Grand tour · 9 days / 8 nights

RN7 South Tour: Antananarivo → Toliara

Duration

9 d / 8 n

Route

Tana → Toliara

Transport

4x4

Meals

Half board

Tour overview

A nine-day tour down the legendary Route Nationale 7 (RN7), from Antananarivo to Toliara on the south-west coast. From the thermal waters of Antsirabe to the rainforest of Ranomafana, from the granite massif of Andringitra to the lemur colonies of Anja, from the eroded sandstone formations of Isalo to the first baobabs: a journey through the landscapes and cultures of southern Madagascar.

Day-by-day itinerary

Antananarivo → Antsirabe

Antananarivo · Ambatolampy · Antsirabe — 170 km (~4h30)

Departure from Antananarivo and descent along the RN7 through the rice paddies of the Highlands. Stop in Ambatolampy to discover a traditional aluminium foundry. Overnight in Antsirabe.

Antsirabe → Ranomafana

Antsirabe · Ambalavao · Ranomafana — 227 km

Drive to Ranomafana with a stop in Ambalavao, capital of woodcraft. Arrival at the edge of the rainforest. Overnight in Ranomafana.

Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana · Sahambavy tea plantations

Explore Ranomafana National Park: lemurs (including the golden bamboo lemur), waterfall and orchids. Visit to the Sahambavy tea plantations. Overnight in Sahambavy.

Sahambavy → Andringitra valley

Sahambavy · Ambalavao · Tsaranoro valley — 96 km

Stop in Ambalavao (market, Antemoro paper workshop), then a 4x4 track to the Tsaranoro valley, at the foot of the Andringitra massif. Overnight at the lodge.

Andringitra massif

Tsaranoro valley · sacred forest

Hiking and ascent of the plateau, or a walk through the sacred forest (ring-tailed lemurs), with stunning views over the granite cliffs. Overnight in the valley.

Andringitra → Anja → Ranohira

Anja Reserve · Ihorombe plateau · Ranohira — 50 km

Visit to the Anja Reserve and its colonies of ring-tailed lemurs, then crossing the Ihorombe plateau towards Isalo. Arrival in Ranohira.

Isalo National Park

Canyon des Singes · Canyon des Nymphes · Isalo Window

A day in the eroded sandstone massif of Isalo: natural swimming pool, Canyon des Singes and Canyon des Nymphes, then sunset at the Isalo Window. Overnight in Ranohira.