Exploration of the Southern Makay Massif

Day 1 : Antananarivo

Upon your arrival at the airport, our representative will welcome you for transfer to the hotel. Welcome to Antananarivo! Antananarivo, known as "the City of a Thousand," is the capital of Madagascar located in the Central Highlands region. It is known for its Asian influences, numerous staircases, steep hills, palaces, cobblestone streets, churches, and rice field landscapes.

Day 1 : Antananarivo

• Meals: dinner not included

• Your hotel in Antananarivo: GREEN PALACE (no website) or similar

Day 1 : Antananarivo

Featuring a garden and a restaurant, the Green Palace is located 4 km from Ivato International Airport. It offers private parking. Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Each room is equipped with a television and air conditioning. All rooms have a private terrace overlooking the garden and a private bathroom with a shower.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Ambositra

After breakfast, we head onto National Road No. 7, with a stop in Ambatolampy to visit the foundry, renowned for its production of aluminum items such as kitchen utensils, sculptures, and other aluminum products. Then, we continue to Antsirabe, the capital of the Vakinankaratra region, known for its thermal springs, cool climate, and picturesque landscapes. We then proceed to Ambositra, famous for its skilled lumberjacks and artisans who create intricate woodwork, including furniture, sculptures, and decorative objects. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Ambositra

• Duration: +/- 7 hours by road

• Distance : 260 km

• Meals: breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

• Your hotel in Ambositra: ARTISAN HOTEL (no website) or similar

Day 2 : Antananarivo > Ambositra

The hotel was created by a sculptor named Victor to showcase Malagasy craftsmanship in sculpture, especially in carved wood. The place is quiet and beautiful. To accommodate its guests, the hotel has 8 rooms and 10 bungalows. The restaurant offers traditional Malagasy cuisine. It is also possible to dine outdoors in the afternoon accompanied by a traditional Malagasy musical group. It is an ideal place to stay for friends, families with teenagers or children, seniors, business travelers, and solo travelers.

Day 3 : Ambositra > Ambalavao

After breakfast, we will visit a traditional Zafimaniry woodcraft workshop. They create various items, including furniture, doors, panels, and sculptures, using local woods such as rosewood, ebony, and mahogany. Then, we will head towards Ambalavao with a stop in Fianarantsoa. The beautiful terraced rice fields built on the hillsides testify to the particular craftsmanship of this ethnic group. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 3 : Ambositra > Ambalavao

• Duration: +/- 5 hours by road

• Distance : 210 km

• Meals: breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included
  

• Your hotel in Ambalavao: AUX BOUGAINVILLEES (no website) or similar

Day 3 : Ambositra > Ambalavao

The uniqueness of the Aux Bougainvillées hotel is that you can discover the production of "Antaimoro Paper" (a type of papyrus). It is a skill dating back to the 16th century of Arab origin. The hotel offers individual rooms as well as family rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms. The restaurant offers a diverse and simple cuisine with various origins.

Day 4 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

After breakfast, we will visit the artisanal production of Antemoro paper. This activity reflects the cultural richness of Madagascar. The paper, renowned for its quality and unique texture, is used for artistic purposes due to its durability and distinctive appearance. Afterward, we will head to Anja Park, known for its natural beauty and unique wildlife, including its population of Ring-tailed lemurs. You can enjoy guided tours through the park, where you can observe lemurs in their natural habitat and explore the diversity of the park's flora and fauna. Then, we will continue on to Ranohira. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 4 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

• Duration: +/- 5 hours by road

• Distance : 210 km

• Meals: breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

• Your hotel in Ranohira: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 4 : Ambalavao > Ranohira

The Isalo Ranch is a charming combination of 20 comfortable bungalows and a restaurant with a pool, set in a beautiful tropical garden. Each bungalow features an individual bathroom and toilet, hot water, mosquito nets, and a private terrace. For environmental reasons, we have chosen solar energy to produce our electricity. Built in a traditional style, the restaurant offers a selection of menus filled with creative and natural foods, inspired by local as well as French, Asian, or Oriental culinary influences.

Day 5 : Ranohira > Beroroha

Early breakfast, departure from Ranohira heading north along the Isalo massif, reaching the Mangoky River at 155km. Cross the Mangoky River on a motorized ferry to reach Beroroha, the capital of the region. Set up camp by the river, then take an afternoon stroll in the village of Beroroha, the regional capital and the last civilization before entering the wilderness.

Day 5 : Ranohira > Beroroha

• Duration: +/- 8 hours by road

• Distance : 155 km

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 5 : Ranohira > Beroroha

Day 6 : Beroroha > Beronono > Sariaka

Departure after breakfast heading north, 65 km of track to reach the village of Beronono, where we will meet the local porter team to ensure the smooth progress of our stay in the Makay. Begin the trek into the Makay for a total immersion experience lasting 5 days, exploring a massif that is little known and rarely visited, a true sanctuary for fauna and flora that have not yet revealed all their secrets. Continue on foot to reach the Sariaka camp, approximately 2 to 3 hours of hiking, with a visit to Lake Sariaka. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 6 : Beroroha > Beronono > Sariaka

• Duration: +/- 6 hours of walking

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 6 : Beroroha > Beronono > Sariaka

Day 7: CANYON Day

We cross the Sakamantse gorges where crystal-clear water flows, then we follow narrow streams at the bottom of a canyon that can extend for several hundred meters in height, sheltering lush and humid vegetation. Water is omnipresent in these canyons. There is a view of the Behetaheta forest, and there is a possibility of seeing wild zebus as we continue towards the second canyon of Anosilahy. Arrival at the camp in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 7: CANYON Day

• Duration: 7 to 8 hours of walking

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 7: CANYON Day

Day 8: Anosilahy > Andranovinily

Hikes through the plateau and the ridges, panoramic views of the Anosilahy and Sariaka lakes. Continuation to reach the Andranovinily camp passing through the canyon and the waterfall, with a possibility of swimming. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 8: Anosilahy > Andranovinily

• Duration: 6 hours of walking

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 8: Anosilahy > Andranovinily

Day 9: Andranovinily > Beravitrahazo

We venture deeper into the Makay to admire the spectacular landscapes of the massif, with views of a palm forest and the possibility of seeing lemurs. We continue into the Mazedrano canyon where the water can reach up to the hips, passing through a forest of palm trees and pandanus. Dinner and overnight stay in tents by the Makay River.

Day 9: Andranovinily > Beravitrahazo

• Duration: 6 to 7 hours of walking

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 9: Andranovinily > Beravitrahazo

Day 10 : Beravitrahazo > Beronono

Trek on the plateau of this eroded massif, characterized by yellowish and reddish sandstone formations mostly covered with dry vegetation; then, continue towards the Mahatiny cave to discover the rock paintings. Dinner and overnight stay in tents at Beronono.

Day 10 : Beravitrahazo > Beronono

• Duration: 6 to 8 hours of walking

• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included

• Accommodation: camping

Day 10 : Beravitrahazo > Beronono

Day 11 : Beronono > Beroroha > Ranohira

After breakfast, it's time to leave the Makay and return to civilization. We'll hit the road back to Ranohira and check into the hotel.

Day 11 : Beronono > Beroroha > Ranohira

• Duration: +/- 9 hours on the track

• Distance : 195 km

• Meals: breakfast & lunch included, dinner not included

• Your hotel in Ranohira: ISALO RANCH (www.isalo-ranch.com) or similar

Day 11 : Beronono > Beroroha > Ranohira

Day 12 : Ranohira > Fianarantsoa

After breakfast, we will hit the road again to return to the highlands. We'll head towards Ambalavao with a stop in Fianarantsoa. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 12 : Ranohira > Fianarantsoa

• Duration: +/- 6 hours by road

• Distance : 270 km

• Meals: breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

• Your hotel in Fianarantsoa: AMBALAKELY HOTEL (www.hotelambalakely.com) or similar

Day 12 : Ranohira > Fianarantsoa

In the heart of lush nature, this charming establishment shines brightly for all its guests, with its 10 impeccable rooms featuring a simple and authentic style distinguished by local woodwork and furniture. The view of the rice fields will delight lovers of simple and vibrant rural scenes, while numerous paths will allow walkers and joggers to discover the Betsileo hinterland, with its rice fields, hills, and welcoming hamlets, offering magnificent panoramas.

Day 13 : Fianarantsoa > Antsirabe

After breakfast, we will explore the city of Fianarantsoa. The name "Fianarantsoa" literally means "Good Education" in Malagasy. The city is known for its charming colonial architecture and dynamic local culture. Fianarantsoa is also a hub for the production of coffee, tea, and wine. We'll then depart for Antsirabe and check into the hotel.

Day 13 : Fianarantsoa > Antsirabe

• Duration: +/- 5 hours 30 minutes by road

• Distance : 240 km

• Meals: breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included

• Your hotel in Antsirabe: SOUIMANGA HOTEL (www.souimanga-hotel.com)

Day 13 : Fianarantsoa > Antsirabe

Located three kilometers from the city center of Antsirabe, amidst a conservatory garden of endemic Malagasy plants and others, in an exceptional setting, the team of the "Souimanga Hotel-Restaurant" welcomes you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. An original hotel that emphasizes sustainable and ecological development through its concepts of autonomy, natural culture, and solidarity projects.

Day 14 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

After breakfast, let's take a tour of the city of Antsirabe in a rickshaw, as it's the best way to explore the city. You can visit historical buildings, local markets, charming colonial architecture, or places like Independence Square, a central square surrounded by cafes and shops. Then, we'll hit the road back to Antananarivo via Ambatolampy. Upon arrival in Antananarivo, we'll head to the Upper Town to admire the sunset. Check-in at the hotel.

Day 14 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

• Duration: +/- 4 hours by road

• Distance : 170 km

• Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner not included

• Your hotel in Antananarivo: GREEN PALACE or similar

Day 14 : Antsirabe > Antananarivo

Day 15 : Antananarivo > return

After breakfast, you'll enjoy a visit to the city of Antananarivo. En route to the airport, we'll make a stop at the Digue market where many vendors offer a variety of locally-made products. It's an ideal stop to buy souvenirs at reasonable prices. Then, we'll continue to Ivato airport for the return flight. Veloma and UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Day 15 : Antananarivo > return

• Meals: Breakfast included, lunch not included

Day 15 : Antananarivo > return