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18th Nov 2023 - 29th Nov 2023
12 days/Madagascar /Moderate to Challenging
Explore the towering mountains , verdant grasslands and exotic rainforests of the incredible island of Madagascar with Noah Enterprise.
This 12-day trip will give you ample opportunity to discover the delights of this island nation as you spend 5 days trekking through the Andringitra National Park.
Join us as we attempt to summit the island’s second highest peak Pic Boby and neighbouring Chameleon Peak for some spectacular views over the Tsaranoro Valley.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the endangered lemurs, reptiles and a host of other creatures endemic to the region along the way.
You will also spend a day at a community project in the country’s capital Antananarivo. The typical tasks you will be involved in include basic refurbishment such as repainting rooms and improving kitchen facilities, gardening and general maintenance.
This trip is rated as moderate to challenging for someone of good fitness levels. You will be trekking for 5 consecutive days, over varying and sometimes challenging terrain. You will cover approximately 15-20km per day but this will take around 6 – 8 hours.
You will be accompanied by first aid trained English-speaking guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking, culture and nature in the region. You will also be accompanied by a team of local support staff, a Different Travel Company UK tour manager and a Noah Enterprise representative.
The undulating terrain you will be walking across will be a mixture from grassy bush paths to rocky, dry mountain tracks.
The maximum expected daytime temperature in November is around 33°C, dropping down to 12°C at night. The climate is very humid and intermittent downpours are possible so you are advised to bring good waterproofs and warm layers for evenings.
Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate for this time of year; climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience conditions during the trip which are uncharacteristic and out of our control. If unexpected climate conditions occur the guides will make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
You will be staying in comfortable 2/3 star hotels in Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Ambalavao.
During the trek you will be staying in three man tents (two to a tent). You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
You will also be spending 2 nights at the basic lodge at Tsara Camp.
You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian–please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit.
An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.
You are strongly advised to train to a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s walk. The distances covered may not be great but you must be prepared for, and be capable of, trekking for many hours a day on steep, rough terrain while carrying a daypack of around 6-8kg in weight. If you attempt to complete the trek without training, it will be unnecessarily challenging and will hinder your experience, and the experience of your teammates.
You must engage in training (including plenty of walking up and down hills) before departure to ensure your best chance of enjoyment of the trip. This could include hill walking, running, cycling, gym workouts, bootcamps, etc. Increasing your cardiovascular endurance, core strength and leg strength will also benefit you greatly so resistance workouts should be added to your training regime in addition to plenty of hill walking. You can download a number of free apps which will help you train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyWalk, couch to 5k, MyFitnessPal etc. If you attempt to complete the challenge without training it will make the trek unnecessarily difficult and may be detrimental to your experience, and the experience of your team mates.
The altitude you experience on this trek is up to 2,658m which is slightly under the threshold that is considered high altitude (3000m). However there is a possibility that some people may notice altitude related symptoms.
The local guides are very experienced in spotting signs of altitude sickness but it is important that you also research the effects so you can be aware of how your body is adjusting.
A great source of information can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Altitude-sickness/Pages/Introduction.aspx or http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm.
E-tickets + pre-departure info
Passport + copy
Visa (if applicable)
Insurance policy details
Pen for immigration forms
Cash (£) / ATM card(s)
LED head torch + spare batteries
Adaptor (multi-option)
Sunglasses
Camera + spare batteries
Mobile phone + charger
Hiking boots*
Trainers/slippers for evenings
Trek socks & underwear
Lightweight trek trousers
Non-cotton t-shirts
Long sleeved non-cotton top
Long sleeved light warm layer
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Lightweight waterproof trousers
Gloves
Clothes + gloves for project
Casual clothes for sightseeing
Sun hat
Buff www.buffwear.co.uk (for dust)
Swimwear
Shampoo/conditioner/hair brush*
Toothbrush/toothpaste*
Antiperspirant/deodorant*
Shower gel/ shave kit / loofah*
Wet wipes*
Toilet paper*
Sun cream (high SPF)*
Hand sanitizer*
Small travel towel
Feminine hygiene products*
Nappy sacks (for used toilet paper)*
Mosquito net
Prescription medicine
50% DEET insect repellent
Ibuprofen and Paracetamol
Plasters/blister plasters
Imodium (Loperamide)
Rehydration (e.g. Dioralyte)
Muscle rub (tiger balm/Deep Heat)
Anti-histamine tablets/cream
Antiseptic cream (e.g. Savlon)
Indigestion remedy (e.g. Gaviscon)
Lip balm with SPF protection
Decongestant
Throat lozenges
Scissors/tweezers
Zinc oxide tape (optional)
Spare glasses/contact lenses
Video camera + charger
iPod/MP3 player
Walking pole(s)
Sewing kit
Notebook/diary
Books/playing cards
Suitcase/rucksack for luggage
Trek kit bag/holdall
Daypack (25-30 litres)
Padlocks
Luggage organisers or packing cubes (optional)
Energy snacks
2-litre water bottle (e.g. CamelBak)
1-litre standard water bottle
Water purification (optional)
Electrolyte tablets (e.g. NUUN)
Ear plugs (essential)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Sleeping mat
Pyjamas
Please note: This list is not exhaustive and does not account for your personal taste or preference. It should be used as a guideline only. If you have any questions or queries regarding this list which are not answered in the sections above please contact info@different-travel.com.
*Please ensure you pack your boots in your hand baggage in the unlikely event your luggage is delayed or goes missing.
*Please consider eco-friendly or biodegradable options.
London – Antananarivo
Fly from London to Antananarivo and transfer to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Meals: Dinner (subject to arrival time)
Overnight: Hotel
Antananarivo – Antisirabe
We will set off on a five-hour drive to Antsirabe today. We will stop for lunch in Ambatolampy enroute. We will enjoy a short city tour on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Antsirabe – Ambalayo
Our journey continues as we head to Ambalaya – the gateway to the South. The drive will be approximately 7 hours but we will be stopping at Ambositra, famed for its handicrafts, on the way. Tonight you will meet your trek guides for a briefing about the days ahead.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Ambalayo – Namoly – Antantsoa
It’s an early start this morning as we head to Namoly (approx. 3 hours drive) and the starting point of our trek. Keep your eyes peeled for our first lemurs as we walk to our first campsite at Antantsoa. The route will also take us past some stunning natural rock pools.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 4 hours
Overnight: Camping
Antantsoa – Andriampotsy
Expect a tough day today as we head uphill to our next camp at around 2,100m above sea level. We will stop to visit some caves on the way and may even get the chance for a relaxing dip in a natural pool.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6 hours
Overnight: Camping
Andriampotsy – Pic Boby – Iantaranomby
Another early start this morning as we attempt to summit Boby Peak (2,658m). The climb will take around 2.5 hours but you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the valley below. The descent back to camp will be around 2 hours where you will be welcomed with a hearty lunch. This afternoon we will continue trekking for another 4 hours to reach our final campsite.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 8 hours
Overnight: Camping
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Iantaranomomby – Tsaranoro – Tsara
We continue downhill for around 4 hours this morning to reach Tsaranono in the ‘Dream Valley’. This afternoon we head into the forest, hoping to see more lemurs and other creatures endemic to the region. Tonight we will be staying in a basic lodge at Tsara.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6 hours
Overnight: Basic lodge
Tsara – Chameleon Peak
We will summit another mountain today Chameleon Peak. The climb will take around 4 hours to the top where you will be treated to spectacular views over the Tsaranoro Valey. We will stop for a picnic lunch before heading back down to the lodge at Tsara.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx 6 hours
Overnight: Basic lodge
Tsaranoro -Fianrantsoa
After breakfast we will rejoin our vehicle to drive approx. 4 hours to the old royal city with a colonial past of Fianrantsoa.We will spend some time this afternoon exploring both the ancient and modern sides of the city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: hotel
Fianrantsoa – Antananarivo
It’s a long day on the road today as we head back north to the capital Antananarivo.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: hotel
Antananarivo
Our final day in Madagascar will be spent giving back to the community that has hosted us, You will be helping out at a local community project, such as a school, with activities likely to include, painting, decorating and refurbishing.
You will get the opportunity to interact with the local community before a celebratory farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: hotel
Antananarivo – London
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. We will do our best to keep to this itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.
Registration fee: £375
and then either…
Sponsorship: £4200
orÂ
Flexi: £2,100 trip costs* and £2,100 donation to NOAH
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to NOAH Enterprise. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for NOAH.
*Please note trip costs are based on the final group size and are subject to change.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
