THE ANDRINGITRA MASSIF, TREKKING IN THE MAKAY AND FARNIENTE SALARY

Welcome and transfer to the hotel Antananarivo, the capital, which is the beating heart of Madagascar. Indeed, the "City of Thousands" is at the same time the largest economic, political, historical and cultural pole. Antananarivo is a step not to be missed because it has an undeniable tourist attraction, which is not always discovered at first sight. The palaces, streets, squares and houses of the upper town tell a fascinating story.
Welcome at your arrival and transfer

We go on South. Discover the rural world of the Malagasy Central Highlands, with its rice fields and its own cultivation techniques; the architecture of its traditional adobe houses... Halfway down the road, we stop off at Ambatolampy, a village at the foot of the Ankaratra massif, famous for its aluminum cookware factories. Then on to Antsirabe.
Night with breakfast

After breakfast, continuation to Betsileo country, with a stopover in Ambositra. Cultural discovery is the trademark of this lively little town, full of surprises. Stalls of carved woodwork and marquetry line the alleyways: statuettes, assegais, jewelry boxes, paintings, furniture... The main creators of these works are the Zafimaniry, and a visit to their workshops is a must. Along the way, you can admire the beauty of the wooden sculptures on top of the tombs. Continuation to Ranomafana. Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.

Breakfast at the hotel then visit to Ranomafana National Park.
Ranomafana offers a verdant landscape of tropical rainforests. Alongside this lush vegetation are secondary formations that continue to grow and expand within the park. Due to the high humidity of Ranomafana's climate, the park is criss-crossed by numerous watercourses that originate in the massifs, then criss-cross the steep landscape or hills to spill over in magnificent cascades and spectacular waterfalls. They also form natural pools nestling in a dreamlike setting. In addition to these natural spectacles, Ranomafana is also renowned for its thermal spas.

REM: 4 to 6 hours' walk, depending on your physical condition.
Caution: high humidity from June to August.
Equipment to bring: walking shoes, raincoat , mosquito spray.

Meeting with the local team of guides and porters who will accompany the trekkers for five days.
The itinerary starts from the Anja Special Reserve, which is managed by the local villagers. The site is the natural habitat of several colonies of Makis Cattas, recognizable by their ringed tails.
During the day, walkers will discover the fascinating landscape of Betsileo country, made up of fields and pastures. They'll follow zebu tracks to Manampotsy, an authentic pastoral village. The bivouac will be set up close to the village.
Dinner and overnight under tents

The next day is spent in a setting of immense granite desert massifs. Along the way, numerous species of succulents such as aloes, kalanchöes and pachypodiums, as well as small hedgerows wedged between valleys. The highest peaks of the Andringitra are silhouetted against the horizon. You'll reach Belambo camp in the Andringitra National Park at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight under tents

Départ de Belambo, tôt le matin, pour rallier Andriampotsy qui se trouve à 2 050 mètres d’altitude. Le campement est point de départ de la randonnée du lendemain à l’assaut du Pic Boby ou Imarivolanitra, le deuxième plus haut sommet de Madagascar, culminant à 2 658 mètres.
Les paysages lunaires du site lui valent le surnom de plateau des extraterrestres. En cours de route se trouvent deux cascades sacrées : la Riambavy ou cascade femmelle et la Riandahy, cascade mâle. La grotte du Jafofo vaut aussi le détour. Le groupe sera installé au campement d’Andriampotsy en attendant l’ascension du Pic Boby. La randonnée se fait sur un sentier bien aménagé, et si le ciel est bien dégagé, on peut apercevoir depuis le sommet la côte Est.
Retour vers le campement d’Andriampotsy. Sur la route des trekkeurs se déploient les palmiers Raveneglauca qui sont endémiques à la région. Le lieu de repos est Iantaranomby qui se trouve au bord d’une jolie rivière dans laquelle on peut se baigner.
Diner et nuit sous tente

Early morning departure from Belambo for Andriampotsy, at an altitude of 2,050 metres. The camp is the starting point for the next day's hike to Pic Boby or Imarivolanitra, Madagascar's second-highest peak at 2,658 metres.
The site's lunar landscapes have earned it the nickname of the "alien plateau". Along the way are two sacred waterfalls: the Riambavy, or female waterfall, and the Riandahy, or male waterfall. The Jafofo cave is also well worth a visit. The group will set up camp at Andriampotsy to await the ascent of Pic Boby. The hike is on a well-maintained path, and if the sky is clear, you can see the east coast from the summit.
Return to Andriampotsy camp. Raveneglauca palms, endemic to the region, unfurl along the trekkers' route. The resting place is Iantaranomby, on the banks of a pretty river where you can take a dip.
Dinner and overnight in tents

Greetings to our guides and porters who have been our walking companions in the massif. We pick up our vehicles and return to Ambalavao, heading for Ranohira. We cross the vast, deserted Horombe plateau. Arrival at Ranohira, at the gateway to one of the country's most beautiful parks: Isalo.
Check-in at the hotel, breakfast included.

Breakfast at the hotel, then departure by vehicle to the foot of the cliff. With a small bag over our shoulder, we hike into the Massif de l'Isalo. This leisurely hike takes us through a stunning landscape to the natural swimming pool. A picnic is organized in the Tapia forest, and excursions around the site are possible, with a walk to the surrounding peaks to take in the magnificent views.

Departure from Ranohira very early in the morning for the North after breakfast, following the Isalo massif to the Mangoky river, 155km of unmade track, 7 to 8h drive, passing through savannah dotted with small baobabs, mango and jujube trees. Cross the Mangoky River by ferry and set up camp on the riverbank. Afternoon stroll through the village of Beroroha, capital of the region, the last civilization before entering the wilderness.
Dinner and overnight under tents.

After breakfast, we head north on a 65 km track to the village of Beronono, where we pick up our team of local porters to ensure the smooth running of our stay in the Makay. Beginning of the 5-day trek in total immersion, a little-known and little-surveyed massif, a veritable sanctuary for a fauna and a forest that have yet to reveal all their secrets. Continue on foot to Sariaka camp, 2-3 hours' hike, visit of Sariaka Lake, dinner and overnight under tents.

We cross the SAKA ANTSE gorges, where crystal-clear water flows, and then follow the watercourses at the bottom of a canyon that can be several hundred meters high, sheltering lush, humid vegetation. Water is omnipresent in these canyons. View of the Behetaheta forest, chance to see wild zebus and on to the second canyon of Anosilahy. Arrival at camp late afternoon. Dinner and overnight under tents.

Hike across the plateau and ridges, with panoramic views of lakes Anosilahy and Sariaka. Continuation to the Andranovinily camp via the canyon and waterfall, with the possibility of a swim.
Dinner and overnight under tents.

We enter further into the Makay, to admire the spectacular scenery of the massif, overlooking a palm forest, with the possibility of seeing lemurs. Continuing through the Mazedrano canyon, where the water can reach your hips, through a forest of palm and pandanus trees. Dinner and overnight under tents on the banks of the Makay River.

Trek across the plateau of this eroded massif made up of yellowish and reddish ruiniform sandstone and largely covered in dry vegetation and continue to the Mahatiny cave to discover the rock paintings. Dinner and overnight in tents in Beronono.

We take the long way back, separating from our local team of porters at Beronono and getting back in the 4x4 (9-hour track including the Mangoky crossing) to return to Ranohira.
Night at the hotel,

Departure Ranohira for Tuléar. Southern vegetation gradually takes its place in the landscape: baobabs, aloes, euphorbias... along the way, you can observe impressive herds of zebus and the tombs of the Mahafaly ethnic groups. The mushroom villages of the sapphire miners rise from the desert expanses. Arrival at Tuléar, in the heart of a landscape of spectacularly shaped rocky massifs. Continuation to Salary
Night at the beautiful hotel in Salary

Free day at the hotel
Several activities are available from your hotel. The sea and beach invite you to relax and unwind. Possibility of diving, snorkeling and all water sports activities, whale watching trip....

Free day

After a final dive in Salary
According the Tsaradia schedule flight, transfer to Tuléar then flight to Antananarivo.

If you have time , you can stop off at the craft market for a spot of shopping. Transfer to the airport to catch your international flight.