Tsingy of bemaraha expedition

This tour in the west of Madagascar takes you to the Tsingy of Bemaraha, a large limestone massif, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. To get there, you will have to go through the manufacturers of aluminum casseroles in Ambatolampy, the craft workshops and finally a trip on the Tsiribihina River. During this adventure, you will be able to see the endemic species of Madagascar, swim in a beautiful natural swimming pool without forgetting the party organized by the villagers.

Highlights of this tour

v  Meeting with the manufacturers of aluminium casseroles

v  Discovery of the craft workshops

v  Canoe trip along the Tsiribihina River

v  Exploration of the Tsingy of Bemaraha

v  Baobabs Avenue

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Country of origin - Antananarivo

DAY 2 : Antananarivo - Antsirabe

DAY 3 : Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

DAY 4 and 5: Tsiribihina River trip

DAY 6 : Tsiribihina - Bekopaka

DAY 7 : Bekopaka : Visit of the Bemaraha National Park

DAY 8 : Bekopaka - Morondava

DAY 9 : Morondava - Antananarivo

DAY 10 : Antananarivo - Country of origin

Specific information for the tour

·         Possible tour duration of 10 days / 9 nights

·         Departure from 2 persons

·         Accommodation in comfort hotels

·         4×4 car with a good Driver and a professional French, English, Italian or Spanish speaking Guide according to your choice.

·         Accessible all year round except during intense cyclone season

·         Hiking in dugout canoe or boat, possibility of meeting and exchanging with fishermen.

·         Variation in transportation: Car, plane, dugout canoe, rickshaw

Tour Category

ADVENTURE, DISCOVERY, FAMILY

Activities

-          City tour by rickshaw in Antsirabe

-          Descent of the river Tsiribihina

-          Walking tour

-          Discovery of the fauna and flora in the park

-          Attend the sunset on Avenue des Baobabs

-          Discovery of culture and tradition

Group Size

Unlimited number but at least 2 people for a guaranteed departure, if solo, you just have to pay the extra indicated in the program.

Regions

Highlands, West

Day 1: Welcome to Madagascar

Welcome by our team at your arrival at Ivato airport. Transfer to the hotel where you will spend the night. Presentation of the program of your tour and delivery of your travel documents. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 30 min

·         Distance: 15 km

·         Accommodation: ROVA HOTEL or similar

Day 2: Visit the city of Antsirabe by rickshaw

After breakfast, departure for Antsirabe, discovery of the Central Highlands with their rice fields and red laterite brick houses. Crossing the magnificent landscapes along a winding road lined with small waterfalls extending the view over carpets of rice fields arranged in terraces. Lunch on the way. A small stop in Ambatolampy to visit the aluminium foundry, the art of pot making and other items. Continuation of the road, you will appreciate the magnificent landscape, the rocks, the fertile plain with volcanic soil. Arrival in Antsirabe, visit the town of Vakinankaratra, from the avenue to the thermal baths by walking in a rickshaw. Depending on the availability, you can visit workshops of gemstone and zebu horn cutters. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

·         Duration: About 4 h

·         Distance: 170 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: GREEN PARK HOTEL or similar

Day 3: Road to Miandrivazo

Departure from the town of Water after breakfast to join Miandrivazo which literally means "waiting for a wife". According to history, King Radama I, after his conquests of the southwestern territory, stopped in this locality. He sent his messenger to find Princess Rasalimo from the nearby town to become his future wife. Passers-by asked him what he was doing there, he just answered "Miandry Vazo aho", translated as "I am waiting for a wife". Along the road, you can admire the landscape, like savannahs, mountains, rivers with bridges made during the colonial period. Arrival in Miandrivazo, the city which, together with Maevatanàna, is the hottest city in Madagascar, because both are in a bowl. Installation at your hotel.

·         Duration: About 4 h

·         Distance: 220 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: Hotel PRINCESSE TSIRIBIHINA or similar

Day 4 and 5: Tsiribihina River trip

After breakfast, departure for the river port of Masiakampy (about 1h30 from Miandrivazo). Beginning of the river trip. In the early afternoon, entry in the gorge of the river and observation of the first lemurs. At the end of the day, setting up of the campsite on a large sandbank bordering the forest.

Second day of the trip: In the middle of the morning, departure to reach a magnificent waterfall. A 30 minutes walk will lead to a beautiful natural swimming pool. Departure before noon, crossing high cliffs, the village of Beravo, and arrival at the campsite, still on a sandbank. The villagers of the surrounding area will join you in the evening, and a party with singing and dancing will be organized in honour of the guests.

·         Duration: 2 nights and 3 days

·         Meals included: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

·         Accommodation: In bivouac

Day 6: Ferry adventure on the Tsiribihina River and Manambolo

After the last breakfast, continuation of the boat trip until noon. Then, another adventure awaits you. You take the ferry on the Tsiribihina River, 50 minutes crossing and lunch at the restaurant in Belo Tsiribihina. Continuation of the road and you will cross the Manambolo River again by ferry, but this time for 10 minutes. Installation at your hotel.

·         Duration: Approximately 1 h of ferry crossing and 2 h of road.

·         Distance: 100 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: Hotel TANANKOAY or similar

Day 7: Bekopaka: Visit of Bemaraha National Park

After breakfast, departure to discover the Tsingy of Bemaraha, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Its sharp peaks that form the limestone massif reach more than 30 meters. Limestone rocks formed by a deposit of fossils and shells that died under the sea two hundred million years ago, the Tsingy of Bemaraha offer one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Big Island. The Tsingy of Bemaraha are part of the network of National Parks of Madagascar. The proposed tours are different according to the physical condition of the visitors: that of Andamozavaky and that of Ranotsara, of rather difficult level (four to six hours of walk) are the tours of the great spaces, dizziness and strong sensations. The hike starts 17 km north of the village of Bekopaka to reach gigantic limestone cathedrals, dense networks of faults, deep crevices, limestone blocks carved into blades or sharp needles that make the Great Tsingy. Picnic lunch. For the more skeptical, the tours of the Little Tsingy represent an interesting alternative, more moderate without being less spectacular. Return to the hotel, dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: All day

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Picnic lunch

·         Accommodation: Hotel TANANKOAY or similar

Day 8: Unique sunset at the Baobabs Avenue

After breakfast, you will return to Morondava by taking the track and then the ferries. You will watch the sunset at the Baobabs Avenue. Baobabs are specific to the region and Madagascar has six species out of the eight existing in the world. After enjoying the beautiful sunset, you will continue to Morondava. Dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 5 h

·         Distance: 230 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SELECT HOTEL or similar

Day 9: Return to the Capital

Early morning departure to return to Antananarivo. You have two choices: either by car or by plane. If by plane, our team will pick you up at the airport to make your transfer to the hotel. After a lunch at the restaurant, you will have time to discover the handicraft market. Free dinner and night at the hotel.

·         Duration: 12 hours drive (if by car) or 1h by plane

·         Distance: 654 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast

·         Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or similar

Day 10: Cultural and historical discovery and return to the country of origin.

After breakfast, take the national road RN3 for a cultural and historical discovery by visiting the Royal Palace in Ambohimanga Rova. On the way, a stop to visit a centre that takes care of autistic children and young people. This is the Padre Pio Charity House, supported by our Tour Operator in its charitable activities. Depending on your flight schedule, possibility to discover the city centre and the upper town up to the Queen's Palace and the panoramic viewpoint. Dinner and meeting with our team. Day use at the hotel then transfer to the airport. Flight back to your home country.

·         Duration: All day

·         Distance: 35 km

·         Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

·         Accommodation: SAHAMALAZA or Similar

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