15 days tour

Trekking In Madagascar

Trekking In Madagascar

This tour includes:

Others

All listed activities

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Accommodation

We spend 10 nights in hotels. We also have four nights of full-service camping, with some basic campsites, all with shared facilities. Worth knowing All of the hotels are said to have a reliable electricity and water supply. However, there may be instances in which you experience some gaps in supply. This is more a reflection of life in Madagascar than the hotel standard. During the camping portions, we camp in small and mobile two-person tents. The camping is full service so the tents are put up for you. Campsites in Madagascan parks usually offer only very basic facilities. Do not expect hot showers, flushing toilets and Western standards of cleanliness at some of the places we stay. Some toilets may be long drops. Please come prepared. All camping equipment is provided except sleeping bags. Most of the hotels have mosquito nets in the rooms.

Transport

Travel is mainly by small private bus. Most of this trip is on well-surfaced roads with occasional poor and bumpy sections. There is one internal flight from Tulear to Antananarivo. On the treks, we walk from camp to camp. Porters assist with all luggage โ€“ you just have to carry your backpack for the day. Madagascar has a varied landscape, flora and fauna and this trip gives you a great overview of its culture, people, varying landscapes, vegetation and unique wildlife. However, we do cover quite a distance to do this. Most roads are well-surfaced, but Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world and the infrastructure reflects this. Some roads are better than others and a little patience, humour and flexibility may be required at times! The driving distances are as follows (approximate drive times include stops) Antananarivo to Ambositra: 165mi (265km), eight hours Ambositra to Ivato: 9mi (15km), dirt road, one hour Ambositra to Ranomafana: 96mi (155km), seven hours Ranomafana to Ambalavao: 81mi (130km), five hours Ambalavao to Andringitra National Park: 28mi (45km), dirt road, four hours Tsaranoro Valley to Ranohira: 146mi (235km), seven hours Ranohira to Ifaty: 171mi (275km), six hours Although distances are mentioned, drive times can be time consuming due to road conditions as many of the areas visited are remote and road conditions inconsistent.

Meals

All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners are included. Food standards in Madagascar vary and are probably not of the same standard you are used to at home. A one-course lunch/dinner should cost 23,000-34,000 Madagascan ariaries (US$5-US$7.50) while a three-course lunch/dinner should cost 50,000-67,000 ariaries (US$11-US$15). Please allow approximately 890,000 araries (US$195) for meals not included, plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner! Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and easily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyoneโ€™s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced. Please note, if you eat neither fish nor meat, your food options are rather limited (ie omelette, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfasts are usually simple: eggs, a baguette, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (eg spread, peanut butter etc).

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations โ€” Flights

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Trekking In Madagascar

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Antananarivo
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Antananarivo

      Our adventure starts in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana. There is a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner for those who wish to join. Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Morning City Tour; Transfer To Ambositra (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Morning City Tour; Transfer To Ambositra (Breakfast)

      We take a morning walk to the upper part of Antananarivo, ascending to Antaninarenina (the commercial and administrative part of town) and walking to the main entrance of the Queenโ€™s Palace, with outstanding views over Tana. We drive to Ambositra in the afternoon, where we have the chance to visit Zafimaniry handicraft centres. Max altitude: 4,460ft (1,360m) Accommodation: Artisan Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 3 Day 3: To Antoetra; Full-Day Trek Through Hills And Rice Fields, Visiting Local Villages (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: To Antoetra; Full-Day Trek Through Hills And Rice Fields, Visiting Local Villages (Breakfast)

      A full day walking to Antoetra allows us to discover and explore Zafimaniry villages. The Zafimaniry people are renowned for their woodcarvings; in their villages, even the houses are works of art! In 2003, the Zafimaniry people and their woodwork were considered to be masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, a list maintained by Unesco to protect and preserve their way of life. We walk through habituated areas โ€“ through rice fields, hills and small villages, following regular paths used by locals. After the walk, we drive back to Ambositra. Max altitude: 5,840ft (1,780m) Accommodation: Artisan Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Transfer To Ranomafana National Park (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Transfer To Ranomafana National Park (Breakfast)

      Today we head south and east to the well-visited national park of Ranomafana. The drive takes us through spectacular scenery, past neat Betsileo rice paddies and thick forests. We reach our destination in the afternoon and, after a rest at the hotel, we take an evening walk along the roadside of Ranomafana to spot nocturnal wildlife. Accommodation: Hotel Le Grenat (or similar)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Morning Visit To Ranomafana National Park; Transfer To Ambalavao In The Afternoon (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Morning Visit To Ranomafana National Park; Transfer To Ambalavao In The Afternoon (Breakfast)

      We visit Ranomafana National Park in the morning, a mountainous rainforest park with elevations ranging from 1,970ft to 4,595ft (600m to 1,400m). It contains many different forest types (from lowland rainforest to cloud forest and high plateau forest) and provides the opportunity to see various lemur species (golden bamboo lemurs, greater and lesser bamboo lemurs, red-bellied lemurs, red-fronted lemurs, Mile Edwardโ€™s sifaka) plus birds, frogs, reptiles, snails and orchids. In the afternoon, we drive to Fianarantsoa, the capital city of the Betsileo tribe Ambalavao. Then we head south to Ambalavao, the commercial centre of the southern Betsileo region, renowned for folk art and crafts. We will stop at Domaine de Manohisoa, about 5 km south of Fianarantsoa, to visit a wine farm and taste some local wine. We arrive in Ambalavao before sunset. Here we learn about the production of Antemoro paper: a paper produced from the bark of the havoha tree. Max altitude: 3,280ft (1,000m) Accommodation: Tsienimparihy Lodge (or similar)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Early Transfer To Andringitra National Park To Start The Three-Day Trek To Climb Peak Boby (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Early Transfer To Andringitra National Park To Start The Three-Day Trek To Climb Peak Boby (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We have an early transfer to Andringitra National Park, one of the most beautiful and biodiverse parks in Madagascar. Andringitra has been managed by the WWF since 1993 and has three distinct eco-zones: low-altitude rainforest, montane rainforest and high-altitude vegetation. Although Andringitra contains diverse wildlife (more than 100 bird species, 50 mammal species, including 13 lemurs types, and 55 frog species), the prime reason for visiting is for the stunning landscape, vegetation and superb trekking. More than 1,000 plant species exist in this national park, and the guides are highly knowledgeable on the local plants and their medicinal uses. In the morning, we visit two waterfalls, Riandahy and Raimbavy, and then begin our trek to reach the second-highest peak in Madagascar, Peak Boby (which is also known as Pic dโ€™Imarivolanitra or โ€˜close to the skyโ€™). The trek begins in forest, which is slowly replaced by alpine meadows covered with orchids by the end of the rainy season. Leaving the forest, we ascend a steep path to the Andohariana plateau, climbing higher behind granite mountaintops. As we walk through the high montane vegetation, we reach a natural pool, which offers a freezing but very refreshing swim. After approximately six hours of walking, we camp at Anderamposty (6,890ft/2,100m). Max altitude: 6,890ft (2,100m) Accommodation: Full-service camping

  • Day 7 Day 7: Andringitra National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Andringitra National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      On our longest trekking day, we begin our climb to the summit of Peak Boby early to avoid climbing in the full heat of the day. Keep your camera handy as the trek climbs higher, giving unrivalled views and superb high-altitude flora. Although this is the highest accessible peak in Madagascar, it is a technically easy ascent up carved steps. We should reach the summit after about three to four hours. We take the same route back to our campsite, where we have a chance to relax by the river while our lunch is prepared. After lunch, we head out through moon-like landscapes, granite cliffs and a forest of palm trees en route to our campsite. After approximately six hours of walking, we camp at Iantaranomby (5,415ft/1,650m). Max Altitude: 8,720ft (2,658m) Accommodation: Full-service camping

  • Day 8 Day 8: Andringitra National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Andringitra National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      On our final day of walking in Andringitra National Park, we leave the mountains after breakfast, exploring villages on foot. With the decreasing altitude, we pass many forms of succulent plants, such as the pachypodium (which looks like a mini baobab tree), euphorbia and through savannah landscape. After approximately four hours, we camp at Meva Campsite in Tsaranoro Valley (2,955ft/900m). Max altitude: 5,035ft (1,535m) Accommodation: Full-service camping

  • Day 9 Day 9: Visit Anya Reserve To Look For Ring-Tailed Lemurs; To Isalo National Park (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Visit Anya Reserve To Look For Ring-Tailed Lemurs; To Isalo National Park (Breakfast)

      We drive to the little town of Ranohira today, the base for visiting Isalo National Park. Along the way, we visit the small reserve of Anja, where ring-tailed lemurs (otherwise known as kattas) can be observed in their natural habitat. Accommodation: Les Toiles de lโ€™Isalo (or similar)

  • Day 10 Day 10: Exploring Isalo National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Exploring Isalo National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      We spend two days exploring Isalo National Park โ€“ a trip highlight. Isalo is a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases, often described as Eden. We start by walking along a relatively flat path, following the foot of the rocky mountain range, until the magnificent Canyon of Makis, where we search for cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and Verreauxโ€™s sifakas. From here, we have a fairly steep climb (those suffering from vertigo may find this challenging) and then walk through the scenic, moon-like landscape of the park to our campsite. Max altitude: 3,590ft (1,094m) Accommodation: Full-service camping

  • Day 11 Day 11: Continue Exploring Isalo National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Continue Exploring Isalo National Park (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today is our second day discovering Isalo National Park. We visit Namaza waterfall, once again in search of ring-tailed lemurs and Verreauxโ€™s sifakas. We then head to the Piscine Naturelle (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot in such an arid landscape, where we can swim and relax after the hot walk. Soak up the sheer beauty of the park โ€“ the combination of eroded coloured rock formations, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Africa. Max altitude: 3,940ft (1,200m) Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)

  • Day 12 Day 12: To West Coast And Beaches; Overnight At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: To West Coast And Beaches; Overnight At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)

      We drive to Tulear after an early breakfast, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south, and pass both the Mahafaly and Antandroy tombs, briefly observing their ornate decorations. Antandroy and Mahafaly are reputed to be the most impressive of all Malagasy tombs, with the Antandroy tombs being large and brightly painted, relating to the life story and wishes of the deceased. They are also topped with zebu skulls, which were sacrificed during the funeral festivity โ€“ a ceremony of great significance. Mahafaly tombs are characterised by their wooden sculptures known as Aloalo, relating to the life of the deceased and their unfulfilled dreams, as well as their rank within the clan. After a brief stop in Tulear, we continue past the coastal town of Ifaty to our hotel on the beach. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13: Free Time For Relaxation Or Optional Activities At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Free Time For Relaxation Or Optional Activities At Ifaty Beach (Breakfast)

      We have a free day at Ifaty Beach. Running all the way around the southwest Malagasy coastline, Ifaty Beach lies on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, which makes it an excellent venue for scuba diving. Between late June and early September, whales can be observed off the beautiful white beaches here and the offshore islet of Nosy Ve is a terrific place for snorkelling. Protected by coral reefs, the beach and waters beyond the hotel offer a welcome rest from your trekking itinerary. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)

  • Day 14 Day 14: Fly To Antananarivo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Fly To Antananarivo (Breakfast)

      Today we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo, which arrives in the afternoon. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have free time to explore Antananarivo on your own. Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere (or similar)

  • Day 15 Day 15: End Antananarivo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: End Antananarivo (Breakfast)

      Depending on your flight times, you may have the opportunity to embark on an optional short visit to Ambohimanga, the fortified village and royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was forbidden to Europeans for a long time. The kings and queens returned here to rest and relax on the forested slopes of this hilltop village. Here began the line of kings and queens who united Madagascar into one country. Ambohimanga still remains of spiritual significance for the Malagasy people with ceremonies and rituals still taking place.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.

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