Description

Trekking on Madagascar is certainly not for the less adventurous, but rather is the perfect playground for those who don't mind roughing it a bit whilst exploring the unique forests and landscapes. Pic Boby is the second highest mountain on Madagascar at a height of 2658m and lies south of Fianarantsoa in the Andrigita Nature Reserve. This trek takes you through the forests up to Pic Boby and then onto Isalo where you can explore the canyons and natural swimming pools.

Highlights

• Summiting Madagascar’s second highest peak
• Sightings of rare lemurs and other type of unique flora and fauna
• True wilderness trail through lush vegetation and natural forests
• Exploring the canyons at Isalo
• Walk through the arid baobab forest near Ifaty

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1
Arrive in Antananarivo. You will met and transferred to your hotel where you will be staying overnight.

DAY 2
Depart Antananarivo and drive to Fianarantsoa. En route you can stop in at Ambositra to visit the woodcarvers. Overnight in Fianarantsoa at the Hotel Tsara Guest House.

DAY 3
After breakfast continue onto to Andrigita. Visit the "Antaimoro"paper factory in Ambalavao. Here paper is traditionally made from the bark of a tree which is pounded and softened in water, dried flowers are then pressed into it before it finally dries.

Proceed to Tsara Camp where you will be staying overnight. Tsara Camp consists of 10 luxury safari style tents.Each tent has its own private bathroom with hot water, hand basin and chemical toilets. The bedrooms themselves are tastefully furnished with precious Madagascar wood with beds, wardrobe and night table. The lighting is made of candles and petrol lamps. The majestic Tsaranoro with its 800 meters cliff on a side, the big range of mountains bordering he Andrigita National Park on the other side makes staying at Tsara Camp a memorable experience.

In the afternoon you can explore some of surrounding area. Leaving the camp you walk through vast yellow herbs fields, visiting some traditional villages, before proceeding onto the sacred forest where the Catta lemurs live. The flora of this area is unique, and there are numerous plant species including Aloes, Kalanchoe, and Euphorbes. A short five minutes from the camp is a waterfall with a natural swimming pool in which it is really good to swim once back from a walk in the heat. Even the evenings are eventful with multitudes of white egrets coming to nest in the trees overnight.

DAY 4
Depart for the trek up Pic Boby from Tsaro Camp in the early morning, crossing the Asaranoro valley, and walking up the Dondy mount in the direction of the Tsaranoro valley. You’ll camp for the night at the border of the Andrigita National Park. It is a 6 hour walk, relatively easy going climbing to an altitude of 1100m.

DAY 5
An early departure from the camp, takes you to the beautiful and impressive Zomandao waterfalls in the Andrigita National Park. From there, continue up to the plateau. The trail is bad in some parts and the going is somewhat more difficult. The hike takes approximately 6 hours and climbs 1300m in altitude. As you will be camping night-time temperatures in winter can be very cold. (June to mid-September)

DAY 6
An early start to ascend Pic Boby. The trail is rough and although you’ll only be ascending 400m the hike up takes 3 to 4 hours. Enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch at the top, before proceeding back down to the plateau where you’ll camp for the night overlooking the Andrigita National Park. The total walking time for the day is 5 to 6 hours.

DAY 7
Taking advantage of the cool morning air, leave the plateau and proceed along the rugged path to Morarano. rom there continue down the valley back to Tsara Camp where you can relax and enjoy some home comforts. The days walk takes about 6 hours. Overnight at Tsara Camp.

DAY 8
After breakfast transfer to Isalo and check into the Relais de la Reine where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Enjoy a day of relaxation.

DAY 9
Explore the surrounding area, climbing the "Canyon des singes" and "Canyon des rats". The lush vegetation includes areas of deciduous woodland, endemic palms and fascinating succulents like "elephant's foot. Lemurs are often sighted. The day’s hike can be tailored according to your interests.

DAY 10
Transfer to Tulear and then up the coast to Ifaty where you will be staying for two nights.

DAY 11
After breakfast enjoy a relaxed walk to the baobab forest. Be sure to take along sunscreen and a hat as it can get very hot in the sun. In the afternoon return to Ifaty and have the afternoon to relax and enjoy the beach.

DAY 12
An early departure to Tuleur for your flight back to Antananarivo where the tour ends.