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Your Motorcycle Tour in Madagascar, The Great Red Island
Motorcycle trip Madagascar

The Great Red Island

Itinerary Extensions Price Reviews
Adventure Tour
Duration
11 D
Tour Type
Tour Leader
Accomodation
Standard
Level
Intermediate
Meal Plan
Full-Board
Vintage Rides → Destinations → Africa → Madagascar → The Great Red Island
Reshad
Your motorcycle expert
Reshad
After travelling the world, Reshad joined the Vintage Rides adventure in 2017. Whether he’s scouting out new routes, riding alongside you on roads around the world, or in France running introductory courses… it’s hard to say where you’ll find him tomorrow, but he’ll certainly be on the back of a motorbike!
On the agenda
Embark on a unique adventure with this motorbike tour to Madagascar. Riding your Royal Enfield Himalayan, explore the Red Island through its winding roads, charming villages, and breathtaking landscapes. From the capital Antananarivo to the beaches of Mangily, each stage unveils unique natural and cultural treasures: terraced rice fields, impressive rock formations, and parks teeming with biodiversity. Experience authentic encounters and unforgettable moments in a captivating and exotic setting.
The Great Red Island

Your Motorcycle Tour in Madagascar

11 steps - 1350 km
Antananarivo Étape 1/11
Antananarivo
As soon as you arrive at the airport, you’ll be welcomed and taken to your hotel in the heart of Antananarivo. The journey begins, and already your senses awaken—new colours, new scents, new landmarks… Let yourself be carried away by the wonder and emotion of this first immersion. Enjoy a stroll to the Queen’s Palace to take in the vastness of the Malagasy capital and soak up its unique atmosphere. At the end of the day, you’ll meet your motorcycle guide and take the first steps of this great adventure— your Africa motorcycle tour is just beginning.
Antananarivo - Ampefy Étape 2/11 100 miles
Antananarivo - Ampefy
Today marks the start of our journey west from Tana, venturing into the volcanic highlands. We pause in a charming Malagasy village, where a strong cup of coffee fuels us for the winding road ahead, flanked by picturesque rice fields. After navigating several bends, we’re welcomed for a traditional Malagasy meal. Just a few kilometres more, and we’ll arrive in Ampefy, home to stunning geysers and a serene, beautiful lake.
Ampefy - Antsirabe Étape 3/11 95 miles
Ampefy - Antsirabe
Leaving Ampefy, we ride along a breathtaking road where vibrant village life and stunning views unfold at every turn. A picnic on the terraced rice fields refreshes us before we reach Antsirabe, famous for its thermal springs. There, In the evening, we explore the town by rickshaw, ending the day with a unique and memorable meal.
Antsirabe - Ranomafana Étape 4/11 95 miles
Antsirabe - Ranomafana
Beautiful ride today, a feast for the eyes and the road alike. We enter Betsileo land, home to this warm and welcoming people known for their wood-carving craftsmanship. The road winds through a spectacular valley dotted with waterfalls. Lunch break in the heart of nature, with a picnic overlooking the mountains of the High Lands. We then turn off towards a stretch of primary forest, the humidity, the cool air, and the atmosphere shift instantly. Upon reaching the hotel, our minds are already on tomorrow, eager to set off again and explore this untouched forest.
Ranomafana - Sahambavy Étape 5/11 50 miles
Ranomafana - Sahambavy
This morning, we trade our Royal Enfields for a good pair of hiking shoes as a local guide leads us to discover the flora and fauna of this natural park. We then get back on the bikes for a short ride. The trail becomes more playful but remains perfectly manageable. Our goal: reach the tea fields and watch the pickers at work. A guided tour of the factory follows, before immersing ourselves in the lush plantations. We end the day in peace, by the calm waters of a lake.
Sahambavy - Ambalavao Étape 6/11 72 miles
Sahambavy - Ambalavao
We leave this peaceful haven behind and head towards Ambalavao. On the way, we pass through Fianarantsoa, the cultural capital of the South. A short climb offers beautiful views of its colonial architecture, and we stop for lunch in the quiet streets of the old town. Then it’s back on the RN7. Terraced rice fields roll by, and the red earth houses set the tone for the region. As we approach Ambalavao, the first rocky formations appear on the horizon, a promising sight. Soon, we reach the Anja Reserve, home to Madagascar’s most iconic animal: the lemur.
Ambalavao - Isalo National Park Étape 7/11 165 miles
Ambalavao - Isalo National Park
Today, we cross from the highlands into the Bara country through the southern gateway, where striking rock formations reminiscent of Australia’s Uluru rise dramatically from the Malagasy savannah. The landscape transforms, the heat intensifies, and the unique geological features capture our attention. As we reach our hotel, we savour the breathtaking sunset, marking the end of a day full of striking contrasts and natural beauty.
Isalo National Park Étape 8/11 38 miles
Isalo National Park
We wake up in this enchanting setting, eager to explore the region's treasures, including the fascinating sapphire mines. Mounting our motorbikes, we set off to meet the miners and dive into their captivating world. Back at the hotel, a delicious meal awaits us by the pool. We have two options: to explore the majestic karst rock formations of Isalo or to enjoy a moment of relaxation by the water.
Isalo National Park - Mangily Étape 9/11 168 miles
Isalo National Park - Mangily
The Mozambique Channel and its stunning beaches are well worth the journey today. As we cover many kilometres, the spectacle unfolds with each mile. We pass through villages of sapphire seekers and experience the arid southern landscape. A surprise forest of Baobabs appears before we tackle a road that turns into a rugged track. In the distance, the ocean comes into view as we approach Tulear. We relish the vibrant energy of Malagasy cities before driving along a beautiful coastal road that lets us feel the sea spray, finally arriving at our hotel with our feet in the water.
Mangily - Antananarivo Étape 10/11
Mangily - Antananarivo
We leave our Royal Enfields behind and take a flight back to Antananarivo. If the flight is scheduled in the morning, you will be transferred to the hotel and have free time to explore the capital at your own pace. If it’s in the afternoon, enjoy one last taste of this postcard-perfect setting before flying back to Tana: board a traditional dhow alongside the Vezo people — the nomads of Madagascar’s southwest coast — for a sail on the Mozambique Channel, enjoy a snorkeling session, or a freshly grilled fish for lunch. Beach extension available upon request.
Antananarivo - Airport Étape 11/11
Antananarivo - Airport
The adventure is coming to an end, you are transferred to Antananarivo airport according to the schedule of your return international flight. End of our services. (Before booking your international flight, please contact our team for validation. We need to ensure it coordinates perfectly with your included Tulear-Antananarivo domestic flight)
Price
From £3590,00 / rider
The price includes The price does not include

  • Royal Enfield 450 motorcycle (recent model and mechanical parts).

  • Gasoline, parking, possible tolls.

  • Third-party motorcycle insurance.

  • Mandatory insurance: insurance covering medical expenses on site. Repatriation assistance, which covers you in the event of 2-wheel accidents (large engine). Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

  • Legal assistance.

  • Visa fees if applicable.

Important
Documents requested :
International motorcycle license if necessary
Motorcycle Driving License
Currently valid passport for the Motorcycle Trip
Valid Visa, if required
This raid is designed for experienced riders, it includes a few long stretches, often far from immediate medical assistance. Primary aid in reaching the nearest medical center is provided by our support vehicle, as helicopters and ambulances are rarely available. Limited phone coverage and restrictions on satellite phones can make contacting emergency services challenging. Additionally, as with any mountain route, road quality and difficulty are heavily influenced by current and prior weather conditions
Reviews on this trip
4.8/5 · 11 review
We had a fantastic time in…

We had a fantastic time in Madagascar. We enjoyed experiencing the local culture, meeting the...

Didier
21 Jun. 2026

The Great Red Island
This trip was fantastic. It was…

This trip was fantastic. It was a surprise for my husband for his birthday. It...

Scarlet
09 May 2026

The Great Red Island
This was a truly amazing experience…

This was a truly amazing experience and I really enjoyed the trip. The island is...

Jody
03 Jul. 2025

The Great Red Island
The Great Red Island

Mark
17 May 2025

The Great Red Island
Madagascar – new experience without any…

Madagascar – new experience without any stereotypes – yes, there are lemurs and baobabs, but...

Arnis
03 May 2025

The Great Red Island
The Red Lands of Madagascar

Martine
23 Apr. 2025

The Great Red Island
This was an adventure and a…

This was an adventure and a real eye opener to how people live in other...

Wendy
23 Apr. 2025

The Great Red Island
Madagascar is a big discovery for…

Madagascar was a big discovery for me. The landscapes are sublime, and the arrival on...

Isabelle
17 Apr. 2025

The Great Red Island
The Red Lands of Madagascar

Olivier
16 Apr. 2025

The Great Red Island
An incredible human adventure! Much more…

An incredible human adventure! Much more than a motorcycle trip.

Charlotte
16 Apr. 2025

The Great Red Island
See all reviews (11)
From
£3590 / rider
£2990 / pillion
From 22 Sep. 2026 to 02 Oct. 2026
7 registered • 3 motorcycles available
Upon request
From 22 Oct. 2026 to 01 Nov. 2026
6 registered • 2 motorcycles available
OPTION
50% deposit
Cancellation and postponement with conditions
PRIVATIZE
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Expertise
Since 2006, Vintage Rides has been the specialist in characterful motorcycle travel.
Serenity
If something unexpected happens, our experienced guides will take care of everything.
Availability
Complete availability with 24/7 assistance.
Quality
Impeccable services with local partners committed to a charter of quality.
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