COMFORT HIKING IN THE SOUTH – 12 DAYS

From 2 to 12 persons.

These “COMFORT HIKING” trips allow you to go hiking on the main spots of Madagascar without having to sleep in a tent. All nights are close to the sites, in charming and quality hotels.

As an appetizer, a walk on the Hauts-Plateaux, to meet the population.

Then the National Road 7 towards the South offers us the monumental granite blocks of Tsaranoro and the mischievous lemurs of the Anja reserve.

Finally, it is the Isalo massif which presents itself to us with its canyons and its dry forest. The road takes us to one of the most beautiful lagoons in Madagascar, Ifaty. We will let ourselves be seduced by the tranquility, the beauty and the hospitality of this land of the Vezo fishermen.

Highlights

Day 1: Urban Trekking in the capital

Antananarivo – Tana – is one of those capitals in the tropics with a soul, an atmosphere. The city has a history that begins with the Kings and Queens in the 17th century, an original and aesthetic architecture. To walk in Tana is to meet people and discover a little known aspect of Madagascar.

From our hotel, we walk towards the city and then the Haute Ville. Our steps lead us, through the rice fields and the popular districts, to touch the finger of the daily life of the Tananarivians. Via the alleys and the stairs we approach the old town towards the Queen’s Palace, a rich day. Continuation in the afternoon towards the botanical park of Tsimbazaza where we relax in the greenery and calm in the company of lemurs.

• Duration: 2 to 4h walking

Day 2: Antananarivo > Antsirabe

Meeting with your guide.

We are heading south. As soon as you leave Antananarivo, the rice fields and villages characteristic of the Highlands shape the landscape. At Ambatolampy we take a break and discover the work, rather surprising, of the manufacturers of aluminum casserole dishes, those found throughout Madagascar.

Arrival in the afternoon in Antsirabe. We take the time for a little visit of the city and if you feel like it, a ride in a rickshaw, The mode of transport of the Antsirabeans.

• Duration: +/- 3h
• Distance: 170 km

Day 3: Hikes in the Highlands

The Highlands! These are the emblematic landscapes of Madagascar. A unique mountain and agricultural environment unlike any other. Here, a succession of tall red brick houses surrounded by verandas and balconies surmounted by thatched roofs, bronze rice fields running through the valleys causing an outpouring of varied colors in red, ocher, beige tones… These magnificent hikes transport us into the world. rural where the landscapes are colorful, authentic, under the benevolent eye of the inhabitants who like to communicate with the passing traveler. We meet women carrying their buckets of water on their heads like African women, peasants working their fields or their rice paddies, sometimes blacksmiths whose techniques have not changed for centuries.

NB: you walk at your own pace. You decide the visits and the duration of this excursion!

• Duration: 3 to 5 hours of walking
• We organize your picnic lunch.

Day 4: Antsirabe > Fianarantsoa > Ambalavao

Always on National 7 we progress towards the South.

In Zafimaniry country, Ambositra is the village of wood carvers. Visit to the stalls of Zafimaniry craftsmen. We hunt around in search of the carved piece of wood or the finely crafted marquetry square. Walk in the village.

Continuing for Ambalavao, we enter Betsileo country. Here the road is more and more sinuous, we are towards the highest points of the High Plateaux of Madagascar. Arrival at the end of the afternoon.

• Duration: +/- 6h driving
• Distance: 280 km

Day 5: Anja Reserve > Tsaranoro Valley

The Anja reserve is located about twenty kilometers south of Ambalavao.

At the foot of the huge granite blocks, a few groups of Makis lemurs (lemur catta) are hiding in a pretty little forest. We go looking for them. We also get to know the local customs.

Here, the Bara – the local ethnic group – deposit their deceased in the holes in the cliff after quite complex rites. Our guide will be able to explain the details to us. We climb the rocks to the pass. Beautiful hikes are possible nearby.

This reserve is managed directly by the villagers. The profits allow the improvement of the living conditions of the surrounding villages. Road to the Tsaranoro Valley in the afternoon.

• Duration: hours of walking
• Distance: 380 km driving + 20 km of track 
• We organize your picnic lunch.

Day 6: Hike in the Tsaranoro Valley

Simply superb…

Departing from your hotel, stroll through the forest and at the foot of the cliffs. The gigantic granite domes make these mountains with narrow valleys an amazing sight, especially at sunrise and sunset. Your guide leads you into the forest to meet ring-tailed lemurs.

He will introduce you to local beliefs. If you want tougher steps, we suggest you climb the “chameleon”, a small mountain not far from the hotel, or walk around the cliff to the south.

These are hikes that do not present any technical difficulties and that offer sumptuous panoramas.

• Duration: 5 to 6h walking
• We organize your picnic lunch.

Day 7: Tsaranoro Valley > Ranohira

This is the southern route, that of the Great Outdoors.

Breakfast at the hotel and we get back on the track, join the National, pass the Portes du Sud, cross the town of Ihosy before tackling the Horombe plateau.

From one mountain to another. The Isalo massif is opposite, the day is coming to an end, the sunset should be superb!

• Duration: +/- 6h
• Distance: 20 km of track + 220 km of road

Days 8 and 9: Hikes in the Isalo National Park

Our first day is held towards the Canyon of the Monkeys. We go there by vehicle. At the foot of the cliff, in the forest, hide maky and sifaka, these mischievous lemurs from southern Madagascar. Ascent of the “Falaise Focus” in the morning. Superb landscape towards the interior of the massif. We picnic at the top and descend in the afternoon to refresh ourselves in the clear torrent inside the canyon. Return to the hotel at the end of the day.

The next day sees us hiking from the Namaza site to the Natural Pool. We walk quietly through amazing landscapes. The ruiniform massif of Isalo is a continental sandstone plateau dating from the Jurassic. Here, the rock has a very variable aspect, shape and composition. The endemic vegetation made of Aloes, Euphorbias, Pachypodiums and Kalanchoe…

NB: the pace and duration of the walks depend on the participants, we adapt to your desires. Your guide will advise you.

• Duration: 4 to 5 hours of walking per day
• We organize your picnic lunches.

Day 10: Ranohira > Tuléar > Ifaty

We continue our progression towards the south-west, towards the coast.

The Ranohira -Tuléar road, 245 km long, crosses several botanical landscapes. The Mozambique Channel is visible long before reaching Tuléar. On the way, short stops at the Mahafaly tombs, so beautifully decorated, and so surprisingly erected with wooden sculptures. We arrive in town at the end of the morning. Walk around the always lively market, before lunch. Along the beach and the mangrove, the road leads us to Ifaty.

Installation at the hotel, feet in the water, or almost.

• Duration: +/- 6h
• Distance: 280 km

Day 11: Day at leisure on the shores of the Ifaty lagoon

This free day on the banks of the Mozambique Channel will allow you to sample the various activities offered by your hotel. For those who would like to enjoy the sea and the lagoon: diving, canoe trip with the Vezo fishermen, swimming or just lazing around. Hiking enthusiasts will be able to discover, inland, a specific and singular vegetation made up of euphorbias, baobabs, didieraceae, aloes… In the south, thorny trees are kings.

Day 12: Ifaty > Tuléar > Antananarivo

Free morning and transfer to the airport organized by the hotelier.

Flight to the Malagasy capital.

• Duration: 1h15 flight