Bike and Hike Wild Madagascar

Duration
15 days
Site savings
$114
From
$3,686 USD
15 Reviews

Throw yourself and the two-wheels of your bike into the land of Madagascar and all its wonderful natural sights. Bike, hike and bask in the dazzling array of landscapes that include savannahs, sea, mountains, beaches and rainforest. Spot wildlife that’s endemic to Madagascar and embrace an adventure like no other on this epic cycling trip.

  • Category
    Multi-Activity
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    15 days
  • Culture Level
    Out There
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    4 - Challenging
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    322.5 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    36 miles
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SpiceRoads Cycling
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Quick Stats

  • Duration
    15 days
  • Main Destination
    Madagascar
  • Distance
    322.5 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    36 miles
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Arriving in Antananarivo

    Arrive in Madagascar’s capital of Antananarivo, known locally as Tana. If you arrive early you can take the time to explore this city’s rich history and fascinating architectural sites. But be aware that the city is full of ancient stone steps and it may not be the best way to prepare for the cycling trip ahead; however, if you are feeling brave the sights are a great reward before everyone meets for dinner and a tour briefing. Tomorrow the real journey begins.

    • Combava Hotel
    • Dinner
  2. Day 2Antananarivo – Antsirabe

    Today you'll transfer four hours to Antsirabe, 170 km south of Antananarivo, and on the way, stop to visit an aluminum pot-making factory in Ambatolampy. The drive takes you along a gravel road in the highlands past rice paddies and fruit plantations, with smiling and friendly locals on bikes waving to us. Due to its geographical setting, Antsirabe and nearby thermal springs, at 1,370 m (4,500 ft) above sea level, has been a popular retreat since the late 1800s. Upon arrival in Antsirabe, you'll meet the bikes and go for a short ride at a leisurely pace with a variety of road conditions ranging from tarmac to back roads, along with some climbs and descents before you truly start exploring wild Madagascar.

    • 9.3 miles
    • Chambres du Voyageur
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  3. Day 3Cranking up a gear with gorgeous lakes and legends

    Today, the team rolls out on a circuitous route around Antsirabe.

    Boasting two impressive crater lakes, the ride will be gentle on paved and dirt roads. Mystical stories abound in these parts with the first caldera – a former water sports activities center – thought to be haunted by a pregnant woman, who drowned herself there many years ago. The story goes that her ghost now rests on a lakeside rock.

    Continuing your climb on two wheels up past rice paddies you will eventually reach Lake Tritriva, which sits at the end of a single track trail. Surrounded by lush greenery, this huge body of water is situated right at the top of Mount Tritriva, making it one of the most unique locations in the world.

    Bizarrely, the lake’s water levels are known to drop during the monsoon period and overflow in the dry season. The lake has its own spooky stories as well. The most intriguing one is a love story of a couple who jumped off the cliff and into the lake so they could drown and be together for eternity.

    A tasty picnic is held at this mysterious spot before everyone jumps back on the bikes for a descent back to the accommodation.

    • 33.6 miles
    • 1,866.8 ft
      1,866.8 ft
    • Chambres du Voyageur
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  4. Day 4Smooth riding and wonderful wood carving

    Today’s ride is one of the longest at 95km (59 mi), but with easy paved roads and few inclines it is also one of the more breezy days. Heading south to Ambositra you are accompanied on your way by an array of rice terraces, while the local Zafimaniry – an ethnic people renowned for their wood carving – make this a fascinating route to pedal.

    There is time to stop and visit a carpenter, who graciously takes the time to show off his carving skills, passed down through generations. It is a brilliant display to witness before you head back to the hotel and rest.

    • 59 miles
    • 2,687 ft
      2,687 ft
    • Artisan Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  5. Day 5Ambositra - Ranomafana National Park

    A three-hour van transfer takes you to the starting point where you'll ride through fields and end at a lush rainforest. On a rural road, you'll pedal through a spectacular valley with towering granite boulders all the way to Ambohimahasoa, a small district with a quiltwork of fields and terraced rice paddies. After two climbs on a short tar section, you'll ride 20 km off road through more villages and eucalyptus forests until you reach the dense rainforest of Ranomafana National Park, with the last 10 km being a downhill to the lodge on the river.

    • 36 miles
    • 3,215.2 ft
      3,215.2 ft
    • Le Grenat
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  6. Day 6Ranomafana National Park

    You switch from biking to hiking as you explore one of Madagascar’s most spectacular natural treasures—Ranomafana National Park, home to the golden bamboo lemur and over 100 bird species, 30 of which are found nowhere else in the country. As you trek through dense rainforest, you’ll encounter fascinating and unusual animals and plants unique to this part of the world. Keep your eyes peeled for rare birds and multiple species of lemur; if luck is on your side, you might even spot one or two golden bamboo lemurs, now sadly threatened with extinction.

    Depending on where the lemurs are, your hike will range from 4 to 6 hours and cover 10–12 km. You’ll pause for lunch at a local restaurant, then enjoy a free afternoon to explore the peaceful village of Ranomafana or soothe your muscles in nearby thermal springs. As night falls, you’ll take a gentle evening walk in the park to search for nocturnal creatures such as the mouse lemur and the striped civet.

    • Le Grenat
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  7. Day 7Ranomafana – Sahambavy

    Rise early and enjoy breakfast before taking a short drive back up the hill for an easier start to the day. Today’s ride takes you off-road for 22 km, and with some bridges out, the support vehicle won’t be able to follow you along this stretch. Once you reunite with the vehicle, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch among the tea plants of the Sahambavy Tea Estate—the only tea plantation in Madagascar.

    Nestled in a beautiful valley beside Lake Sahambavy, the estate has been producing tea since 1970, supplying both local markets and exporting to Mombasa, Kenya. Tonight, you’ll stay in charming bungalows set in lush gardens, overlooking the calm, glassy waters of the lake.

    • 32.9 miles
    • 2,706.7 ft
      2,706.7 ft
    • Lac Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  8. Day 8Sahambavy – Ambalavao

    After a delicious breakfast, you’ll take a short transfer to the city of Fianarantsoa, where you can enjoy a bit of shopping before continuing south by bike toward Ambalavao. Fianarantsoa is the capital of the Betsileo people, who call Madagascar’s highlands home. Along the way, you’ll ride through a stunning landscape of rolling hills, vineyards, terraced rice paddies, and dramatic rocky outcrops. A rewarding 10-km downhill awaits to balance out the climb into Ambalavao—the country’s wine region and a charming town adorned with brightly painted buildings. If time permits upon arrival, you can stop by a craft shop to see the famous Antaimoro paper, a beautiful hand-made papyrus.

    • 34.8 miles
    • 2,362.2 ft
      2,362.2 ft
    • Espace Zongo
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  9. Day 9Ambalavao - Anja Park – Andringitra

    You leave the market town of Ambalavao and hop back in the saddle for another day’s ride south. As you cruise along, you’ll see the landscape shift into open grassland savannah, scattered with massive granite mountains. In the small Anja Reserve, bizarre cliff formations rise above a landscape filled with exotic plants, caves, tombs, and lively ring-tailed lemurs.

    You’ll take an hour-long walk through the park before leaving the main road and heading into the Tsaranoro Valley in the Andringitra Range. A 20-km off-road ride challenges you, but the reward is reaching your charming accommodation for the night.

    • 36.7 miles
    • 2,893.7 ft
      2,893.7 ft
    • Camp Catta
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  10. Day 10Andringitra Massif Hike

    You begin your hiking day at the edge of the granite Andringitra Massif, a rugged mountain range that has, over the years, become a hiker’s paradise. Shaped by a dramatic volcanic event millions of years ago, the range is famed not only for the world-famous ring-tailed lemur but also for its striking, jagged landscapes, pastoral charm, and remarkable variety of native plants and animals. Recognized for its rich biodiversity, Andringitra was designated a nature reserve in 1927 and later became a national park.

    As you ascend toward Chameleon Peak, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views over rocky highlands dotted with prairies and alpine meadows. Today’s hike takes about 4–6 hours, and in the afternoon, you’re free to cool off with a swim or keep an eye out for ring-tailed lemurs wandering through camp.

    • Camp Catta
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  11. Day 11Andringitra – Horombe Plateau – Ranohira

    You take a 4-hour transfer back to the paved road to Ankaramena, a place famous for its sweet, juicy mangoes and papayas. After a short fruit break, you continue driving past Ihosy and stop for lunch. From here, your ride begins—downhill across the vast Horombe Plateau toward Ranohira. As you pedal, you’ll see the landscape gradually open into a sweeping savannah, where dry grass shimmers under the bright sun and villages grow farther apart. This region is home mainly to the Barra people, known for raising Zebu cattle.

    The first 50 km of today’s ride are flat, but about 25 km before Ranohira, the hills roll in. Your lodge awaits at the base of Isalo National Park, offering the perfect vantage point to watch the sun set over the rugged landscape.

    • 46.6 miles
    • 1,089.2 ft
      1,089.2 ft
    • Hotel H1
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  12. Day 12 L'lsalo Massif

    Isalo is a vast landscape of wind-sculpted rock towers, deep canyons, dramatic gorges, and hidden oases. Here, sandstone boulders shaped by centuries of wind erosion—known as ventifacts—create a spectacular, otherworldly scene. Your day begins with a short vehicle transfer to the starting point of your hike in Isalo National Park.

    You’ll trek through striking Jurassic-era terrain, carved over millions of years, visiting canyons in search of the ring-tailed lemur and other iconic species of Madagascar. Along the way, you can cool off under a waterfall or take a refreshing swim in a natural pool. A catered picnic lunch fuels you for the hike up the canyon to discover the park’s famous blue and black natural pools. After 4–6 hours of walking, you return to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

    • Hotel H1
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  13. Day 13Ranohira – Ilkaka – Toliara

    After breakfast, you continue cycling through the national park, with sweeping views of sandstone formations, rugged canyons, and open grasslands, until you reach the town of Ilakaka—world-famous for its alluvial sapphire deposits. Following your morning ride, you’ll load the bikes and transfer by van for about five hours, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch, before arriving in the coastal town of Toliara in the afternoon.

    Home to the Vezo, renowned seafaring people, Toliara is the most important trade hub in southern Madagascar. Tonight, you’ll stay in a charming hotel perfectly set on the Bay of Ifaty, just steps from the deep blue sea.

    • 19.9 miles
    • 1,286.1 ft
      1,286.1 ft
    • La Mira
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  14. Day 14Toliara Rest Day

    After the long journey, it’s time to rest your legs and enjoy your well-earned reward—the beach! Under the warm sun and soft, blue sky, you can stretch out on the sand with your favorite drink in hand or dive into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean for a refreshing swim. Just offshore, a coral reef teems with colorful marine life waiting to be explored while snorkeling.

    If you’re curious about the region’s unique plant life, take a walk through the nearby nature reserve, home to fascinating species like didierraceae, adansonia, euphorbia, and towering baobabs. In the evening, you’ll gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate all that you’ve experienced on this journey.

    • La Mira
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  15. Day 15Moving on from Madagascar packed full of wonderful memories

    The inevitable has come; today, you all part ways. There’s enough time for one last breakfast before you head in separate directions.

    The guides will be happy to assist with extending your holiday on the beach or arranging a transfer to the airport if required. Whatever you do though it will be hard to beat this wonderful adventure in Madagascar.

    • Breakfast