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 to stop at Ambatolampy to visit a foundry.

We travel through the landscapes of the Central Highlands along a winding road bordered by small waterfalls, terraced rice paddies, a legacy of Indonesian culture, and villages with brick houses or red earth rammed-earth homes.

Leave very early at the Ivato junction to reach Antoetra 40 km along a dirt track where we will begin hiking in Zafimaniry country.

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

Settlement in a Zafimaniry house or camping on 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 set up camp under canvas.

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

Full day of walking from Andraitokonana to Sakaivo, one of the most important Zafimaniry villages. 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 an opportunity to visit the great Fanandrana waterfall.

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

Last day of hiking in the Zafimaniry country starting from the village of Sakaivo before returning to the car 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 slope of the High Plateaus.

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

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

We will visit the village of Ampadimana: discovery of craft workshops (weaving, basketry, canoe and pirogue construction, blacksmithing…). Continuation by crossing the extraordinary bay of Andragnazavaka with its immense expanse of water stretching to the horizon.

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

then meals (fresh products bought along the way, based on seafood...). Arrival at the bivouac in Ambohimahatsinjo ("where you can see the entire 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 fishing pirogues with oars hurrying home before nightfall; country dinner and campfire at the end of the evening, enhanced by songs and folk dances from the young people of the nearby village.

Continuation of our mini-cruise, first stop at Nosy Varika ("The Island of Lemurs"). Having become 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 great Lake 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 emerge onto the continuation of the canal route, some boats have gone in circles there having lost their bearings.

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 little town nestled by coconut trees, discovery of the traditions, customs and ways of the villagers.

Then welcome to the camping ground set up in Asohihy, between sea and the Pangalanes Canal. Free afternoon: stroll along the empty white sand beach of the Indian Ocean, and/or swim at will on the canal side, photo sessions of the unforgettable sunset over the Pangalanes Canal.

Early breakfast, today is the hiking day and the last day of our stay. It is a fairly easy flat route 5 km long 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 this national road (which has now become a track) on the left bank of the canal, we may cross only 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 view of the canal and our boat waiting for us below. Short break to visit the village (by chatting with the owner of a small typical bush shop in 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 the commercial activities of the canal. Lunch on board, or according to your pace, on the fine sand of the shore of the mouth of the Mangoro river, 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. Disembarkation at Mahanoro. We continue the journey by car, short transfer to reach Vatomandry.

Departure for Vohimana reserve, a village located 25km from Andasibe Park, near the RN2 which 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 brings us to the lodge on site, managed by the coordinated action of the NGO L'Homme et l'Environnement, and a local association.

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

We will visit the Manara-Penitra association which owns 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 Relais). Stay at the Relais du Naturaliste: simple but pleasant bungalows, some of which have shared sanitary facilities.