Enjoy this highlight

In Germany and most other European countries, train journeys have become such a matter of course that few people can still enjoy them. In this country, people take the train to work and back and, in the worst case, still get annoyed by the unplanned delays of the train. On Madagascar, the rules are quite different, because a train ride on the island is much more spectacular and by no means possible everywhere. Here expire currently always more extensive sections of the railroad instead of being put back into operation, but a small adventure is the Journey by train through Madagascar  certainly for many tourists, one of the highlights of the trip even if it would be even somewhat functional.

If you want to enjoy this extraordinary experience on your Journey through Madagascar don't want to miss or maybe even want to learn in the first place what exactly makes a trip by train in Madagascar so spectacular, the following sections provide you with just the right information. We have compiled these to give you just a few of the different travel options that you can encounter on Madagascar. Unfortunately, in the current state of the locomotive, the wagons, the tracks and especially the chronic unpunctuality, the train ride is an imposition and can only be recommended for die-hard train lovers.

However, there is a possibility to rent a trolley and make the trip in a group in ideal conditions.If you want to get more information about the trip, this section of the route or a specific tour planning, we are always at your disposal.

In Fianarantsoa is the beginning of the route

Before boarding the train to Manakara, we recommend that you first explore Fianarantsoa and the surrounding area in a little more detail. Today, Fianarantsoa is an important university town and at the same time the Seat of a catholic bishop. Thanks in particular to missionary activities, the city of Fianarantsoa today has quite a good reputation and in some ways resembles a smaller version of the Malagasy capital Antananarivo. We recommend especially a Visit to the photo studio of the Malagasy photographer Pierrot Men, whose works of art are also very famous and recognized outside the country's borders.

But not only Fianarantsoa alone holds a certain charm, because the surrounding area should not be ignored. In the nearby Sahambavy there are almost endless tea plantations, which can be explored during a very good guided tour. Directly nearby is also the Lac Hotel. Directly on a lake you can enjoy there not only in a breathtakingly beautiful tropical garden but also stay in very well equipped and unique bungalows. One wagon was furnished as a luxury apartment and can be booked. Especially practical: After breakfast you can go directly to the Jungle Express board and enjoy the upcoming train ride well fortified.

The railroad will take you to Manakara

A train ride to Manakara is available as tourist highlight to describe, however, will take a lot out of you. In particular, the unpunctuality of the railroad and the steadily deteriorating service prove to be almost unreasonable from time to time. Nevertheless, this stage of the journey is an absolute must for all those who really want to experience everything in Madagascar.

The railroad was originally installed in the 1930s, primarily to provide the precious colonial goods safely to the coasts. In the meantime, however, the railroad is also frequently used by tourists or photographers, who can take truly unique pictures on this impressive route. However, bananas, coffee and other goods are still transported by rail today and that is exactly why the Route to Manakaara so important for the people in the villages.

The journey from Fianarantsoa to Manakara includes a total of one Distance of a little more than 160 kilometers, passes over more than 60 bridges and through nearly 50 different tunnels. The ride runs with a Speed of about 15 kilometers an hour and the doors usually remain open during the ride. There is a 1st class on the train where you can even reserve a seat, otherwise you will have to either sit on the floor or spend the ride standing. You should not hope for luxury or comfort during the ride, because even the Toilet situation in the railroad is not exactly favorable. After all, you can count on it at any station optimal supplied with food and drinks children and women have specialized in selling small food and drinks to the travelers.

The train ride itself is as smooth as it can be from the rusty rails. The train makes optimal use of the gentle gradient towards the coast and winds down in soft curves. The route as such is exceedingly varied, because Banana plantations, lush forest sections and the Faraony River accompany the train on its journey. Finally, the train reaches Manakara: the air has become humid and salty by now and the temperatures have risen significantly. You leave the train and enjoy the cool evening wind that blows the Air from Indian Ocean transfers here.

If you have now got the desire to experience the strains of a Train ride from Fianarantsoa to Manakara then you should definitely contact us so that we can do the planning for you. The clocks in Madagascar tick a little differently than in Europe and different standards are on the agenda. So that you can working planning can rely on, we are the best contact.

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