The Ultimate Trekking Adventure in Madagascar
Get off-grid on this truly remote ramble, hiking through two of the wildest national parks on the extraordinary 'Great Red Island'
The Ultimate Trekking Adventure in Madagascar
Get off-grid on this truly remote ramble, hiking through two of the wildest national parks on the extraordinary 'Great Red Island'
DURATION
11 nights
LOCATION
Madagascar
ANNUAL LEAVE
8 days off work
SEASON
Apr-Nov
GROUP SIZE
Up to 12 people
MEETING POINT
Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Hotel · Campsite · Bungalow · Wild camping
OVERALL RATING
0.0
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
You'll need to be happy hiking for up to 8 hours a day, with a big elevation gain to reach Pic Boby's summit, and love camping in the wild
Trek and wild camp through the otherworldly canyons, plains, forests and peaks of the Isalo and Andringitra National Parks
Hike and scramble to the summit of Madagascar's second-highest mountain, the imposing Pic Boby (2658m)
Eyes peeled for lemurs, the island’s most famous residents – from ring-tailed and red-fronted browns, to tiny mouse lemurs
Day 1
Welcome to Antananarivo
Touch down in Madagascar's capital, affectionately known as Tana, meet your host at the airport and transfer across the city to your hotel. Meet up with your fellow adventurers for dinner and a chat through the adventure to come.
Day 2
To the South
Hiking
2hrs
The sheer size of Madagascar means that taking a domestic flight is common on many trips here, so you'll be hopping on a flight today to reach Tulear, 1000km south and your gateway to reach the two national parks that you'll be trekking through. Warm up for your trek with a night walk tonight at Antsokay Arboretum, getting your first glimpse of Madagascar's endemic plant and wildlife, including the tiny nocturnal mouse lemur and the enigmatic chameleon.
Day 3
The trekking begins
Hiking
2-3hrs · 7km · 120m up · 120m down
Wake up early and hop in the van for the drive from Tulear to Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park and the starting point for your two-day trek through this remote region. The trail winds through a stunning landscape of towering sandstone formations, deep canyons, and lush greenery. The area is packed with endemic plants and trees – with plenty of chances to spot your first wild lemurs of the trip. You will stop for a picnic lunch in a scenic spot before continuing on through a canyon to reach a refreshing wild swim spot. Camp out beneath mango trees for your first night beneath the stars in Madagascar.
Day 4
Trek to Isalo's natural swimming pools
Hiking
6-7hrs · 18km · 645m up · 140m down
Roll out of the tent at sunrise to see the morning sun illuminating the Isalo massif before hitting the trail, reaching a forest at the foot of the cliffs that is home to unmistakable ring-tailed lemurs and the agile white sifakas. Trek deeper into the canyon between the towering walls, winding to reach the summit of the Isalo ridges giving a clear panorama to the north. After six hours of trekking through an evolving landscape of colours and textures through the heat of the day, you're rewarded with the most beautiful of Isalo's natural swimming pools. Take a well-deserved swim and enjoy sunset, before dinner at the next camp spot.
Day 5
Ring tailed lemurs at a community reserve
Hiking
4-5hrs · 14km · 150m up · 350m down
Tuck into breakfast at your final camp spot in Isalo, pack down camp and trek out of the park, traversing a plateau resembling a classic African savannah. Descend a steep valley on a well-maintained trail to reach the forest-flanked Namaza River, hiking along the river with yet more lemurs in the canopies for company, until you reach the Nymphs Waterfall. The trek winds down as you arrive back at Ranohira, where you'll hop back in the van for the onward drive to the village of Ambalavao. You'll stop en route for a hike through Anja Park, a community-run reserve famous for its ring-tailed lemurs. Spend the night in bungalows in a beautiful spot, enjoying a comfy bed and shower conveniently wedged in between the two trekking and camping sections of your trip.
Day 6
The Andringitra trek begins
Hiking
8hrs · 17km · 1421m up · 504m down
From one trek straight to another, you'll drive into the Tsaranoro Valley through some stunning highland landscapes, to reach the trailhead for the hike into the Andringitra National Park. Start the climb to the Andringitra Massif with the majestic Tsaranoro cliff towering in the background, and after a few tough hours you'll have lunch and cool down with a swim in the river. Continue through a lunar landscape nicknamed 'Diavolana' ('moonlight' in Malagasy) until you reach the Andranolava campsite, beside a river at 1965m. Tonight's campout at this altitude will be colder, so wrap up and settle in ahead of summit day tomorrow.
Day 7
Summit Pic Boby (2658m)
Hiking
6hrs · 14km · 693m up · 693m down
Pic Boby is the star attraction of Andringitra National Park and Madagascar's second-highest mountain at 2658m, which you'll be summiting today. An early morning start with an hour of gentle hiking through the Andohariana plateau will lead you to the foot of huge granite cliffs, marking the start of the ascent to Pic Boby. After two and half hours of steady hiking and some rock scrambling, you'll be stood at the summit taking in a full panorama of the entire region. In very good weather, you can even see the Isalo massif, which you trekked through a few days ago. Descend from the peak via the same route, continuing along the foot of the cliffs back to the campsite to enjoy the rest of the afternoon by the river, where you can relax and recover from your summit exploits.
Day 8
The final stretch
Hiking
7hrs · 24km · 456m up · 1180m down
Roll out of the tent to the first rays of sunlight coming down the cliffs and the plateau, tuck into breakfast and set off toward the Namoly Valley, passing waterfalls and eventually reaching a dirt road through the village of Antanifotsy. Eventually, you will arrive in Andreatelo, which marks the end of your trek through Andringitra National Park. You'll be treated to some creature comforts this evening back in a hotel in Fianarantsoa after your time camping in the wilderness.
Day 9
Drive to Fianarantsoa
Driving
5hrs · 165km
Walk the final few hundred metres from your camp spot to a 4x4 waiting for you at a dirt track, ready to tackle the drive to Ambalavao. Given the poor condition of the road the going is slow, but this confirms the sense of remoteness that comes with trekking in this region! Stop at the village of Sendrisoa en route for a glimpse into rural Malagasy life, before continuing on the journey to Fianarantsoa where you will spend the night.
Day 10
Colours and cultures of Madagascar
Driving
6hrs · 245km
After a week in the wilderness, its time to see the other side of life in Madagascar as you eat into the multi-day journey from your trekking spot to the capital. Road travel is slow in Madagascar due to the fluctuating quality of the roads, but this provides a great opportunity for an insight into life here. On your road trip today, you'll pass through charming villages showcasing local life and traditional architecture, including Ambositra – renowned for its woodcarvers and vibrant handicrafts, as well as the stunning highland landscapes with grasslands and volcanic formations. Eventually, you'll reach Antsirabe: the third-largest city in Madagascar is known for its colonial charm, thermal springs, and colourful pousse-pousse (a type of rickshaw). Enjoy some free time here to explore in the late afternoon and evening before bunking down in a cosy hotel.
Day 11
Explore Antsirabe on two wheels
Cycling
3hrs
Driving
4hrs · 179km
You'll have a chance to stretch your legs again this morning before the final stretch of driving to the capital later. Hop on a bike to explore Antsirabe and its rural surroundings as you pedal through the town's charming streets, past colonial architecture and out into the countryside. Roll through lush, green hills and past traditional Malagasy villages, stopping to buy local foods and learn insights into the unique local culture and way of life here from your guide. Tuck into lunch at a local restaurant before it's time for the drive back to the capital, Tana.
Day 12
Cocoa workshop in Tana & farewell Madagascar
No need to rush to the airport on your final day today, as all flights depart in the afternoon and evening. So, enjoy a morning getting hands-on with one of Madagascar's most famous exports: Malagasy cocoa. Your host has their own kitchen in Tana, which you'll head to for a workshop with a chef where you'll make your own chocolate bars using the revered cocoa and unique Malagasy spices. Grab one last lunch in Tana before your host transfers you to the airport for your onward flight.
Included
Guides
Expert, English-speaking trekking guides
Accommodation
5 nights wild camping, 6 nights in hotels
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners
Transfers
Airport transfers and everything in between
Porterage
Cooks, spotters and porters for the trekking days through Isalo and Andringitra
Equipment
Twin-share expedition tents
Permits
Entrance fees for Isalo and Andringitra National Parks and the private reserves at Arboretum Antsokay and Anja
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Visas where required
Day 1
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 4
Campsite · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Bungalow · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Campsite · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Wild camping · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 11
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 12
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Malagasy cuisine is a result of the island's diverse cultural heritage, which includes African, Arab, Indian, and French influences. The traditional Malagasy diet primarily revolves around rice, meat, fish, vegetables, green leaves, and tropical fruits – including mangoes, lychees, pineapples, papayas, and bananas, to name a few. Rice is the staple food of Madagascar and forms the basis of most meals. It is typically served with various accompaniments such as chicken, zebu (a type of cattle), pork and river or sea fish. In urban areas, you can find a variety of street food options. These include samosas, masikita (grilled skewers of zebu), and various fried snacks and soups. On the treks, breakfasts are substantial and include hot drinks (tea, coffee and hot chocolate), fruit juice, bread, jam, honey, cheese and eggs. Lunches are cold picnics with sandwiches and seasonal fruit. Dinner is a hot cooked meal with a starter, main course and dessert.
Vegetarians can be catered for on this trip, however vegetarianism is not part of the Malagasy culture and as such, the options can be of a limited nature compared to what vegetarians are used to in the Western world. Please advise of any dietary requirements in advance using your passenger info form. Please note that unfortunately, Halal and gluten-free diets cannot be accommodated on this trip.
What is the accommodation like?
Antananarivo
Your arrival night is spent in Madagascar's capital at the San Cristobal Hotel, a 3-star boutique property conveniently situated near the airport – ideal for your domestic flight on Day 2. There is a terrace, a garden and a bar and you'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Camping
You'll spend five nights camping in Isalo and Andringitra National Parks as you tackle the treks through both parks. You'll be sleeping in twin-share dome tents with sleeping mats. The treks are fully supported by a team of porters, so your camping gear, the group cooking equipment and other facilities will be transported and organised by the porters. There will be 'bush showers' available for al fresco washing each morning.
Camp Catta
Camp Catta is in a stunning location at the foot of the iconic cliff of Tsaranoro within Andringitra National Park. There is a beautiful eco-pool with incredible views over the National Park to cool off in. You'll stay in twin-share bungalows with private toilet facilities.
Fianarantsoa
During your journey from Andringitra all the way back to Antananarivo you'll overnight at Hotel Ambalakely near Fianarantsoa. The hotel has Scandinavian roots, reflected in the fresh decor. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Antsirabe
In Madagascar's third-biggest city – Antsirabe – you'll overnight at Hotel H1 Antsirabe, a quaint hotel with a garden, a terrace and a restaurant. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Antananarivo City
The 4-star Grand Hotel Urban is set in Antananarivo, a short walk from Ambohijatovo Garden and 750 yards from Mahamasina Municipal Stadium. The elegant rooms have city views and feature air conditioning, satellite TV and a safety deposit box. Hairdryers are available. An a la carte breakfast is offered daily. The hotel has a wellness area for massages and beauty treatments, and it also offers laundry services, currency exchange and a concierge.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked throughout the trip for an extra charge, see Optional Extras. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo
13:00 on Day 12
Transfers
Your host will meet you on arrival at Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo and transfer you to your hotel in Madagascar's capital city. On Day 12, your host will transfer you back to the airport in the later afternoon, in time for any onward flights in the evening.
Travel options
There are direct flights to Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo from Paris, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Mauritius. For travellers from the UK, US and other major hubs in Europe, you can take a direct flight to any of the aforementioned hubs and transit there for the flight to Madagascar.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Twin-share expedition dome tents
- Sleeping mats
What's available to hire?
- Trekking bag
- Sleeping bag
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Trekking pack (25-35 litres)
CLOTHES
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Fleece jacket or similar, for colder evenings
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- Long sleeved thin shirts for sun protection
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sleepwear
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Sandals or trainers for around camp
SLEEPING
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner
- Mosquito net
- Sleeping bag (2-3 season)
- Travel pillow or pillowcase
- Thermarest or sleeping mat if you wish to use your own
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Anti-malarial medication
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle - aim to carry a minimum of 2 litres, in 2 bottles or 1 bottle and a bladder
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
- Water purification tablets/treatment system - read our article on the Best Water Filters for Adventurers
Single room at Urban Grand Hotel (post trip)
Payable Before Departure
Single room at Urban Grand Hotel (post trip)
… Per Night
Single/Twin/Double room at San Cristobal Hotel (pre trip)
Payable Before Departure
Single/Twin/Double room at San Cristobal Hotel (pre trip)
… Per Night
Twin/double room at Urban Grand Hotel (post trip)
Payable Before Departure
Twin/double room at Urban Grand Hotel (post trip)
… Per Night
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
…
Private airport transfer - each way (1-4 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private airport transfer - each way (1-4 people)
…
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 323kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
This is a challenging trek for many reasons – the distances are plentiful, and cross areas which don't always have a marked trail. The National Parks are very remote and the sense of being out in the wilderness is wonderful, but you'll need to possess a love for being in remote places with limited comforts. The heat can play a factor in this part of the world, though there are fantastic swimming spots to cool down at various points in the trip. In Andringitra, the elevation gain required to get to Pic Boby is significant, however most people with average fitness and some trekking/hiking experience can reach the summit and at 2600m there shouldn't be any issues with the altitude.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
- $5/£4 per day for the lead guide
- $10/£8 per trekking day for the porter team
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
It is never safe to drink the water in Madagascar, so all drinking water needs to be purified. Your host will travel with large containers of water throughout the trip, while the porters will ensure that water is carried through each day of the treks. However, please do bring water purification tablets or a filtration system. We recommend having a read of our Guide to the Best Water Filters for Adventurers.
Isalo National Park is located in the southwestern part of Madagascar where from April to December is the dry season, so expect minimal rainfall or none at all. Temperatures will range from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) during the day; nights can be colder, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C (50°F).
November to December is the transition period between the dry season and the wet season. Temperatures can rise slightly, reaching up to 30°C (86°F) during the day. Showers and thunderstorms become more frequent, and the landscape starts to become greener.
Andringitra National Park is located in the southeastern part of Madagascar, and its climate is influenced by the nearby Indian Ocean which makes the temperatures slightly cooler on average than those listed above for Isalo. Before the summit of Pic Boby, you'll be sleeping at close to 2000m above sea level, so the night there can be significantly colder than all other nights on the trip.
Yes, you can store excess luggage at your host's base in Antananarivo to be collected when you return to the capital.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
No. You'll need to have a mid-size trekking pack to carry various items during the trek, namely water, camera/phone, water purification, suncream and additional layers for sun protection, swimwear and travel towel for the wild swim spots. Your main pack will be transported during the treks by the team of porters.
Yes, 20kg is the weight limit. Suitcases are also not permitted, so make sure you bring a soft shell backpack or duffel bag.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
