The journey “TransLemuriaExpress”
Discover the magnificent landscapes of Madagascar. Travel like no other along the forests and through a lot of streams and rivers. Immerse yourself in the heart of landscapes rich in colour and a variety of wildlife. See Madagascar as you have never seen it! And of course lemurs!
Want to admire the splendor of the landscapes of the Red Island and make a trip to the colonial past? Imagine a change of scenery?... We have a solution for you! "TransLemuriaExpress".
You can visit and explore with the help of your personal vintage train with impeccable service on board at least 8 excellent diamonds from the huge chest of the rich Madagascar nature:
*Analamazaotra Special Reserve; *Mantadia National Park; *The Lemur Islands; *Lake Alaotra. A Diamond in the Marsh; *Zahamena National Park of first class world heritage UNESCO!; *Akanin’ny nofy, known as the ‘nest of dreams’; *Toamasina and its surroundings and complete the travel "TransLemuriaExpress" in the luxurious resort of the serene island of Sainte Marie, where you will get by a high-speed boat. Then make the return trip to Tana by a private flight of a light-engine aircraft and get incredible views and photos of Madagascar from a bird's eye view. In general, you can make unlimited number of stops (minimum 26) on your way by any length.
What does money mean when there is a chance to get a piece of Madagascar's heritage for a while, this traveling vintage museum is at your full disposal, and get incredible and unforgettable impressions for life?
We offer two variants of "TransLemuriaExpress" wagons, from which you can choose. Your personal train "Rosewood" or revolutionary invention of the 30s of the twentieth century Michelin "Viko Viko" bus.
"Class Palissandre" - two wagons "Palissandre", accompanied by a wagon with an electric generator and a place for luggage. The wagons are completely restored in the original with precious materials - the floors are covered with parquet of rosewood and quartz, original paneling (Sisal, Labradorites ou cipolin, etc.), blinds made of bamboo wood. The wagons are reproduced in full in the Malagasy know-how of colonial times. One of the cars is your comfortable salon. During the trip, admiring the scenery, your laptop, smartphone, iPod always work. Another car is your bar-dining room and smoking room. Drinks will be served always the right cooling and with ice, which is very valuable in the warm moist climate of the East of Madagascar. The menu that you will discuss with us in advance will be prepared on board by the best chefs in Malagasy, European or Asian style. Snacks and a selection of drinks are varied. Poker and Black Jack are also possible.
During the journey, according to your desire, you can have a hostesses on board, as well as live musical accompaniment of musicians of both traditional style and modern. There's also a stereo system. Staff stewards are always at your disposal. All wagons are equipped with toilet facilitie.
The Michelin "Viko Viko", a small train, like no other, which owes its name to the wheel manufacturer. This is a real pearl. Restored thanks to its accessories and details incredibly preserved in Madagascar. Exploring Madagascar on ‘the funniest train you have ever seen’. Climb aboard an ancient French railcar for a spectacular trip through mountainous jungle on the island of Madagascar. “Bon voyage!”
Micheline Considered to be the last of its kind in operation - only a limited number of these experimental trains were built in France by the Michelin tire company in the 1930s - this railcar was restored in 2010 by Madarail and is complete with unique detailing such as bamboo seats and a wooden bar.
André Michelin, who gave the name to his invention, developed the light railcars in the 1930ies. He looked for a rail vehicle that enabled passengers to travel more comfortable, convenient and quicker than the usual, jerky railway. So Michelin used air filled rubber tires with a supporting construction made from aluminium that was able to hold the heavyweight wagons. Already in 1929, he had patented his idea, but improved it over the years. Together with his son, he promoted the rail buses. In Madagascar, the first Micheline was running in 1937, covering almost 370 km from the capital Antananarivo to the eastcoast city Toamasina (Tamatave) in nine hours with a speed of 44 km/h.
Vintage Michelin chairs are quite comfortable - very soft with leather armrests and neck cushions. There is a bar on board - the choice of drinks and snacks will be varied, and a small toilet - everything has returned to the original. It is called Viko-Viko, which is the name of an endemic bird species, the Madagascar pratincole. The most important tool on the board is the horn, which blares loudly, no matter whether the vehicle is rolling through the open countryside or announcing its arrival in populated areas.
The route "Trans Lemuria Express" runs along the main road that connects the coast with the capital, which is located at an altitude of 1305m above sea level. The line reaches the capital in areas with strong slopes that allow it to cross two large rocks separating the high central plateau from the coast. Curved, steep slopes, numerous tunnels, trenches, engineering facilities, including the famous loop of Anjiro, follow one another along the route. Our route includes two lines: Antananarivo-Moramanga (Andasibе) - Ambatondrazaka and Maromanga - Albia - Toamasina and offers three long stops-to Moramanga (Andasibe), Ambatondrazaka and Albia (Palmarium) and ends in Toamasina with a further extension already on the speedboat and private plane. Another interesting line is the "Tropical Express or Little train of the cliffs" between Fianarantsoa and Manakara (164 km) is also a mountain line with a complex profile (80 m curves, slopes and 35% lifts).
You can discuss with us all the details of the trip, your special requests and wishes, up to any nuances, in advance at the booking stage for perfoming them on board of our Trans Lemuria Express and the whole trip. Create your own legend! With our assistance.
Wath more photos about "TransLemuriaExpress" here.