Immersion in the Heart of Zafimaniry Country and the Pangalanes Canal

Pick-up at our meeting point, around 9:00 AM. We head towards Antsirabe then Ambositra. Possibility of a stop in Ambatolampy for a visit to a foundry.

We travel through the landscapes of the Central Highlands along a winding road lined with small waterfalls, terraced rice fields, heritage of Indonesian culture and its villages with brick or rammed earth houses in red earth.

Return very early at the Ivato junction to reach Antoetra at 40 km of track where we will begin trekking in Zafimaniry country.

After meeting with our porters and local guide; village visit then walk to the village of Faliarivo which is 4 hours from Antoetra.

Setup in a Zafimaniry house or bivouac upon arrival, village visit, dinner and night.

Morning hiking excursion departing from Faliarivo towards Vohitrandriana "village of princes", on the other side we observe the great cliff of Antsinanana (East). We continue our walk to the small village Andriatokonana where we bivouac under tent.

Visit of the village, night under the stars with dinner.

Full day of hiking from Andraitokonana to Sakaivo, one of the most important villages of the Zafimaniry. Picnic lunch during the hike and we will have enough time to meet the local population as well as their activities during our passage through each village and a possibility to visit the great Fanandrana waterfall.

Dinner and night in bivouac or in Gite. PS: if you make the visit to the waterfall, the hike will be between 6 and 7 hours.

Last day of trekking in Zafimaniry country starting from Sakaivo village before picking up the car again at Antoetra.

We continue our journey to Ranomafana, we will enter Betsileo country and cross the highest points of the Highlands to reach Ranomafana, on the eastern side of the High Plateaus.

We depart from Ranomafana to reach the city of Mananjary. We cross the Vatovavy region, a mountain range that abounds with different stones such as emerald, ruby, and amethyst. Boarding for a river cruise on the Pangalanes Canal.

On this aquatic boulevard, we encounter barges, "bush boats" (river bush taxis), canoes and rafts transporting local products sent to the nearest cities, including bananas and other seasonal fruits, cassava, fish, dried ravinala leaves for thatching cases... Spontaneous greetings, joyful cries of children on the banks accompany us throughout our navigation. We are spectators of unusual and unforgettable scenes of life.

We will visit the village of Ampadimana: discovery of craft workshops (weaving, basketry, canoe and cage construction, blacksmithing...). Continuing with the crossing of the extraordinary bay of Andragnazavaka with its immense expanse of water stretching as far as the eye can see.

Stop at Ambohitsara ("The beautiful village"), the last northernmost village on the East coast built by the Antambahoaka ethnic group, visit of the enigmatic "Vato Sarilambo" ("White Elephant") relating the very origin of this ethnic group, and a "betsabetsa" factory (local mead). Continuation to Mahela.

then meal (fresh products bought along the way, based on seafood…). Arrival at the bivouac in Ambohimahatsinjo ("where you can see the whole horizon"); we chose this location overlooking the canal to set up camp, so you can admire the comings and goings of bush boats and other rowing pirogues of fishermen hurrying home before nightfall; country dinner and campfire at the end of the evening, enhanced by songs and folk dances of young people from the nearby village.

Continuation of our mini-cruise, first stop at Nosy Varika ("The Island of Lemurs"). Turned into a large town, the lemurs had to leave their habitat for humans: we will simply take the opportunity to visit the market to find some organic and fresh items for lunch; re-boarding and hold your breath, crossing the large lake of Analampontsy will take a good three-quarters of an hour and you must rely on the competence and sense of direction of our valiant pilot to reach the continuation of the canal route, some boats have gone in circles there having lost their way.

After passing the village, the canal changes shape and rushes between high banks of sand bordered by niaouli forest. Lunch on board before arriving at Masomeloka ("slanted eyes"), a charming small town nestled among coconut trees, discovery of the traditions, customs and ways of the villagers.

Then welcome to the camping site set up in Asohihy, between sea and Pangalanes canal. Free end of afternoon: stroll along the deserted white sand beach of the Indian Ocean, and/or swim as much as you like on the canal side, photo sessions of the unforgettable sunset over the Pangalanes canal.

Early morning breakfast, today is the day of the hike and the last day of our stay. It's a fairly easy flat route of 5 km with a slight elevation gain of 10m at sea level altitude. Boarding the boat to reach the starting point located on the Andranotsara ferry on National Road 11. We walk along this national road (which has now become a track) on the left bank of the canal, we may only cross one or two cars on this road which has become deserted in favor of navigation on the Pangalanes.

Crossing the Ampanalana bridge: photo session from the top of the bridge with panoramic views of the canal and our boat waiting for us below. A small break to visit the village (by chatting with the owner of a small bush shop typical of the region, where you can find a bit of everything, "Chez Maurice" makes life easier for everyone).

Re-boarding for Ambodiharina, a small town well animated by commercial activities on the canal. Lunch on board, or according to your pace, on the fine sand of the banks of the Mangoro river mouth, and then crossing this immense estuary.

Final stop to visit a spice plantation; vanilla, cloves, cinnamon… will perfume your memory rich in color and emotion. Disembarking at Mahanoro. We continue the journey by car, a short transfer to reach Vatomandry.

Departure to Vohimana Reserve, a village located 25km from Andasibe Park, near the RN2 that connects Antananarivo to Tamatave, in the East of Madagascar. Between dense forest and the Pangalanes Canal, the road winds between narrow valleys.

Arrival at the village of Ambavaniasy, from which we leave our vehicle to reach Vohimana Reserve on foot. A short hour's walk takes us to the lodge on site, managed by the coordinated action of the NGO Mankind and Environment, and a local association.

Visit to the Vohimana Reserve. The village is located in a mid-altitude rainforest, where we will find different plant species and many endemic animal species: chameleons, lemurs, amphibians and birds will populate our stay here.

We will visit the Manara-Penitra association which has an essential oils distillery (Fresh Ginger, Ravinstara, Fine Maniguette, Butterfly Ginger, Turmeric…). Possibility to visit the different nurseries: to contribute, you can, for approximately 1 euro symbolic, plant a tree in turn in the Vohimana forest.

There are several associations on site (Manara-Penitra association for the distillery / association of traditional practitioners / local Mercie Vohimana association which manages the Relay). Stay at the Naturalist's Relay: simple but pleasant bungalows, some of which have shared sanitary facilities.