In the footsteps of the Indri
- Overview
- Major Sites
- Itinerary
- Gallery
- Accommodation
An unforgettable experience immersing you in the world of ecotourism and sustainable tourism.
Nature hikes in protected primary and secondary forests, jewels of Madagascar's biodiversity and composed mainly of endemic species.
This exploration offers exciting encounters with lemurs, emblematic animals of Madagascar, including the famous Indri Indri.
You will have the opportunity to visit village associations and interact with the community to participate in the conservation of the sites and contribute to the sustainable development of the locality.
Ambatomanga: known thanks to the large gray granite rock which determined the name of the village (Am-vato-manga, au-rocher-bleu) and at the top of which is the tomb of the prince Andriantoaravola. Breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Also renowned for its cheese making and the sustainable actions undertaken by the village cooperative made up of members of the local community.
Andasibe National Park - Mantadia: Refuge of many animal and plant species, the park, covering 15500ha, is 80% made up of lush primary forest and is perfect for observation of endemic bird species of the island. The most athletic will take advantage of the trek to admire the sacred waterfall containing the secrets of the great cultural traditions or to cool off and swim in the natural pool in which falls a beautiful waterfall.
The Analamazoatra Special Reserve: with an area of 810 ha and ideal climatic conditions, this park is a pure paradise for Indri Indri lemurs. It is also home to a wide variety of species of birds, amphibians and reptiles and includes 120 species of orchids with an endemicity rate of 100% and more than 1200 plant species with an endemicity rate of 77 %. Due to the exceptional richness of its fauna and flora, the park is a treasure for ecotourists, ornithologists, biologists as well as trekking and adventure enthusiasts.
Mitsinjo Park: managed by the local Association of the same name. The Mitsinjo association is involved in various projects and initiatives in solidarity tourism, conservation, research and sustainable development. A visit to this park is your share of contribution to the development of the local economy, since the proceeds are donated directly to the 400 families benefiting from this ecotourism project, living around the site and used to preserve this site. Several circuits to choose from are possible to admire the Indri, the region's flagship species, to practice birdwatching or to participate in conservation and restoration by carrying out a reforestation circuit. Among the other activities to choose from in this park, it is also possible to experience canoeing or camping on the site.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Antananarivo
Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 2
Antananarivo – Ambatomanga – Mantasoa
Departure from the city of Antananarivo to take the National Road 2 and reach the village of Ambatomanga located about 40km east of the capital. This is where a very beautiful 3 to 5 hour hike in the central highlands begins to reach the famous village of Mantasoa. Cultural and historical discovery, educational visit of artisanal production workshops of Malagasy cheeses, meeting with craftsmen and picnic lunch will be on the agenda. You will be amazed by the splendid and verdant landscapes on red earth throughout the journey.
You will appreciate the beauty of the terraced crops and the small rivers flowing through the valleys. You will observe the way of life of the local people, the plowing of the soil, the planting of rice and the agricultural harvests.
You will visit a Rural Family House, managed by a local cooperative and which is a privileged structure for social and professional integration in rural areas, focusing on agricultural training. It embodies the desire to act for a more united, more responsible world, where human relationships are privileged.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
Mantasoa - Andasibe
Before leaving for Andasibe, morning visit to the village of Mantasoa which will immerse you in the royal history of Madagascar. This is where the first industrial city in the Indian Ocean was created. There are still the remains of the infrastructure of the blast furnace, the cement kiln, the ruins of the pottery kilns, the lime kiln and the foundry workshop which are part of the works of the famous Jean Laborde, French Industrialist and Architect in the 19th Century having built the Palais De La Reine in the Capital.
Arrival in Andasibe, then visit the private reserve of Vakôna Forest Lodge where various varieties of reptiles and batrachians live and where there are also endemic plants. Crocodiles can be observed in complete safety in a dedicated park and to their great pleasure, visitors will have the privilege of getting as close as possible to the various lemurs on the islet dedicated to them.
In the afternoon, eco-volunteer and solidarity action during a reforestation circuit in Mitsinjo Park to contribute to the restoration and conservation of the forest.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Andasibe
Visit of the Analamazaotra Special Reserve (or Mantadia Park, depending on the choice, for wildlife and trek enthusiasts) in the footsteps of the Indri Indri, Madagascar's largest lemur and emblematic species of the park. You will be surprised by its cries which are audible within a radius of 3 kilometers. With your guide's trained hearing and knowledge of the terrain, you'll come across an individual or an entire family of Indri. You will also have the opportunity to see woolly lemurs, gray bamboo lemurs, red-fronted lemurs, black and white frilled lemurs and diademed dancing lemurs or sifakas. The beauty of this protected nature and all this harmony in the forest will give you a feeling of relaxation and well-being and a desire to participate in the protection and conservation of the place.
The day will end with a visit to a village association that works for solidarity and responsible actions for the sustainable development of the region and the local community. It is possible to organize a dinner and/or an overnight stay with the locals or a dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5
Andasibe - Antananarivo
Return to the Capital. An opportunity to observe the green landscapes of the highlands. Depending on the time of arrival, a city tour will be possible to discover the Queen's Palace and buy some travel souvenirs at the famous craft market.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6
Antananarivo – Ivato
Transfer to Ivato airport for the international flight
