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Pangalanes Channel extraordinary journey
|14 Days, 7 Destinations |Starts from Antananarivo
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Earn €20 in travel credits

Duration
14 days

Max Group Size
12

Tour Code
Pangalanes Channel extraordinary journey

Tour Type
Request as private tour

Departure Type
Request

Age Requirement
5 - 70 Ages

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In
English, French

Physical level
moderate

Tour route map

Antananarivo

Pickup Time:

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Antananarivo

Dropoff Time:

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Activities

BeautyAdventureDiscoveryExplorerFamilyIn-depth CulturalNational ParkWalking TourWildlifeStop OverSee Itinerary

Tour Overview

Ideal for a first trip to Madagascar, this tour will allow you, by following the national road n°7 (RN7) to discover the multiple facets of the island. Through varied landscapes, you will make many stops in characteristic sites and meet a very welcoming population. This tour includes the visit of 2 of the most beautiful national parks: Ranomafana National Park and Andasibe Périnet National Park. The fauna and flora preserved in these parks will amaze you. The unique sensations during the adventure on the Pangalanes canal will delight you... This tour in Madagascar ends with the discovery of the East of the Big Island where the encounters promise to be authentic and new. Travel available all year round.

ATTRACTIONS
OVERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
ITINERARY
INCLUDES
AVAILABILITY

Highlights

  • Discover the city and visit Antananarivo's historic sites on the way back.
  • Discover the magnificent and impressive landscapes of the Highlands
  • dventure on the little train along the east coast from Fianarantsoa to Manakara
  • Visit the Tritriva and Andraikiba lakes
  • Hiking and discovery in Ranomafana National Park
  • Adventure on the Pangalanes Canal
  • Exploration of Andasibe National Park
  • Exploring the exceptional landscape of the RN7

Itinerary

Our team will welcome you at Ivato International Airport and provide your transfer to a good hotel in the city, of course meeting with the manager and the guide for the briefing of the tour. Dinner and night at the hotel.
• Duration: 30 min
• Distance: 15 km
• Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or Similar

After breakfast, the journey starts on the national road n°7. The guide, the car and the driver are ready. Enjoy the beauty of the country with its beautiful landscapes. After 70km, arrival in Ambatolampy, we will see the artisanal aluminium foundry then we continue. Lunch at the restaurant. We stop to take pictures in interesting places on the way. At the end of the afternoon, we will be in Antsirabe. Dinner and night in a charming hotel.
• Duration: 5 hours drive + 2 hours visit.
• Distance: 170 km
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: SOA GUEST HOUSE or Similar

A day in Antsirabe dedicated to the visit of the 2 volcanic lakes 17 kilometers from the city, we explore the different cultures of the region. Then go to the old town of Vakinankaratra in Betafo, discovery of the historical site. Picnic lunch and return to Antsirabe. In the afternoon, visit of the city by pousse pousse with visits to art workshops, embroidery, the gemstone cutter and see the local markets. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
• Duration: about 5 hours
• Distance: about 55 km of road and visit
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: SOA GUEST HOUSE or Similar
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Early breakfast and continuation of the trip on the national road n°7, crossing several villages and small towns. The mountains with their vegetation lengthen the sides of the road. Ambositra marks a lot the trip on the RN7 because of the Zafimaniry arts, precious wood sculptures in small shops decorated with wooden objects, travellers buy them as souvenirs. Lunch at the restaurant. We continue to Ranomafana. Arrival towards the end of the afternoon. Visit of the village and in the early evening, walk in search of nocturnal animals on the roadside. Dinner and night at the hotel.
• Duration: All day
• Distance: 247 km
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: IHARY HOTEL or Similar
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Breakfast at the restaurant with appreciation of the view of the green hills. Appointment with the local guide to visit Ranomafana National Park, created in 1991, located 65 kilometers northeast of the capital of Fianarantsoa province and covers nearly 41,601 hectares, surrounded by mountain ranges. This park is a paradise for an incredibly varied fauna; it is possible to find 5 species of lemurs, some birds, reptiles, endemic plants. The visit will last 4 hours. Lunch at the restaurant and then we reach the city of Fianarantsoa. Arrival towards the end of the afternoon. Dinner and night at the hotel.
• Duration: 4 hours of visit + 3 hours of driving.
• Distance: approx. 63 km
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: TSARA GUEST HOUSE or Similar
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Have breakfast very early for the departure of the train, a superb walk to discover various things: passing through beautiful villages in a mountainous setting, in contact with the local population. The train connects 17 isolated villages between Fianarantsoa and Manakara. In theory, the approximate journey time for 163km is from 8h to 12h, but be warned, it can be longer. It is important to know that the life of the local population depends on this train, which is the only means of contact with the outside world. As a result, the transport of goods takes all its importance: the stops in the stations are therefore made according to what there is to be loaded and unloaded. This journey is a great adventure full of discoveries and emotions, a little exhausting but unique. It is best to settle down on the left, in the direction of Manakara, to fully enjoy the landscape. Picnic lunch. Your car will pick you up at the Manakara train station and transfer you to the hotel for a well-deserved night's rest after the long trip. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
• Duration: 8 to 12 hours by train + about 40 minutes by car.
• Distance: 163 km by train + 15 km by road
• Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
• Accommodation : LES DELICES DE L'ORIENT or similar
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A day of discovery in Manakara. In the morning after breakfast, walk on the Pangalanes canal and visit the distillery of essential oils. Then picnic lunch at the seaside, walk on the beach. Return to the city after the visit of the historical site. Continuation in the afternoon for a visit of the Antaimoro paper workshop which is located in town, discovery of the 4 corners of the city, market visit. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
• Duration: All day
• Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
• Accommodation : LES DELICES DE L'ORIENT or similar
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After breakfast early in the morning, in the direction of Mananjary, journey to be made in about 3 hours. Directly at the pier to start the motorboat cruise, from there we experience the cruise on a comfortable wooden boat. A passage through the mouth of the channel with the return of the fishermen. History of the river port before departure and racing for supplies during the three days of navigation.
On the canal we pass convoys of boats and small rustic boats loaded with people and products. First stop in the village of Ampandomana, crossing the village to immerse ourselves in the ways of life of the Antaimbahaoka ethnic group (those of the people). Traditional lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the village of Ambohitsara, to discover the "white elephant", a statue carved in chloritoschist stone, which was brought by the ancestors of Mecca in the 12th century, and which remains until today a sacred monument for the inhabitants. In the late afternoon, arrival in Analanolona, setting up camp. Authentic dinner and night in bivouac.
• Duration: 3h of road + 2h30mn of navigation on the Pangalanes canal.
• Distance: 151 km
• Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: in bivouac
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After breakfast, continuation of the cruise on the Pangalanes canal. We start our cruise in Nosy Varika, a city famous for its coffee and vanilla cultures. Visit of the typical market and colourful stalls. Continue north to Analampotsy for a pleasant swim in the canal through the traps of the Betsimisaraka.
Stop in a Betsimisaraka village in Masomeloka and visit of the village, a large transit village for passengers and products. Traditional lunch on board. The canal continues its way between the sand dunes and its bed is sometimes heavily silted up and blocked by water hyacinths. Navigation is difficult. In the late afternoon, arrival at Antsohihy, between the Indian Ocean and the Pangalanes canal, installation of camp. Authentic dinner and night in bivouac.
• Duration: All day long
• Distance: approx. 50 km + visit
• Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner
• Accomodation: in bivouac
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After breakfast, we slowly depart for our last destination, Mahanoro. Crossing part of the coastal forest. Birdwatchers will be able to observe birds of prey and kingfishers that inhabit the bushes of the canal. Botanists will appreciate the hyacinths, water lilies, "pandanus", "ravenales" and "alocasias" that line the banks and invade the canal.
A few kilometers from Mahanoro, we cross the mouth of the Mangoro River. Visit of a very interesting cash crop plantation. Lunch on board before arriving at our destination. Your car will pick you up at the pier, transfer to the hotel. Discovery of the town of Mahanoro. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
• Duration: All day
• Distance: 60 km + visit
• Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
• Accommodation: HOTEL LE PRESTIGE or similar
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In the morning after breakfast, we will continue our trip to Andasibe Périnet, but we will have to feel the sensation of the East of the big island of Madagascar by the green landscapes that decorate the mountains, another Malagasy ethnic group with its traditions. Lunch at the restaurant along the way. We arrive in Andasibe in the early afternoon, we settle in the hotel and prepare to visit the national park the next day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the heart of the forest.
• Duration: 6 hours
• Distance: 70 km along the Pangalanes canal + 137 km of road
• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA HOTEL or similar
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After breakfast, meet with the local guide at the entrance of the park and ready to leave for a 4 hours hike. We have a great opportunity to discover the largest lemur in Madagascar and other endemic species, also think about finding birds, reptiles. It is not bad for botanists; in fact, it is a park that can be visited all year round outside of cyclones. Lunch at the hotel restaurant, in the afternoon we will visit the private reserve of Vakôna where there are groups of lemurs, crocodiles, chameleons? Dinner and night at the hotel.
• Duration : One day
• Distance: 4 hours walk + visit
• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation: FEON'NY ALA HOTEL or similar
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After breakfast, on the way to the capital of the Island: a journey of about 3 hours, we stop from time to time. We can visit the Peyrieras reserve or the chameleon park, other animals also exist there like snakes, observe the Boa of Madagascar. Lunch at the restaurant, then we continue the road to Antananarivo. Installation at the hotel. Dinner and night in the heart of the capital.
• Duration: 4 hours drive + 2 hours of visit.
• Distance: 144 km
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or similar

After breakfast, take the national road RN3 for a cultural and historical discovery by visiting the Royal Palace in Ambohimanga Rova. On the way, a stop to visit a centre that takes care of autistic children and young people. This is the Padre Pio Charity House, supported by our Tour Operator in its charitable activities. Depending on your flight schedule, possibility to discover Malagasy handicrafts at the dam market. Dinner and meeting with our team. Day use at the hotel then transfer to the airport, flight back to your home country.
• Duration: All day
• Distance: more than 40 km
• Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
• Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or Similar
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Trip includes

Included

Accommodation with breakfast throughout the trip as indicated in the program, based on a double room (or similar)

Hotel

-Local guide in the parks
-Expert Guide during the trip

Guiding Method
Fully guided

English French

•The picnic lunch indicated on Day 10
•Full board in bivouac during the cruise on the Pangalanes: Day 8, Day 9 
•Dinner on the last day at the restaurant in Antananarivo (Day 14)
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•One vehicle (4x4) with fuel throughout the trip 
•Transfers (by car, dugout canoe, train)

Jeep & 4WDLocal TransportTrain & Rail

•Entrances to the parks and sites indicated
•Local guides and porters in the parks
•The day in pirogue on the Pangalanes canal with picnic
•Tourist taxes and vignettes
•One bottle of water per person per day

Excluded

The international flights

Your personal insurance

Activities with the mention "free" and other optional activities

•Meals indicated in the program: not specified in the benefits included
•Tips and drinks, extras and personal expenses
•The price of the visa: +/- 35 €.
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