« DISCOVERING THE TSIRIBIHINA RIVER AND THE TSINGY OF BEMARAHA »

Antananarivo - Antsirabe - Miandrivazo - Begidro - Tsaraotana - Bekopaka - Kirindy - Morondava - Antananarivo

During your stay, you will contemplate the diversity of Nature ans sceneries of the western part of the Island with the Tsiribihina River and the Tsingy of Bemaraha. Meeting with the local people, cultural immersion and discovery of Nature will be the assets of the trip. Not to mention the beautiful sceneries throught the Tsingy and the Baobab Alley.

12 days - 11 nights

When you get off the plane at the airport, welcome by our team then presentation of your stay program and delivery of your travel documents. Transfer to your accommodation. Night with breakfast.

By car for the national 7 through rolling hills, plains and rice fields which form a colorful mosaic like a giant patchwork. Stop at Ambatolampy to visit an aluminum recovery and processing workshop (closed on Sundays). The pouring of molten aluminum into earthen molds is spectacular. Many utensils and pots come from this foundry which uses ancestral know-how. Lunch at your own expense en route. Arrival in Antsirabe, visit of the city and its tourist attractions. Half-board accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to national road 34, then visit Lake Tritriva, nestled in a crater of an ancient extinct volcano, which is known for its mysteries and legends. Lunch at your expense. Continue to reach Miandrivazo. Embedded between the Bongolava range to the east and the Bemaraha plateau to the west, Miandrivazo is a very rich region. It is an area producing tobacco, beans, peanuts, and a place for breeding cattle and pigs. Arrival in Miandrivazo early in the evening. Night with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the Masiakampy pier and boarding the barges. These shallow draft boats were used during the colonization period to transport tobacco. Now redeveloped, they allow a more pleasant river cruise. After crossing the Mahajilo river “which makes you strong”, the descent of the Tsiribihina river begins. Abundant vegetation present along the river: mango trees, tamarind trees, aquatic bamboo... without forgetting the fauna which can brighten up the cruise such as: Verreaux's sifakas or "sifaka", teal (wild duck), humpback duck, and guinea fowl... It is impossible to miss the magnificent natural swimming pool of Anosinampela located 80 meters from the river's edge. Fresh water awaits you for a swim while enjoying the beauty of the waterfall. The lemurs also appreciate the site and observe you. Arrival near Begidro at the end of the afternoon, BIVOUAC with full board.

Before continuing the descent, a visit to Begidro, a village where you will have the opportunity to discover the simplicity, the authenticity of the daily life of the population along the river. During the rest of the journey, it is not uncommon to see crocodiles sunbathing on the sandbanks. Arrive in Tsaraotana at the end of the day, enjoy the sunset with impressive views. In the evening, friendly meeting and singing with local villagers around a campfire. BIVOUAC with full board.

You will soon arrive at the Beraketa landing stage, the end of the descent. Passage over a large sandbank, the place where the famous Sakalava tradition called “Fitampoha” or relic bath takes place every seven years. After lunch, continue along the RN8 track to reach Bekopaka. Arrival in the evening. Check-in at the hotel for the night with half board.

The day will be devoted to a guided tour of the great Tsingy which is famous for it and the site of the “Tsingy de Bemaraha” national park with its 157,710 ha. The Tsingy or “pointed rocks” are limestone needles interspersed by dense dry forests, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is the domain of lemurs (rufus, hapilémur, sifaka), but also of birds and the long ring-tailed mongoose, also endemic. Lunch at your expense. Return to the hotel for the night with half board.

Return to the car on sand and laterite tracks across the Sakalava country where villages are located along the track and water points. 2 ferry crossings before arriving at the Kirindy reserve. Lunch at your expense. Night visit to the Kirindy forest. Check-in at the hotel for the night with half board.

After breakfast, daytime visit to the Kirindy reserve, rich in fauna, especially the famous fosa, and endemic flora of Madagascar. Lunch at your own expense, then return to the road to reach the town of Morondava. Towards the end of the afternoon, go to the baobab alley to admire the sunset. Check-in at the hotel for the night with half board.

Set off on an authentic discovery of a natural, cultural and soothing experience in a canoe, accompanied by Vezo fishermen from the village of Betania. Free afternoon to recharge your batteries at the beach. Night with half board at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for flight to Antananarivo. Lunch at your expense. Welcome at the airport then transfer to your hotel for the night with half board.

If time permits, you can take a city tour and shop for souvenirs. Day use at the hotel, then transfer to the airport for your flight back to your country.