The Grand Route of the Highlands by Electric Mountain Bike

An English-speaking 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-filled 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 unavoidable first step for any European visiting the country. From arrival in Antananarivo, as it is called here, the sense of displacement is immediate. European reference points disappear, giving way to a mixture 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 centuries-old ramparts.

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

This gourmet moment will also be an opportunity to buy some delicacies, an authentic souvenir of your adventure to Ambohimanga. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Mountain biking route: 40 km +/- 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 Madagascar 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 panoramic views of lush hills.

At the end of the effort, the reward is worth it: Lake Tsiazompaniry, a secret jewel of the high plateaus, bordered by lush 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 tranquil shores of Lake Tsiazompaniry, the itinerary takes you to the heart of the Madagascan 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 Madagascan hospitality.

The road then leads you to Ambohimanambola, where the Antelomita dam stands, an impressive feat of engineering. This is where this stage comes to an end, before continuing on the road to Ivato Green Wood, with memories of authentic landscapes and moments. Mountain bike route: 74 km +/- 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 succeed one another.

Once there, discover the residence of Jean Laborde, a French explorer from 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 mechanical workshop in India when a shipwreck cast him onto the eastern coast of Madagascar in 1831.

Nicknamed the little Switzerland, with its very rural, verdant and hilly natural setting, Lake Mantasoa is a unique 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 enter the primary forest of Andasibe 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 equally impressive with several varieties of orchids such as eulophiella, rosewood, palm trees and medicinal plants.

After breakfast, early departure towards Mantasoa, where bicycles await you for a new stage. The route, different from the outbound journey, takes you through rolling and lush landscapes, dotted with typical Highland hamlets.

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

The road 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 verdant setting. Mountain biking route: 37 kms +/- 4h

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, 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 scenes of daily life 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 local people you meet along the way.

In early afternoon, arrival in Arivonimamo, a lively small town where colorful markets and local craftsmanship blend together. After this stage, you continue towards your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy a peaceful evening before the rest of your journey. Mountain biking route: 51 km +/- 5h

This day offers a relatively short distance stage, but demanding due to its terrain. As soon as you leave 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: verdant 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, scheduled 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 route: 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 bustle to immerse yourself in a more peaceful setting: verdant hills, fertile valleys and traditional villages line the route, offering an authentic glimpse of the Madagascar Highlands. The route, punctuated by climbs and descents, calls for effort but rewards you with breathtaking panoramas. Stops along the way allow you to admire the terraced rice fields, the dazzling bougainvilleas bordering the houses, and to meet warm-hearted locals who greet travelers with curiosity and smiles.

Gradually, Ampefy reveals itself with its singular 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: Lily Falls, spectacular waterfalls where water cascades in a lush setting, inviting contemplation and photography. Ampefy's geyser, a natural curiosity gushing from the ground, which testifies to the region's geothermal activity. Ilot de la Vierge, a small haven of greenery perched on the lake, accessible by canoe, ideal for a peaceful break.

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

Start your day in Ampefy, leaving the peaceful shores of Lake Itasy. Very quickly, the routes take you through shaded forests, where the song of birds and the coolness of the vegetative cover offer a welcome respite after the previous days. The landscapes succeed one another: verdant hills, fertile valleys and traditional villages, witnesses to the rural life of 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 time when it was a favorite 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 craft 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 be waiting for you to ensure the transfer to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy a peaceful evening after this stage rich in discoveries. Mountain bike route: 113 kms +/- 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 jewels of the Madagascan Highlands.

Lake Tritriva, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, captivates with its deep waters with blue-green reflections and the legends surrounding this mysterious site. The hills surrounding 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 eucalyptus add a touch of color and fragrance to the environment.

This stage is a true breath of fresh air: it combines the gentleness of the climate, the richness of biodiversity and the serenity of lake landscapes. It is an ideal opportunity to recharge, stroll by the water, exchange with the inhabitants and savor the peacefulness of Antsirabe. Mountain biking route: 25 kms (leisurely pace)

This final stage marks the return to Antananarivo after an itinerary that has allowed you to explore 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 done primarily by car in order to cover the long distance in the best conditions. However, for the most courageous, it is possible to get back on the bike on certain road sections, 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 hustle and bustle of the capital gradually unfolds, contrasting with the tranquility of the landscapes traversed. 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 take the path back. A transfer to the airport is organized to accompany you with complete peace of mind, your heart infused with the Malagasy soul: 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.