Expeditions and adventure tour
Trekking in the Makay Massif and visit of the Tsingys of Bemaraha
This tour takes you to some of Madagascar’s most scenic areas. However, it has an expedition character and is very demanding and only for experienced hikers, who can walk for six to eight hours a day (about 20 km) in a rough terrain and are happy with minimal comfort for the duration of the Makay trek (bush toilet, wash yourself the river). All food must be brought by the porters. The tour is only for people who are physically up to the task and can only be done in the dry and not too hot season from mid-May to the end of September (in October it gets too hot there).
Madagascar Tour 1st day:
EUROPA – ANTANANARIVO
Meet and greet at the International Airport and transfer to the hotel in the city centre. Overnight at the hotel BELVEDERE.
Madagascar Tour 2ndDay:
ANTANANARIVO –MIANDRIVAZO (380 Km about 8,5 hour-drive)
After breakfast, drive to Antsirabe through a landscape composed mainly of mountains and rice fields. Antsirabe is also called “Town of Water”: so called because of its numerous thermal springs and the existence of two crater lakes. Then drive to Miandrivazo through a hilly and mountainous area : Plateau of Betsiriry . Arrival in Miandrivazo at the Mahajilo river in the late afternoon. PRINCESSE TSRIBIHINA (HB) or similar
Madagascar Tour 3rd Day:
MIANDRIVAZO – MALAIMBANDY – BEKINAGNA
Early in the morning, drive to Malaimbandy, where the asphalt road ends. Then drive on a track along the Bongolava mountain range. Lunch as picnic on the way. After a two-hour drive you can see the northern part of the Makay Massif. Dinner and overnight in tent at a small village not far from Makay.
Madagascar Tour 4th Day:
BEKINAGNA – ANDRANOMITE
After a transfer by car for a better approach, we start the hike in the Makay before going up a dry river for a few hours. We then enter the heart of the massif by a wide valley to reach the famous Andranomite cave, an uninhabited area. Then we continue in the afternoon with the ascent of the summit on 1034 meters above sea level, where you will have a magnificent view and a spectacular sunset. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 5th Day:
ANDRANOMITE – JANJY
After the overnight stay near the Andranomite cave we follow another tributary of the camp in a canyon. The hike takes place partly in the water, in a landscape that is constantly changing. Afternoon relaxation at the river. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 6thDay:
JANJY – AMPANDRAMANENO
Early in the morning start of an adventurous hike with a harness to reach the summit, from where you can see the east facade of the Makay massif and the mountain range of Bongolova from a distance. Then we set off for the hike on the slope of the hill to our next overnight stop. Lunch as picnic on the way. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 7th Day:
AMPANDRAMANENO – SAKAMALY
Today, we leave the camp through another stream surrounded by greenery to reach Volivanda, another tributary flowing into the Ampandramaneno River. After lunch, we continue walking to reach the Sakamaly River and then we continue in a deep canyon over a few kilometres to the western part of the massif. Arrival at the camp late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 8th Day:
SAKAMALY – SAKAPALY
Day hike from the west side of Makay to the east over a large savannah plateau. We then follow a tributary of the Sakapaly River. Lunch in a canyon on a dry river before descending from the famous Sakapaly canyon to our camp. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 9th Day:
DAY EXCURSION IN ANKARAMENA FOREST
Today we will spend a day in the forest along the other tributaries of the Sakapaly River. There is a great chance to meet wild animals such as lemurs, birds, birds, reptiles etc. Picnic lunch during the excursion. We will not miss the visit of a cave where some of the rock paintings were left by the occupants several centuries ago. Return to camp late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 10th Day:
SAKAPALY – ANDASY BE RIVOTSY
We leave our camp early in the morning on the way to the sandstone plateau which allows a 360° view from one of the roofs of the Makay. We cross a dry forest for a short stopover (picnic) before reaching a new canyon that we will follow until we reach the campsite. Installation, dinner and overnight in tent.
Madagascar Tour 11thDay:
ANDASY BE RIVOTSY – MALAIMBANDY – MORONDAVA
In the morning we leave the camp along a canyon that begins near the village of Tsiazorambo and hike for about 4 hours. Upon arrival, a car awaits us at the foot of the massif. After saying goodbye to the porter and tracker team of the Makay, we will drive to Morondava via Malaimbandy, drive straight to the Baobab Avenue and wait for sunset before returning to the hotel in Morondava and enjoying the comfort of a hotel with a warm shower and comfortable toilet. Dinner and overnight stay TRECICOGNE Hotel.
Madagascar Tour 12th Day:
MORONDAVA – KIRINDY(45 km about 2 hours drive)
You’ll drive first by 4 WD car along some villages and then through the Baobab Avenue. Continue to Kirindy and visit the Kirindy dry forest reserve ( to see birds, lemurs, tenrecs and reptiles and birds), a walk of around 1,5 to 3 hours on mostly flat trails. Overnight at the hotel RELAIS DE KIRINDY.
Madagascar Tour 13thDay:
KIRINDY – BELO – BEKOPAKA (160 Km about 7 hours drive)
Early visit of the reserve, then drive to Tsimafana at the Tsiribihina river, and ferry transfer for you and the car to cross the river. Drive through the small town of Belo sur Tsiribihina, then to Bekopaka. On the way, you’ll see dry plains with some bush, palm and baobab trees. Before arriving in the village of Bekopaka, you and the car will have to cross the Manambolo river on a small local ferry. Overnight at the hotel OLYMPE DU BEMARAHA.
Madagascar Tour 14th Day:
BEKOPAKA
Visit of the large TSINGY, rare sharp limestone pinnacles, up to 50 m high, sheltering some species of lemurs, various species of birds and many endemic plants. This walk is sporty and exhausting, you need to be fit, It goes up and down, sometimes steep, you have to climb on some ladders, and will wear for security reasons a harness. This Tsingy of Bemaraha are on the UNESCO list of the world nature sites, and a large part of the park is not accessible for the public. In the afternoon, optional visit of the small Tsingy with its limestone pinnacles, the Tsingy have been millions of years under water, and so you can also see some fossils enclosed in the limestone. Overnight at the hotel OLYMPE DU BEMARAHA.
Madagascar Tour 15th Day:
BEKOPAKA – MORONDAVA(200 Km about 9 hours drive)
After breakfast, you and the car will have to cross the Manambolo river on a small local ferry. Drive to Belo, and after this small town, cross the Tsiribihina river on a local ferry boat then, continue to Morondava. Stop on the Baobab avenue for the sunset, a magic moment in these beautiful and unique surroundings. Then drive towards Morondava and overnight at the hotel.CAP KIMONY a bit north of Morondava not far from the sea.
Madagascar Tour 16thDay:
MORONDAVA
Day at leisure: relax on the beach, watch the fisherman coming in from their catch, or visit the market. Overnight at the hotel CAP KIMONY.
Madagascar Tour 17thDay:
MORONDAVA – ANTANANARIVO (Flug)
Transfer to the airport and flight to Antananarivo. Meeting at the airport, Transfer to the hotel and overnight at the hotel BELVEDERE.
Madagascar Tour 18thDay:
ANTANANARIVO – EUROPA
In the morning, excursion to Ambohimanga – a King‘s palace, 21km north of the city (UNESCO World heritage site). In the afternoon visit of the handcrafts market to buy some souvenirs. Day use at a hotel BELVEDERE. Then transfer to the airport for the flight back to Europe.
Including:
- Transfers from and to airport
- Accommodation in basic to middle class hotels based on bed and breakfast, on half board in Miandrivazo and Morondava on day 11 and on full board during the trekking in Makay
- Park and reserve fees
- Service of local guides in parks and reserves
- Camping material during trekking except sleeping bag, would be better if customers bring their own sleeping bag with them.
- 4WD car during the tour
- Ferry transfer
- English and /or French speaking guide and luggage carrier during the trek
- Visit of Ambohimanga
- Day use at the hotel BELVEDERE
- Tourist levy and VAT
Excluding
- The flight ticket for the international flight and taxes
- Domestic flight with airport taxes Morondava – Tana, around 170 to 250 Euro per person.
- Visa fee (35 € for a stay up to 30 days)
- All other meals and drinks
- Personal expenditures
- Personal insurance for eventualities like accidents, theft or damage to luggage, cancellation etc
Please note that this tour has an expedition character and is only suitable for people who have no physical disabilities and are trained for long hikes. You must be prepared to live the first 10 days very simply, in a tent and without toilet and shower (with bush toilet and washing in rivers and watercourses). The guides have first aid training, but there are no doctors or hospitals in the area, and it can take a long time for help to arrive or for the person to be transported to the nearest doctor or hospital in the event of an injury. Participation is at your own risk.