Great trek – The Trans-Makay – 22 days

A few years ago we wrote, in introduction of our trekkings into the Makay: ” We are among the first to enter this mysterious massif …”.
The earned reputation of this huge ruiniform plateau absolutely exceptional, made that today, certain zones, in particular those of the South, are visited from time to time by the hikers. Numerous prospecting in the region allowed us us to have of this massif a thorough knowledge, a high respect and an intimate relation.
We also wrote: “It is with a pioneering spirit that an incursion into Makay should be approached.” It is always true and more than ever for this new crossing which we propose you.

Highlights

• A unique exploration of one of the most secret massifs of Madagascar;
• A long impregnation smoothly, on foot, of the jewel of the biodiversity;
• The sharing of singular moments with the inhabitants of this massif;
• The extraordinary show of a generous and protected nature.

D 1: Antananarivo – Miandrivazo

Malagasy tours team meet you at your hotel. As our main purpose is to reach Makay, we will not crawl along the road.
Leave Antananarivo and head straight to the south. Rice fields and typical villages of the Highlands represent the landscape right after city. 
We stop in Ambatolampy to discover how amazing the work of aluminum to make cooking pot for the whole country. 
We take lunch in Antsirabe and continue to Miandrivazo where we spend the night.

D 2: Miandrivazo > Malaimbandy > Makay

Drive to Malaimbandy and a track will lead us to the north base of the massif of Makay after 4 to 6 hours drive. It is the starting point of the expedition. It’s here that we find our guides and porters , they will be our fellows during these wonderfull days in the mountains. We set our tents at the exit of the village.

D 3 to 18: Transmakay

The ruiniform sedimentary plateau Makay is composed of friable sandstone, it is also the northern extension of the Massif of Isalo. The slow and inexorable work of time, some tectonic movements aided by the flow of water patiently eroded these rocks. The deep canyons that cut and parceled make our progress in these areas very difficult.

Local people living in rare remote village wander rarely inside these lands. Many “fady” (taboo), some beliefs and fears actually protect this fortress in some way.The local population living in the rare villages in the outskirts of the massif, ventures only very rarely on these little hospitable lands, except to find refuge there. Of numerous fady (taboos) and a number of faiths and of fears protect at best this fortress.

This spectacular and inextricable geomorphology allowed, at the bottom of the unexplored canyons, groups of animals and original plants to develop away from the world, in the point to give birth to new species. Lemurs are very present in these isolated forests, but we perceive them more than we observe them, because they are not used to our presence.

Evrard Wendenbaum of the association Naturevolution whom Malagasy Tours accompanied during its second expedition in 2010 qualified these pockets of vegetation of ” real safe of the biodiversity “.

Rock paintings and carvings are found in some caves and excavations to make the place more mysterious, and  we know almost nothing about it. Red blood, brown and ochre colors showing animals as hippotatamus, geometrical drawings and human shapes, all is just hypothesis.
We walk slowly and sometimes hazardously in this unique setting. We often have to go up hill to the top of the eroded summit, firstly to enjoy the spectacular view and  to locate where we are as well, trying to find the best way to continue to the south.
Going straight line is not the shortest way in Makay !

The walk takes us in the depth of these gorges, feet in the clear water of running rivers with white sand in the bottom. We can even paradoxically call it a ” water trek” in this mineral world ! We put up our tents on the sandbank against the rocky face bottom, and we sleep there.
Parrots are omnipresent here, their calls resound in these long gullies. Birds of prey soar above the mountains as buzzard, kites and sparrow hawks. Bats as guards, come out at night to make their quiet patrol.

D 19: Makay > Beroroha > Ranohira

We leave Makay mountains behind us after having crossed the Mangoky river. We are rushing straight ahead towards the road N7 … We stop in Ranohira for the night.

D 20: Ranohira > Tuléar > Ifaty

We progress to the south west towards the Mozambique Channel.
Drive on 245 km from Ranohira to Tuléar through different botanical settings in the morning.
We stop on the way to see Mahafaly tribe typical tombs so nicely painted and decorated, on which are erected some amazing wooden sculptures. The sea can be seen from far away before we reach Tuléar.
Walk around to the market before taking lunch.
Road along the coast leads us to Ifaty. Installation to the hotel, almost feet in the water.

D 21: Day at leisure at Ifaty lagoon

You can explore different activities from the hotel during the day at leisure on the edges of Mozambique channel.
If you want to make the most of the sea and the lagoon: diving, dugout ride with Vezo fishermen, swim or just leisure.
Hikers can discover the inland, a specific and extraordinary vegetation composed of euphorbia, baobab, didieracea, aloes … , those with thorns are kings in the south.

D 22: Ifaty > Tulear > Antananarivo

Morning at leisure and transfer to the airport organised by the hotel.

End of Malagasy Tours services.

Fly to the capital.

For rates please contact us. Thank you.

Price includes:

• The English speaking drivers guides,
• 4×4 vehicles,
• Accommodation in the hotels listed in the program,
• Camping equipment and food (bring a sleeping bag),
• Full board,
• The entrances fees in the sites listed,
• Local guides and porters during the trek,
• All transfers.

Price does not include:

• The international and domestic flights,
• Tips and beverages,
• The insurances for cancellation, repatriation and expenses of first aids.
• Visa: +/-35€