Discovery and Immersion in the Makay Massif

Flight to Antananarivo, dinner on board. Itinerary developed - as an indication - with Air Madagascar airline.

The Détours Madagascar team welcomes you at the airport. Transfer to your hotel nearby to rest for a few hours before continuing your trip.

After breakfast, head south. We travel through the characteristic landscapes of the Highlands along a winding road bordered by a mosaic of diverse cultivated fields and terraced rice paddies. Stop in Ambositra to discover the woodworking and marquetry craftsmanship of the Zafimaniry artisans.

Lunch then continue towards Fianarantsoa, through a mountainous region bordered by pine and eucalyptus forests. Arrival in the Betsileo capital at the end of the day.

Through the patchwork of terraced rice fields and diverse crops where all shades of green are displayed, road to Ambalavao known for its vineyards. Stop at the small Anja reserve: a gallery forest of ficus, lianas and orchids has developed between spectacular rocky chaos, sometimes forming caves adopted as shelters by certain animals. On the slopes of the reliefs, the vegetation relay has been colonized by succulent plants, such as kalanchoes and pachypodiums.

In this green paradise live in small colonies these ring-tailed lemurs which are almost the emblem of the Great Island, the ring-tailed lemurs. They spend a lot of time on the ground, are not too shy and are therefore easily observable. The revenues from the Anja site are managed by the AMI (Anja Miray) association and returned to economic and social projects aimed at improving agricultural yields, the development of crafts, health and education for local villagers.

Continuation towards the south in Bara country and crossing of the largest plateau in Madagascar, the desert Horombe, before glimpsing the village of Ranohira which we reach late afternoon. Installation at your hotel.

Car transfer to the village of Beronono, passing by the Mangoky river, the longest river on the West coast, where there will be a ferry crossing before passing through Beroroha, the district capital of the region.

Arrival in late afternoon, setting up camp right on the banks of the Makay river.

We will begin the hike by following the Makay River, to visit the "Baras" villages where we will have the opportunity to see their daily activities by crossing rice fields then, we continue towards Lake Sariaka by following the Sakamanitra River.

Setting up tents, just at the entrance to the massif on a fine sand beach where we will have a fixed camp.

After breakfast, we start with a short walk through the reeds then continue along a long ridge where we will have views over two lakes. Here, parrots are omnipresent, their cries echoing through these long corridors. A few raptors such as buzzards, kites and striped polyborids soar above the mountains

In the afternoon, we would still have the opportunity to visit a village and then return to camp.

Right away, we start in the water to explore a superb deep gorge with surprising vegetation growing inside.

Then a connection over a plateau to reach another Canyon that takes us next to Lake Sariaka

We reach the village of Beronono, crossing a few small dry forests and a savanna plateau, half a day's trek, and in the afternoon we could cool off on the banks of the Makay river.

Evening entertainment provided by our porters and guide.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to our porters and guide, then we get back in our 4x4s for a long day of driving on dirt tracks and roads.

We gradually return to civilization as we pass through Beroroha, the small outback town, before taking the ferry, then continue on to Ranohira where we spend the night.

Road to Ambositra. Always the immense Horombe plateau until Ihosy. We leave the arid south to start climbing the foothills of the Highlands.

Continuation of our road to Ambositra.

Early departure for Tana crossing the central highlands, the national 7 road that crosses the terraced rice fields that mark the works of the Bestileo then the hills covered with eucalyptus and pines. In the late afternoon we end our journey arriving in Tana the Capital.

According to flight schedules, transfer to the airport. Assistance with boarding, and flight to Paris CDG. Have a good trip!