Tsilibihina River Descent by Chaland and the Tsingy of Bemaraha in October
Navigate along the waters of the Tsiribihina River before exploring the limestone cathedrals of Bemaraha
Duration
11 days
From
€1,250/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
The Tsiribihina River winds through the arid lands of western Madagascar, carrying its brown waters between banks populated by crocodiles and lemurs. For three days, the barges glide at the tranquil pace of the current, carrying travelers through savanna and dry forest. Bivouacs under the stars punctuate this soothing descent, far from the noise of the modern world.
At the end of this voyage, the Tsingy de Bemaraha massif reveals its extraordinary geological formations. These sharp limestone skyscrapers, sculpted by erosion over millions of years, form a vertical labyrinth inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage. Between the sharp blades grows vegetation adapted to this unique geology, refuge for remarkable endemic species.
This circuit crosses the Sakalava territories of the West to the central highlands Merina, revealing the cultural diversity of Madagascar. Between the terraced rice paddies of Antsirabe and the red brick houses characteristic of the Merina country, the journey unveils the deep soul of the Great Island and its striking contrasts.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival of your long-haul flight to Madagascar
From the capital Antananarivo to Miandrivazo
Transfer to Masiakampy and start of the Tsiribihina descent by traditional boat
2nd day - Descent by canoe on the Tsiribihna
On the second day, the Nosy Ampela waterfall is a wonderful invitation to swim in its natural pool, which also allows us to freshen up before resuming navigation. This carries us for approximately 2 hours until we reach the lemur village, Begidro.
We visit the village and have lunch there before drifting on the water to Berevo, where we spend our second night in bivouac.
Last day of descent - Road to Bekopaka
Manambolo River and Little Tsingys Visit
Trekking in the Great Tsingy
Return to Morondava via the Avenue of the Baobabs
From Morondava to Miandrivazo
Back on the Road to Antsirabe
Return to the Capital
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- All meals except breakfast
- Activities not mentioned in the program
- Tips, beverages and personal expenses
- Cancellation insurance, repatriation and first aid expenses
- Visa fees to be paid at the airport upon your arrival
Included
- Accompaniment by an English-speaking driver guide
- Transportation in a 4x4 vehicle with necessary fuel
- Accommodation in single, twin or double room in the hotels mentioned in the program with breakfast
- Full board during the river descent from lunch on D3 to lunch on D5
- Nights under tent, camping equipment provided (bring a sleeping bag)
- The J6 and J7 picnic lunches
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Local guides in parks and reserves
- All transfers mentioned in the program
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
More than 60 days before departure: 30% of the total price (deposit retained)
Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Your Passport:
Important: your passport must be valid. It must be mandatory and obligatorily valid for 6 months after the end of your stay in Madagascar.
Your travel documents
Your valid passport,
Your international and/or domestic flight tickets,
Your repatriation insurance/first aid expenses contract, -
Your vaccination record, not mandatory,
Your blood group card if possible.
Obtaining a visa to enter Malagasy territory
Upon arrival in the territory:
The visa cost is €35 for a stay of less than 30 days.
It is easily obtained upon your arrival in Malagasy territory.
This applies to all airports in Madagascar that receive international flights.
Upon arrival in the terminal, upon exiting the plane, a corridor for passengers is dedicated to issuing tourist visas.
This procedure is the simplest. We recommend it to you.
From the embassies and consulates of your countries of origin:
For information, download the document explaining the procedure and the constitution of the file for obtaining a visa from the Madagascar embassy.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed to enjoy your trip with peace of mind!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and procedures for claiming any loss are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for declaring any loss. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required, issued upon arrival at Ivato Airport (Antananarivo) or online (e-visa). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Before booking your trip, check with Madagascar's consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality, including visa fees and authorized lengths of stay.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, expect between 160 and 270 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (900-1400 euros return) are additional. Long transfers and domestic flights represent a significant portion of the budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to suit your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) protection, which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — High Plateaus
Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana, based in Antananarivo
For me, traveling to Madagascar is stepping into the spirit of fihavanana: sharing, helping one another, meeting people, and taking time to understand what connects them to their land.
— Noro
