7:30 AM – Departure and journey through the landscapes of the North. Your Driver and live guide will pick you up from your hotel in Diégo-Suarez in a comfortable 4x4. You begin a journey of about two hours southward. The landscape unfolds, alternating between plains dominated by majestic baobabs, lively villages, and local plantations, offering an authentic first glimpse of Malagasy life.
9:30 AM – Arrival at the park and briefing with the local live guide. You reach the eastern entrance to the park in Mahamasina. Over a welcome coffee, your licensed guide will show you the map of the reserve, the hiking tour route adapted to your pace, and the safety briefing to respect this fragile environment. This is where the immersion in this stone fortress begins.
10:00 AM – Exploration of the dry forest and first encounter with the wildlife. The first steps of the hiking tour are taken under the canopy of a dense, dry forest. Keep your eyes wide open: the branches are home to crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) and Sanford's lemurs, who are often curious about your presence. The live guide also helps you spot the chameleon gecko (Uroplatus), a champion of camouflage on tree bark.
11:00 AM – The thrill of the Tsingy and crossing the hanging bridges. The vegetation suddenly disappears to give way to a striking geological show: the Tsingy. You will make your way through these sharp limestone structures, sculpted by time and rain. The highlight of the morning is crossing the walkways and suspension bridges over dizzying canyons, offering a breathtaking panorama and guaranteed thrills.
12:30 PM – Descent into the subterranean world of the sacred caves. You leave the heat of the surface to descend into the coolness of the impressive limestone caves of Ankarana. Equipped with a headlamp, you will admire huge stalactites and stalagmites. The live guide then tells you the sacred history of these places, which served as a refuge for the Antakarana people during the tribal wars of the 19th century.
1:30 PM – Traditional lunch and rest in the shade. Back on the surface, you'll settle in the shade of the tall trees for a picnic or a hot lunch prepared by our team. You will enjoy Malagasy specialties made with rice, fish, or zebu with coconut, followed by seasonal tropical fruits, a well-deserved moment of convivial sharing.
3:00 PM – Walk back via the "perte de rivières". The drop-off path leads you to the "perte de rivières", an immense and impressive chasm into which the waters of the region rush during the rainy season. One last opportunity to photograph the landscapes before returning to the 4x4 vehicle.
4:00 PM – End of the adventure. You will return to Diégo-Suarez, your head full of souvenirs, spectacular images, and strong emotions, with a planned arrival at your hotel in the late afternoon.
