Madagascar· 9 days · Guided
The Famous RN7
▲▲▲▲▲Easy
9 days / 8 nights. The National Road 7 connecting the capital to the South-Western part of the island of Madagascar is among the rare fully paved roads in the country. It is also the most visited road of the red island. It offers a different facet of landscape and will make you meet various ethnic groups with their respective traditions. For this 9-day trip, you will fly directly to Toliara, the city of the sun, followed by Ifaty, to discover the forest of giant baobabs. You will then go up the RN7 to explore the two famous national parks of the island that are Isalo with its ruinous massif dating from the Jurassic era and its oasis and Ranomafana with its bamboo lemurs and its endemic medicinal plants. On the road, you will be delighted by beaches, savannahs, rivers, mountains and rainforests before arriving at the vast rice terraces of the High Plateaux.
About this trip
A trip we'd happily do again next month
9 days / 8 nights. The National Road 7 connecting the capital to the South-Western part of the island of Madagascar is among the rare fully paved roads in the country. It is also the most visited road of the red island. It offers a different facet of landscape and will make you meet various ethnic groups with their respective traditions. For this 9-day trip, you will fly directly to Toliara, the city of the sun, followed by Ifaty, to discover the forest of giant baobabs. You will then go up the RN7 to explore the two famous national parks of the island that are Isalo with its ruinous massif dating from the Jurassic era and its oasis and Ranomafana with its bamboo lemurs and its endemic medicinal plants. On the road, you will be delighted by beaches, savannahs, rivers, mountains and rainforests before arriving at the vast rice terraces of the High Plateaux.
This is one of our signature guided journeys in Madagascar. We've walked it many times — alone, with friends, with our own families — and we've shaped it into something we're genuinely proud of.
You'll be in a small group, led by a local guide who knows the trails, the families along the way, and the best place to stop for lunch. Nothing rushed. Nothing generic.
Glimpses of the trip
Photos from the trail
Day by day
Your 9-day itinerary
A draft of how the trip flows — every itinerary is fine-tuned around your group, fitness and pace before we book anything.
- 01+
Arrival in Antananarivo
Arrival at the airport of Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation, before setting off along the famous National Road 7 connecting the capital to the southwest of the island.
Arrival at the airport of Antananarivo and transfer to your accommodation, before setting off along the famous National Road 7 connecting the capital to the southwest of the island.
- 02+
Antananarivo to Toliara and Ifaty
Domestic flight Antananarivo – Toliara, the city of the sun, followed by Ifaty to discover the forest of giant baobabs and its beach.
Domestic flight Antananarivo – Toliara, the city of the sun, followed by Ifaty to discover the forest of giant baobabs and its beach.
- 03+
Ifaty and the Reniala forest
Enjoy the beach of Ifaty and discover the thorny forest of Reniala with its majestic baobabs and its rich fauna.
Enjoy the beach of Ifaty and discover the thorny forest of Reniala with its majestic baobabs and its rich fauna.
- 04+
Up the RN7 towards Isalo
Go up the RN7, delighted by beaches, savannahs, rivers and mountains, towards the national park of Isalo.
Go up the RN7, delighted by beaches, savannahs, rivers and mountains, towards the national park of Isalo.
- 05+
Isalo National Park
Hiking in the multicolored massif of Isalo, a ruinous massif dating from the Jurassic era, with its oasis and canyons.
Hiking in the multicolored massif of Isalo, a ruinous massif dating from the Jurassic era, with its oasis and canyons.
- 06+
Isalo to Ranomafana on the RN7
Continue up the RN7 across the changing landscapes and villages towards the rainforest of Ranomafana.
Continue up the RN7 across the changing landscapes and villages towards the rainforest of Ranomafana.
- 07+
Ranomafana National Park
Exploration of the Ranomafana National Park with its bamboo lemurs, waterfalls and endemic medicinal plants, with a visit of local craftsmen workshops.
Exploration of the Ranomafana National Park with its bamboo lemurs, waterfalls and endemic medicinal plants, with a visit of local craftsmen workshops.
- 08+
Ranomafana to the High Plateaux and Antananarivo
Continue up the RN7 to the vast rice terraces of the High Plateaux, then towards Antananarivo and Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy classified as world heritage by UNESCO.
Continue up the RN7 to the vast rice terraces of the High Plateaux, then towards Antananarivo and Ambohimanga, cradle of the Merina monarchy classified as world heritage by UNESCO.
- 09+
Departure from Antananarivo
Final transfer to the airport of Antananarivo for your departure.
Final transfer to the airport of Antananarivo for your departure.
Like the look of it?
Tell us when you're thinking of coming — we'll send you a draft within 24 hours.
What's included
Everything that's covered
- ✓Local guide throughout
- ✓All accommodation in selected guesthouses & hotels
- ✓Daily breakfast and most dinners
- ✓Luggage transfers between stages
- ✓All ground transport during the trip
- ✓Detailed route notes and maps
Not included
What you'll arrange yourself
- —International flights to/from Madagascar
- —Madagascar visa (€35 on arrival)
- —Travel insurance
- —Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Request this trip
Tell us a little, we'll send you a draft
Roughly when, who's travelling and what kind of pace you like — that's all we need. We'll reply within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and a price. No payment until you're happy with the plan.
Or WhatsApp us directly: +261 32 40 607 07
9 days · Guided
The Famous RN7