West Circuit – Baobab Avenue, Riverboat Voyage, and Rainforests
On our 13 day tour to Baobab Avenue, Riverboat Voyage, and Rainforests you will experience the unique ecology of Madagascar.
When visiting Tana, Antsirabe and Miandrivazo, we will hit the road towards the west of Madagascar along the famous National Route 7 until we reach Betafo. We will cross the small town of Ambatolampy, the third highest point of the island in the soaring Ankaratra hills and stop in Antsirabe. Then we leave behind Route 7 to take Route 34 and enter a morphing, evolving change in the landscape up to the city of Miandrivazo, the granite massif giving way to sedimentary rocks. Cornered between the chain of Bongolava in the East and the plateau of Bemaraha on the West, this situation assures the status of the hottest city of Madagascar, with an annual average of 28°C. Thriving in this is a unique ecology different than anywhere else on the island.
Go to the pier of Masiakampy, situated in the northern side of Miandrivazo and cruise down the Tsiribihina river by dhow. During the descent, we pass through many villages, farmers, and ranchers of zebu and there are opportunities to visit some villages. The stunning and varied scenery is waiting for you all along the cruise. It’s an opportunity to observe diverse endemic plants of Madagascar such as pachypodium, aloes, kalanchoes, baobabs, as well as several species of birds, lemurs, crocodiles.
We will explore a River Voyage Navigation through the amazing scenery of western Madagascar. In the village of Tsimafana, we leave the dhow and embark the off-road vehicle. We will drive to Belo-Sur-Tsiribihina after crossing the Tsiribihina on a ferry boat before continuing until Bekopaka.
We will explore Bekopaka Small Tsingy. Embark on boats to visit the caves in the throat of the Manambolo and its stalactites. See the stalagmites, the beauty of magnificent limestone peaks, all very sharp and alien in the park.
We will visit The Parc National de Bemaraha for 3h to 6h of trekking according to your physical condition. The trek into the tsingy presents some technical peculiarities. Alternating passages on the roofs of Tsingy, descent in canyons, passage in geological galleries, and possibly visits of caves. All the tours in Tsingy are fitted out via ferrata. Small Tsingy Expedition into the small Tsingy. We descend into the Manambolo Gorges on a traditional “pirogue” canoe, inside we will visit the small Tsingys and the caves. You may see some different lemur species such as the Sifaka or the Gidro and if you’re lucky, you might see the famous Aye-Aye. You can also observe the characteristic xerophyte flora of this area, including pachypodiums and arofys.
We will visit the Great Tsingy on the far side. Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve covers an area of over 250 square miles (666 square km) and only a portion of this great park can be accessed by visitors. We will travel by car to the start of our walking tour of the great massif. The park offers a range of tours with various levels of difficulty, all requiring a guide, with the 4 to 5-hour Andamozavaky tour being the most difficult. Whilst exploring the Tsingys on foot, you can look for Deckens Sifaka, red-fronted brown lemurs and the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, amongst others.
We will cross the western shrubbery which characterizes the savanna on our way to Morondava. We will at the Baobabs Alley in time to watch the sunset framed by this strange upside-down trees.
Visit Morondav, the capital of the Sakalava tribe. A pleasant city with wide boulevards; a multicoloured daily market, with its picturesque harbour of schooners and mangrove swamps, establishing a very particular and perfect ecosystem: The encounter of the sea and the river.
We will go by boat from Morondava to Belo Sur Mer, a nice village of Vezo fishermen, surrounded by crystal water. The perfect place to observe the construction of dhows, one of the more active shipyards of the west coast of Madagascar.
- Drive Along the Famous National Route 7
- Cruise Down the Tsiribihina River by Dhow
- Visit the Caves of the Manambolo
- Trek Into the Tsingy
- Expedition Into the Small Tsingy
- See the Upside Down Trees at Baobabs Alley
- Speed Boat crossing from Morondava to Belo Sur Mer
- Scheduling: Shared Tour
- Languages offered on the Activity / Tour: English
- Duration: 13 days
- Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
- Easy CancellationThere is no cancellation fee once Customers Cancel at least 7 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 50% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 3 and 6 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 100% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 2 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
- Confirmation will be received within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability
-
Cut-off TimeAvailable to be booked until 2 days before the tour starts. We reserve the option to confirm the tour or not due to availability.
- Local guide in the national park and reserve
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Accomodation
- English-speaking driver
- Return transfer from your hotel to the airport
- International and national flight
- Gratuities
- Food, drinks and any other service not specified
- Personal expenses
- Visa
Arrival in Antananarivo from your international flight. Customs formalities. The Visa is free for any stay less than 30 days. Meet your driver-guide at the exit and transfer to the city centre to join your hotel. Accommodation and breakfast at the hotel.
After Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure. Hit the road towards the west of Madagascar along the famous National Route 7 until you reach Betafo. Crossing the small town of Ambatolampy, the third highest point of the island in the soaring Ankaratra hills, stop in Antsirabe, Lunch. Leave behind Route 7 to take Route 34 and enter a morphing, evolving change in the landscape up to the city of Miandrivazo, the granite massif giving way to sedimentary rocks. Cornered between the chain of Bongolava in the East and the plateau of Bemaraha on the West, this situation assures the status of the hottest city of Madagascar, with an annual average of 28°C. Thriving in this is a unique ecology different than anywhere else on the island. Accommodation and half board.
Descent into Tsiribihina.After Breakfast at the hotel. We will get the Transfer by car to the pier of Masiakampy, situated in the northern side of Miandrivazo. Beginning of the cruise down the Tsiribihina river by dhow. During the descent, we pass through many villages, farmers, and ranchers of zebu and there are opportunities to visit some villages. The stunning and varied scenery is waiting for you all along the cruise. It’s an opportunity to observe diverse endemic plants of Madagascar as pachypodium, aloes, kalanchoes, baobabs, as well as several species of birds, lemurs, crocodiles. Dinner and overnight on bivouac.
We will explore a River Voyage Navigation through the amazing scenery of western Madagascar.
Last day of navigation. Lunch. Here in the village of Tsimafana is where we leave the dhow. Your driver-guide and the off-road vehicle will be waiting. Drive to Belo-Sur-Tsiribihina after crossing the Tsiribihina on a ferry boat before continuing until Bekopaka. The rest of the day will be devoted to this long journey on track towards the Tsingy, hidden in the bush. Arrival late in the afternoon. Accommodation on half board.
In the morning, accompanied by a local guide, start your exploration of the Tsingy world. Initially, you embark on boats to visit the caves in the throat of the Manambolo and its stalactites. After that, continue in the park to see the stalagmites, the beauty of magnificent limestone peaks, all very sharp and alien. Picnic lunch. The evening dinner is memorable out here, in the wild west. Overnight at the hotel.
Today we go to The Parc National de Bemaraha for 3h to 6h of trekking according to your physical condition. The trek into the tsingy presents some technical peculiarities. Alternating passages on the roofs of Tsingy, descent in canyons, passage in geological galleries, and possibly visits of caves. All the tours in Tsingy are fitted out via ferrata; scale, suspension bridge… Small Tsingy Expedition into the small Tsingy. We descend into the Manambolo Gorges on a traditional “pirogue” canoe, Inside visit the small Tsingys and the caves. You may see some different lemur species such as the Sifaka or the Gidro and if you’re lucky, you might see the famous Aye-Aye. You can also observe the characteristic xerophyte flora of this area, including pachypodiums and arofys..
The Great Tsingy. After Breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Great Tsingy on the far side. Picnic Lunch. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Accommodation and half board. Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve covers an area of over 250 square miles (666 square km) and only a portion of this great park can be accessed by visitors. Today we travel by car to the start of our walking tour of the great massif. The park offers a range of tours with various levels of difficulty, all requiring a guide, with the 4 to 5-hour Andamozavaky tour being the most difficult. Whilst exploring the Tsingys on foot, you can look for Deckens Sifaka, red-fronted brown lemurs and the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, amongst others. NOTE: 05h TO 06h of trekking according to your physical condition. Crossing the Tsingy roofs using scales, canyons descent;… marked out and crossed route, safely secured by a belt!
Early departure. Crossing the western shrubbery which characterizes the savanna. Long day of driving to join Morondava. Lunch on the way. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Baobabs Alley in time to watch the sunset framed by this strange upside-down trees. We then check into our hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the harbour of Morondava. Speed Boat crossing from Morondava to Belo Sur Mer. The remainder of the day at leisure. Belo Sur Mer: A nice village of Vezo fishermen. Surrounded by crystal water. A place to observe the construction of dhows, one of the more active shipyards of the west coast of Madagascar.
Another day of leisure. Possibilities of many activities to book on the spot. Water sports and fishing, nature hiking, or relaxing in a perfect backdrop.
After breakfast at the hotel. Return by boat to Morondava. Reception by the staff of the hotel then transfers by car. Rest of the day at leisure.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport of Morondava. Flight to Tana. Lunch in Morondava or Tana depending on the flight schedule. Car at your disposal for a last visit to the capital. Dinner and day use at Combava hotel. Back to the airport of Ivato in the evening. Flight out!
- Please bring: Walking shoes, sun protection and anti-mosquito repellent.
- Please include your pick-up details when making your booking.