Trek Madagascar
Event information
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, lying off the southeast coast of Africa. Having developed in isolation, the island nation is famed for its unique wildlife.
The trek is also unique, steeped in natural beauty and highly varied. It includes canyons, gorges, bush-covered plains, dense forests, rocky ridges and the summit of the island's highest accessible mountain peak.
All the money raised for this trip will be restricted to funding projects in Madagascar. After the stunning trek, you’ll get the incredible opportunity to visit a WaterAid project. This will give you a real insight in to our work and show you first-hand how the money you raise makes a difference.
Take part and together we can help people live healthy lives with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
What people are saying
Trek itinerary
Day 1: Leave from London
Day 2: Arrive Antananarivo (Tana), transfer to Antanifotsy - Arrive in Madagascar’s capital, Tana, and meet our local team. Travel south through the highlands and arrive at Antanifotsy for dinner and a night in the hotel.
Day 3: Antanifotsy – Ranomafana National Park - Continue our drive south through beautiful hills and forests, stopping along the way for breaks. Arrive at Ranomafana for a fascinating night walk. Look out for tree-frogs, nocturnal lemurs and fossas.
Day 4: Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa – Ambalabvao – Set off for an early morning rainforest walk. After lunch drive via Fianarantsoa, a university town and centre of wine industry, set in picturesque rolling green hills, to Ambalavao, the end of the road.
Day 5 - 8: Ambalavao - Namoly – Imaitso – Travel in 4WD vehicles over red-earth track to Andringitra National Park, with its remarkable domed granite peaks and sheer cliffs. Trek through the Park past Betsileo villages and rice-terraces carved into the mountain slopes. Camp on the edge of forest Imaitso.
Day 9: Tsaranoro Valley – Ambositra - Explore Tsaranoro to see more wildlife including ring-tailed lemurs. Drive north, bidding farewell to the mountains and returning to the beautiful central highlands.
Day 10-11: Ambositra – Antsirabe – Project Visit –Tana - Continue our return journey north to Antsirabe and visit a WaterAid project to see what the money you've raised can achieve for communities. Travel back to Tana for a final farewell meal and take international flight home.
Day 12: Arrive UK
Note: Discover Adventure reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for safety reasons should local conditions dictate
FAQs
People of all ages and from all walks of life. Although you must be 18 and over. You can sign up as an individual or a group – by the time you’ve finished the trip you will have made friendships that will last a lifetime!
Discover Adventure have graded this trip as 3/5. It is designed to be a challenge so it’s important that you train in advance. With the right preparation anyone can complete the trek and enjoy themselves while doing it.
From canyons and gorges to bush-covered plains and dense forests, rocky ridges and the summit of the island’s highest accessible mountain peak, this is a unique and highly varied trek steeped in natural beauty.
On some days there will be a long drive required so each day will vary. The number of hours spent trekking can be anything from three hours (on the first day of the trek) to six-ten hours on other days. The scenery also differs dramatically depending on the day; from Summit Pic Boby, Madagascar’s second highest peak, to forests full of wildlife.
During the trek (five nights), we'll be camping in two-man tents at different campsites along the trail. Some campsites are quite simple while others are permanent tented camps with wooden or thatched shelters and very good facilities. All have stunning views. The other nights will be spent in hotels where you'll be asked to share a room with one other person. All are comfortable and clean with en-suite facilities.
Once you’ve signed up we’ll be in regular contact, providing you with lots of fundraising and training support. You will receive a comprehensive event manual that will include specific details and reminders about your exciting challenge.
On the trip you will be accompanied by an experienced crew, including a trek leader, local guides, porters, a doctor (depending on final group size) and a WaterAid representative.
No, apart from some decent, well worn-in trekking boots and a three-season sleeping bag. You will be provided with a full packing checklist once you sign up.
Yes, everyone will need to take out their own comprehensive travel insurance.
All food is included when trekking. We'll be eating local food served in big portions to give you plenty of energy. Two meals as specified in the itinerary are not included. Anyone with special dietary requirements can be catered for if advance notice is given.
UK passport holders will require a visa to enter Madagascar. Visas can be obtained upon arrival and are free of charge. Other nationalities should check with their embassy.
Discover Adventure insist that you have had a Tetanus injection in the last ten years, and highly recommended protection against Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Although you are unlikely to encounter any mosquitoes while you are above 1000m, there is a risk of Malaria at lower elevations. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date vaccination advice.
All flights, transport, accommodation, camping equipment (other than sleeping bag and mat), all meals except two as specified in the itinerary, internal air tax, National Park entry fees and all other sites visited as part of the itinerary.
Personal travel insurance, airline fuel supplement if charged by the airline, two meals as specified, tip for local crew, entry visa or international airport tax. It also does not include any entrance fees to any optional sites you may wish to visit.
You must have raised at least 80% of the fundraising target ten weeks before departure as this is when we get invoiced for the trip costs. The remaining 20% is due within four weeks of your return.
How to take part
We don't currently have places for the 2017 trek available. But if you'd like to get involved right now, discover our other events >
Contact us
Have a question about the event you've signed up to? Or do you need some help choosing your next challenge?
Contact our Events team and they’ll be happy to help.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7793 4594
You can also join the WaterAid Events Facebook group to get answers to any questions you may have.