Explore Madagascar by Bike

The optimal time for this amazing tour is from March to November, it is designed for all regular bikers and nature lovers who prefers to explore the wild by bike, it is one of the best ways to be very close of the Malagasy, his daily life and cultures even possible to be among of them. The mega biodiversity in our unique country with the best combinations of tarred and off road make this tour unforgettable experiences.

Nature Bike to the south is cycle from the Malagasy highlands into the coast, one unforgettable experience to discover the fourth biggest island in the world. The nice trip gives all bikers and cyclists a good chance to meet local people, learn about their culture and customs, explore fauna and flora and of course cycle through villages, different landscape, friendly and welcoming ethnic group. This itinerary is a well-balanced tour, not only the accommodation and highlights but as well the mixing of tarred road and off road. Experience this real special bike ride. It is fantastic.

Highlights

Cycling 620km, Antsirabe Region, The mystic Tritriva Lake, Ranomafana National park – Cycle through the tea Plantations – Anja villagers Park – Andringitra Valley – Isalo National Park – Ifaty with Beaches.

We like to handle our group in a manageable way, so typically you will be sharing your experiences with between six to 12 like-minded bikers. You’ll have a cycling tour manager with you and a mechanic from six participants. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people. While itinerary is scheduled there is some flexibility and you’ll have plenty of privacy.

If you prefer an individual tour please ask for an offer.

Day 1

Touching down in Antananarivo

Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be welcome by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Depend in your arrival time, we may plan short walk if the time allows us or just keep the rest of the day free. We will hear more about the trip during the first briefing for this evening.

Day 2

Antananarivo – Antsirabe – bike fitting

Transfer to Antsirabe by car. On the way we visit an aluminium pot making factory in Ambatolampy. The drive takes us along a gravel road in the highlands, past rice and fruit fields. The local bike enthusiasts wave to us. Because of its position in the highlands, Antsirabe, 4500ft. above sea level, during its French rule was also a favourite recuperation site. In the afternoon bike fitting and short bike ride out.

Day 3

Bike tour Antsirabe – Lake Andraikiba – Lake Tritriva – Antsirabe

Bike to borrow a track to reach another lake, more spectacular, and full with myth which is the lake Tritriva. Before even reaching it, we can see the Mount Tritriva starting from the village of Belazao. This Crater Lake with its volcanic landscape is formed by following deep and impressive collapse. Nested at an altitude of about 1880m to the hollow of a small mountain, we enjoy our Pic-nic lunch.

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 can harvest up to three times a year. Ambositra is the home of the Zafimaniry carving and we will visit a carpenter. Stay at a nice hotel, the rooms is decorated by local artists.

Day 5

Ambositra – Bike tour Camp Robin – Ranomafana National Park

A transfer by our vehicle takes us to the small village of Camp Robin. On a rural village we ride in a very beautiful valley below towering granite boulders to Ambohimahasoa. After 2 climbs on the short tar section we ride again through villages and eucalyptus forest until we reach the rain forest of Ranomafana National Park. The last few miles are downhill to our lodge where we append the night.

Day 6

Hike in Ranomafana National Park

Today we have full day to 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 walk in the park in order to see the nocturnal animals, for example the mouse lemur.

Day 7

Ranomafana – Sahambavy

After early lunch we drive back up again to Vohiparara, and from here we start to cycle. During the trip we see locals selling piles of sand, gained from the nearby river as well as women weaving baskets. On a good gravel road we reach our hotel right in the centre of a tea growing area. Overnight stay in the charming bungalows overlooking a lake. Possibly we visit the Sahambavy Tea Estate, the only tea plantation in Madagascar. The tea estate created in 1970, set in a pretty valley beside Lake Sahambavy, produces large quantities of tea for both export to Mombasa in Kenya and for local consumption.

Day 8

Sahambavy – Ambalavao

After breakfast we leaving our hotel with short transfer to the city of Fianarantsoa before we continue southward to Ambalavao by bike. Fianarantsoa is the capital of Betsileo ethnic group. The landscape is again superb with great views of vineyards, terraced rice paddies and rocky outcrops. Ambalavao, with its brightly painted buildings, is a beautiful town. The 6 mile downhill pays well for the climbing before. Overnight stay in Ambalavao, the wine region of Madagascar. If the time allow us we may visit near to our hotel a craft shop, which produces the well-known Antaimoro paper.

Day 9

Bike tour Ambalavao – Anja villagers Park – Tsaranoro

We leave the busy little town heading further south. The landscape changes into open grassland savannah dotted with enormous granite mountains. Bizarre landscapes of towering cliffs await us in the small nature reserve of Anja with superb scenery, plants, Betsileo history, caves and tombs and ring-tailed lemurs. We take an hour walk into the park before we leave the road entering the Tsaranoro Valley leading into the Andringitra Mountains. We stay over at a rustic camp for two nights.

Day 10

Hike into Andringitra massif and region

We start at edge of the granite Andringitra Massif. This area is well known for ring-tailed lemurs, fantastic landscape, cultures and typical plants. Once we reach the Peak of the Chameleon we can appreciate spectacular views over this ancient landscape. Lots of historic places are to discover.

Day 11

Tsaranoro – bike tour on Horombe Plateau – Ranohira

We drive back to the tarred road to Ankaramena. The place is well known for its delicious mango and papaya fruits. After a short fruit break we continuous our drive until lunch time shortly after Ihosy. From here we start our fur ride cross the huge Horombe plateau towards Ranohira. The landscape has changed into a wide open Savannah. Dry grass glows in the blistering sunlight and distances between villages have become longer. In this region it is mostly the ethnic group of Barra people who live and breed Zebus.

Those who want to cycle more, you can ride the last miles to our charming lodge right at the foothills of Isalo National Park.

Day 12

Bike tour in Isalo massif and region

Isalo is a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases. This huge mountain is spectacular with its eroded sandstone mountain. Our adventure begins with short bike ride to the starting point of the trek in the Park. In this surreal park we trek through landscapes formed by centuries of erosion and fascinating sandstone formations. This massive uniform of the Jurassic era is the cradle of a particular wild nature and an exceptional landscape. We walk to the canyons, we look for ring-tailed and other lemurs. We can refresh ourselves on the way at a waterfall or a natural pool. After the walk we may have 6km ride back to our hotel.

Day 13

Bike tour and drive to the coast

After breakfast we continuous our fun in cycling until the saphir town of Ilakaka, then the rest of the day by car. We may have our last picnic before we reach Toliara In the afternoon. Toliara is the home to the Vezo a well-known maritime people. Toliara is the most important trade centre in south Madagascar. We stay in nearby small fisher if Ifaty for three nights in a nice lodge directly on the sea.

Those who want to cycle more, you can ride the last miles to our charming lodge right at the foothills of Isalo National Park.

Day 14

Swimming and relaxing

The ocean temperature has temperatures that we may appreciate. We relax and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. At the coral reef up front discover colourful plant and fish life while snorkelling. If you like to see more of the unique plant life take a walk to a nearby Nature Reserve, which is known for the variety of didierraceae, adasonia, and euphorbia and baobab trees.

Day 15

Return journey home

Flight with Air Madagascar
Transfer to Toliara Airport and return flight to Tana. – End of service on the airport.

Complementary Information:

Duration of the tour: 15 days
Cycling: 10 days
Distance: approx. 650 km with approx. 240km off road
Support car available
National park: two days
Private Park: 1 hour
Region: 1 day in Andringitra (trekking),
Beach: 1 days
You should be a good cyclist and have teamwork

Included

-English speaking tour manager
-Overnight in the mentioned or similar hotels in double or twin room
-Meals Day 2 to 13 full-board, Day 14, 15 breakfast and mineral water during the all trip
-Going by car or Minibus, all transfers
All entrance fees
Local guides in all visited parks
-Mechanic if more than six participants

Not included

-International and domestic flights
-Drinks except mentioned
-Beach activities
-Private expenses
-Tips

The tour can be changed according to circumstances.

Please note: for this tour one domestic flight is required which are not included in the tour price.
This tour is customisable as private base.

Please request the list of the hotels, lodges and camp sites.

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