In family, weekends in Unknown Imerina
Family hiking on the secret trails of the Malagasy highlands, between rice fields and ancestral traditions.
Duration
2 days
From
€180/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Family, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
We invite you to two-day hiking trips designed for families. They are accessible to children and parents to experience unique adventures together.
The itineraries are Moderate level: 4 to 5 hours of hiking per day. Trip accessible to anyone with occasional hiking or sport experience. Regular pace, no technical difficulties for an average positive elevation gain of less than 500 meters per day.
Choose your dates and meet other families, or privatize your trip on the dates that suit you best.
The last months of lockdown left us dreaming. We imagined ourselves spending nights on the heights of a mountain, contemplating the immensity of the starlit sky. Evenings unfolding at the rhythm of Malagasy tales and legends, told in the darkness around the fire; stories of adventure and wild dances, to the sound of traditional percussion instruments. Smiling gazes, frank smiles and passionate exchanges, from one human being to another. Hikes through lush rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see, around a wooded corner, glistening under the golden rays of the sun. Those same rays that gently fade as dusk falls, leaving us with a tanned complexion and serene smile. A little groggy from the combined effects of liberating physical effort, the day's heat, but above all from the sense of fulfillment provided by our reunion with the surrounding nature.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
With your family, through the little-known trails of the Imerina...
Let yourself be guided, I won't tell you where we're going…
Antananarivo, city of a thousand possibilities, invites us to surprise destinations in the heart of the Analamanga region, for a weekend getaway.
We take you off the beaten path, discovering superb hikes, suitable for all levels, through typical highland landscapes: traditional rammed earth and red earth houses, lush rice fields carpeting valley bottoms, tombs and sacred trees of Merina tradition, peaks and rivers…
What is this sacred hill from which you greet farmers in the distant fields? Who are these families who live off agriculture, building ox carts or weaving, having inherited ancestral know-how? Where does this watercourse lead, on which we glide aboard a flat-bottomed barge, to explore in an unusual way the little-known wonders of the Analamanga region?
Be surprised by the richness of the surroundings of the Merina capital, for a weekend. Escape and discovery guaranteed.
The night is planned under a tent in bivouac, (camping and cooking equipment provided except for the sleeping bag), in a beautiful natural environment that we know well, or alternatively in a rural guesthouse (depending on the surprise itinerary proposed and weather conditions).
Hiking in the heart of the rice fields and typical villages of the Analamanga region, end of our Weekend Surprise
In the afternoon, after a second day full of discoveries and sharing, we find our vehicles again and resume the journey towards the capital, still dreamy and already impatient for our next exploration in unknown Imerina…
Picnic lunch
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 and domestic flights if necessary
- Transfers to/from the predefined meeting point in the city center on the morning of Day 1 and the afternoon of Day 2
- Accommodation and Meals in Antananarivo
- Activities not mentioned in the programme
- The single room/tent supplement: 30 EUR / person,
- Beverages (mineral water, soft drinks, beer…), during and outside meals
- Tips and Personal Expenses
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance
- Visa fees if necessary
Included
- The service of an English-speaking guide throughout the duration of your stay
- Transportation by 4x4 vehicle, mini-bus or bus (depending on group size) on D1 and D2, from and to the predefined meeting point in the city center
- Fuel, as well as driver fees
- A chef's services during bivouacs
- The overnight stay under canvas in bivouac (camping and cooking equipment provided except sleeping bag), or in a rural guesthouse (depending on the surprise itinerary proposed and weather conditions)
- Full board, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 2
- Activities and visits mentioned in the program
- Municipal taxes and camping fees
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
