This heritage is kept jealously undisturbed, inaccessible to cars, visiting it is a must with its long paved road, its stairways and labyrinth of small paths, its old houses with flowers at their balconies and sheen on their tiled roofs.
- Fianarantsoa, an exceptional break-up point in the middle of a former province which was rightly qualified as « multicoloured ».
- To the north, Ambositra , the gate to the Zafimaniry land and the capital of woodwork. A region which does not unveil itself to the hurried traveller but which offers numerous curiosities: the cascade of Andriamamovoka, one hour walk from there, the road to Andina with an impressive layout of terraced rice fields, and 82 km away along the road to Morondava, the marble quarries of Ambatofinandrahana.
- To the east, the legendary Fianarantsoa-Manakara railway line, resuscitated thanks to an exceptional enthusiasm from all horizons. 56 tunnels, 4 viaducts and 40 other structures, 17 stations along the 170 km of a route sometimes clinging to the mountain. Crossing the immense tea plantations of Sahambavy is a striking event.
- Ambalavao, 56km away to the south of Fianarantsoa, practically straddling the Betsileo, Bara and Tanala lands. Capital of the Malagasy wine, of the « arindrano » fabric which is sometimes fringed with pearls, and of the antemoro paper. Do not forget to take photos of its beautiful houses and their terraces with varied openwork design and the zebu market, the second in the island…
- Excursions to the mountains of Andringitra and the mythical Ambondrombe. To the east of Ambalavao, Ambohimahamasina, a place which took up solidarity-based tourism. The visitor who is accommodated at the villager’s will go back home with the memory of his learning experience in ironworks, basketwork and weaving. Unforgettable…
