South Express : Tuléar – Ranohira

Departure for Ranohira.
A passage at the Arboretum of Antsokay, with its regional herbal collection, located in 12km of the south-east of the city of Tulear.

The Arboretum of Antsokay was found by 1980 at the initiative from the initiation of a passionate swiss botanist Hermann PETIGNAT. It encompasses 40 hectares in area, and it is surrounded by a living vegetal hedge, the initiator has managed to breed either by seed, by cutting or by transplantation, the most endangered plants' species it is done for preserving the greatest number of constant deforestation, bushfires and devastators.
Due to this deforestation and these bushfires, some species of plants are endangered. However, they hold an important level of endemicity of 90% the region and 80% have some medical virtues. The arboretum possesses a collection of more than 900 species of plants of the southwest of Madagascar. Among these many succulent species are endangered. In noting this issue, Antsokay Arboretum has dedicated an area of 40 hectares to preserve this biodiversity.

We leave gradually these wide valleys to the steppes of landscapes and mountains look tired. The tombs topped by aloalo (mortuary totem) of the Mahafaly tributes are mixing into the decoration. These are material heritages which reflect the secular custom that Malagasy people have been preserving until now. Those "handiworks" represent a particular value for the local population.
During our journey, we will meet some herds of "Jamoka", literally "the great peaceful", or "zebu" for the francophiles. We will stop in the boomtown of Ilakaka : visit sapphire mines located 15km from Ranohira.
Arrival in Ranohira late morning, installation.

Full board in the hotel.

With an area of 81.540 ha, Isalo National Park covers the northern part of the massif of Isalo which is made up of sandstone. As centuries went by, the sandstone has been sculpted by rain and erosion. Deserts of stone, natural swimming-pool, breathtaking canyons and caves make up the major part of the park and offer a particular spectacle. We find some species of birds and reptiles. The rocky vegetation is abundant in the whole of the park : you could observe species of Pachypodium, Aloe and Euphorbia. Through the green panorama of the Park, you will discover as well several rare birds' species, butterflies and lizards. You will climb the falls and the deep gorges until the blue and black swimming-pool.

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the Park entrance.

natural swimming pool : Medium tour, a full or a half day
Access : 3km from Ranohira (30mn by vehicle) until the parking at the site entrance
A tour of 3km and lasts 1h30mn on foot (except the stops and photo breaks)
Elevation : 60m
This is undoubtedly, the tour that is most done in this park, with a huge asset. Apart from the easiness of its journey, it offers a natural swimming pool on arrival for refreshing the tired hikers. During this tour, you will see the natural garden, the natural colors of the massif and a peculiar panorama at one of the valleys of Isalo .

Namaza : Easy tour, a full or a half day
Access : 4kms from Ranohira (20mn by vehicle) until the parking at the site entrance
A tour of 800m and lasts 20 mn on foot Elevation : 0 m
For this tour, the jant will draw you at the heart of the massif but this time, it will be in the canyons and the valleys. The route will show you the "cascade des nymphes", the blue and the black swimming pool as well as abnormal viewpoints

Picnic lunch in the middle of the day. In the afternoon, we carry on hiking and we will meet the Bara and Sakalava sepultures. This walk draw us to the discovery of a rich and strange culture at the heart of a landscapes. After a few hours walking, the lush oasis of the natural pool is finally in sight. You could take and enjoy one hour of relaxing before returning to the hotel.
Aperitif by the wonderful sunset.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.
Departure- by car from the hotel and we join the site of Malaso : the car leaves you there and start the promenade with your local guide. A day of discovery of this astonishing park of shape and color. Picnic lunch; continuation until the exit in passing by the unavoidable sites of this tour : the belvedere, the botanical garden, the little Nazareth and so forth.

Canyons of the Makis and rats : sportive tour, a full-day required
Access : 17km from Ranohira (45mn by vehicle) until the parking at the site entrance
A tour of 9km and lasts 5:00 on foot Elevation : 60m
This tour allow you to enjoy some panoramic views (rice fields, cliffs that are incised with gorges) which are overlooked by the Canyons of Makis and the Canyon of the Rats. For the most sportive, this journey allows you to make a link between the canyon of makis and the village of Ranohira.

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

After the breakfast, a morning that is dedicated to discover the hotel and its surroundings. Possibility of diverse jaunt to do, or various activities (in Option) : mountain bike, equestrian, via ferrata ... . Lunch on the spot.
In the beginning of the afternoon, we take the road towards Tulear. You come back to the city of sun. Visit of the city in the afternoon.

Tulear or Toliara is considered as the capital of south west of Madagascar. It reflects an African atmosphere, noisy and contrasted of color. It is pleasing to jaunt a little in the "Bazary", in other way the local markets for observing the day to day life of everyone, and for getting some information about the local products , because "what we eat reflects who we are". You could see local products, such as vegetables, fruits, meats or fishes, but also the least by the roads and then will served to a 2nd life for the recovery lovers.
A cosmopolite city, because it is inhabitated by different ethnic groups. We notably find the Vezo and other ethnic groups that have come in Tulear for finding job. For example, the Antandroy who have left their bush for pulling posy posy (rickshaw), and who contribute to the ambient animation.
Transfer to the hotel, installation.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

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