Explore Madagascar by electric fat bike through rainforests, carved mountains, and red laterite roads lined with baobabs. The route crosses the humid jungles of the east, home to the indri and other lemurs in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, then continues to the dry golden landscapes of the southwest, with the sandstone canyons of Isalo and the turquoise waters near Ifaty. Along the way, discover cultural heritage: Antsirabe and its craftsmen, Zafimaniry villages with intricate wooden houses, and Sahambavy‘s tea plantations. An immersion into Malagasy life across rice fields, forests, savannas and villages, combining electric-assisted cycling, hiking and cultural discovery.
⭐ Highlights
- Antananarivo arrival & city orientation
- Mitsinjo reserve and Indri indri encounters (Andasibe)
- Mantadia rainforest trek & Vakona Lemur Island
- Electric fat‑bike rides through highlands, tea plantations and rural villages
- Zafimaniry woodcarving villages and homestay (Antoetra/Sakaivo)
- Ranomafana rainforest wildlife and multiple lemur species
- Sahambavy tea estate visit and plantation cycling
- Tsaranoro Valley cliffs and Chameleon Peak panorama
- Long plateau crossing across the Ihorombe (Ihosy) by bike
- Isalo canyons, natural pools and Isalo Window sunset
- Coastal stretch to Ifaty: turquoise lagoon, spiny forest and snorkeling
- Cultural markets, craft workshops and Antaimoro paper demonstration
- Riverside lodge & village stays with authentic Malagasy hospitality
- Mix of guided hikes, night walks and varied accommodations
📅 Full Itinerary — Day by Day
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Day 1 – Antananarivo
Arrival at Ivato International Airport. Transfer to central Antananarivo. Orientation tour with markets and panoramic viewpoints, depending on your arrival time. Overnight at Havana Resort or similar.
Day 2 – Antananarivo → Andasibe | 140 km, approx. 4 h
Drive east to Andasibe. In the afternoon, visit Mitsinjo Community Reserve to hear indri calls and see rainforest species. After dark, a guided walk to spot mouse lemurs, chameleons and tree frogs. Overnight at Sahatandra River Hotel or similar.
Day 3 – Andasibe → Mantadia National Park (cycling loop) | 50 km
Cycle from Andasibe to Mantadia National Park and back. A 3‑hour guided walk in the primary rainforest of Mantadia, searching for lemur species, birds and orchids. On the return, visit Vakona Reserve (Lemur Island) for close encounters with habituated lemurs. Cycle back to Andasibe. Overnight at Sahatandra River Hotel or similar.
Day 4 – Andasibe → Antsirabe | approx. 320 km, about 10 h
Overland transfer across the central highlands. Stop at Ambatolampy to see a traditional aluminium foundry that makes cooking pots by hand. Continue to Antsirabe, a cooler town with colonial buildings. Afternoon walk through the market and historic centre. Overnight at H1 Antsirabe or similar.
Day 5 – Antsirabe → Ambositra → Anjozorozoro
Short transfer to Lake Andraikiba, then cycle to Lake Tritriva, a volcanic crater lake surrounded by farmland and pine forest. Continue south through Ambositra, known for Zafimaniry woodcarving, to the rural village of Anjozorozoro in Zafimaniry country. Overnight at Ivato River Lodge or similar.
Day 6 – Anjozorozoro → Antoetra → Sakaivo → Anjozorozoro | approx. 50 km cycling
Cycle on rough trails through hilly highland scenery to Antoetra and Laibury. Continue downhill to the traditional Zafimaniry village of Sakaivo, with its carved wooden houses. Visit local homesteads for cultural encounters and watch woodcarvers at work, then return to Anjozorozoro. Overnight at Ivato River Lodge or similar.
Day 7 – Anjozorozoro → Ambohimahasoa → Ranomafana | 110 km by vehicle + 40 km by bicycle
Drive to the market town of Ambohimahasoa, then start cycling along the RN25 towards Ranomafana. Arrive in the tropical hills of Ranomafana National Park, known for its rainforest and hot springs. Overnight at Karibotel or similar.
Day 8 – Ranomafana → Sahambavy
Morning guided walk in Ranomafana National Park, looking for diademed sifakas, bamboo lemurs, chameleons, birds and other endemic wildlife on forest trails. Then transfer to Sahambavy and cycle about 15 km around the lake among tea plantations. Overnight at Lac Hôtel Sahambavy or similar.
Day 9 – Sahambavy → Fianarantsoa → Ambalavao
Visit the Sahambavy tea estate to learn about tea growing and processing. Continue to Fianarantsoa and walk through the old Upper Town with its churches and historic houses. Drive to Ambalavao and take a short walk in Anja Community Reserve, where ring‑tailed lemurs live among granite boulders. Overnight at Tsinimparihy Lodge or similar.
Day 10 – Ambalavao → Tsaranoro Valley | approx. 35 km cycling
Travel through secondary roads to the Tsaranoro Valley, at the base of large granite cliffs. Cycle about 35 km through rice fields, rural villages and open landscapes into the valley. In the afternoon, hike up to Chameleon Peak (or a nearby viewpoint) for an overlook of Tsaranoro and the surrounding countryside. Overnight at Tsarasoa Lodge or similar.
Day 11 – Tsaranoro → Ihosy → Ranohira | approx. 70 km cycling
Transfer by vehicle to Ihosy, then a long cycling stage across the vast, flat Ihorombe Plateau. Ride through wide‑open grasslands and sweeping landscapes to Ranohira, the gateway village to Isalo National Park. Overnight at ITC Lodge or similar.
Day 12 – Isalo National Park (cycling & hiking) | approx. 50 km cycling
Full day combining about 50 km of cycling and hiking inside Isalo National Park. Walk through sandstone canyons, natural swimming holes and rock formations while learning about the park's geology and flora. Finish at the Window of Isalo for sunset framed by sculpted cliffs. Overnight at ITC Lodge or similar.
Day 13 – Ranohira → Toliara → Ifaty | 150–210 km drive + 40 km cycling
Drive west to the coastal city of Toliara. Then cycle about 40 km along the coast to Ifaty, a fishing village and spiny forest area. Time on the beach, optional visit to the spiny forest to see baobabs and endemic plants, and snorkelling in the lagoon (conditions permitting). Overnight at Bamboo Club or similar.
Day 14 – Ifaty → Toliara → Antananarivo
Morning transfer to Toliara Airport for a domestic flight back to Antananarivo. Transfer to your hotel. Free time in the capital for shopping or city walks. Overnight at Hotel San Cristobal or similar.
Day 15 – Antananarivo – Departure
Transfer from your hotel to Ivato International Airport according to your international flight schedule. End of services.