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Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RMA
31.03.12 - 14.04.12	USD 2990
22.09.12 - 06.10.12	USD 2990

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Madagascar

Madagascar - Cycling holiday from the highlands to the coast

Unknown Africa! Discover the secrets of Madagscar of the bike saddle and experience the little traffic on remote gravel roads, the friendly locals and the wonderful animal life such as lemurs. – Individual and group travel

This tour on the worlds fourth largest island begins in its lush, green highlands and takes us over rarely cycled asphalt roads and secluded tracks through rural Madagascar. During different visits, we will intensively get to know the Creole language, songs, customs and food. We will cycle and hike through the Ranomafana and I‘salo National Parks. The unique flora and fauna is filled with lemurs and the adasonia, as well as chameleon and orchids. In the south east the route takes us through gorges and dry bush savannah until we reach the warm Indian Ocean at the end of the journey where we can swim.

Itinerary

mi=miles

Day 1 Arrival in Madagascar and trip to Ambohimanga

Arrival in the morning in Antananarivo, locally called ,Tana‘. Welcomed by tour guide. After getting our bikes, we cycle to Ambohimanga, the ,blue hill‘. The hill is classed as holy, due to the earlier presence of the holy capital of the Merina Kingdom. Continue to Ilafy. On the hill today you can see only the ruins of the priestly Rova. (13 mi; tar) (B)

Day 2 Bike tour Ambohimandroso – Soanindrarihy

A short transfer to Ambohimandroso. On the way we visit a aluminium pot making factory in Ambatolampy. The route takes us along good tracks in the highlands, past rice and fruit fields. The local bike enthusiasts wave to us. Because of it‘s position in the highlands, Antsirabe, 4500 ft high, during it‘s French rule was also a favourite recuperation site. In the evening we can take a stroll through the Avenue de I‘Independance d‘Antsirabe. The next two nights are spent in a charming colonial hotel. (34 mi – 15 of which are on tar) (B)

Day 3 Bike tour Antsirabe – Lac Tritriva

In the morning we visit a gemstone cutter. Bike tour away from the tourist paths in the highlands to Luc Tritirva. Along the way there are many typical highland villages. At the edge of the volcano lake there are wonderful views far across the rolling highlands. (24 mi – 15 of which are on tar) (B)

Day 4 Bike tour Antsirabe – Ambositra

After breakfast we cycle further south on the hilly road to Ambositra, passing many rice terraces of farmers who harvest three times a year. Ambositra is the home of the Zafimaniry carving and we will visit a carpenter. (31-47 mi; tar) (B)

Day 5 Bike tour Ambositra – Ambohimahasoa

We continue through a farming region. Oxcart, pedestrians and cars share the roads. Along the way we visit a Adobe brick making site. Overnight stay in Fianarantsoa. (34-51 mi; tar) (B)

Day 6 Bike tour Tolongoina – Ranomafana

After breakfast we take a relaxing three hour train journey through the rainforest to Tolongoina. In the train stations, which double-up as markets, we can buy local products such as fried banana. We continue along a gravelly track through a hilly bush landscape to Ifanadiana. The road surface changes and we continue up an asphalt road to the Ranomafana National Park. (40 mi, of which 15 mi are on tar) (B)

Day 7 Hike in Ranomafana National Park

Today we are taking a break from our bike tour. We will discover the Ranomafana National Park by foot. On a hike through the tropically damp park we will discover the interesting, endemic animal and plant world more closely. We will be drawn by rare birds and many species of lemur. The bamboo lemur was first discovered 20 years ago. In the evening we will embark on a small night hike in the park in order to see the nocturnal animals, for example the mouse lemur. (Walking time: 4-6 hrs) (B)

Day 8 Bike tour Ranomafana – Ambalavao

After breakfast we mount our bikes again and cycle on the quiet roads on another route back to Fianaranrsoa. In Ambatovaky we will visit a blacksmith at the edge of the Andringitra Mountains. Overnight stay in Ambalabao, the wine region of Madagascar. (43-55 mi; tar) (B)

Day 9 Bike tour Ambalavao – Ihosy

In the morning we will visit a factory, which produces the well known Antaimoro paper. Transfer to Anja Reserve in the middle of the granite Andringitra Massif. It is the most important ring-tailed mongoose conservation area. Along the foot of the mountain we cycle to Zazafotsy. A short transfer to Ihosy where we will stay in a simple hotel for the night. (31 mi; tar) (B)

Day 10 Bike tour Horombe Plateau – Ranohira

We will be driven the first 6 mi up the Horombeplateau, or for those who want to cycle, you can start a little earlier. On the grass covered plateau the stretch is level again. Our ride takes us to Ranohira, the gate of I‘salo National Park. (44-50 mi; tar) (B)

Day 11 Hike and drive through I‘salo National Park

On our bike free day we will discover some of I‘salo National Parks bizarre rock formations and interesting flora, for example pachypodium and euphorbia. We will hike through the I‘salo Canyon to Lemur Forest. Experience deep gorges with crystal clear waters, the well known ,picine naturelle‘ and the unique rocky mountains. (B)

Day 12 Bike tour Ranohira – Túlear

After breakfast we get transferred to Zombitse Vohbaisa National Park. On a round trip of the park we stop to look at lizards, lemurs and chameleons. In the afternoon we have a beautiful bike tour from Andranovory to Túlear. On the way to the sea we cycle through deserts and xeric shrub lands and past many adasonia. Túlear is the most important trade centre in south Madagascar. A short transfer to Ifaty, the home of Vezo, a well known maritime people. In Ifaty we stay three nights in a quiet bungalow complex directly on the sea. (40 mi; tar) (B)

Day 13 Hike in Reniala Nature Reserve

In the morning we take a two hour hike in the Reniala Nature Reserve, which is known for the variety of didierraceae, adasonia and euphorbia. After lunch we take a short stroll through Ifaty, the one way to gain an insight into the lifestyle of the Vezo. (B)

Day 14 Free day

You can swim, snorkel or go diving in the warm Indian Ocean. (B)

Day 15 Return journey home

Transfer to Tulear Airport and return flight to Tana. Evening departure.

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• 14 nights in hotels, guesthouses and chalets with private bathroom
• 14 x breakfast
• Constant vehicle backup as well as transport for bikes
• All entrance fees for sightseeing program

Not included:

• Flights to and from Madagascar
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned above
• MTB hire bike

Hints

Travel Information:
You should get a malaria prophylaxis for Madagascar. Please get information from your doctor. A degree of openness and flexibility is desired for this trip. Even after careful planning, nature can be temperamental and paths and roads can soften with the smallest amount of rain or electricity can fail. During the given dates it is the dry season and daytime temperatures are between 68 and 86°F.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants.