Itinerary

1. Day 1: Tananarive - Antsirabe

   • Transfer by private 4x4 car along a 167 km road for about 4 hours. The route takes you to an elevation of 1280 meters above sea level.

   • Along the way, pass through Behenjy, known for its historical practice of force-feeding ducks with corn, a culinary tradition from colonial times.

   • Ambatolampy, located 68 km from the capital, is famous for its workshops that manufacture aluminum utensils, which are used in many countries.

   • Overnight stay at Antsirabe Hotel.

2. Day 2: Antsirabe - Miandrivazo

   • Travel approximately 220 km on the road. It takes about 6 hours, including breaks for enjoying the scenery and a local lunch.

   • Change direction completely, taking the RN34 and passing by the STAR brewery and the town of Betafo, where you can find thermal baths and Lake Tatamarina.

   • The altitude ranges from 1450 m to 80 m throughout the journey to Miandrivazo.

   • Stop for lunch at Matieloana, which is 45 km from Antsirabe and a practical place for a local meal.

   • Upon arrival in Miandrivazo, situated along the Tsiribihina River, you'll be at the starting point for canoe and barge trips downstream on the Tsiribihina.

   • Overnight at Hotel La Princesse.

3. Day 3: Miandrivazo - Anosin'ampela Waterfall (The Island of Women)

   • Begin the descent of the Tsiribihina river, a tranquil day taking approximately 7 hours.

   • The river route offers opportunities to visit small villages along the way, with the leisurely pace of canoes and barges.

   • Observe the fauna along the riverbanks, including storks, herons, and whistling ducks.

   • Lunch break at Sahambano (the Valley of Heroes).

   • Spend the first night in a bivouac, sleeping in tents.

4. Day 4: Anosin'ampela Waterfall - Berevo (Canoe) / Anosinampela Waterfall - Ambatomisay Waterfall (Barge)

   • Navigate for 6 hours either by canoe or barge.

   • Continue the river descent, passing through Begidro, a village that's a crucial stopover for local motorboats and tourists, offering a locally sourced lunch.

   • Explore the local tobacco plantations, a significant activity in the region.

   • Overnight in a tent.

5. Day 5: Berevo - Tsaraotana (Canoe) / Ambatomisay - Belo-sur-Tsiribihina (Barge)

   • Spend 4 hours navigating either by canoe or barge.

   • This region is known for crocodiles, especially in the afternoon, and includes two successive bat cliffs, as well as bird sightings such as kingfishers, cormorant crabeaters, and hairy crabeaters.

   • The river journey ends as Belo-sur-Tsiribihina gets lost in the swamps and mangroves of the Tsiribihina delta.

   • After lunch, change to a 4x4 car for a 45 km off-road journey to Tsimafàna. From there, take a 45-minute ferry ride to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina.

   • Spend the night at the Menabe Hotel, which offers amenities like unlimited hot water and WIFI.

6. Day 6: Belo-sur-Tsiribihina - Bekopaka

   • Travel 100 km off-road to the north of Belo-sur-Tsiribihina, taking a 4x4 car. Departure from Belo-sur-Tsiribihina is at 2 p.m.

   • It's recommended to have a hearty lunch either at the hotel or at the Madzebu restaurant in Belo-sur-Tsiribihina.

   • During the journey, there's a chance of encountering wild boars and Fosa (Cryptoprocta Ferox), the first nocturnal and twilight predator of lemurs.

   • Arrive in Bekopaka, home to the Tsingy, at the end of the afternoon and spend the night at the Orchidee de Bemaraha Hotel, known for its comfort and two natural swimming pools with average WIFI.

7. Day 7: Bekopaka

   • Visit the Manambolobe circuit.

   • Lunch at the hotel.

   • In the afternoon, explore the Little Tsingy (Tantely circuit or Ankiligoa circuit) for 4 hours.

   • Overnight at the same hotel.

8. Day 8: Bekopaka

   • Take a 17 km off-road route by 4x4 car north-west from Bekopaka to visit the Grand Tsingy (Andamozavaky).

   • The visit to Grand Tsingy takes 7 hours of walking along the Broadway sports circuit, allowing you to observe primates such as Propithecus verreauxi deckeni, as well as birds like Blue Couas and Giant Couas.

   • Enjoy a picnic lunch in Tsingy.

   • Return to the same hotel by car.

9. Day 9: Bekopaka - Belo-sur-Tsiribihina

   • Return to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina via the same off-road route by car.

   • Lunch at the Menabe Hotel or at the Madzebu restaurant.

   • In the afternoon, choose between a break or a visit to the famous Sakalava tombs, some of which feature erotic sculptures.

10. Day 10 Belo-sur-Tsiribihina - Tsimafàna - Morondava

    • Resume the ferry journey from Belo-sur-Tsiribihina to Tsimafàna, going against the current for 1 hour.

    • Pass through Beroboka, known for its beekeepers, and enjoy lunch locally before embarking on a visit to the Baobabs.

    • Madagascar is home to 8 species of Baobab trees, and you'll visit the Sacred Baobabs (Adansonia Za), Loving Baobab (Adansonia Rubrostipa), and the famous Alley of the Baobabs (Adansonia Grandidieri), located about 20 km from Morondava.

    • Morondava is a tourist town with all the necessary amenities, including banks and an airport.

    • The trip concludes upon arrival in Morondava, and you'll spend the night at the Chez Maggie Hotel.