Culture, exchange and sharing with the villagers

This tour is the opportunity to discover the soul of this mysterious island and enter the heart of the country. The landscape is just amazing, and nature and cultural exchanges will not be a disappointment. An authentic experience, learning about ancestral know-how and sharing the daily life of malagasy people. Most of the time you will be hosted in homestays organized by the villagers,and your meals as well will be prepared and shared with the villagers. 

By taking the road leading South, we will hike among others :

• – Around Betafo, a historic town located near Antsirabe. The landscape between rice fields and waterfalls offers an exceptional panorama. Hiking through the field is the guarantee of a gentle escape, provided by the tranquility of the place and the enchantment of smiles. 
• – From villages to villages to discover the Zafimaniry people, or « the people of the forest”. They live in the Malagasy highlands, near Ambositra. They are known for the typical wooden architecture of their houses and fine ancestral wood carving art. Their culture and lands are classified UNESCO World Heritage
• – In Manandriana area to learn about silk. We will discover the different stages of silk weaving, and you might even try to manipulate the loom !
• – Through the Betsileo country near Fianarantsoa. It is  an excellent opportunity for an unforgettable moment shared with the Betsileo people. During your hike, you will find the Betsileo farmers everywhere, you’ll probably get to see a man, woman or child coating zebu dung, weaving mats and hats or even preparing building bricks.
• – Through the Old City of Fianarantsoa. It is the only place in Madagascar where nineteenth-century buildings form a coherent architectural ensemble.The pride of the inhabitants is evident in the pocket gardens, flower bedecked balconies
• – In Ambohimahamasina area. You will walk about 4 to 6 hours per day during 3 days, crossing valleys, ricefields and villages and meeting with beekeeping people, rice farmers, zebu guardians. silk weavers, blacksmiths…. 
• – In Ambohidranandriana area, a former royal village known for its great diversity of flora, including medicinal plants, but also for its surrounding mountains loaded with stories. You will learn and share their daily activities :  the work of zebu horn, basketry, carpentry, bamboo furniture, embroidery, cheese dairy, agriculture,…

Day 1 : Arrival in Antananarivo

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

Day 2 : Antananarivo – Betafo

Drive to Betafo ( 190 Km/4h ).

At the heart of the Highlands region is the town of Betafo, where accommodation has been set up by a village association, allowing travelers to meet this welcoming community and discover the rites and customs of the Merina ethnic group, dominant in Madagascar and very present in this village. You will be welcomed into a homestay, in a house of local architecture, in a simple and friendly atmosphere.And will participate in a musical evening.

Day 3 : Hiking in Betafo area – Ambositra

The village association brings together several rural tourism initiatives, trains and supervises villagers in welcoming travelers. It also has an educational action and recently developed an initiative to facilitate access to health care for these villagers.

In addition to tourism activities, the village association is developing several activities to help its community, such as reforestation and the fight against malnutrition.

So, this morning you will meet the villagers, discover their daily activities, among which agriculture, breeding, brickyard, pottery,….

Then, drive to Ambositra ( 115 Km – 2h30 ), with a short stop in Antsirabe to visit this city which reflects the warmth of its people and the authenticity of its traditions still alive in the surrounding countryside. 

Lodging at your hotel.

Day 4 : Ambositra : Zafimaniry villages ( 4h walk )

Drive to Antoetra ( 2h ), then walk from villages to villages to discover the Zafimaniry people, or « the people of the forest ». The Zafimaniry are renowned sculptors of wood and traditionally, every member of the community was involved in some aspect of woodworking and cabinetmaking. Their picturesque homes are assembled completely without nails and, along with their tombs, furniture, tools and everyday objects, are carved with attractive geometric patterns that are highly codified, reflecting both the Polynesian origins of the community and the Arab influences in Malagasy culture.

Back in town in late afternoon. Lodging at your hotel.

Day 5 : Ambositra : Silk in Manandriana ( 4h walk )

Today we will reach Manandriana area to learn about silk. From the silk worm to a woven scarf, discover the art of transforming a cocoon of wire and different stages of silk weaving : cooking the cocoons, spinning, dyeing and weaving. You might even try to manipulate the loom. Having seen all the transformation work, we will see the exhibition of « Lamba landy » representing the work of these women, and perhaps buy some as souvenirs. 

Back in town in late afternoon. Lodging at your hotel.

Day 6 : Ambositra – Ambohimahasoa – Fianarantsoa

Visit handicrafts workshops, then drive to Ambohimahasoa for a lunch made of malagasy dishes, accompanied by a local folk group of dancers. 

Continuation to Fianarantsoa, Lodging at your hotel.

Day 7 : Fianarantsoa : Visit Old City

Today is dedicated to visit the old city of Fianarantsoa.

The Fianarantsoa Old City occupies a dramatic hilltop setting once topped with a palace used by the Merina royal family during state visits. While the palace is no longer there, some 500 homes built between 1870 and 1900 by those affiliated with the royal retinue still line the city’s picturesque cobblestone streets. The Old City is the only place in Madagascar where nineteenth-century buildings form a coherent architectural ensemble.The pride of the inhabitants is evident in the pocket gardens, flower bedecked balconies. However, the aging charm of the site belies the significant threats to its future. Victim of age and neglect, many of roofs no longer protect the vulnerable adobe walled houses. Each year several houses simply melt during the heavy rains as a pillar collapses, the roof caves in, and the structure crumbles…leaving a hole in the landscape and usually several families homeless. The World Monument Watch list Fianarantsoa’s Old City  as One of the 100 Most Threatened Historic Sites in the World on its list for 2008-9, asking us all to lend a hand to saving the site before it is too late. 

Lodging at your hotel.

Day 8 : Fianarantsoa : Meet the Betsileo country

Today is dedicated to a hike accessible to almost all, in which you will discover all aspects of culture Betsileo, all in an exceptional setting near Fianarantsoa. It is  an excellent opportunity for an unforgettable moment shared with the Betsileo people. During your hike, you will find the Betsileo farmers everywhere, you’ll probably get to see a man, woman or child coating zebu dung, weaving mats and hats or even preparing building bricks. But the Betsileo country is also rich in high traditions and symbols of living. Every great period in the life of a person is marked with traditional ceremonies that cement the social life of  Betsileo society. Malagasy lunch taken at a local people house.

D9 & D10 & D11 : Trekking in Ambohimahamasina area

3 days of human adventure trek during which you will experience the Malagasy life and discover the craftsmanship of Ambohimahamasina area, which hosts one of the last humid primary forests of Madagascar.

The trek will begin at 100 Km from Fianarantsoa, passing through the Tanala cliffs, the Andringitra massif and near the fertile plain of Ambalavao. You will walk about 4 to 6 hours per day, crossing valleys, rice fields and villages and meeting with beekeeping people, rice farmers, zebu guardians. silk weavers, blacksmiths….And of course you will have the opportunity to participate in their activities !

The landscape is just amazing, and nature and cultural exchanges will not be a disappointment.

You will be hosted in homestays and will share your meals with your hosts.

Day 11 : Ambohimahamasina – Fianarantsoa

End of the 3rd day of trek in Ambohimahamasina, after lunch. Then drive to Fianarantsoa ( 100 Km / 2h30 ). 

Lodging at your hotel.

Day 12 : Fianarantsoa – Ambohidranandriana

Drive to Ambohidranandriana, 17Km east of Antsirabe ( about 250 Km/ 6h ).

Late arrival in Ambohidranandriana. You will be hosted in an accommodation organized by the villagers. Your meals as well will be prepared by the villagers. 

Day 13 : Hiking in Ambohidranandriana area

Today wil be dedicated to a walk in Ambohidranandriana area, which is a former royal village known for its great diversity of flora, including medicinal plants, but also for its surrounding mountains loaded with stories.

During your walk, you will cross several villages and will share and participate in their daily activities :  the work of zebu horn to create decorative objects (ornaments, vases, jewelry, kitchen utensils,…), basketry ( carpets, mats, hats etc … made with sisal, raffia, nylon), carpentry, bamboo furniture, embroidery, cheese dairy, agriculture,…

You will be hosted in an accommodation organized by the villagers. Your meals as well will be prepared by the villagers. 

D14 : Ambohidranandriana – Antananarivo

Drive back to Antananarivo ( 187 Km / 4 h ).

Lodging at your hotel.

Day 15 : Antananarivo – Fly OUT

Transfer to Ivato international airport for your international return flight.