Hiking through hills and valleys in the East of Imerina
Razana & Rituals 3 days budget

Hiking through hills and valleys in the East of Imerina

On the ridgelines of the Imerina, between ancestral villages and granite peaks.

13 years of local expertise4.94/5 (126 reviews including 72 Google)

Duration

3 days

Ideal seasons

Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Style

Itinerant travel

Comfort

budget

Travelers

Solo, Couple, With friends

The spirit of travel

In the early morning, mist rises over the chessboard rice fields of Imerina. From the sacred hills overlooking Antananarivo, the gaze extends towards the mountainous horizon of the East, where the granite bubbles of Angavokely and Angavobe emerge. This is where this trekking itinerary begins, far from beaten paths, through a territory shaped by centuries of Merina history.

The circuit crosses villages with red earth houses surrounded by tamboho, these remarkable earthen walls that testify to ancestral culture. In Ambatomanga, local ceiba workers perpetuate age-old know-how, while in Antanetibe, standing stones and sacred fig trees recall beliefs of old. Between pine forests and tucked-away valleys, the trail reveals the deep soul of this region where King Andriamanelo and his brother Andriamananitany laid the foundations of the Merina kingdom.

The final ascent to the summit of AngavoBe offers one of the most beautiful alpine panoramas around Antananarivo, embracing the capital's plain up to Lake Mantasoa. This crossing of Eastern Imerina reveals Madagascar in its most authentic light, between preserved nature and living memory of the highlands.

The stages of your journey

D1
Antananarivo
D2
Ikopa
D3
Antanetibe

Highlights

Sacred Hills of the Imerina
Ancestral Tamboho Villages
Angavobe Panoramic Summit
Crossing the Ikopa River
Traditional local craftsmanship
Bivouacs in the wilderness

Day-by-day itinerary

Antananarivo
D1

From the sacred hill of Ambohitrandriananahary to the banks of the Ikopa River

Antananarivo - Alasora We meet early in the morning to reach the starting point of our trekking itinerary. Once we leave the capital, we reach the village of Alasora. Alasora - Ambohitradriananahary Hill On foot, we gradually gain altitude heading towards one of the 12 sacred hills of Imerina. The sacred hill of Ambohitrandriananahary overlooks the entire large rice plain of Antananarivo. The view of the capital's upper city is remarkable. To the East, the panorama allows us to discover the entire mountain range that we will cross. The hill of Ambohitrandriananahary, one of the cradles of the Merina monarchy, is located about ten kilometers from the capital on the Alasora side. Through this approach, we learn about the history of King Andriamanelo and his younger brother Andriamananitany. The latter, known as the second son of Rangita, left the throne of Alasora to his elder brother to settle on this hill. Apart from the omnipresent agricultural activity, craftsmanship is also very dynamic: clay pottery, granite sculptures. These activities are one of the pillars of the local economy, supporting more than twenty families. Ambohitradriananahary Hill - Ikopa Along a lovely scenic path, we lose altitude to reach the bed of the Ikopa river. We follow the river in search of a flat-bottomed barge, allowing us to access the right bank. These barges are very present on the upper part of this waterway, they mainly transport sand but also agricultural products from the villages. Gradually, we regain altitude in the characteristic landscapes of Eastern Imerina. Brick-red hills and villages chain together with, in sight, a few granite peaks...
D2

Over hills and through valleys at the edges of the Imerina

Ikopa - Ambatobe Hasina Little by little, we move away from the narrow valley where the Ikopa flows. Granite becomes more prevalent, drawing characteristic peaks. The idea is to reach a beautiful village nestled against a rocky outcrop, Ambatobe Hassina. We dominate a set of valleys embedded in the mountains. Ambatobe Hasina - Ambatomanga We now head towards the village of Ambatomanga, very well preserved. Known for its cheeses, it is important from a historical and architectural point of view in East Imerina. Ambatomanga - Antanetibe We now leave Ambatomanga, its village, its rock and its typical houses to cross the rice paddies below. Through the pine forest, a pleasant path allows us to access the ridge line separating us from the valley dominated by the imposing granite massif of Angavokely and Angavobe. We reach a very characteristic village, where a group of old houses remains, large fig trees, sacred trees, as well as an imposing circular stone gate. We are also in the land of standing stones.
D3

AngavoBe summit and gentle return to Antananarivo

Antanetibe - Angavokely Early in the morning, we continue our hike towards the mountain of AngavoBe. The 400 meters of elevation gain are covered at a leisurely pace via trails and little-used footpaths. From the summit, the view is magnificent and extends from the Antananarivo plain to Lake Mantasoa. In our opinion, it is the most beautiful "alpine" hike we can do around the Malagasy capital. Angavokely - Carion We leave this fabulous eagle's nest. The trail descends into the pine forests covering the East of the massif. Gradually, we get closer to the main road linking the capital to Tamatave on the east coast. We reach the village of Carion where our vehicle awaits us. Carion - Antananarivo Via the RN2, we return to Antananarivo after these three beautiful days of hiking in the East of the Imerina.

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 3
  • Accommodation and Meals in Antananarivo
  • The activities not mentioned in the program
  • Individual room/tent supplement
  • Drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, beer…), 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 entire stay
  • The transport of hikers by 4x4 vehicle, mini-bus or bus (depending on group size) on Day 1 and Day 3, to and from the predefined meeting point in the city center
  • Personal and group luggage logistics transport from Day 1 to Day 3
  • Fuel, as well as driver fees
  • The services of a cook in the bivouacs
  • Nights under canvas during bivouacs, camping and cooking equipment provided (bring a sleeping bag)
  • 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 partner

Travel 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 insurance

Frequently 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.

Noro, Ambassador of Malagasy fihavanana
13years of expertise

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

Deposit funds guarantee Secure payment 7/7 assistance★ 4.94/5