TOUR’S HIGHLIGHTS: Trekking from Maroantsetra through forest of Masoala passing by : Mahavelona, Iaraka, Ilampy, Nandrahana, Ambanizana, Ambodoforaha, Tampolo and return by boat to Maroantsetra 

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS:
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Number of people: from 2 people
Type of service: hotel with breakfast+ camping (full board).
Accommodation: hotel (top) and midrange
Boat transfert
Language spoken of driver / guide: French, English, Malagasy
Period: Mai to October
Price: from 470 Euro per person

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: MAROANTSETRA- MAHAVELONA

We start our day from Maroantsetra to Navana (by foot and canoeing) and walking from Navana through the muddy and slippery trail rich of endemic medicinal plants, passing by villages dominated by rice fields scenery, stream, and little cascades. Walk through the botanical garden of Farakaraina home of the rarest lemur, the so-called ‘Aye-aye’. We shall reach Mahalevona after 2 hours and half.

Overnight at a Bungallow

Day 2: MAHAVELONA - IARAKA

Leave Mahalevona after breakfast and go to Iaraka. Along the walk, it is a good opportunity to spot the beauty of Masoala with its splendid fauna and flora as well as the beautiful scenery of its villages with nice rice fields, vanilla plantations, coffee growing, and bananas.

Camping

Day 3: IARAKA- ILAMPY

We depart to Ilampy which is situated south-west of Masoala, home of the famous ‘Madagascar Red Owl’ and Madagascar Serpent Eagle. Walk through the forest finding spiders, snails, birds, chameleons, etc.

Camping

Day 4: ILAMPY- NANDRAHANA

After breakfast,  We depart just as early as we could Ilampy and we shall reach another village called ‘Nandrahanana’; the trail is easy but muddy; it is a very rewarding walk because we are enjoying our direct contact with the local communities as well as the nature that warms our intent trekking through the eastern part of the island.

Camping

Day 5: NANDRAHANA - AMBANIZANA

We leave in the morning and continue walking to Ambanizana which lies around 13km from Nandrahanana.

Camping

Day 6: AMBANIZANA- LOHATROZONA

Leave in the morning and go to Lohatrozona situated west of the Bay of Antogil. The trail is not very steep; the children’s songs and the smell of coffee plantation provide a very good welcoming at the typical village of the Betsimisaraka ethnic group. Late evening walk along the beach and the forest for a night walk in order to spot the active night lemurs along the forest. Spend the night at Chez Arol Lodge.

Day 7: LOHATROZONA- TAMPOLO

Our trekking ends today just after a very long walk starting from the open gate of Tampolo till we finally admire the beauty of marine reserve full of incredible beautiful coral reefs. Stay at Chez Arol Lodge

Day 8: TAMPOLO– MAROANTSETRA

Take the boat from Tampolo to Maroantsetra .Last night at the hotel Cocobeach (midrange), or hotel Masoala Resort (top).

Day 9: Transfer to the Airport and fly back to Tana (the end of the trip)