Road trip on RN7

Arrival in Tananarive. Walk on the pavés of the high city from Independence Square to the Queen's Palace to embrace the surrounding sacred hills, Fort Voyron, the Zoologique zoological and botanical park, Mahamasina stadium or the Anosy and Mandroseza lakes. Night in Tananarive.

Transfer for Antsirabe 180 km towards the south for about three hours driving on an asphalt road. Visit of the city on foot or on foot to appreciate the colonial architecture of this ancient spa town to the numerous sources of hot and gaseous water nestling above 1 400 m above sea level. Night in Antsirabe.

The journey continues south to Fianarantsoa, 250 kilometres away, for a four-hour trip through the Highlands. The RN7 crosses terraced rice fields and stops in Ambositra, the Malagasy capital of wood carving and marquetry. Its craftsmen are inspired by the art of the Zafimaniry, a people from the forests of the central south-east whose know-how is recognized by UNESCO. Night in Fianarantsoa.

The second most populous town in Madagascar, renowned for its vineyards and tea plantations, Fianarantsoa deserves a day's time. Visit of the old town on the hills, with its huts with carved wood balconies, narrow alleys and numerous towers. Night in Fianarantsoa.

We leave the Highlands for the South, whose door opens in Ambalavao, at a small hour's drive from Fianarantsoa. The rice fields leave large blocks of stone and zébus multiply by the roadside. Small stop in Ambalavao to appreciate the beautiful varangues of the houses and observe the market of zébus. Night in Ranohira.

Long hike in the vast Isalo massif from the village of Ranohira. This national park is nicknamed "the Malagasy Colorado" because of its ruinous relief (from the word "ruin") composed of peaks, canyons, caves and rocky columns. The great aridity of the area is compensated by numerous waterfalls and natural pools. Second night in Ranohira.

The immense Massif massif deserves a second day of hiking to observe the birds of prey (black, harrier, hawks...) and lemurs (red front ruffed, ruffed tif, and Le sifaka to amazing dance). After walking, we take the height thanks to a route of through 500 metres long ferrata on the ridges of the massif. Last night in Ranohira.

Return to the RN 7. We leave behind the canyons to leave to the west coast and into the lagoon of the village of Ifaty, after having surpassed dusty city of Tuléar. Finally, it is time to relax on the beach by observing, beyond the coral barrier, the sails of the fishermen's sails. Night in Ifaty.

New day in the sand in the lagoon. On the menu of the festivities of the morning massage session, horseback riding or snorkeling on the reef. In the afternoon, walk through the baobabs forest in the baobabs forest of Doumergue's wild reserve to avoid the beaten trails of Reniala National Park. Second night in Ifaty.

It's time to get back to the starting point. Not by the RN7, but with a flight to Tananarive from Tulear airport. Once back in the Malagasy capital, visit the Andravoahangy market, northeast of the city centre, and the Analakely covered market in the lower town to fill up with souvenirs. Last night in Tananarive

Return flight, possibly taking advantage of the artisanal market of La Digue on the way to the airport.