Madagascar Trek

Terrain

The undulating terrain you will be walking across will be a mixture from grassy bush paths to rocky, dry mountain tracks.

Accommodation

The hotels in Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Ambalavao are comfortable but basic.

During the trek you will be staying in three-man tents (two to a tent). You will need to bring your own sleeping bag. You will also be spending 2 nights at a lodge at Tsara Camp and one night at a lodge in Andasibe.

The camping facilities and lodge at Tsara Camp are very basic with simple facilities.

Guides

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 tour manager and a Cats Protection representative.

Kit list

A comprehensive kit list is available to help you prepare.

Who is it for?

An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.

Fitness level

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.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Madagascar

Itinerary

• Day 1 | London – Antananarivo

  Fly from London to Antananarivo and transfer to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. Flights and transfers are included. This evening the group will enjoy a welcome dinner together.

• Day 2 | Antananarivo – Antsirabe

  You'll set off on a five hour drive to Antsirabe today, stop for lunch in the charming small city of Ambatolampy en route and enjoy a short city tour on arrival.

• Day 3 | Antsirabe – Ambalayo

  Your journey continues to Ambalaya – the gateway to the South. The drive will be approximately 7 hours but the group will be stopping at Ambositra, famed for its handicrafts, on the way. Tonight you will meet your expert trekking guides for a briefing about your challenge ahead!

• Day 4 | Ambalayo – Namoly – Antantsoa

  It’s an early start to get to Namoly (approx. 3 hours’ drive) and the starting point of the trek. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous lemurs on the way to the first campsite at Antantsoa. The route will also take the group past some stunning natural rock pools where you can take a refreshing dip!

• Day 5 | Antantsoa – Andriampotsy

  Expect a tough day today as the route heads uphill to the next camp at around 2,100m above sea level. Pause to explore some caves on the way and take a relaxing dip in a natural pool, if time allows.

• Day 6 | Andriampotsy – Pic Boby – Iantaranomby

  Another early start this morning as the group attempts to summit Boby Peak (2,658m). The climb will take around 2.5 hours and 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 continue trekking for another 4 hours to reach the final campsite.

• Day 7 | Iantaranomomby – Tsaranoro – Tsara

  Continue downhill for around 4 hours this morning to reach Tsaranono in the Dream Valley. This afternoon the group will head into the forest, hoping to see more lemurs and other creatures endemic to the region. Tonight the accommodation is a basic lodge at Tsara.

• Day 8 | Tsara – Chameleon Peak

  You 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 Valley. Stop for another delicious picnic lunch before heading back down to the lodge at Tsara.

• Day 9 | Tsaranoro – Fianrantsoa

  After breakfast, rejoin the vehicle to drive approximately 4 hours to the old royal city with a colonial past of Fianrantsoa. Spend some time this afternoon exploring both the ancient and modern sides of the city.

• Day 10 | Fianrantsoa – Antananarivo

  It’s a rest day on the road today as the group heads back north to the capital Antananarivo.

• Day 11 | Antananarivo – Andasibe

  The final day in Madagascar is spent visiting Andasibe National Park, home to a variety of species of lemur. Here the group will meet with Maromizaha Project and hear from their team about the work being taken to protect the endangered lemurs, and other animals, in the area. Enjoy a nocturnal visit to the park, a chance to try and spot the rare indri, and stay overnight in the park where there will be a celebratory meal.

• Day 12 | Andasibe – Antananarivo – London

  Depending on flight times there may be a chance for a further foray into the National Park before transferring to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

Included - challenge

• Return flights from London (including airport taxes)
• Transfers and transport in Madagascar
• Accommodation in hotels, campsites during the trek and basic lodges
• All meals as specified
• Drinking water
• Local English-speaking guides and support crew
• Trek permits and entrance fees
• Conservation project visit and talk
• UK tour manager

Included - charity

• Dedicated support from the Events team, who will be there with you every step of the way, answering any questions you have and sharing their personal experiences of challenge events
• A brilliant fundraising pack containing resources, information, tips and ideas, and sponsorship forms
• Free branded t-shirt and tech top to wear with pride at your fundraising events and on the trek
• Practical fundraising support
• Access to Facebook community of Cat Champions, where you’ll connect with other cat lovers, exchange ideas, tips, and advice
• Motivation from a support crew of fellow cat lovers who believe in you and stand beside you as you hit your goals
• Stories about the cats you’re helping

Not Included

• Visas (current cost 35 euros on arrival)
• Transport to/from London airport
• Travel insurance
• Tips (£50-£60pp)
• Personal expenses (eg drinks, souvenirs etc)
• Vaccinations
• Personal trekking kit and equipment

Cats Protection

You'll share your trekking experience with a group of likeminded travellers who might even become friends for life! What's more, by raising funds you'll make an incredible difference to the unwanted and neglected cats that need help.

Responsible Travel and Tourism policy

Organiser's statement:

We define Responsible Travel and Tourism as ‘The use of tourism as a force for good which adds value to, and benefits, the economies, societies and communities we visit, whilst minimising the negative side effects of our tourism to both the destination and the global environment’.

When we travel, we become a guest in the destination and like all good guests we believe it’s right to be respectful and open-minded. Life-enhancing travel is not about seeing a place but experiencing a place, its people, its cultures, food and ways of life.

It is only right that when we, relatively wealthy tourists, enjoy the benefits of tourism we do so responsibly by ensuring that we are not contributing to the exploitation of either people or the environment; that we are participating in ‘fair trade’ practices which benefit those who work so hard to make our trips so great; that we are contributing to the sustainable economic development of the communities who host us; and that we are respectful towards and assist in the maintenance of indigenous cultures.

Option 1: Fundraising

• Pay £399 registration fee.
• Raise £4700 sponsorship for Cats Protection.

Option 2: Mixed fundraising

• Pay £399 registration fee.
• Pay the balance of £1175.
• Raise £2351 sponsorship for Cats Protection.

Costs

Madagascar was everything I had imagined it to be. Remote, unspoilt, beautiful and a surprise around every corner!

The wildlife was simply spectacular, from the vast array of multi-coloured insects, to the inquisitive geckos and shy lemurs – so many unique species that just can’t be found anywhere else. 

The trekking was tough, but the constantly changing views, and keeping an eye out for lemurs that could appear at any moment, made it all worthwhile! Sarah Burgess, Madagascar trekker