After arriving in Antananarivo (or Tana, as it is known by the locals) late pm, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel

Overnight – Hotel

This morning you will meet your guide and will set out by road to Ambositra where we can get the chance to visit the famous woodcarving workshops. – Ambositra is a city in central Madagascar. High on a plateau surrounded by misty green peaks, It is also the arts-and-crafts capital of Madagascar and there are over 25 artisans’ shops, selling woodcarvings, raffia baskets, polished stones, marquetry (objects inlaid with colored woods) and paintings. Ambositra is a picturesque and lively town, full of tall red-brick Betsileo houses lining its crooked streets.

We will spend the night in Amobsitra.

Overnight – Hotel

After breakfast this morning, we will head to Ambalavao. – Situated in tropical surroundings in the most southern part of the central highlands, near Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao is noted for its houses with wooden balconies with elaborate carvings and tiled roofs.  It is also known for its lively cattle market on Monday and Thursdays on the outskirts of town where you will be able to see a large number of Zebu and herdsmen on the roads. Seen as one of the most beautiful towns in the high plateaus boasting brightly painted buildings on the main street that look a bit like gingerbread houses.

This afternoon we get a chance to visit the Anja Reserve (just a few kms from Ambalavao).

Created in 2001 and located near Ambalavao, the Anja Community Reserve is a woodland area and freshwater lake, at the base a large cliff. Most of the reserve is dominated by fallen rocks and boulders but interestingly there are two small caves providing habitat for bats and owls. The reserve was created to help preserve the local environment and wildlife and is one of the more touristy places you visit, however is perfect for lovers of walking and wildlife and offers an unique occasion to interact with ‘wild’ ring-tailed lemurs somewhere between tamed and familiar!

Overnight – Camp

This morning we have a short drive to Zomandao (approx. 2hrs) to the start of our trail where will begin our trek in these rocklands. We will meet up with our logistics team and move towards the impressive walls of black granites.

Prepare to be enchanted by the astounding landscapes, stunning red land and the beautiful and awe-inspiring massif of Andringitra. The Zomandao valley in this area is perfect for hiking and exploring! The valley is known for its mixed terrain and changing weather, including cool nights! Trekking the Zomandao valley will include mountainous terrains, steep trails and narrow tracks. You will discover impressive walls of black granite as well making this valley a real adventurers dream.

The next 3 days will see us hiking up one Valley (the Zomandao) and crossing 6,000 ft rocky pass to plunge in Sahanambo valley and the impressive cliffs of Tsaranoro. We will safely navigate between the vertical cliffs and spend the time exploring the valley, climbing to the top of rocky spires, spotting ringtail lemurs, exploring forests and enjoying the pools and waterfalls in this area.

Overnight – Camp

We will continue our exploration of this area. Our trek will include mountainous terrains, steep trails and narrow tracks but there are no special difficulties, as long as you are ready to move on mixed terrain, and sometimes exposed ledges, and the changing weather in Zomandao valley (which includes cool nights).

Overnight – Camp

We will finish our 3 day trek at our camp Tsarasoa.  Tsarasoa is more a camp than a hotel.  It is the base for our local agents’ reforestation which is a big passion that both he and Pioneer Expeditons share. There are large nurseries where 65,000 – 70-000 trees are planted per season.  Accommodation is in bungalows with a common bathroom (with the best view ever!) – the bungalows are new, clean and basic, and come complete with mosquito nets and spectacular views.  Food is based on local products and they have a very good cook who uses fresh vegetables, local recipes, fruits and even makes home cooked bread.

Overnight – Basic Bungalow

We will spend today exploring this stunning area on foot and meeting all the locals – a visit to the local village is not to be missed. This is a great valley and a fantastic opportunity to see Madagascar in all its natural glory. Hopefully you will be able to see many kinds of orchids, three sorts of palms including one kind which is endemic to the Andringitra, chameleons, lizards, snakes, batrachians, birds including the famous peregrine falcon. Depending on the time of year we may also get the chance to plant some young saplings (this can be done between mid Oct and late March).

Overnight – Basic Bungalow

We will set off relatively early today as we set off for the Benahy River just outside the Isalo National Park and the launch site of the next part of our adventure. We will stop en-route for lunch at Isalo (approx. 4 hours away). We have another couple of hours of travel (along tracks) before we finally leave our transport and head out on foot for the last 2 hours trek to our put in site and our camp for tonight.

The Benahy, though adjacent to Isalo National Park, has not seen many visitors. It runs atop a section of land teeming with sapphires, and as a result, you will pass many local miners, sifting sand through metal sieves. There is the chance to see lizards, birds, turtles and bats and possibly even lemurs as well as some exotic and unique vegetation. Benahy navigation is smooth and easy, so rafting in light canoes is a good idea. A typical days rafting is a combination of paddle and drag areas (the later in the season you go, the more drag areas there are).

Overnight – Camp

Our next few days will be spent canoeing down the Benahy River, exploring the sapphire canyons. It is a great way to explore the canyon even when dragging the canoes. Our typical daily routine will consist of setting off between 8 and 9 am and stopping to camp around 4-5 pm. We stop for lunch and en-route we have time to wander through side canyons, to possibly find a fresh water source or to observe occasional lemurs.

Overnights – Camp

We lay up our canoes and transfer to the Mozambique Channel and the superb coral reef of Ifaty. This is a full day travelling as after the canoes have been packed up  onto Zebu carts we will walk (approx. 1 hr) to a local mining village.  Here we will pick up a 4x4 which will transfer us to a mining town on the main road (approx. 1 –2hrs). At which point we will meet our transport which will take us to Ifaty (approx. 6hrs).

Overnight – Hotel

Today can be spent at your leisure, experiencing what beautiful Ifaty and its surrounding areas have to offer.

Overnight – Hotel

We will catch the Air Madagascar flight from Tulear to Tana.  Depending on your time of arrival in Tana you can visit the handicraft market, before transferring to your hotel.

Overnight – Hotel

Transfer to airport in time for flight home. If you are on the Air France or Air Kenya trip which leaves early morning of day 16, you can opt to have a day use room &/or driver/guide for the day (not included).