You will meet your tour guide during the day according to your arrival time. Antananarivo, shortened to Tana, means “one thousand warriors” and refers to an historical event in Malagasy history when King Andrianjaka had his royal palace and stronghold here. Tana is an enchanting collection of colourful houses, often clinging to the hillsides at a breathtaking angle. Windswept roofs, weathered brick walls and dilapidated wooden shacks slide daringly into and over each other, as if to prevent each other from slipping. The rest of the day remains at leisure before your cycle tour begins the next day. (-)

Orchid Hotel 3

Distance by bus 3 km, duration 0.25 h

You will travel to Antisrabe by bus on gravel roads. The journey time depends on traffic and can take up to 7 hours. On the tour, you will be travelling through the island's fertile highlands. In addition to the rice terraces typical of the area and landscape, you will also discover many fruit and vegetable plantations. You will stop here and there to talk to the locals or observe rural life. The area around Antsirabe is well worth discovering. The local agricultural produce is grown here and in Betafo. Most of the fruit and vegetables are transported from here to Tana, from where they are sold throughout the country. In the afternoon, we take care of the bike fitting and have a first short ride. The main aim is to get familiar with the bikes and the traffic. (B,L,D)

Des Thermes 3* / Hotel H1 Antsirabe 3*

Distance by bike 8-13 km depending on location of accommodation, 100 am, tarred roads Distance by bus 160 km, duration 7 h

Distance by bus 160 km, duration 7 h

Today you cycle to Lac Andraikiba, where former queens of the Merina tribe once bathed. You then pass through several villages until you reach the crater lake Lac Tritriva on a good track. From there you have a beautiful view of the villages, fields and grain farmers working for the brewery in Antsirabe. The journey is a little more challenging for a short distance, but the remaining 17 kilometres are on a tarred road. You might also have the chance to see a weekly market en route and visit a local craft shop where the most remarkable miniature bicycles are made. You return to your accommodation in the afternoon. (B,L,D)

Des Thermes 3* / Hotel H1 Antsirabe 3*

Distance by bike 53 km, 420 am, 20 km tarred roads

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

You leave your hotel and cycle back to National Road No. 7 before continuing your tour through the fertile high valley towards Ambositra. On the hilly road, you will come across Zebu cattle and friendly herdsmen. In the capital of handicrafts, you will visit the Zafimaniry woodcarvers, whose traditional woodcarving art has been recognised by UNESCO as one of the 47 masterpieces of traditional world culture. (B,L,D)

La Piscine Escapade 3*

Distance by bike 95 km, 770 am, tarred roads

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

If you couldn’t make it yesterday to see the woodcarvers, you may pay a quick visit today. On a winding rural road, you first travel by bus towards Camp Robin on to Ialatsara. From there you take the bike on a lonely track to Sahave. A scenic route beneath large granite mountains leads to Ambohimahasoa. After two ascents on the short-tarred section, the route returns to a track through a few villages and eucalyptus forest before the primeval forests of Ranomafana National Park become visible. The last few kilometres en route to your accommodation is a brisk descent on a tarred road. Accommodation for 2 consecutive nights at a comfortable Hotel. (B,L,D)

Hotel Cristo 3*

Distance by bike 57 km, 430 am, 37 km tarred roads

Distance by bus is 90 km, duration 4 h

Today you take a break from cycling and discover the Ranomafana National Park on foot. You will start early so as not to miss the morning spectacle of animals that can only be observed at this time of day. While hiking through the damp tropical national park, discover the interesting endemic fauna and flora more closely. The attention is also drawn to the rare birds and the many species of lemur. Back in the village, you can take a dip in the hot springs swimming pool. (B,L,D)

Hotel Cristo 3*

Walking time 4-6 h

Distance by bus 18 km, duration 0.5 h

You leave Ranomafana by bus to Vohiparara, from where your cycling tour starts today. You cycle uphill on a tarred road through the rainforest, followed by a steep section passing the park entrance to Anjamba. On the way, you will see families selling river sand by the roadside, as well as some basket weavers. Your accommodation is in the center of a tea-growing region and can be reached via a good gravel road. If you have enough time, you can visit the Sahambavy Tea Estate, the only tea plantation in the republic. (B,L,D)

Lac Hotel 3*

Distance by bike 44 km, 290 am, 22 km tarred roads

Distance by bus is 22 km, duration 0.75 h

After breakfast you cycle on quite roads to Fianarantsoa, on the way you pass several small valleys with rice and manioc plantations as well as some eucalyptus forests. You stop at a tourmaline mine, where people dig up the earth with painstaking shovel work in the hope of finding the coveted gemstones. In Ambalavao, you will visit the traditional Antaimoro paper factory. The origins of the copper-coloured paper, which feels like fine, silky woodchip wallpaper, can be traced far back into the past. If the cycle route feels too strenuous for you, you can continue cycling on a tarred road in the high valley to Ambalavao. (B,L,D)

Hotel Aux Bougainvillées 3*

Distance by bike 76-85 km, 790 am, 60 km tarred roads

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

Today you start from the little town of Ambalavao on the way south to Anja Park where you discover bizarre landscapes. It transforms into an open grassland savannah dotted with enormous granite mountains. You’ll leave the road leading into the Andrangita Mountains upon entering the Tsaranoro Valley. In the afternoon, you can walk to a nearby natural pool. The overnight accommodation is a Camp 2* for two nights. (B,L,D)

Tsara Camp 2* / Camp Catta 2*

Distance by bike 56 km, 840 am, 36 km tarred surface

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

Today’s hike (10km) commences at the edge of the Andringitra Massif, a large granite outcrop. This area is well known for its many types of lemurs, one such example being the lively Catta lemur. Upon reaching Chameleon Peak, you may appreciate spectacular vistas over this ancient landscape. (B,L,D)

Tsara Camp 2* / Camp Catta 2*

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

Today, you cycle back to the tarred road. From there you take the bus to Ankaramena well known for its delicious mango and papaya fruits. After having loaded the bikes, your bus transfers you to Ihosy, crossing the vast Horombe plateau in the direction of Ranohira. After lunch you cycle the last 70 kilometres to your hotel on a good, tarred road. The swimming pool invites you to take a refreshing dip. (B,L,D)

Hotel Orchidée Isalo 3* / Hotel H1 Isalo 3*

Distance by bike 90 km, 460 am, 70 km tarred surface

Distance by bus 120 km, duration 3 h

Today you will hike in the park through the I‘salo Canyon to the Lemur Forest. Experience the beauty of deep gorges with crystal clear waters, the well-known, piscine naturelle,‘ and the unique rocky mountains. A swim in a small lake provides cooling. We enjoy the spectacular views of the region. (B,L,D)

Hotel Orchidée Isalo 3* / Hotel H1 Isalo 3*

Distance by bus is 8 km, duration 0.5 h

After breakfast the journey continues by bus to Toliara, the most important trade center in southern Madagascar and home to the Vezo, a well-known maritime people. After lunch you cycle through the small fishing villages of Madiorano and Ambohimailaka to Ifaty. After dinner, the tour guide will say goodbye to the group. (B,L,D)

Hotel La Mira de Madiorano 3*

Distance by bike is 38 km, 50 am

Distance by bus 240 km, duration 6 h

These days are at leisure. The warm Indian Ocean temperature lies around 25 °C and is ideal for swimming and relaxing at the end of this tour. You could go snorkeling and discover colorful plants growing and fish swimming around the coral reef or perhaps take a walk in the Reniala Nature Reserve, known for its variety of didierraceae, euphorbias, adansonia gregoriï, and the baobab trees adansonia digitata, and view more of this unique plant life. (B)

Hotel La Mira de Madiorano 3*

Distance by bus 0 km, 0 h

Shuttle transfer to Tulear Airport. Check-in and board your return flight to Tana. Please note that most international flights depart in the evenings. (B)

Distance by bus is 45 km, duration 2 h