The Grand Tour of the Highlands on Electric Mountain Bike

A member of the Détours Madagascar team welcomes you upon arrival at Ivato Antananarivo airport. Transfer and check-in at the Au Bois Vert hotel, located in a vast tree-lined park a few minutes from the airport.

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar, located in the region of the central Highlands of the island. Antananarivo is often the essential first stop for any European visiting the country. From arrival in Antananarivo, as it is called here, the change of scenery is immediate. European landmarks disappear, giving way to a mix of wonder and emotion, marking the beginning of a new adventure.

You will begin this adventure with a visit to Ambohimanga, a major site of Madagascar's royal history, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This majestic site will immerse you in the island's prestigious past, between palaces and century-old ramparts.

After this cultural immersion, your mountain biking route will continue through lush landscapes to an artisanal honey farm. There you will discover the secrets of local production, participate in a guided tour and taste different varieties of honey with unique flavors.

This culinary moment will also be an opportunity to buy some treats, an authentic souvenir of your adventure to Ambohimanga. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Mountain biking route: 40 kms +/- 4h

After a transfer of about thirty kilometers to Ambatofotsy, your cycling adventure begins on a relatively flat trail of about twenty kilometers, ideal for warming up and admiring the first typical landscapes of the Malagasy Highlands. Once the warm-up is complete, the route transforms into a beautiful climb that takes you up to 1,578 meters altitude. Regular breaks allow you to fully enjoy the panoramas of lush hills.

At the end of the effort, the reward is worth it: Lake Tsiazompaniry, a secret setting of the high plateaus, bordered by luxuriant vegetation and populated with tropical birds. You will then return to your hotel thanks to a boat transfer, in this true haven of peace. Mountain biking route: 52 kms +/- 5h

From the peaceful shores of Lake Tsiazompaniry, the itinerary takes you into the heart of Madagascar's Highlands. The trails wind between hills and valleys, crossing small villages where daily life unfolds in a peaceful atmosphere. Each encounter with the inhabitants is an opportunity to discover the richness of local culture and Malagasy hospitality.

The road then leads you to Ambohimanambola, where the Antelomita dam stands, an impressive testimony to engineering. This is where this stage ends, before heading back to the Ivato Green Forest, with memories of authentic landscapes and moments. Mountain biking route: 74 kms +/- 6h30

After breakfast, transfer to the starting point located a few kilometers from the city. The route takes you to Mantasoa, through magnificent landscapes where hills and forests alternate.

On site, discover the residence of Jean Laborde, a French explorer of the 19th century, and immerse yourself in a fascinating page of Madagascar's colonial history. This Gascon, son of a blacksmith and master saddler from Auch, had opened a thriving mechanics workshop in India when a shipwreck cast him on the eastern coast of Madagascar in 1831.

Nicknamed the little Switzerland, with its very rural, verdant and undulating natural setting, Lake Mantasoa is a singular and atypical destination. Mountain bike route: 47 km +/- 5 hours

Morning transfer to Andasibe. Visit to Andasibe National Park, a conservation site for the Indri-Indri, the largest of the lemurs. We approach Andasibe's primary forest through the Analamazaotra special reserve crossed by the Amboasary river.

This reserve is the natural habitat of a large population of lemurs including 11 other lemur species besides the Indri Indri such as bamboo lemurs, sifakas… Other animal species may be visible: chameleons, birds… The flora is also well represented with several varieties of orchids such as eulophiella, rosewood, palm trees and medicinal plants.

After breakfast, early departure heading to Mantasoa, where bicycles await you for a new stage. The route, different from the outbound journey, takes you through rolling and verdant landscapes, dotted with typical hamlets of the Highlands.

On the way, a stop in Ambatomanga, a village renowned for its artisanal cheese-making. You will discover local expertise and taste some specialties, a well-deserved gourmet break after the effort.

The route then continues to Ambohimanambola, before rejoining by vehicle the Bois Vert d'Ivato, where you will find the calm and comfort of your lodge, nestled in a haven of greenery. Mountain biking route: 37 km +/- 4 hours

In the morning, transfer to Ambatomirahavavy, the starting point of the second part of your adventure. You then begin three days of exploration by bike in the heart of the hills, heading towards Ampefy. Very quickly, the atmosphere changes: you leave the hustle and bustle of the city to immerse yourself in a more rural environment, punctuated by cultivated fields, traditional hamlets and daily life scenes in the Highlands. The route offers many panoramas: verdant valleys, rolling hills and rivers that wind between villages. Several stops are planned to allow you to catch your breath, admire the landscape and exchange with the locals you meet along the way.

Early in the afternoon, arrival in Arivonimamo, a lively small town where colorful markets and local craftsmanship blend together. After this stage, you continue to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy a restful evening before the next part of your journey. Mountain biking route: 51 kms +/- 5h

This day offers a relatively short stage in distance, but demanding due to its terrain. Right after leaving Arivonimamo, the road climbs rapidly and chains together a succession of bumps and false flats that test the calves. The landscapes unfold over the kilometers: rolling green hills, cultivated valleys and small villages where life flows peacefully. Throughout the route, several stops are possible to catch your breath and enjoy the panoramas. You will have the opportunity to observe typical rural scenes of the Highlands: terraced rice fields, improvised markets along the roadside, children greeting cyclists with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Arrival in Miarinarivo, planned for late afternoon, rewards the efforts made. This small town perched on the heights offers a friendly and authentic atmosphere. After settling into the hotel, you can stroll through the lively streets, discover local craftsmanship or simply enjoy a well-deserved moment of rest. Mountain bike course: 45 kms +/- 5h

Departing from Miarinarivo, you will be immediately captivated by the lively atmosphere of this small town, where colorful streets fill with vibrant markets and scenes of daily life. The first pedal strokes take you away from urban hustle to plunge into a more peaceful setting: green hills, fertile valleys and traditional villages dot the route, offering an authentic glimpse of the Malagasy Highlands. The course, punctuated by climbs and descents, calls for effort but rewards with breathtaking panoramas. Stops along the way allow you to admire the terraced rice fields, the dazzling bougainvilleas that border the houses, and to meet warm inhabitants who greet travelers with curiosity and smiles.

Little by little, Ampefy reveals itself with its unique charm: its flower-lined streets, its peaceful atmosphere and its exceptional natural setting. The day ends beautifully with a sunset over Lake Itasy, whose golden reflections on the water create a magical atmosphere. This moment marks the conclusion of an unforgettable triptych through the hills, connecting Arivonimamo, Miarinarivo and Ampefy. Mountain bike route: 43 kms +/- 4h

The day is dedicated to visiting Ampefy, a charming thermal town nestled on the shores of Lake Itasy. After three days spent hiking through the hills, you will appreciate the contrast offered by its flatter roads and peaceful atmosphere.

The route takes you to the emblematic sites of the region: The Lily Falls, spectacular cascades where water leaps in a verdant setting, inviting contemplation and photography. Ampefy's geyser, a natural curiosity springing from the ground, which testifies to the region's geothermal activity. Islet of the Virgin, a small jewel of greenery set on the lake, accessible by pirogue, ideal for a peaceful break.

This stage is a true respite: it combines the beauty of landscapes, natural richness and well-deserved rest after the effort. Ampefy captivates with its tranquil atmosphere, unique panoramas and singular charm, making this stop an unmissable experience of the Madagascar Highlands. Mountain biking route: local circuit of 38 kms

Start your day in Ampefy, leaving the peaceful shores of Lake Itasy. Soon, the routes take you through shaded forests, where birdsong and the freshness of the vegetative canopy offer welcome relief after the previous days. Landscapes succeed one another: verdant hills, fertile valleys and traditional villages, witnesses to rural life in the Highlands. Along the way, you get closer to Antsirabe, a city with unique colonial charm, renowned for its thermal springs and welcoming atmosphere. Its wide avenues lined with old houses recall the era when it was a favored station for travelers.

After a long day on the road, Antsirabe reveals itself as a warm and restful destination. To enrich your discovery, you will have the opportunity to visit artisan workshops: Local confectioneries, where sweet treats are prepared according to traditional recipes; Zebu horn workshops, where artisans transform this material into decorative or utilitarian objects, testifying to Malagasy craftsmanship.

Approximately 30 km from Antsirabe, a bus will await you to ensure the transfer to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy a restful evening after this stage rich in discoveries. Mountain biking route: 113 km +/- 8h

This day, shorter in distance with only 25 km, is marked by rest and contemplation. After the efforts of the previous stages, you enjoy a gentler pace to discover the lakes of Antsirabe, true natural gems of the Malagasy Highlands.

Lake Tritriva, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, captivates with its deep waters with blue-green reflections and by the legends surrounding this mysterious site. The hills that surround it offer superb viewpoints, perfect for admiring the beauty of the landscape and feeling the almost mystical atmosphere of the place.

Lake Andraikiba, larger and more accessible, invites relaxation. Its verdant banks are conducive to strolling, and you can observe local fishermen gliding silently on the water in their pirogues. The wooded banks shelter varied fauna, while bougainvilleas and eucalyptuses add a touch of color and fragrance to the environment.

This stage is a true respite: it combines the mildness of the climate, the richness of biodiversity and the serenity of the lake landscapes. It is the ideal opportunity to recharge, stroll by the water, interact with the locals and savor the tranquility of Antsirabe. Mountain bike route: 25 km (easy pace)

This final stage marks the return to Antananarivo after an itinerary that will have allowed you to cover a large part of the Madagascan Highlands. From the capital to the shores of Tsiazompaniry, the forests of Mantasoa, the biodiversity of Andasibe, the lake landscapes of Ampefy and the colonial charm of Antsirabe, you will have crossed emblematic and varied regions.

The return journey is carried out mainly by car in order to cover the long distance in the best conditions. However, for the most courageous, it is possible to resume biking on certain sections of road, alternating with vehicle transfer. This flexibility allows you to extend the sporting adventure while respecting the need for recovery after several days of effort.

As you approach Antananarivo, the bustle of the capital gradually unfolds, contrasting with the quiet of the landscapes crossed. This return concludes a journey rich in discoveries, which will have offered you a complete immersion in the Madagascan Highlands. Mountain biking route: variable depending on fatigue

After these days rich in discoveries and emotions, it is time to head back. A transfer to the airport is organized to accompany you with complete peace of mind, your heart filled with the soul of Madagascar: the smiles of the inhabitants, the landscapes of the Highlands, the local scents and flavors. You leave filled with unforgettable memories, with the promise that Madagascar will continue to accompany you well beyond your trip.