Itinerary

Flight to Antananarivo, transfer to hotel. Then we explore the city and look for example at the botanical garden and the uptown parts. In the evening we possibly visit a concert. Departure for a day trip into the northern vicinity. We have the first snacks of local cuisine: potato doughnuts baked with herbs, samosas, tamarind juice, and freshly roasted coffee.
With a minibus we leave the capital until we are 50 km before Antsirabe. A cycling trip to Ambositra in a really wonderful landscape. Mountains left and right, often we cycle along the river. Terraced rice fields. From Ambositra to Ambohimahasoa in continual ups and downs. After 60 km our road arrives straight at the rainforest and at the upland moor at a height of 2,000 m. Night walk in the forest. In Ialatsara (Ambohimahasoa) we have a walk in the park in order to look at the lemurs in the forest.

At the way out of the Ambohimahasoa a fantastic view of the expanse of the landscape. By bike to Fianarantsoa. We cycle up to Ambalavao and have a tour of the wine-growing estate. Walk in the park, in the exciting landscape of the Andringitra massif. A cycling trip to Ranomafana, circa 70 km, at the end only going downhill fast through the ravine canyon and a tremendous view of Namorona River and the rainforest. In the afternoon you may visit the thermal springs or the swimming pool.
Cycling up to Irondro; two ascents, then a really wonderful descent stretching for miles-the perhaps most beautiful stretch of our journey. Up to the east coast, to the Indian Ocean. Cycling to Manankara and a rest day at the beach. We have a thrilling rail journey through the jungle and banana farms back into the mountains. We go round a tea plantation and return by bush taxi to Tana-a long ride that takes us through our journey backwards in quick motion. We visit the park ‚Madagascar Exotic‘ in Marozevo, make a cycling trip from there to Perinet and go on a hike in the nature reserve, followed by a cycling trip from Perinet to Moramanga. Transfer to the capital, packing, shopping in the city and return flight.
A total of circa 870 km in 15 days of cycling.
Travel guide August Schmidhofer is a musicologist at the University of Vienna. Multiple research trips to Madagascar since 1986. Uses the bicycle 365 days per year.

Flight with Air Madagascar or Corsair from Paris. You use your own bike. No escort vehicle.
Health information: In the highlands the risk of contracting malaria is not very large, but there is a risk at the east coast. Therefore malaria prophylaxis is advisable. Likewise a vaccination against hepatitis is recommended.

Weather conditions

Madagascar is south of the equator. The best time to travel is April until October, when low temperatures and low precipitation create a moderate climate.Temperatures average 22-25 degrees at the coast and 16-18 degrees in the highlands. In the highlands it may be summery during daylight and bitterly cold during the nights.

Food

Madagascan, Indian, Chinese and European cuisine.

Included

Flight from Paris
All aforementioned transfers
All overnight stays (frequently double room with a double bed)
Tour guide and interpreter
Roadmap (color copy) and information on the country
Detailed information booklet
Admission fees for national parks.

Not included

Additional costs
Visa fees, journey to Paris airport, additional fees for transportation of your bicycle that are demanded by the airline at check-in, food (for local food a budget of about 10 Euros per day is recommended), costs for extra voluntary programs, additional excursions etc., possibly transport costs in case of breakdown or illness.

Period

September

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More on actual dates, prices, photos, tour reports, web links etc. (in German)