8/ Madagascar, The red island: 7 nights, 8 days

This tour offers a complete overview of the red island of Madagascar, named after its red laterite soil, giving all the big rivers in the west this special red colour. It starts from the highland of Antsirabe, winding down westwards to Miandrivazo, , followed by 2 days navigation on the Tsiribihina River before travelling to the famous Tsingy de Bemaraha, an eroded limestone massif formed during the Jurassic era. The tour ends in Morondava, known for its baobab alley.

DAY 1: TANA – ANTSIRABE: 169 km

Departure to Antsirabe after breakfast. Today we come across the highland which is characterised by rice fields on stage, its chilly climate and the population with Asian features. Stop in Ambatolampy to visit a workshop making pot. Upon arrival city tours of Antsirabe and visit a lapidary. Night in Hotel on B&B.

DAY 2:ANTSIRABE – MIANDRIVAZO: 220km

Departure to Miandrivazo early in the morning, still across the highland. Today the landscape is changing, we will see rice fields, then red soil, many erosion « lavaka », then the vegetation becomes dryer. A very strange formation of granite because of the erosion. Arrival in Miandrivazo at noon. City tours and visit Miandrivazo. Night in Hotel on B&B

DAY 3 : MIANDRIVAZO – MASIAKAMPY: 30Km

Morning transfer to Masiakampy where the riverboat is waiting to navigate down the Tsiribihina River. Boarding and beginning of the cruise. Stop around Sahambano village, diner and camping on the bank of the river on full board

DAY 4:GORGE OF BEMARAHA

Departure around 07.30, breakfast on board. This day is set for seeing animals like lemurs, crocodiles, birds, bats along the river, and to have a look at primary semi- dry forests along the river. Around 09.30, hike up to the natural swimming pool and waterfalls for bathing. Lunch on board. Arrival in Berevo around 15.30. Visit of Berevo village. After 1 hour of navigation, stop and have our tent ready for the camping on the bank of the river on full board.

DAY 5: COASTAL PLAIN OF MENABE – BELO – BEKOPAKA: 110Km

Departure around 07.30. After the end of « Gorge of Bemaraha », we cross the plain of Menabe which is characterised by the rice plantation on the bank of the river. We can also experience the life of Sakalava tribes who live along this big river. Arrival in Belo through the Baobabs forest and the red soil of the west. Ferry boat transfer to reach Belo then 4 hours’ drive to Bekopaka. This drive brings us to Madagascar profound; we can experience the real life of Malagasy people in the driest part of the country. Before arrival in Bekopaka, another ferry boat. Settling and night in

Day 6: BEKOPAKA

Morning, after breakfast, 4 hours hiking to the reserve of « Tsingy de Bemaraha ». In the east of Antsalova south-east of Maintirano. This limestone mountain is classified as an international heritage. This massif is spectacularly eroded into a chaos of karsts pinnacle which gives it a very strange form. Here nature seems to be in perfect harmony with this wild and sharp limestone mountain. The flora consists of a dry western deciduous forest, plants typical of these dry limestone areas, such as species of Aloe and baobab Andasonia, the red-flowered flamboyant tree Delonix regia which is so widely planted in the tropics. Madagascar’s sole native banana Musa perrieri also occurs. We can also see plants which grow in the stone such us different species of pachypodium, orchids. Concerning the fauna, we can see the stump-tailed chameleon Brookesia perarmata known from only a handful specimens, the bird list contains 53 species, the seven species of lemurs including Decken’s sifaka Propithecus verreauxi deckeni. Night at the same hotel.

Day 7:BEKOPAKA – MORONDAVA: 200 km

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 8:MORONDAVA – TANA (Domestic flight) – EXTENSION

Transfer to the airport.