
Discovering the Landscapes of Western Tana by Mountain Bike and Hiking
Four days of escape between extinct volcanoes and sparkling lakes in the Malagasy Midwest
Duration
4 days
From
€370/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
Red earth stretches beneath the mountain bike wheels, dotted with terraced rice paddies that capture the morning light. Lake Itasy unfolds its calm waters at the foot of the volcanic cones of Ampefy, where each trail reveals a different panorama of this little-known region of Madagascar.
From Miarinarivo to the sculpted hills of Ampefy, this circuit combines hiking and mountain biking through a landscape shaped by the island's volcanic history. Merina villages line the route, their colorful markets bear witness to a thousand-year-old agriculture adapted to the fertile soils of this region. The island of the Virgin, the geographical center of Madagascar, offers a privileged viewpoint over this mosaic of cultures and landscapes.
Beyond the waterfalls and craters, it is the encounter with the farmers that gives meaning to this getaway. Their ancestral gestures for working these volcanic lands tell the remarkable adaptation of the Malagasy people to their natural environment.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary

Between rice fields and volcanoes: itinerary to Ampefy by mountain bike

Hiking to Lake Itasy and the Virgin Island

Volcano Hiking

Return to Antananarivo: Last glimpses of Itasy
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
- Accommodation in Antananarivo on Day 4
- All meals except picnic lunches from Day 1 to Day 3
- Activities not mentioned in the program
- The single room supplement: 80 EUR / person
- Beverages (mineral water, sodas, beer…), during and outside meals
- Tips and Personal Expenses
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance
- Visa fees if necessary
Included
- The service of an English-speaking driver guide throughout the entire stay
- The accompaniment of a Détours Madagascar guide from 6 participants for the entire duration of the stay
- Transportation by 4x4 vehicle, minibus or bus depending on group size throughout your stay
- The support vehicle for the J1 mountain biking trek
- The necessary fuel
- The service of an accompanying guide for mountain biking hiking on Day 1
- Accommodation in double/twin room at Kintana Fleuron from D1 to D3 with breakfast included
- Picnic lunches from Day 1 to Day 3 for the smooth running of the trip
- The activities and visits mentioned in the programme
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






