (with optional additional nights), or the full tour as proposed.
Notes:
(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS or 15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °° (EASY)
ACCOMMODATION: 3* and 4* HOTELS
TACK: English saddles
HORSES: Mixed breed – Anglo-Arab, Spanish, Malagasy
PACE: 5 different half-day horseback rides and swimming with horses. Due to the long distances in this destination, transfers by vehicle are necessary and horseback excursions are enjoyed where the terrain allows. Easy terrain and controlled paces, suitable for beginner riders.
WHAT TO BRING: Riding clothes (preferably long sleeves), riding helmet (available locally), water bottle, waist pouch, insect repellent, sunscreen, basic first aid kit, rain jacket, headlamp, hiking shoes.
MINIMUM AGE: 16 years
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 90 Kg
TYPE: Itinerant trekking with hotel accommodation
ACCOMMODATION:
Night 1: Urban Hotel in Antananarivo (or similar)
Night 2: Hostellerie du Grand Lac & Spa in Ampefy (or similar)
Night 3: Plumeria Hotel (3*) in Antsirabe (or similar)
Nights 4 & 5: Thermal Hotel (3*) in Ranomafana (or similar)
Nights 6 & 7: Le Relais de la Reine (3*) in Ranohira (or similar)
Night 8: Bakuba Hotel (Ecolodge 4*) in Toliary (or similar)
Night 9: Au Bois Vert Lodge (4*) in Antananarivo (or similar)
EXTENSION:
Nights 10/11/12/13/14: Palm Beach Resort & Spa (4* – sea view bungalow) in Nosy Be (or similar)
Most accommodations offer Wi-Fi connection. Away from urban centers, coverage—both Wi-Fi and cellular—is often absent.
DEPARTURE DATES: On request from MAY to OCTOBER, with a minimum of 2 participants (can start any day of the week)
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 2 – MAX 4
SUPPLEMENTS & REDUCTIONS
Per person in double room (base 3): € 4,820
Per person in double room (base 2): € 5,050
Single supplement: € 1,390
Triple room reduction: ON REQUEST
9-night tour only
Base 4: € 2,330
Base 3: € 2,710
Base 2: € 2,770
Single supplement: € 590
Triple room reduction: ON REQUEST
