Hiking Tours Madagascar

Visite de la fabrication de marmite artisanal d'Ambatolampy

Meet and greet directly at the international airport of Ivato, and head straight south. Throughout the plains of the highlands, you’ll discover the first amazing scenery of your trip: the rural villages surrounded by rice fields and the population of farmers whose lifestyle has not changed since the dawn of time We’ll stop to visit the city of Ambatolampy; well known for its aluminum craftsmanship. Free lunch before Antsirabe, the thermal city constructed and developed by Norwegian missionaries. This city is ranked first in agriculture and the second in industry in the whole country. The beautiful middle class houses downtown are witnesses of this frivolous era. Then we keep on heading south to reach the lakes Tritriva and Andraikiba. Diner and night at the hotel

We will start by visiting the city on a pousse pousse, the jewelers and craftsmen are many here, they work with wood and leather, but also with zebus’ horns and clay. We then head to Fianarantsoa. On our way, we’ll stop by the little city of Ambositra. At 1200 meters of altitude, it’s a commercial crossroad of the Zafimaniry tribes and the rest of Madagascar. It’s the capital of craftsmanship, people come from every corner of the country to sell their work. We’ll have a walk in the city and visit the craft shop of a wood sculptor. Free lunch. The road then goes through the Betsileo land, the main ethnic group in the province of Fianarantsoa .The typical red clay houses and the intricate shapes of the rice fields are good testimonies of the tremendous work started centuries ago in this region that is particularly hard to cultivate. Night at the hotel in Fianarantsoa

4 hours on a track and three hours walking with a small difference in height. Before heading to the Andringitra, you’ll get a glimpse of the local wine making. Visiting the Soavita vineyard, you’ll try the different wines and, in Ambalavao take a look of the crafting of Antemoro paper. This savoir faire was brought by Arabs during the fifteenth century and is based on the bark of the blackberry tree. We will also stop by a weaving craft shop where wild silk is traditionally used. After that, a tough but beautiful track will lead us through the Gate of the South and to the Andringintra Park. The gigantic massif is sited right in front of us and its ridge blocks our horizon. The valley of Namoly lies here, where two big waterfalls have made their ways throughout the ages. Once at Namoly, we start the first hike, three hours of time through the Betsileo villages and surrounding forests. Many plants are medicinal here and our guide will explain all the secrets of this natural pharmacy. Our first camping site is at Imaitso, at the entrance of the inner forest

7 hours of walk, difference in height: 700m+ The track is easy at first, it links the Andringitra to the National Park of Ranomafana. While walking, you will have plenty of time to appreciate the flourishing flora, and might even, with luck, see a couple wild rubriventer lemurs, feeding on the fulvus trees. After an hour, we must start ascending to reach a viewpoint on the Tanala (people of the forest) land. After the plateau of Ampasipotsy, with the altimountain microclimate and its characteristic vegetation. Picnic lunch on the plateau, just before reaching the camping site, where you will find a natural pool, the Andreatelo, to dive in. The water is crystal clear but a little cold of course. There, at Andriampotsy, at 2050m of altitude, we’ll set up the tents and recover for the next day!

9 hours walking and 600m+ 900m- of difference in height. Departure after breakfast for the ascent of the Bobby peak, we'll leave before the sun comes up. The ridge on which is located the Summit is very exposed to climatic influences of the East with a high humidity that can quickly cover the summits and thus ruin your beautiful climb to this prestigious peak of Madagascar. 2 h 30 walk, on refitted stairs and through a humid basin filled with moss, lichen and Phylipias , to reach the peak from where you can enjoy a panorama of exception on the whole of the region, the Andringintra, the Isalo down south, Tsaranoro, the Gate of The South. In Nice weather, you can even see the Indian Ocean. The Peak Bobby is also called Imarivolanitra, which means “really close to the sky”. The name Peak Bobby was given after the first member of a group of alpinists geologists, their dog named Bobby, reached the top. Descent then continuation towards the camp and then on the path that leads to the circuit 'DIAVOLANA', literally 'EXTRA terrestrial '. A huge plateau of rocky surreal lunar landscape. The granite shapes and crazy formations are really characteristic and worthy of a science fiction movie set. View of the Valley of the Tsaranoro. On the steep descent afterwards, the 'ravenea glauca' is the endemic Palm species endemic to this very side of the mountain. We keep on descending to the campsite of Iantaranomby River ‘literally “where the Zebus drink” where you can cool off. Beautiful sunset at night on the banks of a charming river.

Difference in Height: 250 meters After breakfast; descent to the Valley of the Tsaranoro, the Andringintra behind us. You’ll cross great pastures for zebus where many Pachypodium enchyflorum, and different species of Aloe, and numerous lizards can be found. Once at the foot of the massif, the path continues through several villages of the Barabory; where the Bara and Betsileo cultures mix. We cross the Sahanambo River to reach Morarano. We then need to follow the valley on an easy road for a little while to join the hotel on the foot of the Chameleon. If you are interested, you can visit the only dispensary of the region, between Soavahiny and Andonaka and the school of Tsaranoro. The access to medical care is very difficult here, as is the education and if you are willing to, you can support the actions of the dispensary

Possible activities : picnic lunch is provided - Circuit Chameleon: Starting from the camp, it is a 4h walk to reach to top of the famous chameleon. On the last part of the walk, there is a steep bit, where caution is necessary. It is definitely worth it though, because the panorama you get from up there is absolutely breath taking. We recommend doing this early in the morning to avoid the hottest time of the day. - - Circuit Tsaranoro : Leaving early, it’s a 4 to 5 hour walk to reach the top of Tsaranoro. We have to conquer it from the other side, because the front can only be climbed. On the way up, halfway through the foothills, you’ll discover Bara tombs inside the rock itself. There’s a tough part on the end of the ascension, but you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama on the southern mountain ranges that surround us entirely. - - Paragliding. Nothing more thrilling than paragliding to discover all this valley from the sky. On a comfortable seat, with only the sound of the wind, it is an astounding opportunity as there are five spots to start from on the valley, always depending on the conditions of course. You can do it for the first time with no problem, but, in order to make that possible, please advise us at least 48h before if you want to fly.

Time to leave the Tsaranoro Valley, it’s a 3 and a half hour ride to the city of Ranohira, and its famous national park; Isalo. As we head South on the road the landscapes drastically change. Pretty fast, the panorama flattens and immense tall grass fields surround us. This is the plateau of Ihorombe, land of the zebu farmers and of the golden horizon. Only one road goes through, the RN7, and people walk huge distances to meet in different villages in these savannah-looking plains. Finally, we get to Ranohira, and the Isalo, a deserted mountain barrier. Free lunch, setting up at the hotel, and diner. Night and the hotel.

Difference in height: 400 meters The National park of the Isalo, is about 81.540 ha wide and only constituted of sandstone. Throughout the centuries, it has been sculpted by erosion and weather. The result is really characteristic, stone deserts and natural formation, breathtaking canyons and natural pools, deep caverns and flourishing vegetation where we don’t expect it. The major part of the park is really famous and hosts many endemic species. Rare birds and butterflies, lizards and a big population of laid back lemurs that sunbath on the rocks. There are not shy and you’ll get to see many of them while going up the water towards the beautiful waterfall of the Nymphs and its fresh waters. The difference of landscape and sensations between here and the plateau above is striking and really specific to this place. There are different circuits to go for, the Maki Canyon, and the refreshing Natural Pools. Picnic lunch on the road and night camping.

On the way, a look at some familial tombs of the Antandroy and the Mahafaly tribes and the sapphire cities that popped out of nowhere in the desert, where the thirst for blue stones is just too strong. After Tuléar, Mangily. A tiny village on the coast, facing one of the most beautiful lagoon of the planet. The population here is mainly Vézo, a people of nomad fishermen and you will also get to see some Baobabs. End of our service.

This lagoon of Ranobe is a world famous diving site and one of the most beautiful lagoon on the planet. It offers on more than 40km of coral reef some of the most sought after locations to observe underwater wildlife. Its crystalline blue water and its extremely rich fauna and flora truly make it an ecological jewel. There are two channels, with really characteristic floors that will guarantee fascination to the diver inside you. Free lunch. The mixing flows of warm and cold water come sustain the great quantities of plankton and krill that nourish more than 400 species of fish and 46 types of coral reef. A glimpse on a marine map will reveal another secret, way deeper. There are canyons that run along the barrier, offering exceptional and preserved sites. Visiting also the baobab forest aboard a zebu cart is always really appreciated by visitors. The Vezo villages and the beautiful reserve of Reniala around are also a must-see. You’ll have all the time to linger in the sand and have sunbaths on the paradisiacal beach, even a massage or beach sports, buying souvenirs.

This lagoon of Ranobe is a world famous diving site and one of the most beautiful lagoon on the planet. It offers on more than 40km of coral reef some of the most sought after locations to observe underwater wildlife. Its crystalline blue water and its extremely rich fauna and flora truly make it an ecological jewel. There are two channels, with really characteristic floors that will guarantee fascination to the diver inside you. Free lunch. The mixing flows of warm and cold water come sustain the great quantities of plankton and krill that nourish more than 400 species of fish and 46 types of coral reef. A glimpse on a marine map will reveal another secret, way deeper. There are canyons that run along the barrier, offering exceptional and preserved sites. Visiting also the baobab forest aboard a zebu cart is always really appreciated by visitors. The Vezo villages and the beautiful reserve of Reniala around are also a must-see. You’ll have all the time to linger in the sand and have sunbaths on the paradisiacal beach, even a massage or beach sports, buying souvenirs.

Transfer to Tuléar to take the flight to Tana. There, if you have time before your connection, maybe visit the famous « marché de la digue »