26/ Trekking and canoeing

This adventurous tour proposes the discovery of the still little known ” Menabe ” country, situated on the West of Madagascar. Immersion in the volcanic landscapes of the lake Itasy, and bushwalk through the massif of Bongolava. Then you will go down the river Manambolo in canoe, you paddle through this magical and wild area ; You can see all around the impressive massif of Bemaraha which is famous for its World Heritage “Tsingy”.

DAY 1: ANTANANARIVO – AMPEFY (Itasy lake)

Meeting upon arrival. Departure to Ampefy on the west of Antananarivo. Crossing the volcanic and hilly landscapes of the Itasy region. Pedestrian excursion to visit the lake. Overnight in cottage.

DAY 2: AMPEFY – TSIROANOMANDIDY – BELOBAKA

Drive to Tsiroanomandidy. On the way, we will cross the convoys of zebu, native cattle, pulling their carts and taking their harvests to the big market. Then we continue on dirt roads through landscape of rolling hills and valleys before arriving at the heart of the Bongolava massif. We continue by a small sinuous track before reaching the village of Belobaka, the last township before the big western arid zones. Camp overnight.

DAY 3: HIKING – BONGOLAVA RANGE

Early in the morning, accompanied by our luggage porters, we start our hike through very wild landscapes of notched “Lavaka”hill ( small canyons). Meeting along the way with the inhabitants of the region who move by these trails, the only means of communication in this remote area. Night in camping.

DAY 4: TREKKING ANKAVANDRA – CANOEING

We follow a pretty stream along an escarpment which falls have dug ponds in the rock by a stony trail. We reach the western hillside of the massif which dominates the big plains of Menabe crossed by the Manambolo river. Below we see the village of Ankavandra, final stage of our hiking. Arrived in Ankavandra at the end of morning. Lunch in the village. Here is the starting point of our descent of the river in canoes. Canoeists, cooks, are all native of this village and will be happy to make to you discover it.

In the afternoon, after the traditional rite we begin our navigation. At the end of the afternoon, camping on the river banks of sand.

DAY 5: CANOEING DOWN THE RIVER

The convoy of canoes stretches, allowing itself to be guided by the current. The life of the River unfolds before our eyes to the depressed rhythm of nature and the water flow which carries us. Camping on the sandbar.

DAY 6: CANOEING

The landscape changes when we approach the massif of the Tsingy.; it disappears little by little, the banks allow to appear the sand walls dug by the raw of the River. We set up our camp on a promontory of sand in the river gorge.

DAY 7: CANOEING (last stage) – ARRIVAL IN BEKOPAKA

In the morning, walking and exploring a canyon embedded in the vegetation. Its watercourse has excavated a succession of natural pools and its clear water invites us to swim. The afternoon, we take our navigation and we progress in silence to the impressive gorges. We reach our camp under the mango trees that line the River. Night in camp.

DAY 8: BEKOPAKA

In four wheel drive, departure for the most beautiful part of “Tsingy de Bemaraha”; insolite site formed by limestone peaks with more than 40 meters high (classified world heritage by UNESCO) located 20 km from the village of Bekopaka. Walking and excursion in the Great Tsingy. End of the day, back to the camp.

DAY 9: BEKOPAKA – MORONDAVA

Breakfast at hotel then, cross Manambolo river and take the dirt road to Morondava. Stop in Belo sur Tsiribihina where we cross the Tsiribihina river with a local ferry to reach Tsimafana. From there another 4 hours to reach Morondava. We are in the region of splendid Grandidiers baobab, Andasonia grandidieri. We stop in « ALLEE DES BAOBABS » and enjoy the sunset picture of this unique moment, with its different colours and lights. Night in Hotel.

DAY 10: MORONDAVA

End of services after breakfast.

INCLUDED :

• Accommodation in double in cottage – camping & hotel according to the program above

• Full board basis from D1 to D9

• Camping materials except sleeping bag

• Luggage porters during trekking in Bongolava

• English guide, cook and paddlers’ staff during the canoeing

• Tsingy National Park, entrance fees and park guide

• Transports with 4WD car with fuel and driver.

• Tourist and communal taxes

• Transfer hotel / airport (D10)

NOT INCLUDED

• Personal expenses (souvenir), insurance, tips, drinks, laundry

• Optional excursions for partners are to quite apart