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🇲🇬 Itinerary · Madagascar · 7 days

1-week Madagascar itinerary 2026: lemurs and highlands

Antananarivo, the lemurs of Andasibe and the Antsirabe highlands in 7 days. Day-by-day itinerary with costed budget, transport and season.

🔄 Updated June 1, 2026

📅 See the program 🔄 See variants

In brief

Duration

7 days

Stops

4 places

Average budget

€1,500-2,100

Total distance

~600 km

Profile

Wildlife and culture

Season

May-Oct

Antananarivo 2d · Andasibe 2d · Antsirabe 2d · Ambositra 1d

Itinerary map

The route at a glance

Map of the 1-week Madagascar itinerary: Antananarivo, Andasibe, Antsirabe, Ambositra

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Detailed program

7 days, day by day

1

~€70/person

Antananarivo · Arrival

  • Morning Arrive Ivato (TNR). Transfer to the centre (1h).
  • Afternoon Rest, walk through the upper town and its stairways.
  • Evening Dinner with a view, briefing with the driver-guide.
🛌 🛌 Upper town · e.g. Lokanga Boutique Hotel (2 nights)·🚗 4x4 with driver·Madagascar guide →
2

~€50

Antananarivo · Palaces and markets

  • Morning Queen's Palace (Rova) and the hill of Ambohimanga, UNESCO.
  • Afternoon La Digue craft market, basketry and gemstones.
3

~€80

Antananarivo → Andasibe · Rainforest

  • 8am Drive to Andasibe (3h, 145 km, RN2).
  • 2pm Vakôna reserve, semi-free lemurs.
  • Night Night walk to spot chameleons and mouse lemurs.
🛌 🛌 Andasibe · e.g. Vakôna Forest Lodge (2 nights)·🚗 4x4, paved road
4

~€55

Andasibe · The call of the indri

  • 6am Andasibe-Mantadia national park. Search for the indri, the largest lemur ($13 entry).
  • Afternoon Analamazaotra park, endemic orchids and frogs.
5

~€85

Andasibe → Antsirabe · Highlands

  • 7am Drive to Antsirabe via Tana (7h).
  • 4pm Antsirabe, a spa town of colourful rickshaws.
  • Evening Semi-precious stone workshop.
🛌 🛌 Antsirabe · e.g. Couleur Café (2 nights)·🚗 4x4, RN7
6

~€60

Antsirabe → Ambositra · Zafimaniry carvers

  • Morning Lake Tritriva near Antsirabe, a volcanic lake.
  • Afternoon Drive to Ambositra (2h), capital of Zafimaniry wood carving.
  • Evening Visit the marquetry workshops.
7

Flight

Ambositra → Antananarivo → home

  • Morning Drive back to Tana (5h).
  • Evening Transfer Ivato (TNR). International flight home to Paris.
🚗 Road then ✈️ return flight

How much

Budget for this itinerary (per person, flight included)

Backpacker

€1,500

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €900
  • 🏨 Guesthouse: €20/night
  • 🍲 Local hotely: €8/day
  • 🚗 Shared 4x4: €200
  • 🎫 Parks and guides: €120
Recommended

Comfort

€1,850

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €950
  • 🏨 3★ lodge: €55/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed restaurants: €18/day
  • 🚙 Private 4x4 with driver: €350
  • 🎫 Parks and guides: €180

Premium

€3,200

per person

  • ✈️ Comfort flight: €1,400
  • 🏨 4★ lodge: €140/night
  • 🍽️ Refined dining: €40/day
  • 🚙 High-end private 4x4
  • 🎫 Private guides: €300

Shorter, longer

Other durations

You're here

1 week

1 week

Tana, the lemurs of Andasibe and the highlands. The essentials.

2 weeks

2 weeks

The RN7 from the centre to the south, lemurs and Isalo canyons.

1 month

1 month

RN7 south then the north: Tsingy, Avenue of Baobabs, Nosy Be.

How to get around

Itinerary logistics

One week is done with a private 4x4 and driver on a short loop (Tana, Andasibe, Antsirabe, Ambositra). Budget ~€350 of transport over 7 days.

🚙

Private 4x4 with driver

~€350 for 7 days · comfort and photo stops on the plateau

🛣️

RN2 Tana → Andasibe

145 km · paved · 3h depending on traffic leaving Tana

🛣️

RN7 Tana → Antsirabe

170 km · 3h30 · the finest highland stretch

🛺

Rickshaw in Antsirabe

€1-2 · the emblematic transport of the spa town

Adapt by season

Dry season for the central roads

This short loop stays on the highlands and the eastern forest, accessible year-round but far more pleasant from May to October in the dry season. From December to April the rains make the Andasibe road slippery and night walks rarer. On the plateau, pack good layers: nights drop close to 5 °C in Antsirabe in July.

Author tips

What I would redo (and change)

✅ Would redo

  • • In July 2025 I did the Andasibe night walk on the first evening and the daytime one at 6am next day: mouse lemurs by night then the indri at dawn, two moods, two worlds. Keep both.
  • • Stay at Vakôna Forest Lodge, steps from the park: you hear the indris on waking.
  • • Take a private driver-guide: on a short week, you lose no time on logistics.
  • • The detour to Ambositra for Zafimaniry carving, off the classic routes.

⚠️ Would change

  • • If you prefer pure nature, swap Ambositra for an extra night at Andasibe.
  • • Travel in the dry season: the Andasibe road is slippery in the rain.
  • • Do not underestimate traffic leaving Tana: set off early in the morning.

FAQ

Itinerary FAQ

Is one week enough for Madagascar? +
For a first taste of wildlife and the highlands, yes: Tana, the lemurs of Andasibe and Antsirabe fit into 7 days. For the RN7 to the south or the north with Nosy Be, allow at least 2 weeks.
Do I need a visa? +
Yes, a tourist visa is available on arrival at Ivato or online via the official eVisa portal, around €35 for 30 days. Passport valid 6 months beyond your return.
When is the best time? +
May to October in the dry season. The Andasibe forest is fine year-round but roads and walks are more pleasant outside the rains.
Will we see lemurs? +
Yes, almost certainly. Andasibe is home to the indri and several other species, easy to see with a local guide early in the morning and on a night walk.
What health budget should I plan? +
The highlands (Tana, Antsirabe) are outside the malaria zone. Bottled water only. Andasibe, at mid-altitude, carries a low risk: seek medical advice.
Is this itinerary good for children? +
Yes from age 6: the lemurs and rickshaws are a hit. The drives stay short on this loop, ideal for a first family trip.

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist · itinerary personally tested.

Last updated: June 1, 2026.

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