Trekking: Ambalavao to Manakara

The area between Ambalavao and Manakara contains many Betsileo villages connected by walking trails. This beautiful scenic area is also known as ‘the rainforest corridor’; linking Ranomafana and Andringitra national parks. This 5-day trekking should be easy for the fit and experienced walker. Day walks vary between 18 to 25 km and should prove no particular difficulty. You will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful nature and spectacular scenery.

Travel style: Adventure, Trekking, Camping, Local Boats, Photo Tours, Natural Swimming Pool, Landscape, Humid Forest, Medicinal Plants, Meeting with Local People (Tanala).

Trekking: Ambalavao to Manakara.

5 days / 4 nights

Ambalavao – Ramarie Village – Iaban’I Bia Village – Faliarivo Village – Atodinga Village – Ifaniria Village – Manakara city: 5 days / 4 nights

Price:

For 1 person : 900 euro
For 2 – 4 persons : 3150 euro (total)
For 5 -10 persons : 700 euro per person
For 11 – 15 persons : 498 euro per person

Best time: From May till the end of October
Age range:18 to 47 year old


Trekking: Ambalavao to Manakara – day to day

Day 1: Ambalavao – Ramaria village

(15km drive + 5hrs hike)
We leave Ambalavao at 10.00 hours. I need some time to organize everything (make purchases) pack all necessary materials. After a 15 km drive we will be hiking for 5 hours up to Camp C, where we will make camp for the night. Camps C is close to the primary forest (the corridor). The hike is not very difficult. We will be walking throug stunning landscapes. For this trip we advice to wear a hat, sunglasses and sun protection lotion. Camping.

Day 2: Ramaria Village – Iaban,I Bia Village

(7 hrs walk)
Wake up and breakfast around 7am. A beautiful walk through the primary forest, valleys terraced with rice paddies, waterfalls and wildlife. The path is sometimes very narrow, wet and slippery so we must be careful. Occasionally we have to cross a water stream or small river. In the afternoon we make camp next to the small village of Ambohimahamasina, located next to a large river. We will sleep in our tent, homestay or the village school. Todays trek is a 7 hours walk, we will encounter with people carrying 20 liter containers filled with the local rum of Ambohimahamasina.

Ambohimahamasina literally means “at the sacred mountain”. It is home to Madagascar’s most sacred mountain called Ambondrombe. It is believed that the spirits of all dead people reside on this mountain. This area has some spectacular scenery with beautiful Betsileo villages, ricefields, rich flora and fauna and some interesting cultural sites. Weaving and basketry is traditional to this area. Camping.

Day 3: Iaban,I Bia Village – Ifaliarivo Village

We leave the village at 7am for a 7 hour walk. The terrain is easy and flat as we walk right next to the river Matitanana. This area and forest is very rich and varied in species of flora and fauna. In the afternoon we return to the village were we sleep with a family or in our own tents.

Day 4: Ifaliarivo Village – Atodinga Village

Starting at 7 am with a nice 7 hours of sturdy walking. The path will ascend and descend all the time in a beautiful and varied landscape with breath-taking views across the rainforest. In the afternoon we will make camp near a small village.

Day 5: Atodinga Village – Ifaniria Village – Manakara City

Wake up early in the morning at 5am. A 7 hour walk. Arrival in the next village before 1.00 pm. Here we take the taxi brousse that will tak us to Manakara (2h drive). Check in at the green Lake hotel or similar.

The walks are both sturdy and adventurous (that is to say, hilly).


What is included:

Transport by local taxi brousse:
• Ambalavao – Ambinanidovoka Village.
• Ifaniria Village – Manakara taxi brousse station

Accommodation Camping / tent (4 nights)
• Ramaria Village.
• Iaban,i Bia Village.
• Ifaliarivo Village.
• Atodinga Village.

Ambalavao – Ramarie village – Laban, I Bia village – Ifaliarivo village – Atodinga village – Ifaniria village – Manakara:
• Full board during the tour (Local food: breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Mineral water
• All communal taxes on the way
• A local guide
• Porters
• Camping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats

Entrances to the reserves
• Sites d’Ambohimahamasina
• Sites de Ramaria

Transfers:
By car: Manakara taxibrousse station to your hotel in Manakara
By local boats: Ankaribelo Village to Anjoronjoro Village. Antondinga Village to Ifaneria Village.

What is not Included:
• Personal Spending money.
• Transport by car from Antananarivo to Ambalavao and then from Manakara to Antananarivo.
• Tips.
• Beverages.
• Repatriation.
• Travel insurance is not covered on the tour price. You can organise travel insurance with your preferred insurance company .

Recommendations to travelers
• Light trousers.
• T-shirt.
• Mosquito repellent sprays and or creams.
• Sun cream and Swimsuit.
• Torches.
• Cameras or video camera.
• Waterproof or Raincoats.
• Walking/hiking shoes.
• Tablets for malaria / anti malarial tablets.
• Sticks.