Cycling Tours

Duration: 16 Days
Arriving: Antananarivo
Departing: Antananarivo

Cycle from the Malagasy highlands to the south coast of Madagascar and discover the fourth-largest island in the world. Meet local people, learn about their culture and customs, explore the fauna and flora, and, of course, enjoy your passion for cycling!

DAY 1: ANTANANARIVO

Today is an arrival day. You may arrive at any time. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, you will be greeted by your tour manager and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Antananarivo, or Tana, takes its name from an episode in Malagasy history.

Overnight: Hotel

DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO CITY TOUR AND CYCLING

On foot and with our tour vehicle, we take an informative tour around the city. Later, we collect our bikes and cycle to Ambohimanga, the Blue Hill. The hill is considered sacred due to its history as the former capital of the Merina Kingdom and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Continue to Ilafy, where today only the ruins of the priestly Rova remain.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 19 km
Difficulty: Easy asphalt road with some climbs
Trail conditions: National road to the junction northeast of Antananarivo

DAY 3: ANTANANARIVO – ANTSIRABE

Transfer by vehicle along the national road to the village of Antanifotsy. On the way, visit an aluminum pot-making factory in Ambatolampy. From Antanifotsy, we continue by bicycle.

At the start of our cycling journey, we ride along tracks bordered by fruit trees and rice fields. After joining National Highway No. 7, we continue to Antsirabe. Due to its highland location at 4,500 ft above sea level, Antsirabe was a favourite recuperation town during the French colonial period.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 52.9 km
Difficulty: Easy track and asphalt road with gentle climbs
Trail conditions: National road northeast of Antsirabe

DAY 4: ANTSIRABE – ANDRAIKIBA LAKE – TRITRIVA LAKE – ANTSIRABE

Today we take a cycling excursion. First, we visit Lake Andraikiba, located 7 km from Antsirabe, a pleasant place to relax. Vendors selling semi-precious stones can also be found here.

We then continue by bike to Tritriva Lake, located 11 km south of Andraikiba. This volcanic crater lake is one of Madagascar’s most famous natural sites and is surrounded by legends. Interestingly, its water level rises during the dry season and falls during the rainy season.

After visiting both lakes, we return to Antsirabe by vehicle and enjoy a short city tour to discover local artisans and their crafts.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 18 km
Difficulty: Easy asphalt road and gravel path with several climbs
Trail conditions: National road west of Antsirabe

DAY 5: ANTSIRABE – AMBOSITRA

After breakfast, we cycle south along the hilly road to Ambositra. Known as Madagascar’s handicraft capital, the region is famous for its woodwork, including sculptures, inlays, and engravings.

The nearby Zafimaniry villages, located in dense eastern forests, are renowned worldwide for their refined woodworking traditions.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 93 km
Difficulty: Asphalt road with many curves and climbs
Trail conditions: National road between Antsirabe and Ambositra

DAY 6: AMBOSITRA – RANOMAFANA

A vehicle transfer takes us to the village of Camp Robin, where we begin cycling toward Ranomafana. The route features winding roads, climbs, and descents, passing valleys, villages, and eucalyptus forests.

From Ambohimahasoa onward, the climate becomes tropical and humid, and rain is possible. The final stretch includes a long descent before reaching our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 84 km
Difficulty: Easy track and asphalt road with climbs and descents; 12-km descent at the end
Trail conditions: Narrow national road between Camp Robin and Ranomafana

DAY 7: Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana National Park covers 41,601 hectares of dense rainforest and is part of the Atsinanana World Heritage forests. It is home to many rare and endangered lemur species, including the golden bamboo lemur and the greater bamboo lemur.

The terrain is hilly with dense forest, waterfalls, and streams. Thermal springs nearby are known for their sulphur-rich waters.

Overnight: Hotel
Cycling: Rest day
Activity: 2–5 hour guided walk in the park

DAY 8: RANOMAFANA – BIKE TOUR TO SAHAMBAVY

We cycle uphill for the first kilometres to Andovaka, then continue off-road. Along the route, you may see locals selling sand collected from rivers and women weaving baskets.

We finish at our hotel in the heart of a tea-growing region with a plantation covering 400 hectares.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 70 km
Difficulty: Several climbs, mixed track and asphalt
Trail conditions: National road and stony track to the hotel

DAY 9: SAHAMBAVY – FIANARANTSOA – AMBALAVAO

After breakfast, we may visit the Sahambavy Tea Estate, Madagascar’s only tea plantation. We then cycle through Fianarantsoa, capital of the Betsileo region, before continuing south to Ambalavao.

The scenery features vineyards, terraced rice fields, and rocky outcrops. Ambalavao is often called the “Southern Gateway” and is known for traditional Antaimoro paper-making.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 77 km
Difficulty: Mixed asphalt roads with climbs and curves
Trail conditions: Narrow national road

DAY 10: AMBALAVAO – ANDRINGITRA

Today we cycle from Ambalavao toward Andringitra. The Andringitra region lies 47 km south along National Road 7 and is known for its biodiversity and high peaks, including one of Madagascar’s highest accessible summits at 2,658 m.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 47 km
Difficulty: Stony tracks with many ascents and descents
Trail conditions: Rough track between Ambalavao and Andringitra

DAY 11: HIKE IN ANDRINGITRA

Today we leave the bikes behind and hike the Asaramanitra circuit, a 6-km loop taking about 4 hours with a picnic break.

The trail leads to the sacred Riandahy waterfall, 300 m high, and to the Riambavy cascade hidden in mist. We also visit the Ijajofo cave, once used by cattle raiders.

This area is excellent for spotting rare birds and endemic wildlife.

Overnight: Hotel
Cycling: Rest day
Activity: Guided hike in Andringitra National Park

DAY 12: ANDRINGITRA – ANKARAMENA – IHOSY – RANOHIRA

After breakfast, we cycle back toward Ambalavao and continue south. The landscape gradually turns dry, with red earth, tombs on hilltops, zebu cattle, and bushfires shaping the scenery.

After Ankaramena, we transfer by vehicle to Ihosy, a transition zone between the green highlands and the dry south.

In the afternoon, we cross the Horombe plateau to Ranohira. Those who wish may cycle the final kilometres to the hotel near the park.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: Up to 187 km (mixed cycling and vehicle support)

DAY 13: Isalo National Park

Today, we explore Isalo National Park by bike and on foot. The park is known for dramatic sandstone formations, deep canyons, and unique rupicolous vegetation, including aloes, euphorbias, and pachypodiums.

We may also see ring-tailed lemurs and other wildlife. Don’t forget your swimwear — we will visit the famous natural swimming pool inside the park.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 21 km
Difficulty: Easy rocky trail with slopes and turns

DAY 14: RANOHIRA – TOLIARA – IFATY

After breakfast, we cycle until lunchtime, then continue by vehicle.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Toliara, the capital of the southwest. The region is known for spiny forests, striking light, and distinctive landscapes.

We continue to stay at Ifaty for two nights of relaxation by the beach.

Overnight: Hotel
Km of cycling: 108 km

DAY 15: IFATY

Free day to relax, swim, or enjoy optional excursions.

Overnight: Hotel

DAY 16: IFATY – TULEAR – ANTANANARIVO

Transfer to Toliara Airport for your return flight to Antananarivo. Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a hotel for the day.

Depending on your schedule, you may visit the craft village, the large traditional market of Antananarivo, where many Malagasy handicrafts are sold.

You will have time to freshen up before dinner and your transfer to the airport for your international departure.

This marks the end of our services. Our team wishes you a pleasant journey and hopes to welcome you again to discover another facet of Madagascar.

Day use: Hotel Veloma!