Immersion at the heart of the Zafimaniry country and the Pangalanes canal

Pickup at our meeting point, around 9:00 AM. We head towards Antsirabe and then Ambositra. There is an option to stop in Ambatolampy to visit a foundry.

We drive through the landscapes of the Central Highlands, taking a winding road lined with small waterfalls, terraced rice paddies, a legacy of Indonesian culture, and villages with brick or reddish earth adobe houses.

Return very early to the Ivato junction to reach Antoetra at 40 km of track where we will begin the hike in Zafimaniry country.

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

Installation in Zafimaniry case or in bivouac upon arrival, village visit, dinner and night.

Morning hiking excursion 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 of Andriatokonana where we bivouac under canvas tent.

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

Full day hike from Andraitokonana to Sakaivo, one of the most important villages of the Zafimaniry. Picnic lunch during the hike and we will have enough time to meet the local population and learn about their activities as we pass through each village, with the possibility of visiting the large Fanandrana waterfall.

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

Last day of trekking in Zafimaniry country starting from the village of Sakaivo before resuming 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 Highlands.

We depart from Ranomafana to reach the town of Mananjary. We cross the Vatovavy region, a mountain range full of different stones such as emerald, ruby, amethyst. Boarding for a river cruise on the Pangalanes Canal.

On this aquatic boulevard, we encounter barges, "bush boats" (river bush taxis), canoes and rafts transporting local products destined for the nearest towns, including bananas and other seasonal fruits, cassava, fish, dried ravinala leaves for thatching the huts… Spontaneous greetings, cries of joy from children on the banks accompany us throughout our navigation. We are spectators of unusual and unforgettable scenes of life.

We will visit the village of Ampadimana: discovery of artisanal workshops (weaving, basketry, cage and canoe construction, forge…). 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 village furthest north on the East coast built by the Antambahoaka ethnic group, visit of the enigmatic "Vato Sarilambo" ("White Elephant") relating the very origin of this ethnic group, and a factory of "betsabetsa" (local mead). Continuation to Mahela.

then meal (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 rowing pirogues of fishermen hurrying home before nightfall; country dinner and campfire at the end of the evening, enhanced by songs and folk dances from the youth 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 man: 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 Analampontsy lake 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 next section of the canal route, some boats have gone round in circles having lost their way.

After passing the village, the canal changes shape and rushes between high sand banks bordered by niaouli forest. Lunch on board before arriving at Masomeloka ("slanted eyes"), a charming little town nestled among coconut trees, discovery of the traditions, customs and ways of the villagers.

Then welcome to the camping ground set up at Asohihy, between the sea and the Pangalanes canal. Free end of afternoon: stroll along the deserted white sand beach of the Indian Ocean, and/or swimming 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 course of 5 km with a low elevation gain of 10m at sea level altitude. Embarkation on the boat to reach the starting point located on the Andranotsara ferry on National Road 11. We walk along 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 below. Brief stop to visit the village (chatting with the owner of a small typical bush shop in the region, where you find a bit of everything, "Chez Maurice" makes life easier for everyone).

Re-embarkation to Ambodiharina, a small town well animated by commercial activities on the canal. Lunch on board, or according to your pace, on the fine sand of the bank of the Mangoro river estuary, 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 the Vohimana reserve, a village located 25km from Andasibe park, near the RN2 road that 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 the Vohimana reserve on foot. A short hour's walk takes us to the on-site lodge, managed by the coordinated action of the NGO Mankind and Environment, and a local association.

Visit of the Vohimana Reserve. The village is located in a medium-altitude humid forest, where we will find different plant species and many endemic animal species: chameleons, lemurs, amphibians and birds will populate our stay here.

We will visit the Manara-Penitra association which owns an essential oil distillery (Fresh Ginger, Ravinstara, Fine Maniguette, Butterfly Ginger, Turmeric…). Possibility to visit the different nurseries: to make your contribution, 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 Relay). Stay at the Naturalist's Relay: simple but pleasant bungalows, some of which have shared sanitary facilities.