SITES AND ACTIVITIES

Antananarivo
The ancient town of Antananarivo is an invitation to trips in time and space into the depths of the history. it was a witness. A number of routes have been laid out by the departments and organizations in charge of heritage preservation. It is easy of access and the least courageous may reach it comfortably by car, or on foot following winding alleys, or even by taking a short cut along the numerous stairways, the toughest of which is the one that starts from Mahamasina stadium to Andohalo and which numbers as many as 480 steps!

Sites and activities in Madagascar

The surrounding countryside
The 12 sacred hills are favourable places for hiking and each of them may be toured in combination with other neighbouring hills in a typical scenery of rice fields, slopes, remnants of ancient red earth walls. These summits have often become places for “Fanasinana” (ancestors’ cult) and painted in the red and white royal colours. In the countryside to the north of Antananarivo, which is called Avaradrano, in villages such as Lazaina, Ambatofotsy or Manandriana, you will admire the ancient merina high aristocratic dwellings. To the southwest, Antsahadinta goes back even further in time with its wooden and vegetal fiber houses, its commemorative stones in memory of some victory, and its ancient tombs.

The Ankaratra
The access to this mythical and most interesting chain is by Manjakatompo, 20 km in the west of Ambatolampy along the RN7. From this station at over 2000 m altitude, climbing the Mount Tsiafajavona will be done following a trail lined with lakes, falls and evidence of animist rituals.

Trails and earth roads
The province of Antananarivo has an incredible network of rural roads that bike or quad operators are beginning to be interested in. It is absolutely possible to reach Ampefy, Mantasoa or even Antsirabe without following any section of the National road at all!

Antsirabe and the Vakinankaratra regions
Hiking tours with guides organized by the « association Ravaka » will immerse the visitor in rural daily life. Gîtes will be traditional houses in the heart of villages. Tour “Country people of the Highlands”: 2 days’ walk and 1 night in a rural inn. This route forms a loop which starts from the west of Antsirabe to the encounter of the rural population in an environment of medium high mountains Tour “Gem miners of Ibity”: The same duration with possibility of extension. Starts from Manandona and visits to the extraction sites one after the other in a very diversified wildlife. Tour “Sacred sites and blacksmiths’ villages”: 2 days and 1 night in a rural inn. You will get acquainted with the traditional iron crafts and the customs in the Vakinankaratra.

The Zafimaniry land
Unesco has classified the Zafimaniry art as World intangible Heritage on 31st december 2003, and this marked a decisive turning point in the history of this region. An international fund has been allocated for preserving wood work, cultural tourism development and biodiversity conservation. It has provided for the training of 20 tour guides, 4 from each commune. If Zafimaniry art remains the main motive for visitors, the region also offers a number of magnificent places scattered in the hills to visit; they are accessible only on foot.

 

Ambalavao
The average annual temperature is 20°c at Ambalavao, which is ideal for hiking. Nicolas Nast, who worked in the field of sustainable tourism development, proposes a few routes: Tour “Manambolo river and the Three brothers”: 40 km from the zebu market place at Iarintsena. Manambolo steep-sided valley, tombs perched on cliff sides, view over the forest of Anja. Tour “Ambohimandroso and the Rock of Ifandana”: 30 km, Ambalavao-Ambalavao. Ambohimadroso, the oldest village in the region. The rock of Ifandana, a place where people resisting Radama I army committed collective suicide. The pond of Vinany with its birds. Tour “Caimans’ Route and Mountain of the Lying Lady”: 23km, from Iarintsena to Ambalavao. Stages where funeral convoys stop to pray; the forest of Sakaviro at the bottom of a high cliff, built-in tombs, Maroparasy vineyards. Tour “Climbing up the Mountain of the Lying Lady”: 15 km from Ambalavao to Iarintsena. Trails between the mountains. Once on top, unique panorama. Climbing down to the south “ at…the foot of the head” of the Lying Lady. Tour ”The Anja forest and the Massif of the Three brothers”: 15 km from the forest of Anja to Ambalavao. Visiting the forest, caves; view over the basin of Ambalavao. Special mention about the mountain of Ambondrombe, 45 km to the east of Ambalavao, a place where the souls of the dead stay for eternity. the association of the Populations of World mountains (WMPA) has developed several tours of which:
– climbing
– a visit to specialized villages in traditional silk weaving ;
– nature tour with camping;
– routes to the gold mines and fortifications of ancient reigning families.

The Montagne des Français
Fairly hard to climb (it is dubbed the Way of the Cross) but it is worth the effort. On top, you will ind vestiges of military camps and caves. From there you will see at a glance the town of Antsiranana, the Bay and its sugar Loaf, the whole area extending to the Cape of Amber.

Peak Saint Louis (Taolagnaro)
At 529 m altitude, peak Saint Louis is an exceptional panoramic viewpoint over the whole region of Taolagnaro from the bay of sainte Luce to the lake Andriambe passing by the tip Evatra, the cove Dauphine, the false bay of Galions. Two trails lead to the summit, one is a very tough one (1h30), the other is relatively easier (2 to 3h walk).

Sainte Marie biking tour…
With its small hills and its wild tracks sometimes in the form of a small trail along the seaside, Sainte Marie is a paradise for cross-biking riders who are not afraid of difficulties. There are 5 routes:
– The southwest coast, between the town and the airport.
Coastline with luxuriant vegetation sprinkled with picturesque huts, practically no slope.
– The west coast, between the town and Lonkitsy. With fairly marked slope and several turns, experience is required.
– The northwest coast, between Lokintsy and Ambodiatafana. Dispite its length and uneven grounds, it is however fascinating because of the beauty of the landscape along the route.
– The “small loop” forming the triangle Ambodifotatra- Ambodiforaha-Mahavelo, a tough route with a few sandy sections, and the “track of the Mandraka” which climbs up or down the inland hills.
– the “Big loop”, nearly 50 km long. It goes upward the west coast to Ankirihiry, crosses the hills to Sahasifotra and continues along the east coast. Adventure and discovery are waiting for you.

… and orchids of Sainte Marie Sainte marie lavish vegetation accounts for the high number of epiphyt plants. The island boasts at least ten orchid species of which some are among the most beautiful and rarest in Madagascar: the White Orchid or Angraecum Sesquipedale, the mauve Orchid or Eulophiella Roempleriana (the most spectacular one and existing only on the “ile aux Nattes”), the Black Orchid or Cymbidiella Humblotii… For the passionate, a special Orchids’ tour can be organized at Sainte marie from July to December in connection with botanical trips.