The Southern Route: A Journey through a Thousand Facets

Distance: 173 km | Duration: approximately 4 hours without stops.
Travel through Madagascar’s highlands, passing rice paddies, wheat fields, and red laterite villages. Visit Ambatolampy’s traditional pot foundry, then continue to Antsirabe for a city discovery with local workshops and, time permitting, a rickshaw ride.

Accommodation options (Full board: breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Royal Palace Hotel (★★★) – Comfortable city hotel with spacious rooms, restaurant, and easy access to Antsirabe’s highlights.

• Couleur Café (★★★) – Charming boutique-style bungalows set in a lush garden, offering a warm atmosphere and local décor.

Distance: 260 km | Duration: approximately 5 hours without stops.
Journey through Betsileo highlands with rice paddies and traditional clay houses. Stop at Ambositra, renowned for Zafimaniry woodcarving, before continuing to Ranomafana. In the evening, enjoy your first encounter with the lush rainforest and its nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodation options (Full board: breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Hôtel Thermal (★★★) – Comfortable hotel with thermal baths, central location, and classic style.

• Ihary Hotel Ranomafana (★★★) – A charming nature-surrounded hotel beside the Namorona river, with comfortable rooms and local cuisine.

Distance: 60 km | Duration: approximately 1 hour.
Begin the day with a guided visit to Ranomafana National Park, a lush rainforest teeming with orchids, palms, and rare species like the golden bamboo lemur. The park’s trails reveal vibrant birdlife and unique flora found only in Madagascar. By midday, continue to Fianarantsoa, the cultural and wine-growing capital, known for its historic old town and panoramic landscapes.

Accommodation options (Full board: breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Zomatel (★★★) – A central city hotel featuring modern comfort, panoramic city views, and excellent Malagasy cuisine. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Tsara Guest House (★★★) – A charming colonial-style guesthouse offering cozy rooms, lush gardens, and personalized hospitality in the heart of Fianarantsoa. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Distance: 298 km | Duration: approximately 6 hours.
Head south through a patchwork of terraced rice paddies, tobacco fields, and sun-drenched vineyards. Along the way, stop at Ny Anja Park, a community reserve where playful ring-tailed lemurs leap across granite boulders and villagers protect rare plants. Leaving Ambalavao, the “Gateway to the South,” the landscape opens into vast savannas dotted with zebu herds and surreal rock formations. Arrive in Ranohira by late afternoon, the perfect base to explore Isalo National Park.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Relais de la Reine (★★★★) – Refined lodge blending seamlessly into Isalo’s sandstone cliffs, with horseback riding, tropical gardens, and panoramic views. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Le Jardin du Roy (★★★★) – Sister property of Relais de la Reine, offering spacious stone-built bungalows, a large pool, spa, and sweeping views over Isalo’s canyon landscapes. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Duration: approximately 4 hours of walking.
Set off on a full-day exploration of Isalo’s ruiniform massif, a surreal landscape of sandstone canyons, natural pools, and lunar plateaus. Follow scenic trails to the Nymphs’ Cascade, watch sifaka lemurs dancing between rocky cliffs, and take a refreshing swim in the turquoise Natural Pool. End the day at the Window of Isalo, where the sun sets in a blaze of colors over the desert horizon.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Relais de la Reine (★★★★) – Refined lodge blending seamlessly into Isalo’s sandstone cliffs, with horseback riding, tropical gardens, and panoramic views. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Le Jardin du Roy (★★★★) – Sister property of Relais de la Reine, offering spacious stone-built bungalows, a large pool, spa, and sweeping views over Isalo’s canyon landscapes. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Distance: 270 km | Duration: approximately 5 hours.
Travel southwest through ever-changing landscapes on the road to Tulear and Ifaty. Along the way, marvel at the ornate Mahafaly and Antandroy tombs, adorned with carved aloalo posts depicting everyday life. The scenery shifts into a mosaic of succulents, euphorbias, and baobabs. Stop at Tulear’s colorful shell market and explore the Arboretum of Antsokay, home to hundreds of endemic plant species. Finally, continue along the coastline with mangrove views before arriving in Ifaty, a peaceful fishing village by the sea.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Le Paradisier (★★★) – Boutique seaside lodge offering charming bungalows overlooking the Mozambique Channel, with an infinity pool and tranquil gardens. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Bamboo Club Ifaty (★★★) – Cozy beachfront hotel with rustic-style bungalows, fresh seafood cuisine, and direct access to Ifaty’s sandy beach. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Distance: 10 km | Duration: approximately 15 minutes.
Just a short drive inland, discover the Reniala Nature Reserve, where towering baobabs, spiny didieraceae, and unique xerophytic plants thrive in Madagascar’s arid south. Walk among ancient trees, observe local birdlife, and visit the small village of turtles. Return to the coast for time to relax in a traditional fishing village, then unwind on Ifaty’s tranquil beach as the day fades into sunset.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Le Paradisier (★★★) – Boutique seaside lodge offering charming bungalows overlooking the Mozambique Channel, with an infinity pool and tranquil gardens. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Bamboo Club Ifaty (★★★) – Cozy beachfront hotel with rustic-style bungalows, fresh seafood cuisine, and direct access to Ifaty’s sandy beach. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Free day.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Ifaty, where turquoise waters meet golden sands and fishing pirogues glide across the lagoon. You can simply relax on the beach, swim in the calm waters, or choose optional activities like snorkeling on the coral reef, exploring nearby fishing villages, or joining a traditional pirogue excursion. The day is yours to soak in the peaceful rhythm of Madagascar’s southern coast.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Le Paradisier (★★★) – Boutique seaside lodge offering charming bungalows overlooking the Mozambique Channel, with an infinity pool and tranquil gardens. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Bamboo Club Ifaty (★★★) – Cozy beachfront hotel with rustic-style bungalows, fresh seafood cuisine, and direct access to Ifaty’s sandy beach. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

✈️ 1 hour 50 minutes.
After breakfast, enjoy your final moments by the sea before transferring to Tulear airport for your domestic flight back to Antananarivo. Upon arrival in the capital, settle into your hotel and take the evening to relax, preparing for the last discoveries of your journey through Madagascar.

Accommodation options (Full board)

• Hotel & Spa Palissandre (★★★★) – Elegant hillside hotel overlooking Antananarivo, offering spa treatments, refined dining, and panoramic views of the city. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

• Maison Gallieni (★★★★) – Charming boutique guesthouse set in a colonial mansion, combining historic elegance with modern comfort in the heart of the capital. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Distance: 25 km | Duration: approximately 1 hour.
Spend your final day in Madagascar with a cultural highlight: a visit to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important symbols of Malagasy identity. Explore its sacred royal compounds, history-steeped walls, and spiritual atmosphere. On your return to Antananarivo, enjoy a city tour and a stop at the Lisy Gallery, the perfect place to shop for quality Malagasy crafts and souvenirs. Later, benefit from a day-use hotel to freshen up and relax before your international flight.

Accommodation (Day use with meals included)

• Relais des Plateaux Hotel (★★★★) – Conveniently located near the airport, offering comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and a well-known restaurant. (Day use with meals included)

• Novotel Convention & Spa (★★★★) – Modern international-standard hotel with spa, wellness center, and excellent dining, perfect for a comfortable stay before departure. (Day use with meals included)