Solidarity trip and immersion on the NR7

Mise en place et départ pour la route du Sud, jusqu’à Ambatolampy, bourgade située à environ 2h de route de la capitale. Visites d’artisans et de villages locaux en cours de route. En plus des sourires des enfants, vous rencontrerez divers vendeurs d’artisanat postés en bord de route proposant des articles colorés : petites voitures et avions miniatures fabriquées à partir de matériaux de récupération ou en bois, des baobabs et animaux en raphia peint, des paniers et sacs en vannerie, … Le parcours vous fera découvrir le paysage verdoyant des Hautes Terres, avec ses collines et ses hectares de rizières, de diverses plantations, parsemées ici et là de petits hameaux avec des maisons traditionnelles aux murs de briques rouges et aux toits de chaume. Vous prendrez une bifurcation à Ambatolampy pour rejoindre la route menant à Tsinjoarivo (mélange de route bitumée et piste, environ 2h40 de voiture). Vous passerez par une douzaine de petits villages avant d’arriver au gite : paysage et rythme quotidien rural au rendez-vous, rizières, maisons traditionnelles, activités des champs, charrettes à zébus, …une ambiance qui vous emmène loin de tout mouvement des grandes villes. Accueil de bienvenue !

Tsinjoarivo is a site rich in history and beliefs. Three possibilities for activities are available to you, which you will have discussed the day before with the local guide, depending on your abilities and skills: 1 – departure to participate in field activities and craft work (embroidery, basketry) with the members of the Association and visits to the surrounding area 2 – hiking through mountains and valleys, fields and rice fields passing through various small villages dotted here and there up to the Andriamamovoka waterfalls and of Ambavaloza, with all the history and beliefs of the places that your guide will not fail to share with you (return by car) (medium difficulty, but at your own pace because there will be climbs through small dirt roads) 3 – hike (1 day) to the sacred primary forest of Mahatsinjo where you can discover endemic varieties of diurnal and nocturnal lemurs. End of the afternoon, discussions and sharing with members. It is possible to participate in their development projects (reforestation, increase and diversification of the yield of their culture and their craft work, improvement of the cottage, etc.) by offering them means for the purchase of equipment (spade, harrow, weeder, pitchforks, wheelbarrow, shovel, watering can, etc.). Salt, sugar and oil do not exist on the site either, the site being located far from towns, they have to walk around 3 to 4 hours to find a small local market or a small grocery store. (Discuss with members of the Association)

Departure in the morning to reach Antsirabe. Back to civilization. Direction towards the town nicknamed the “Malagasy Vichy”, located at an altitude of 1500m in a basin surrounded by volcanoes. Visit the place and its colorful market. Facility.

After breakfast, continue on the southern road. After about 3 hours of driving, you will take the junction which leads to Fandriana, the north-eastern part of the Amoron'i Mania region. It will take you about 1 hour by car to get to the reception lodge. Sandrandahy is also a place rich in history, belief and legends. Along the road we find an intense rural life typical of the Betsileo country. The rice field landscapes give beautiful color to nature. Welcome to another Village Welcome Association! Welcome and short stroll around the cottage. Exchange with the villagers.

Walk along the beaten paths and discover possible activities for visitors, possibility of participating in field work. Historical visit to the village and discovery of the silk trades, the main activities of the women members of the association. The Sahalandy Association works in the work of wild and domestic silks. A percentage of the profits from their sales is paid into a common fund which contributes to helping parents and children in difficulty with schooling. Departure after lunch to reach a big city again.

Departure after breakfast to take the Nationale 7 road towards the South. The environment is gradually changing. Impressive granite domes appear at the same time as the relief becomes more rugged. We are seduced by the beauty and magic of the place. The road crosses the foothills of the Andringitra massif where impressive granite monoliths break the monotony of the relief. Then, large arid steppes replace the mountains. Passage to the village of Ihosy, capital of the Bara country, gateway to the Horombe plateau: a plateau covered with an immense dry meadow which extends as far as the eye can see and contrasts with the landscapes that we usually encounter in Madagascar. The region is inhabited by the Bara tribes, a people of breeders, who lead their herds in the vast grassy areas. Arrival at Ranohira. Installation and well-deserved rest.

OPTION : visit Isalo Park in the morning. Departure for Saint Augustin, a small Vezo village about 4h30 from Ranohira. We are in the Mahafaly territory. We cross the first galleries of dry forests commonly called the Bush. Visit to a local artisanal roadside rum factory. Branch about thirty km before arriving in Tuléar to take the track which leads to Saint Augustin, a town located at the foot of large white limestone cliffs, at the mouth of the Onilahy river, located in the Tsinjoriake Protected Areas. The site is made up of silty and sandy alluvium. Part of the sand is reworked into dunes. The population is mainly made up of Vezo fishermen. Facility.

Départ pour le village proprement de Saint Augustin, à environ 10 à 15 mn de l’hôtel d’hébergement. Accueil par une association villageoise. Plusieurs possibilités de balade s’offrent à vous, suivant vos envies, vos capacités physiques, vos attentes : - Trekking jusqu’au sommet de « Barn Hill » un escarpement de faille évolué en falaise qui limite le plateau éocène (partir assez tôt le matin pour éviter la chaleur étouffante de la journée – circuit assez sportif, mais au final, offre une vue imprenable sur toute la zone au sommet de la falaise) - Visite village et son histoire (marché, palais royal, ancienne prison d’esclave devenue école, grotte, …) + piscine naturelle d’Andoharano - Sortie pirogue pour rejoindre le village de Lavenombato, en logeant l’embouchure de fleuve Onilahy et les mangroves ou pirogue jusqu’à Sarodrano, situé à proximité du tropique du Capricorne, un endroit qui abrite beaucoup d’espèces végétales endémiques de la région et propose une belle vue inoubliable, d’où le nom « Tsinjoriake » ou littéralement « vue sur la mer».. - ……. Retour à l’hôtel

Departure after breakfast to join the Nationale 7. Stops for the last visits to village receptions: that of the village of Ankilibe and Ankoronga: artisanal production of smoked fish, meeting with a young and talented painter (of canoes or various decorations), builder of “miniature canoes”, basketry and shell jewelry, hair braider, manufacture of “fatana mitsitsy”: economical and improved stove…. Transfer to Tuléar. Installation at the hotel.

Possibility of continuing the program for stays by the sea around Tulear OR returning to the capital. TOUR MALIN MADAGASCAR – MADAVOYAGES is a member of the ANTSO RE Association (National Association for Solidarity and RESPONSIBLE Tourism) https://www.antsore.com/qui-sommes-nous and works with these Accueils Villageois in the preservation of Environment and local development.