MASOALA FULL TREK

Your trip in Madagascar

Cape Masoala is a very landlocked peninsula in eastern Madagascar.
Exclusively covered with ancestral forests and surrounded by a turquoise sea, it is the preferred playground for trekkers in search of authenticity!
The primary forest here is a “tangible” reality, which is why teams of scientists from around the world come to stay there to enrich their knowledge since the mission “raft of summits”. Masoala really deserves its reputation as: “forest that falls into the sea”.
The route is a progression that starts from the forest degraded by humans and then enters intact areas.
You will discover the fragility of this sanctuary threatened by the plunderers of resources (precious woods) which prevail there.
You will also discover the ant work of those who reforest, protect and monitor. A real “expedition” to discover a generous nature, punctuated by meetings with the Malagasy people.
A complete trip off the beaten track.

DAY 1

Sambava – Antalaha


• Welcome at the airport by your guide, briefing and transfer by minibus from Sambava, capital of vanilla, on the northeast coast of the island.
  From sambava to Antalaha by a charming asphalt road which allows you to savor the nonchalant atmosphere of this region. In the afternoon, we can visit a vanilla preparation workshop.
• Night in comfortable bungalows with bathroom and toilets.
• Type of transfer: minibus
  Transfer time: 2 hours

DAY 2

Antalaha – Cap Est


• At the Antalaha market, you will complete your equipment (local straw hat) and participate in the purchase of supplies for the trek.
  Then a 4×4 pickup arranged in a local bush taxi transports you to the chaotic track that leads to the starting point of the trek: Cap-est (Ambodirafia).
  According to the timing, swim and stroll at sunset at the Beniowsky stele and a little historical overview of the epic of this adventurer of the 17th century …
  Night in bungalows with basic comfort, sanitary facilities and outdoor toilets.
• Night in rustic but clean bungalows.
• Dinner at a local inn
• Type of transfer: 4 × 4 chartered bush taxi + motor ferry
  Transfer time: 5 hours if the wait at the ferry is short (!)

DAY 3

Cap Est – Antanjokatafana


• Early in the morning, you leave for the first stage of the trek by a bush taxi transfer to the broken bridge in the village of Ratsianarana. Cross by pirogue and walk on the coastal track which allows you to reach the village of Antanjokatafana, the magical place of our camp, for a dream lagoon. Possibility of snorkeling in a beautiful lagoon.
• Night in tent.
  Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Type of transfer: chartered 4 × 4 taxi-brousse
  Hike: 6:00 hours

DAY 4

Antanjokatafana – Ampanavoana


• Day of hiking from village to village to follow the coast to the south.
  The day alternates walking along the coast, crossing rivers in canoes, coconut and clove plantations, some mangrove areas and still the rice fields that feed Madagascar. You also discover what “degraded forest” means with this slash-and-burn technique (“tavy”) which destroys the country. A service boat connection shortens the walk. The stage crosses several very interesting villages and our caravan is greeted by the cheerful and welcoming population.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Type of transfer: canoe + walk.
  Hike: 6:00 hours

DAY 5

Ampanavoana – Vinanivao


• Day hike to reach the fishing village of Vinanivao. This is the longest stage of this first part of the trek and we will have to start at dawn. You discover along the way the agricultural activity of this area rich in cloves.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Type of transfer: canoe + walk.
  Hike: 8:00 hours

DAY 6

Vinanivao – Ambodilaitry – Masoala

• A service boat connection shortens the walk. The route follows the beach and crosses the coconut groves before going into the forest (lemurs) to reach the village of Ambodilaitry, a fishing village in the Masoala lagoon. Then the motorized dugout canoe transfers to the village of Masoala.
  Note: here, “ecolodge” means “dry toilets” (outdoor) and “bucket” shower in a flowery outdoor bathroom, to save resources and protect the environment.
  Meals, dishes and bedding are on the other hand at the “charm” level, with a very nice welcome in this place “cut off from the world”.
• Night in comfortable bungalows with external shower and toilets.
• Dinner and overnight at the Masoala ecolodge.
• Transfer time: 1 hour
  Hike: 5:00 hours

DAY 7

Masoala

• This day (rest) is dedicated to the discovery of Masoala: the village, the fishermen, the lagoon and the Nosy Behenty and Nosy Tsimangakely islands, snorkeling.
• Night in comfortable bungalows with external shower and toilets.
• Meal and night at the Masoala ecolodge.

DAY 8

Masoala – Rantranavoana


• A short navigation in a motorized canoe will drop you off near the village of Fampotabe, which you will discover after going up the mouth and the river.
  The coastal hike alternates between walking on the beach and forest path, climbing a few hills and crossing streams and Betsimisarakas villages until the stage. You will set up your bivouac near the village of Rantranavoana, nestled at the bottom of a superb, closed bay.
  We camp by the side of a small river ideal for washing and showering.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Dîner camping
• Type of transfer: canoe + walk.
  Boat transfer: 0:30 am
  Hike: 4:00 hours

DAY 9

Rantranavoana – Antalaviana 


• From Rantranavoana to Antalaviana, the track runs along the rice fields and then approaches the dense lowland forest. With a little luck, you will observe lemurs (Vary roux or Varecia ruba) and very small chameleons. It is a difficult stage because the path is narrow in a dense and spectacular forest, traced between the roots of the giant trees which make thousands of steps under the canopy. You cross a lot of rivers of all sizes and sometimes to the waist. Passing from one valley system to another, we end up on a dream beach not far from Antalaviana. You camp by the side of a small river ideal for washing and showering.
• Camping dinner and overnight in tents.
• Dîner camping
• Type of transfer: walking.
  Hike: 8:00 hours

DAY 10

Antalaviana – Tampolo – Ambodiforaha


• In the morning, hike in the coastal forest and cross the village to reach the Tampolo area. You start by discovering the site of an industrial wasteland from the 1930s of a colonial sawmill (steam engine) overgrown. Possibility of alternating walking and snorkeling in the coral reefs of the Tampolo marine park.
• Dinner and overnight at the Ambodiforaha Ecolodge.
• Night in comfortable bungalows with toilets and toilets.
• Hike: 4:00 hours

DAY 11

Ambodiforaha – Nosy Mangabe – Maroantsetra


• Early in the morning, you set off for a naturalist circuit in the primary forest where you will be able to observe “vari roux” lemurs (varecia rubra) in the trees of Masoala park.
  Bird watchers are passionate about the Prevost Eurycere which nests in this sector.
  From Tampolo to Maroantsetra, the boat crosses Antongil Bay and crosses the island of Nosy Mangabe (special reserve).
  Circuit in the forest to discover the flora and fauna of the island, special mention for the “Uroplatus” and the bands of lemurs which approach very close to the camp. The Dutch beach has a nice surprise: rocks carved in the 18th century by the navigators of the spice route.
  The setting is magnificent.
  The tide schedule determines the timing because you have to enter the river at high tide.
• Dinner and overnight at the hotel (“comfort” double rooms with sanitary facilities).
• Type of transfer: Boat + walk.
  Boat transfer: 1h30
  Hike: 3:00 hours

DAY 12

Maroantsetra


Return by plane to Antananarivo or Toamasina.
End of our services.

• Retour en avion à Tananarive ou Toamasina.
  Fin de nos services.