DAY 1 Madirokely (Nosy-Be) / Anjiabe

Meet at 6:30 at our premises at the beach for breakfast sympa.Nous embark aboard a dhow Sakalava or a large traditional sailing canoe (depending on your choice ! ) for exploring a region where the sea is the only way to accès.Nous leave Nosy Be for the small Island of Ankazoberavina (2 h00 quiet crossing). Bathing, scuba diving and discover a world underwater incredibly rich and varied, nice and colorful. Then after a short, landing Anjiabe, long range 3km bordered by a semi-abandoned cocoteraie, a site with the extraordinary low tides. This is where we camp. After a drink and a seafood meal, nap, swimming and for those who wish, Pedestrian walk to observe many species of birds, mostly endemic to Madagascar. Sunset, aperitif, food ... and good night !

DAY 2 Anjiabe - Ambatofotsy

Up early and early start to 3 hours crossing, skirting a splendid coast with the varied and wooded terrain. We dive along the way snorkeling on a site completely different from the previous day. Then , sailing or motor, we continue our journey to the village of Ambatofotsy. This village while quietly length stretches along a golden beach. This is an important site for royal traditions Sakalava. We are in the bush, and the inhabitants are adorable. The village is charming, and the surroundings offer a splendid view. We walk into a world where roses and green underline with grace an immensity that we guess ... well beyond the eyes. The diurnal lemurs often come on the outskirts of the village in the late afternoon, and other nocturnal species sometimes likes to fly palm wine flowing flowers of coconut just above our heads. Tonight the shower is different again, and we begin to take our place in this universe preserved timeless. Meals fruit of our fishing and drink in the light of kerosene lamps. Big black eyes light up at night, fruit-eating bats snap their wings like fantastic capes, and undertow, surf ... good night and good dreams !

DAY 3 Ambatofotsy - Ambariomena

Morning departure for about 2hoo crossing. Diving along the way on a completely different site yet, where coral forms large lace table. Then the motor or sail (it depends on vent..et envy) way to Ambariomena, location of our new bivouac. Change of scenery ; we are in a kind of Malagasy fjord, quiet as a lake, lined with small patches of orange sand and small villages where the sheet is absent. This arm of the sea then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We camp near a village and depending on the level of the tides, the afternoon we climb the inlets where we walk on foot in this enchanting place that protected the lost sailors for centuries .If tide permitting we go up the vast network of mangroves in the afternoon or we baladons the heart strange valleys , kingdom pandanus plant and other oddities. In the light of declining day we contemplate the heavy schooners and other dhows swollen by recent solar wind blasts that come throw the ink in the unreal calm of the bay. The evening, aperitif, meals under the stars ... Good night ! lulled by the sounds of the village in the distance and those of the nearby forest.

DAY 4 Ambariomena - Madirokely (Nosy Be) via Marotony

Early departure as usual for a day full of surprises. We dive along the way to cool off and eventually catch enough to make a gluttony. We take this opportunity to see what we had not seen on the way. The bay that houses the beautiful village of Marotony ( "Many personal sacred trees" in language Sakalava ) we will hold an hour or two depending on our desires and tide ... We will eat beside a beautiful island below, History burn a little deeper into our memories of these wonderful colors underwater. Towards 14 h00 we will ship sails to travel thirty kilometers separating us from Nosy Be. tasty hours in the middle of a breathtaking landscape ... the rustle of the water against the float, the song of the bow ... between sky and sea, half bird and half boat, pushed by the golden rays of the setting sun always different we reach Nosy around 17:00.

DAY 1 Nosy Be vers Anjiabe

Meet at 6:45 at our premises at the beach for a nice breakfast. We leave Nosy Be for the small island of Ankazoberavina (1h45 quiet crossing). Bathing, Diving and snorkeling dice covered the underwater world rich, varied, nice and colorful. Then after a short, landing Anjiabe, long beach 3 Km lined shield semi cocoterais- abandoned, a site with the extraordinary low tides. This is where we camp. After a drink and a seafood meal, nap, bathing, farniente, but also, for those who wish, Pedestrian walk to observe numerous species of birds, endemic to the most concentrated in this sparse coconut grove where wild nature gradually reasserts itself. Getting an amazing environment that will not stop change over the next few days. Sunset, aperitif, food ... and good night !

DAY 2 Anjiabe vers Ambatofotsy

We get up around 6:00 to enjoy breakfast in the mild morning. Around 8:00 we go anchor, and here we go again. This time we go to meet a "big village" in the bush and its inhabitants. But we don 'be in some hours. Waiting, and if the wind permits, we send the sails, then we dive ( snorkeling only) somewhere along the way on one of the many website that we choose the circumstances in office( tide, vent, water clarity, level each,etc…). on the dive site is also an opportunity to meet our dietary supplements by all means. Spearfishing for those who wish, but also fishing with hand lines that often provides an opportunity to eat good "tapas". But time passes, and the sun is already high. The breeze of "backward" begins to ride the surface of the calm sea ;we must start. Sailing or motor, This is according to the spirit of the group but also depending on the intensity and direction of the breeze will be our companion ( ally or not, but never nasty), during our trip. We reach Ambatofotsy to 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. (strong wind ... light winds ... engine ...). Set up camp on the edge of the long beach in the heart of the village. We take this salutary shadow of a kind of traditional hut ( house plant fiber without walls). The Sakalavas of this region are an extremely nice people and laughing. They know very little tourism and still very close to their simple traditions, flexible, and live. They do not have the habit of "Vazaha" in swimwear, also "proper attire" recommended. The diurnal lemurs often pass through the village in the late afternoon and other nocturnal species often likes to steal palm wine flowing flowers of coconut trees just above our heads in the valley. Madagascar takes the size ... .We are walking into a world where roses and green poetically emphasize the peaceful immensity we're guessing now. The shower again changed style, the sun color too ; Quietly, everyone starts renter in the journey and the specific culture of this little known region. Meal, discussions and .douce night ....

DAY 3 Ambatofotsy vers l'île d'Ambariopotaka

Surveys with the sun, as usual. Around 8:00 we embark discovered an island in the archipelago of Radama. The bushing is short ( 1H00) and we dive on the edge of this wild lagoon and majestic high island. As the content of our plate will depend on the success of our hunting / peach, we spend a good hour and a half. Once again, coral funds (à 2 or 3 meters deep only) are different, new coral structure, other color, Other species of fish ... Then, according to the hours of the tide, we faufilons inside this young "lagoon and we anchored near a beautiful white sand beach. coconuts, Construction boutre and canoes according secular rites. We begin our twenty-first century, but nothing seems to be responsible for some of the inhabitants of this small paradise. Everyone took his place in our journey, and savoring each in its own way the passing hours. The activities are divided between nature walk, bathing, Snorkeling and diving idleness. First night in Radama, our dreams snuggled in the heart of the hollow, confident, we fall asleep.

DAY 4 Ambaripotaka Island vers island Antanomora

We ship around 8:00 for, sailing or motor, down a little further south. The goal is another island, Antanimora (it means "easy location ...") we see in the distance and we reach 1:30 later. Diving for Fun and for lunch at the edge of the reef lagoon that still different from what we saw. Then depending on the tide, we go more or less deeply inside this luminous lagoon. The camp is this time under a large tropical almond tree at the edge of a huge white beach. Perfume is ocean, the beach is wild ... the white and light dominates ... curious little birds run flush with the tide ... we are on the most advanced Island to Africa. Nature seems more arid, and yet we bathe in clear water source , under the watchful eye of a hunter or a martin swallows fly paradise. At this stage of the journey everyone does what he pleases, between sea and stroll towards the peaks ( 146 meters ...) or around the island. We find our evening ritual for a night whose content, as usual, depend on the history of our day. We are not quite the same as four days ago; the soul of this country seems closer we, best comic Goodnight ! and strongly tomorrow !

DAY 5 Antanimora Island vers Ambariomena

After the usual breakfast and loading the canoe dhow or, we leave for about three hours of crossing and an hour of diving or fishing before arriving in the late morning to Ambariomena. It's kind of quiet Malagasy fjord like a lake, lined with small orange beach sand, dominated by a steep forest itself crisscrossed by language pink sandstone. This arm then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We install our camp this time go up more or less deeply an inlet ... water becomes increasingly thin amid this tangle of mangrove ... surreal life, yet intense, is discreet ... almost everything is here nurseries ... everything is strange, fragile ! We enter the raking light of dusk that brightens roses and green to no end. The evening and feel this place who watches the dhows, pirates and adventurers of all kinds for centuries ... .without saying anything ... .Faites sweet dreams !

DAY 6 Ambariomena vers Antsoa puis vers Nosy Be

Morning departure for Nosy Be, which is just 60 kilometers, but we will go smoothly. We first join a small island at the edge of a cap opening on the immense Nosy Be bay. We drop anchor and activity is divided between diving and lazing, and "exploration" of a small range of a few square meters. Nosy Antsoa, Robinson is pure island and it is better to spend a few hours a few years ! We eat on board and, around 14:00 we send our heavy cotton voiles. The wind is good (as often at this hour, we bet the !), and depending on its strength we are all the way to sailing or just the end. Anyway we must come to the sunset, and that is what we will do. The landscape before our eyes is wonderful ... and this continues ... .tranquillement our history ... until sunset. good landing !!

DAY 1 Nosy Be - Anjiabe

We board a dhow Sakalava or a large traditional canoe sailing (depending on your choice ! ) to explore an area where the sea represents the only access. Meet at 6:45 at our premises at the beach for a nice breakfast. We leave Nosy Be for the small Island of Ankazoberavina (1h45 quiet crossing). Bathing, scuba diving and discover a world underwater incredibly rich and varied, nice and colorful. Then after a short, landing Anjiabe, long range 3km bordered by a semi abandoned coconut, a site with the extraordinary low tides. This is where we camp. After a drink and a seafood meal, nap, swimming and for those who wish, Pedestrian walk to observe many species of birds, mostly endemic to Madagascar. Sunset, aperitif, food ... and good night !

DAY 2 Anjiabe - Woes

Early start for two to three hours of crossing, skirting a splendid coast with the varied and wooded terrain. We dive along the way on a site completely different from the previous day. Then, sailing or motor, we continue our journey to Amtambao. This is a seemingly unreachable inlets barred because at low tide by sandbanks. The poetry of the place is indescribable. We camp on the edge of a lagoon on a sandy promontory planted with shrubs and coconut palms. The typical forest in this region is, nearby. Behind, setback, a swamp where it is easy to observe the herons hairy, pigeons verts, falculies mantelées, painted sauvages, teals and groans of Cuvier.

From Site, two inlets curve between the mangroves towards the forest vastness and crocodiles .... The afternoon, swimming or small walk around the nearby village. The evening, aperitif, meal and great evening in the light of kerosene lamps.

DAY 3 Woes

Lever free (for once!) except for those who want to observe the guinea fowl mythrée in his wanderings morning. the day is organized according to the spirit and desire of the group : Great ride around, River recognition (depending on tide times), visit another village, diving, peach, farniente, etc…

DAY 4 Woes - Nosy Ambariopôtaka

Departure according to the tide, more or less early morning, to the most north island of the archipelago of Radama. (1h30 crossing). Ambariopôtaka Island culmine à 166 meters and composes a new landscape. sand bleaches and we bivouac facing the vast ocean of the Mozambique Channel. Nearby, a small village and one or more boutres in construction of hulls based on a bed of pink and white pervenches. André, the Sakalava carpenter constructed according secular traditions. the whole is surrounded by a lagoon of dream and a primary end of forest on the opposite side. Scuba diving, walking tour in Island, farniente.

DAY 5 Ambariopôtaka Island - Island Berafia

After a rising quite morning, we go towards Nosy Berafia (45me), the largest island of the archipelago of Radama (2500 ha). the southern half is covered with more or less abandoned plantations (café, pepper, ylang ylang-, chilli pepper), themselves dominated by large trees ombriers. Huge bats and frugivorous dozens, green pigeons, intoxicating scents, the colonial house of the "commander" of the former concession and a large village. All to delve into an exotic and colonial charm of the 20. Diving on a still different and very rich site. Visit an old distillery and small bush. Discover this amazing island on foot. Reassortment some of our food basics.

DAY 6 Berafia Islands - Ambariomena

We leave our island for about two hours and we traversed en route dives. Arrive late morning Ambariomena, kind of quiet Malagasy fjord like a lake lined with small orange sand beaches, dominated by a steep forest crisscrossed by language sandstone pink. This arm then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We set up camp in a lovely little village and, depending on the tides, the afternoon, we climb the inlet by canoe or on foot we walk in this place where greens and pinks sing high harmony. the evening aperitif, meal under the stars and good night, lulled by the sounds of the village.

DAY 7 Ambariomena en passant par slow vers Madirokely (Nosy Be)

Early departure as usual for a day full of surprises. We dive along the way to cool off and eventually catch enough to make a gluttony. We take this opportunity to see what we had not seen on the way. The bay that houses the beautiful village of Marotony ( "Many personal sacred trees" in language Sakalava ) we will hold an hour or two depending on our desires and tide ... We will eat beside a beautiful island below, History burn a little deeper into our memories of these wonderful colors underwater. Towards 14 h00 we will ship sails to travel thirty kilometers separating us from Nosy Be. tasty hours in the middle of a breathtaking landscape ... the rustle of the water against the float, the song of the bow ... between sky and sea, half bird and half boat, pushed by the golden rays of the setting sun always different we reach Nosy around 17:00.

The principle

To board a ship straight out of a tale from the Arabian Nights, and leave for a fabulous trip to the discovery of a region inaccessible by land (the only way is to 40 km as the crow flies .... !). The sea is the only access to this world preserved, offset, and quite unconventional. A mysterious coast, and breathtaking beauty, which has a climate of legendary softness.

We offer you to balance the journey between the discovery of the maritime aspect of this unknown region, and the discovery of more earthly aspect, and more mysterious just back from the region. Throughout this trip so we will alternate a Maritime Day (6 à 8 hours aboard the dhow including 1:00 to 1:30 of snorkeling, and the rest of the earth in time) and a day's trek (between 4 and 6 hour hike spread over a whole day). In total we have 5 days of maritime-terrestrial discovery, and 3 resolutely terrestrial typed days.

In any case our "travel philosophy" will be the same ; between real physical effort and contemplation, breathe several angles in the Mainland visited, look at her, hear, and so, quietly, over the meetings and sensations, give it its true form. We look beyond our feet and we will keep all our senses. To accentuate this cultural foray, We will fish and hunt our fish, and sometimes we buy the villagers and fishermen meeting.

We will be opportunistic on all subjects, and will seek by all means to approach us closer to this growing world of dreams. Both on land and sea, our program will be malleable, and we will adapt to unexpected, because it is above all for us to realize a real journey of discovery completely off the beaten track.

We also cultivate a lifestyle that aim to demystify certain clichés of adventure. So we will try to eat well in all circumstances, and we will cultivate flying carpets, cushions, teapots, perfume of spices, sweet aperitifs, various showers, fruits, smiles and good humor !

Route

The idea is rather to articulate the trip 8 days to give it some dimension.

DAY 1 Ankifio vers Anjiabe

6h00 am, boarding the boutre. We have breakfast on our boat to enjoy the best of the morning calm. We go anchor around 6:45 am for about half past three crossing before joining our first dive site. This is our first day also, and find fish is not yet a necessity. It is mostly for pleasure as we dive snorkeling over our first corals (Angle between two and five meters deep). Each takes its place in its own way, we really are parties, we are in the bush, and the huge Mainland is no longer a distant landscape. Towards 11 H00, we return to the South to reach our first camp. The daily thermal wind has just risen, and it is the veil (if the wind is in the right direction !) or engine we reach our first camp. Anjiabé is a long white sand bordered by an abandoned coconut. A site with the extraordinary low tides home to dozens of bird species, for the most part endemic (only present in Madagascar). We have lunch on board, above a lagoon groomed blue and green . Landing around 14:00, and, after a shower with fresh water wells in the area, stroll to discover a little better what surrounds us and what we can expect tomorrow : a green mountain 700 m high over there, on the other side of the bay ! Aperitif in the lights of the sunset, meal, talks, dreams and good night to all !

DAY 2 Anjiabe vers la Montagne DE ANDRANOMATAVINA puis heart

(6h00 walk total) Breakfast at 5:30 am, then, around 6:30 am we board the Annex to cross a very sheltered bay 2 km wide. We land 20 minutes later on the beach Milorano, starting point of our walk of the day. The goal is to make us on this beautiful mountain called Andranomatavina (where water is abundant). We leave to the discovery of a particularly important sacred gully for Sakalava religion is shamanic kind .Protégée since ancient times by many "fady" (taboos ), primary forest is remarkable. After two hours of walking, we reach the foot of the magic mountain surrounded. The whites who have visited this highly sacred place can be counted on the fingers of both hands at the most. Large mossy rocks, trees, and leeches .... What happiness ! Right here, vegetable endemic is very close 100%. Everything becomes extraordinary. We baladons we quietly in this universe by simple but beautiful. We lunch at the edge of the valley, and we hear each in our own way this absolutely unique forest in the world. Around 14:00 we start our walk back to Milorano where our boat awaits us. During our walk marine changed bivouac, and it is in the village of Amporaha , near, our new camp is reaching. After 5 minutes crossing, surrounded by the lights of the sunset, we land. Dating Village, douche, farniente, food and drink. We begin to know better, everyone feels that the trip has really started. See you tomorrow !

DAY 3 Heart vers Ambatofotsy

Lever 6h00, breakfast, and boarding for still another day. We walk along a coast fringed beaches and forests more or less intact. There are sometimes a hamlet, someone walking on a huge beach, the scenery is elegant, graceful even. We dive along the way in a completely different world of water ahead eve, then around 11:00, sailing probably, we ever join south, Ambatofotsy. This is a small village that has the distinction, Furthermore natural charm, to host the royal residence and a "temple" to relics. Attention, nothing spectacular here, even if we are in the heart of the small kingdom Sakalava which reigns Mohamady king who owes his Arabic name to an old family history, wars, and of course kings ! A territory in the form of narrow ribbon of seventy kilometers in twenty. The role of the king mainly concerns the relationship between men and the sacred or small claims in the daily life of these honest people, soft, friendly, fins, shy, reserved, often, spontaneously and sometimes unbridled unreservedly. We land at Ambatofotsy in early afternoon, and we set up camp in the heart of this quiet village and serene. The shower is different again, is that of the town ..... children, the raffia, so that light Malagasy, Laughs, a weird song invisible bird, surf the recessed sea, and this immensity, all over. The sunset is not far ... .Contemplation .décontraction ... ... and the rest, as usual, or almost.

DAY 4 Ambatofotsy vers AMBARIOJEBY et retour

( 6h00 walk total ) Lever 5h30 , then , After a good breakfast, we drive to Ambariojeby, large village inaccessible by road, but representing a major agricultural basin in the region. At the beginning of our walk we went around a large pool of mangroves before tackling some hills discovering promising landscape. The area is semi mountainous, interspersed raphières (set of raffia palms), forêts of shrubs, small hamlets, fields and stories. We are surrounded by red and green, and walk on a major pathway used for centuries by locals. We meet people, painted in December, lemurs, zebu, odor, curiosities, and our watermark reading this life Sakalava still stuff a little more. We arrive in the late morning in this world is grown under large shade trees, Coffee, pepper, vanilla,orange, and we baladons us in the middle of rice, cassava, Groundnut, bananas, and sugarcane. Lunch near the village, surrounded by a few curious children : they never see foreign, and our presence here surprised everyone. We leave this quiet countryside around 14:00, because we still have two and half hours of walking before finding our coconuts. We head full, a little tired too. But the aperitif is welcome with his tasty treats procession. The nocturnal lemurs make much noise, but this really surprised us more. We talk today, we talk tomorrow, talking ... .Good night to all !

DAY 5 Ambatofotsy vers BERAFIA ISLANDS :

Raised as usual, and around 8:00 am we are back on our dhow that begs to go forward. Today we go to the largest island of the archipelago Radamas : Nosy Bérafia. After two hours of crossing we dive on the edge of this island just off our bivouac daybreak. Peach, spearfishing, and swimming before returning to the small lagoon Maroentendry. This small village is our door to approach this vast island well Malagasy Red. But beyond this earth so characteristic, Nosy Berafia is a hilly island and semi woody, while length, no real height ( 150 m maximum ). Since the beginning of the century, the French, and the Indo-Pakistani led large agricultural projects on this fertile land. The economic failures of Madagascar and its sidelining of international trade eventually blunting these beautiful development companies, Berafia and returned to what it was : a beautiful island, and the absolute focus of religion local Sakalava . We land there in early afternoon. Farniente, short walks talks and swimming occupy us until sunset before enjoying the rest of our catch of the day. Good dreams under the stars, and good awakening !…. as say the Malagasy.

DAY 6 MAROENTENDRY to Mahabo and finally the place called "THE MAGAZINE" ...:

(4h00 walk total ) Sunrise around 5:00 to make the most of the mild temperatures in the morning. We are in the north of the island and walk south. Quartz is at ground level, sometimes clear amethysts appear .Des bats frugivores dozens, same day, small quail tubby few meters in front of our feet, of all green pigeons singing strangely, and our same old guinea fowls that fly as pheasants. We meet life in all its forms before arriving at the foot of the sacred town Mahabo. Here are buried the kings, the princes and princesses of the royal lined concerned. Very few whites were able to visit this place, also, we will have some guidelines to follow to avoid disturbing this highly sacred place. Mango trees are centuries old, and some old men also seem. We are at the top of Berafia, and the view is breathtaking ... it's beautiful. We have lunch at the edge of the sea just below before moving westward "Magazin" which is not a course. It must mean an old colonial term for hardware storage sheds and other agricultural products. An hour's walk amid the scent of ylang-ylang , pepper and vanilla other more or less abandoned before overhanging the sea where our dhow awaits. We contemplate this African counter landscape from the top of the home of the concession manager ; perfumes prewar, perfumes from another time as evidenced by the very eve carcass of a breathless tractor. After a visit to the village, we regain our dhow to reach the shortest and sea, our camp in the north of the island. Douche, bathing, aperitif, farniente, fun and talks will occupy us until our eyes close, each at our own pace. See you tomorrow !

DAY 7 ISLE BERAFIA vers Ambariomena

After the usual breakfast and loading the dhow, we leave for about three hours of crossing one hour of diving or fishing before arriving in the late morning to Ambariomena. It's kind of quiet Malagasy fjord like a lake, lined with small orange sand beaches, dominated by dense primary forest. This fiord then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We install our camp this time at the entrance to the estuary, then, if the tide permits, we go more or less deeply an inlet ... water becomes increasingly thin amid this tangle of mangrove ... surreal life, yet intense, here is discreet ..., almost everything is Nursery, everything is strange, fragile !

We meet two hours later our camp in the raking light of dusk. The landscape is golden, the light is almost too good, she bewitches us ... It seems that all these green and the roses are edible. The evening will find us for the last time this trip surrounded by soft harmony, and we will contemplate what this bay looks for centuries : dhows, schooners, adventurers, and pirates who come to hide from the sea whims. Small fragile fires at night, distant laughter, smoke odors, silences, the feeling that little has changed .... The feeling that we are no longer quite the same either.

DAY 8 Ambariomena vers Nosy Be via ANKASOBERAVINY

Today, up quiet a bit later than usual. But the journey is not over because we have a few hours before us before joining Nosy Be. We do not really have to hunt and fish our fish today, and we especially try to visit a particularly beautiful coral and accessible website. One benefits the most, and those who want to stretch their legs on a lovely beach will. Apéros, tapas, memories and laughs accompany our last meal, then, comfortably seated on our carpets and our pillows we raise our sails. Singing ropes, the magnificent landscape, grinding pulleys under immense yard, heavy cotton sails ... .Any, magically take us back to the dawn of time ... for a few hours yet. quietly pushed by the delicious thermal wind, we touch Nosy Be in the light of the setting, towards 17 h 00.

END OF TOUR

It should also support the information using the content of "prelude to a trip dhow", document I enclose to this folder for simplicity.

How fit for walking

Avoid poorly ventilated fabrics such as lycra or the like modern fabrics.

Take enough loose cotton shorts.

Prefer shirts with short or long sleeves rather than the tee shirts that are usually too hot.

Take cotton underwear also.

Take a sarong light cotton (y 'has much to Madagascar), it is more practical than a towel !

Choose shoes or light hiking-type Velcro sandals "Teva". Note that in the mud there is no suitable footwear ; is that barefoot is best. Keep in mind that in all cases the shoes must be removed and recover quickly.

Several pairs of socks (2 à 3) in cotton .

A water bottle per person.

A compact because branches hat on trails.

A small hiking backpack with a volume of about 15 l.

A well penetrating sunscreen (thick creams are spectacular but also very uncomfortable with the heat).

Prices

Based on 3 people minimum and 8 persons

3 people : 150 Euro / day / person

From 4 à 8 people : 125 Euro / day / person

Promotion for the months of May and September

3 people : 120 Euro / day / person

From 4 à 8 people : 100 Euro / day / pers

DAY 1 Ankifio Big Island ou vers Anjiabe :

6h00 am, boarding the boutre. We have breakfast on our boat to enjoy the best of the morning calm. We go anchor around 6:45 am for about half past three crossing before joining our first dive site. This is our first day also, and find fish is not yet a necessity. It is mostly for pleasure as we dive snorkeling over our first corals (Angle between two and five meters deep). Each takes its place in its own way, we really are parties, we are in the bush, and the huge Mainland is no longer a distant landscape. Towards 11 H00, we return to the South to reach our first camp. The daily thermal wind has just risen, and it is the veil (if the wind is in the right direction !) or engine we reach our first camp. Anjiabé is a long white sand bordered by an abandoned coconut. A site with the extraordinary low tides home to dozens of bird species, for the most part endemic (only present in Madagascar). We have lunch on board, above a lagoon groomed blue and green . Landing around 14:00, and, after a shower with fresh water wells in the area, stroll to discover a little better what surrounds us and what we can expect tomorrow : a green mountain 700 m high over there, on the other side of the bay ! Aperitif in the lights of the sunset, meal, talks, dreams and good night to all !

DAY 2 Anjiabe vers la Montagne DE ANDRANOMATAVINA puis heart

(6h00 walk total) Breakfast at 5:30 am, then, around 6:30 am we board the Annex to cross a very sheltered bay 2 km wide.

We land 20 minutes later on the beach Milorano, starting point of our walk of the day. The goal is to make us on this beautiful mountain called Andranomatavina (where water is abundant). We leave to the discovery of a particularly important sacred gully for Sakalava religion is shamanic kind .Protégée since ancient times by many "fady" (taboos ), primary forest is remarkable. After two hours of walking, we reach the foot of the magic mountain surrounded. The whites who have visited this highly sacred place can be counted on the fingers of both hands at the most. Large mossy rocks, trees, and leeches ....

What happiness ! Right here, vegetable endemic is very close 100%. Everything becomes extraordinary. We baladons we quietly in this universe by simple but beautiful. We lunch at the edge of the valley, and we hear each in our own way this absolutely unique forest in the world.

Around 14:00 we start our walk back to Milorano where our boat awaits us. During our walk marine changed bivouac, and it is in the village of Amporaha , near, our new camp is reaching. After 5 minutes crossing, surrounded by the lights of the sunset, we land. Dating Village, douche, farniente, food and drink. We begin to know better, everyone feels that the trip has really started. See you tomorrow !

DAY 3 Heart vers Ambatofotsy

Lever 6h00, breakfast, and boarding for still another day. We walk along a coast fringed beaches and forests more or less intact. There are sometimes a hamlet, someone walking on a huge beach, the scenery is elegant, graceful even. We dive along the way in a completely different world of water ahead eve, then around 11:00, sailing probably, we ever join south, Ambatofotsy. This is a small village that has the distinction, Furthermore natural charm, to host the royal residence and a "temple" to relics. Attention, nothing spectacular here, even if we are in the heart of the small kingdom Sakalava which reigns Mohamady king who owes his Arabic name to an old family history, wars, and of course kings ! A territory in the form of narrow ribbon of seventy kilometers in twenty. The role of the king mainly concerns the relationship between men and the sacred or small claims in the daily life of these honest people, soft, friendly, fins, shy, reserved, often, spontaneously and sometimes unbridled unreservedly.

We land at Ambatofotsy in early afternoon, and we set up camp in the heart of this quiet village and serene. The shower is different again, is that of the town ..... children, the raffia, so that light Malagasy, Laughs, a weird song invisible bird, surf the recessed sea, and this immensity, all over. The sunset is not far ... .Contemplation .décontraction ... ... and the rest, as usual, or almost.

DAY 4 Ambatofotsy vers AMBARIOJEBY et retour

( 6h00 walk total ) Lever 5h30 , then , After a good breakfast, we drive to Ambariojeby, large village inaccessible by road, but representing a major agricultural basin in the region.

At the beginning of our walk we went around a large pool of mangroves before tackling some hills discovering promising landscape. The area is semi mountainous, interspersed raphières (set of raffia palms), forêts of shrubs, small hamlets, fields and stories. We are surrounded by red and green, and walk on a major pathway used for centuries by locals. We meet people, painted in December, lemurs, zebu, odor, curiosities, and our watermark reading this life Sakalava still stuff a little more. We arrive in the late morning in this world is grown under large shade trees, Coffee, pepper, vanilla,orange, and we baladons us in the middle of rice, cassava, Groundnut, bananas, and sugarcane. Lunch near the village, surrounded by a few curious children : they never see foreign, and our presence here surprised everyone. We leave this quiet countryside around 14:00, because we still have two and half hours of walking before finding our coconuts. We head full, a little tired too. But the aperitif is welcome with his tasty treats procession. The nocturnal lemurs make much noise, but this really surprised us more. We talk today, we talk tomorrow, talking ... .Good night to all !

DAY 5 Ambatofotsy vers BERAFIA ISLANDS

Raised as usual, and around 8:00 am we are back on our dhow that begs to go forward. Today we go to the largest island of the archipelago Radamas : Nosy Bérafia. After two hours of crossing we dive on the edge of this island just off our bivouac daybreak. Peach, spearfishing, and swimming before returning to the small lagoon Maroentendry. This small village is our door to approach this vast island well Malagasy Red. But beyond this earth so characteristic, Nosy Berafia is a hilly island and semi woody, while length, no real height ( 150 m maximum ). Since the beginning of the century, the French, and the Indo-Pakistani led large agricultural projects on this fertile land.

The economic failures of Madagascar and its sidelining of international trade eventually blunting these beautiful development companies, Berafia and returned to what it was : a beautiful island, and the absolute focus of religion local Sakalava . We land there in early afternoon. Farniente, short walks talks and swimming occupy us until sunset before enjoying the rest of our catch of the day. Good dreams under the stars, and good awakening !…. as say the Malagasy.

DAY 6 MAROENTENDRY to Mahabo and finally the place called "THE MAGAZINE" ...

(4h00 walk total ) Sunrise around 5:00 to make the most of the mild temperatures in the morning. We are in the north of the island and walk south. Quartz is at ground level, sometimes clear amethysts appear .Des bats frugivores dozens, same day, small quail tubby few meters in front of our feet, of all green pigeons singing strangely, and our same old guinea fowls that fly as pheasants. We meet life in all its forms before arriving at the foot of the sacred town Mahabo. Here are buried the kings, the princes and princesses of the royal lined concerned. Very few whites were able to visit this place, also, we will have some guidelines to follow to avoid disturbing this highly sacred place. Mango trees are centuries old, and some old men also seem. We are at the top of Berafia, and the view is breathtaking ... it's beautiful.

We have lunch at the edge of the sea just below before moving westward "Magazin" which is not a course. It must mean an old colonial term for hardware storage sheds and other agricultural products. An hour's walk amid the scent of ylang-ylang , pepper and vanilla other more or less abandoned before overhanging the sea where our dhow awaits. We contemplate this African counter landscape from the top of the home of the concession manager ; perfumes prewar, perfumes from another time as evidenced by the very eve carcass of a breathless tractor. After a visit to the village, we regain our dhow to reach the shortest and sea, our camp in the north of the island. Douche, bathing, aperitif, farniente, fun and talks will occupy us until our eyes close, each at our own pace. See you tomorrow !

DAY 7 ISLE BERAFIA vers KOTSONGONY

After the usual breakfast and loading the dhow, we leave our lagoon to dive in the area waiting for our time ..... Our time will be that the tide, because today's stage is at the end of a completely dry at low tide mangrove network. We will travel the approximately thirty kilometers that separate us from the mouth of Kotongony in mid tide. We design our diving activities, fishing, and idleness based on these imperatives. Kotsongony is a hamlet, said a place that allows us to access land on this side lined with mangroves. The arrival is splendid, totally out of time. A sort of natural harbor in the raw state around which we go up our camp. We will stay two days or almost, depending on the tides, because our goal is both to discover a new universe, and meet lemurs with blue eyes ( not yet clearly identified and discovered in 2003, these very quiet animals are the only lemurs with blue eyes. They are really blue sky, which gives them a particularly surreal look.) We are not in a reserve , and our meeting with these very special lemurs take depending on the day and season between 1 hour and 4 hours of wandering in this generous bush. The Sakalaves here are at the heart of local shamanic tradition,. White is never seen here, never either administration, too remote, too reefs before the mouth , too many hills behind, not enough roads ..... We spend our time breathing it all, and you can also fish , swimming in a generous freshwater streams, observe the life of the hamlet, or simply to admire the landscape of the end of the world. We are deep in the pelvis Radamas, and you should take advantage !

DAY 8 KOTSONGONY

May, that depending on tide times and their coefficient, we are forced to leave in the afternoon Kotsongony this eighth day. In that case, we will sleep elsewhere by mounting a "quick" side flush with the night. Short, on s’adaptera, and it will not change things in our program of activities planned.

DAY 9 KOTSONGONY to Ambariomena

Today we go back far north ( about 5 hours sailing ) to reach a kind of quiet Malagasy fjord like a lake, lined with small orange sand beaches, dominated by dense primary forest. This fiord then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We install our camp this time at the entrance to the estuary, then, if the tide permits, we go more or less deeply an inlet ... water becomes increasingly thin amid this tangle of mangrove ... surreal life, yet intense, here is discreet ..., almost everything is Nursery, everything is strange, fragile ! We meet two hours later our camp in the raking light of dusk. The landscape is golden, the light is almost too good, she bewitches us ... It seems that all these green and the roses are edible. The evening will find us for the last time this trip surrounded by soft harmony, and we will contemplate what this bay looks for centuries : dhows, schooners, adventurers, and pirates who come to hide from the sea whims. Small fragile fires at night, distant laughter, smoke odors, silences, the feeling that little has changed .... The feeling that we are no longer quite the same either.

DAY 10 Ambariomena vers Nosy Be via ANKASOBERAVINY

Today, up quiet a bit later than usual. But the journey is not over because we have a few hours before us before joining Nosy Be. We do not really have to hunt and fish our fish today, and we especially try to visit a particularly beautiful coral and accessible website. One benefits the most, and those who want to stretch their legs on a lovely beach will. Apéros, tapas, memories and laughs accompany our last meal, then, comfortably seated on our carpets and our pillows we raise our sails. Singing ropes, the magnificent landscape, grinding pulleys under immense yard, heavy cotton sails ... .Any, magically take us back to the dawn of time ... for a few hours yet. quietly pushed by the delicious thermal wind, we touch Nosy Be in the light of the setting, towards 17 h 00.

INFO

How fit for walking

Avoid poorly ventilated fabrics such as lycra or the like modern fabrics.

- Take enough loose cotton shorts.

- Prefer shirts with short or long sleeves rather than the tee shirts that are usually too hot.

- Take cotton underwear also.

- Take a sarong light cotton (y 'has much to Madagascar), it is more practical than a towel !

- Choose shoes or light hiking sandals Velcro type "Teva" or other. Note that in the mud there is no suitable footwear ; is that barefoot is best. Keep in mind that in all cases the shoes must be removed and recover quickly.

- Several pairs of socks (2 à 3) in cotton .

- A water bottle per person.

- A compact because branches hat on trails.

- A small hiking backpack with a volume of about 15 à 20 l.

- A well-penetrating sunscreen (thick creams are spectacular but also very uncomfortable with the heat).

- An anti mosquito spray .On this, do not panic ! Mosquitoes are not a hell in our region. This is just to improve comfort in certain situations, no more.

DAY 1 Nosy-Be / Anjiabe

We board a dhow Sakalava or a large traditional canoe sailing (depending on your choice ! ) to explore an area where the sea represents the only access. Meet at 6:45 at our premises at the beach for a nice breakfast. We leave Nosy Be for the small Island of Ankazoberavina (1h45 quiet crossing). Bathing, scuba diving and discover a world underwater incredibly rich and varied, nice and colorful. Then after a short, landing Anjiabe, long range 3km bordered by a semi-abandoned cocoteraie, a site with the extraordinary low tides. This is where we camp. After a drink and a seafood meal, nap, swimming and for those who wish, Pedestrian walk to observe many species of birds, mostly endemic to Madagascar. Sunset, aperitif, food ... and good night !

DAY 2 Anjiabe / Woes

Early start for two to three hours of crossing, skirting a splendid coast with the varied and wooded terrain. We dive along the way on a site completely different from the previous day. Then, sailing or motor, we continue our journey to Amtambao. This is a seemingly unreachable inlets barred because at low tide by sandbanks. The poetry of the place is indescribable. We camp on the edge of a lagoon on a sandy promontory planted with shrubs and coconut palms. The typical forest in this region is, nearby. Behind, setback, a swamp where it is easy to observe the herons hairy, pigeons verts, falculies mantelées, painted sauvages, teals and groans of Cuvier. From Site, two inlets curve between the mangroves towards the forest vastness and crocodiles .... The afternoon, swimming or small walk around the nearby village. The evening, aperitif, meal and great evening in the light of kerosene lamps.

DAY 3 Woes

Lever free (for once!) except for those who want to observe the guinea fowl mythrée in his wanderings morning. the day is organized according to the spirit and desire of the group : Great ride around, River recognition (depending on tide times), visit another village, diving, peach, farniente, etc…

DAY 4 Woes / Nosy Ambariopôtaka

Departure according to the tide, more or less early morning, to the most north island of the archipelago of Radama. (1H3O crossing). Ambariopôtaka Island culmine à 166 meters and composes a new landscape. sand bleaches and we bivouac facing the vast ocean of the Mozambique Channel. Nearby, a small village and one or more boutres in construction of hulls based on a bed of periwinkle roses' and white. André, the Sakalava carpenter constructed according secular traditions. the whole is surrounded by a lagoon of dream and a primary end of forest on the opposite side. Scuba diving, pedestrian walk in Island, farniente.

DAY 5 Nosy Ambariopôtaka / Nosy Berafia

After a rising quite morning, we go towards Nosy Berafia (45me), the largest island of the archipelago of Radama (2500 ha). the southern half is covered with more or less abandoned plantations (café, pepper, ylang ylang-, chilli pepper), themselves dominated by large trees ombriers. Huge bats and frugivorous dozens, green pigeons, intoxicating scents, the colonial house of the "commander" of the former concession and a large village. All to delve into an exotic and colonial charm of the 20. Diving on a still different and very rich site. Visit an old distillery and small bush. Discover this amazing island on foot. Reassortment some of our food basics.

DAY 6 Nosy Berafia / Nosy Antanimora

Boarding the morning to this isolated island whose name means in Malagasy «easy earth". often deserted, Antanimora is sometimes inhabited by sea cucumber divers II within a few days, throw on this Island an environment of gold diggers. their smiles and their hair bleached by the salty sun off, speak volumes about their life sea nomads. We walk in this curious atmosphere, along the casuarina (tropical conifers) and we climb grassy slopes scattered with aloe and mango bouquets put our imagination confused between Africa and Mexico ... the view is awesome and disturbing. Diving and underwater fishing at the edge of the island. Ballade and climbing the heights.

DAY 7 Nosy Antanimora / Ankatafa

Sunrise over this magnificent landscape which we contemplated yesterday. We organize the morning according to the constraints of the circuit: search of food, moisture replenishment, Laundry detergent, promenade, bathing, idleness ... We start the afternoon to the village of Ankatafa. Normally we have wind and takes 2 hours about sailing. Arrive late afternoon in a seemingly idyllic least. Finished sand, up to the rollers and mangrove. we camp in the village, slightly away from the sea. We just change the world, we are in the universe of "tanety" , kinds of hills, like waves appear from infinite. the forest seems absent, but trust the guide; we will discover the secrets jealously guarded by these austere hills. aperitif, meal ... Good night.

DAY 8 Ankatafa

towards 6hoo, we go hiking in the region. Right here, forest and rice fields run for kilometers between two hills. Real thin and long green tufts that harbor quantities of guinea fowl, pigeons verts, raptors and other more discreet birds. Sakalava of this region are different from their neighbors further north. more reserved, they live in a harsher world, less simple, and the pervasive immensity around them has shaped the image of mangroves: flexible and humble. post)South will take place according to its meetings and desires because at this stage of our journey, we really are all in the same story ...

DAY 9 Ankatafa / Tsangazira

We ship early north to spend the eastern part of the Radama Islands Basin. We en route dives on strange sites coral resembles sand roses ... Depending on the fishing, We resume our journey more or less later in the morning to Tsangazira. This is a quiet beach lined with coconut trees on the outskirts of a quiet village. people cultivate rice, cassava, corn and kindness is again a breath of hope in this world. the region is mountainous, which offers easy access views and beautiful on the archipelago of Radama.

DAY 10 Tsangazira / Ambariomena

Morning departure and en route diving (2 or 3 hours crossing). Arrive late morning Ambariomena, kind of quiet Malagasy fjord like a lake lined with small orange sand beaches, dominated by a steep forest crisscrossed by language sandstone pink. This arm then sinks deeper into a maze of mangroves to finish in the river at the foot of mountains covered in rainforest. We set up camp in a lovely little village and, depending on the tides, the afternoon, we climb the dugout inlets or we feet to walk in this place where the greens and pinks sing high harmony. the evening aperitif, meal under the stars and good night, lulled by the sounds of the village.

DAY 11 Ambariomena en passant par slow vers Madirokely (Nosy Be)

Early departure as usual for a day full of surprises. We dive along the way to cool off and eventually catch enough to make a gluttony. We take this opportunity to see what we had not seen on the way. The bay that houses the beautiful village of Marotony ( "Many personal sacred trees" in language Sakalava ) we will hold an hour or two depending on our desires and tide ... We will eat beside a beautiful island below, History burn a little deeper into our memories of these wonderful colors underwater. Towards 14 h00 we will ship sails to travel thirty kilometers separating us from Nosy Be. tasty hours in the middle of a breathtaking landscape ... the rustle of the water against the float, the song of the bow ... between sky and sea, half bird and half boat, pushed by the golden rays of the setting sun always different we reach Nosy around 17:00.

Price indicated / day / pers

Half price for children under 12 years

- from 3 People: 115 €

– 2 people: 135 € (Alefa commits to reducing the tariff to 115 € /J / pers dhow if others join the circuit. The excess is then refunded)

– 1 no one: 270 € (Alefa commits to reducing the tariff to 115 € /J / pers dhow if others join the circuit. The excess is then refunded)

- the day out (From 3 people) : 70 €

Dhows accommodate up 12 persons travel 4 à 24 days. 16 persons traveling under 4 days

Price indicated / day / pers

Half price for children under 12 years

- from 3 People: 95 €

– 2 people: 125 € (Alefa commits to reducing the tariff to 95 € / day / person canoe in case others join the circuit. The excess is then refunded)

– 1 no one: 250 € (Alefa commits to reducing the tariff to 95 € / day / person canoe in case others join the circuit. The excess is then refunded)

- the day out (From 3 people) : 60 €

We 2 canoes are of different size and capacity. They accept respectively 4 and 10 persons for travel 2 à 24 days