Complete immersion in landscapes and cultural life

A 2 weeks trekking tour reflecting the life of the people on the Highlands, East and South. 

Through this view, we sink into the heart of the Malagasy tradition, the respect for fady (taboos), customs and traditions that are still applied today. 

We will start with a 3 days trek through the Zafimaniry country ( Antoetra, Sakaivo, Faliarivo, Ankidodo and Ifasina ), nestled in a beautiful landscape of hills and rice terraces, and classified UNESCO World Heritage. 

We will hike during 4 days to ascent Peak Boby, the second highest peak of Madagascar with 2.658m, inside the National Park of Andringitra. A hike for altitude and nature lovers, discovering the impressive mountain landscapes and endemic flora. 

Ending with a 3 days trek through Isalo National Park, a rocky formation of Jurassic eroded sandstone with canyons, cliffs and grasslands.

We will end the tour relaxing at the beach, for a well-deserved rest after this hard journey.

Warning

• – The campsites are very basic. They have drop toilets and water from the river (no showers). Our support team will heat some water for you to wash upon arrival at the campsite.
• – Hiking in the Andringitra National Park requires a good level of fitness and stamina. A large part of the path consists of rocky steps built by the park office; the rest of the path might require some scrambling over rocks and walking downhill on slippery rock surfaces. Previous hill walking experience is therefore required for this trek. Waterproof hiking boots that offer a good grip on the rock are an absolute must, too.

Day 1 : Arrival in Antananarivo

Arrival at Ivato International airport from your international flight. Welcome and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 : Tana – Ambositra

Early departure from the capital Antananarivo heading to the South, with a first stage in Ambositra (275 Km/6h). We wil get the possibility to stop on the way in Ambatolampy and Antsirabe for a short visit of these towns. 

Once in Ambositra, the capital of wood carving, we will visit the workshop/sale of handicrafts (marquetry, cabinetmaking …). 

Accommodation at your hotel.

Day 3 : Ambositra – Antoetra – Sakaivo

1st day trek Zafimaniry : 4h  walk

We will start the day driving to Antoetra (25km / 1h30 ), the starting point of our hiking tour through the country of the ZAFIMANIRY tribe, which will last three days. The Zafimaniry country,, nestled in a beautiful landscape of hills and rice terraces, is classified UNESCO World Heritage. The Zafimaniry people are known for the particular architecture of their ancestral houses and the art of wood carving. In the country of Zafimaniry, there are no roads, only pedestrian paths. As a result, we will find some remote villages in the depths of the mountains, intact old traditions, and authentic hospitality. Today we will do a four hours walk from Antoetra to Sakaivo. 

We will stay overnight in  tents next to this beautiful village. 

Day 4 : Sakaivo – Faliarivo – Ankidodo

2nd day trek Zafimaniry : 8h walk

Today, eight hours walk through Zafimaniry country. A nice view and another aspect of Zafimaniry villages will be the highlights of this journey. Here and there we can even see people designing carved objects. 

We will stay overnight in tents near the village of Ankidodo.

Day 5 : Faliarivo – Ifasina – Antoetra – Fianarantsoa

3rd and last day trek Zafimaniry : 5h walk

Five hours walk through the Zafimaniry villages, from Faliarivo to Antoetra via Ifasina. 

We will reach Antoetra by the beginning of the afternoon to resume our route and continue towards Fianarantsoa (150 Km/4h). 

Accommodation at your hotel.

Day 6 : Fianarantsoa – Namoly – Ambalamanandray – Imaitso

1st day trek Andringitra : Namoly – Imaitso 8 Km / 2h30

First we will drive to Ambalavao (56 km/1h30 ) and visit the Antemoro paper handmade factory.Then 2h drive until Namoly ( 45 Km of bad track requiring a 4WD ), from where we will start our 4 days trek to ascent of Peak Boby, Madagascar’s second highest mountain: 2.658 m (the highest is not accessible).

Night under tents in the Park.

Day 7 : Imaitso – Andriampotsy

2nd day trek Andringitra : 11 km / 6h.

Hiking in the Andringitra National Park requires a good level of fitness and stamina. A large part of the path consists of rocky steps built by the park office; the rest of the path might require some scrambling over rocks and walking downhill on slippery rock surfaces. Previous hill walking experience is therefore required for this trek. Waterproof hiking boots that offer a good grip on the rock are an absolute must, too.

Camping in the Park.

Day 8 : Andriampotsy – Peak Boby  – Iataranomby

3rd day trek Andringitra : 21,5 Km / 8h

Three hours walk to the summit of Peak Boby, from where we have a breathtaking view of the mountains of Andringitra and the Tsaranoro valley, and five hours to come down to Antaranaomby, our last night in this area.

Day 9 : Antaranomby – Tsaranoro Valley

4th and last day trek Andringitra : 13 Km / 5h

Five hours walk to Tsaranoro Valley. We leave the massif of Andringitra to reach the valley of Tsaranoro with its granite cliffs, crossing villages and grasslands. 

Lodging at your hotel.

Day 10 : Tsaranoro Valley

Rest day at the foot of the Tsaranoro massif;

Stunning landscapes, out-of-time living villages, the beautiful and strange massif of Andringitra will enchant nature lovers. 

Possibility to visit a sacred forest inhabited by Ring-tailed Lemurs, a waterfall, a natural pool, and nearby villages: a unique opportunity to discover the traditional life of this isolated population. 

Day 11 : Tsaranoro valley – Isalo

1st day trek Isalo : 2h30 walk

Five hours drive on a good road to Isalo (230km). We leave the mountains of the highlands for the plateau of Horombe, the landscape becomes more and more desert. 

As soon as we arrive, we start our trekking tour through the Isalo National Park, a rocky formation of Jurassic eroded sandstone with canyons, cliffs and grasslands. Today we will walk to the « Rats Canyon » (2h30). 

Camping with a fantastic view of Isalo.

Day 12 : Isalo hike

2nd day trek Isalo : 9h walk

Among the highlights of this day the « Maki Canyon », the breathtaking view of the plateau, the amazing Isalo landscape, and the « Cascade des Nymphes », where we can observe Ring-tailed Lemurs, Red-fronted Brown Lemurs, and chameleons. 

At the end of the day, we can refresh ourselves at the edge of the “Piscine Bleue et Noire” (Blue and Black Pool). 

Camping in Namaza site.

Day 13: Isalo – Tulear – Ifaty

3rd and last day trek Isalo : 3h walk

Last three hours walk to go out of Isalo National Park passing by the “Piscine Naturelle”, and then we reach our car to drive to Ifaty (240km/4h). Mahafaly tombs and amazing baobabs are the highlights of the program. 

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 14 : Ifaty

Full day at leisure in Ifaty. Several types of activities are offered to us: cruise with Vezo dugout, ride with a zebu cart and visit the spiny forest of Reniala, snorkeling, diving, or simply relax on the beach… 

Day 15 : Ifaty – Antananarivo

According to the flight schedule, transfer to Tulear airport ( 1h30 ) and fly back to Antananarivo with Tsaradia regular flight. 

Accommodation at your hotel.

Day 16 : Antananarivo – Fly OUT

Transfer to Ivato international airport for your international return flight.