Family hiking trip retracing the steps of King Andrianampoinimerina
On the royal trails of the Imerina, between sacred hills and villages forgotten by time.
Duration
3 days
From
€315/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Itinerant travel
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Family, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
The first rays of sunlight pierce through the morning mist that envelops the sacred hills of the Imerina. From Ampangabe, ancestral trails wind between emerald rice fields and perched villages, where the echoes of the great king Andrianampoinimerina still resonate. Each step reveals a piece of history: defensive ditches carved into red laterite, stone tombs bearing witness to a glorious past, sacred forests preserved on the slopes of Antsahadinta.
The itinerary follows the ridges of Ambatomalaza where the silhouettes of twelve royal hills stretch as far as the eye can see. In the villages, elders recount the legends of the unifying sovereign while children rush over, amazed to encounter hikers in the heart of this authentic countryside. The descent towards the Andromba river ends beautifully: a traditional flat-bottomed barge glides silently between the verdant banks, bringing the walkers back to civilization by the waterways that the king once traveled.
This three-day hike offers a rare immersion into the Merina soul, far from classic tourist circuits, in the footsteps of a monarch who shaped the history of Madagascar.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Walking among the remains of Southern Imerina
From hills to hills to reach Antsahadinta
Early in the morning, we quickly climb onto the ridge line of Ambatomalaza stretching towards the north. The view is splendid over the great plain leading to the Malagasy capital. We continue our journey towards the valley and then the hill opposite, towards the west. Antsahadinta comes into view. It is easily recognizable by its sacred forest which rises on its southern slope.
This sacred hill is a living testimony to the history of the Merina kingdoms. Once we have crossed the remains of defensive ditches, we enter the village. We leave our belongings in the shade of fig trees and begin to visit the places steeped in History. We set up our camp not far from the village.
On foot along the King's Path and the Andromba River
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
- Accommodation and meals in Antananarivo
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Individual room/tent supplement: 20 EUR / person
- Beverages during and outside meals
- Tips and personal expenses
- Annual cancellation and repatriation insurance
- Visa fees if necessary
Included
- The service of an English-speaking guide throughout the duration of the stay
- The transport of hikers in 4x4 vehicle, mini-bus or bus on Day 1 and Day 3
- Personal and collective baggage logistics transport from Day 1 to Day 3
- Fuel, as well as driver charges
- The services of a cook in the camps
- Nights under tent during bivouacs, camping and cooking equipment provided
- Full board, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3
- The 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
