This 11-day tour, featuring a descent of the Manambolo River to Tsingy de Bemaraha and on to Morondava, is marked by exquisite scenery, with nights spent camping.
10 nights / 11 days
Arrival in Antananarivo
Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Sun City hotel or similar.
Antananarivo - Ampefy
After a good breakfast, we head straight off to discover the town of Ampefy, located 130 km west of the capital, Antananarivo. On arrival, check in at the hotel and lunch on site. In the afternoon, we plan to visit the Lily Falls, a geyser, and the "Island of Virgins" where Madagascar's center of gravity is said to lie. Dinner and overnight at the Cavitaha hotel or similar.
Ampefy - Tsiroanomandidy
Departure for Tsiroanomandidy, 113 km further west along the zebu route of the Malagasy Midwest. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Lunch on site. Free afternoon to explore the town, where we will also stock up on supplies for our expedition. Dinner and overnight at the Relais du Bongolava hotel.
Tsididy - Belobaka - Borne
Drive to Belobaka by 4x4, with a picnic lunch on site around midday. It is possible to continue a little further by 4x4 into the Bongolava massif, reaching the border markers ("Bornes") where we spend the night camping.
Trekking day
Early departure for the trek after breakfast, accompanied by our porters (6 to 7 hours of walking) through a landscape carved by "Lavaka" (small canyons). Picnic lunch at midday. We then continue on, meeting villagers along the trails. Campfire evening with the porters, who will leave us the next day. Overnight camping.
Trekking - Ankavandra - Dugout canoe
Breakfast, then a descent along the waterfalls to reach the plain and the village of Ankavandra (about 3 hours' walk). We have lunch in the village while the boatmen and cook prepare the boarding. After lunch, we begin the dugout canoe descent of the Manambolo River. A traditional "fomba" ritual is performed before taking hold of the canoe. The convoy drifts along with the current through a lunar landscape, passing jagged, eroded hills. In the evening, we camp on the riverbanks.
Manambolo River descent
Accompanied by the joyful cries of village children, we follow the river as it winds through its sandy bed, narrowing at times between two hills. The river skirts small cliffs from which clear springs gush forth. The life of the river unfolds before our eyes at the leisurely pace of nature and the current carrying us along. The night is spent camping on the riverbanks.
Arrival in Bekopaka and visit to the Small Tsingy
To finish our canoe journey, we advance in the impressive silence of the gorges. This long line of cliffs, with vertical walls carved by the river, cuts us off from the rest of the world. At midday, we leave the gorges to reach Bekopaka, where a 4x4 will be waiting to transfer us to the hotel. After lunch, we visit the Small Tsingy for about an hour. Dinner and overnight at the Olympe de Bemaraha hotel or similar.
Visit to the Great Tsingy
After breakfast, we set off to visit the impressive Grands Tsingy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a truly unique place, located in Andamozavaky, 17 km from the hotel. After the visit we return to the same hotel. Dinner and overnight at the same hotel.
Bekopaka - Morondava
Early morning departure for Morondava. We stop in Belo sur Tsiribihina for lunch, then continue along the track to Morondava, where we discover the legendary sacred baobab and the "baobabs in love". We will watch the famous sunset over the Avenue of the Baobabs. Dinner and overnight at the Trecicogne hotel or similar. End of services. Please contact us for any additional options or for information about the return trip to Antsirabe.
Fourteen rooms, either fan-cooled with cold water or air-conditioned with hot water. A real favorite in the area. Excellent value for money, with a discreet and warm welcome. Pleasant waterside setting, pretty rooms that are well kept and were recently renovated, an interesting property. Gabriele gives guests an excellent welcome. On top of that, the restaurant "la Capaninna" is very good. Free wifi internet access.
Located right next to the Tsingy du Bemaraha, the hotel sits on an easily accessible, wooded hill overlooking the Manambolo River valley and the village of Bekopaka. It comprises 20 spacious bungalows and a large restaurant area with a covered terrace where you can enjoy a panoramic view spanning over 220°. The swimming pool, located next to the restaurant, also benefits from this splendid view over the landscape.
A very good, peaceful hotel, located on the lakeshore where you can watch fishermen raising their nets from their canoes. Comfortable rooms with excellent food. Rather limited walks except for hikers. A very good place to rest after a few weeks of exploring the big island.
Very simple, located in the heart of Tsiroanomandidy, with shared bathroom facilities.
A&C is a luxurious hotel located five minutes from Ivato International Airport. Shining with its three stars, the setting is nestled in a calm and peaceful neighborhood. The hotel complex features two large restaurants and bars, two large reception halls, rooms spread across four categories, a spa, and also a spacious sports and leisure area. A large secure parking lot with capacity for 70 cars.
| Included / Not included | Standard | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Guide accompagnateur | Inclus | Inclus |
| Pirogue locale et piroguier | Inclus | Inclus |
| Matériel de camping | Inclus | Inclus |
| Bac aller-retour | Inclus | Inclus |
| Droit d'entrées et le frais de guidage dans le parc national Tsingy de Bemaraha | Non inclus | Inclus |
| Repas au restaurant (dîner et déjeuner) | Non inclus | Inclus |
| Boissons et eaux minérales pendant le voyage | Non inclus | Inclus |
| L'assurance personnelle | Non inclus | Inclus |
| Pourboires, extras | Non inclus | Inclus |
| Les vols internationaux et intérieurs | Non inclus | Inclus |
| Hébergement en chambre double avec petits déjeuners | Inclus | Inclus |
| Voiture 4X4 avec chauffeur et carburant | Inclus | Inclus |
| Porteurs | Inclus | Inclus |
| Pension complète durant le trekking et sur fleuve Manambolo | Inclus | Inclus |
