Trekking Trips
Welcome to our trekking program. Ilay Tours
offers a wide variety of different treks to suit both
novices and experienced trekkers. Steep trails,
meandering, narrow trails, unmarked trails, seldom used
trails, rocky trails, trails over boulders, under
boulders, our trekkings have it all !
Unique trips
Ilay Tours has been striving to open up the remote areas of Madagascar to visitors, whilst providing them with the best possible value for money. We scout every trail to create original routes through spectacular wilderness. We are committed to trekking in a way that does no harm to the local communities and environments. Naturally, to maintain our high standards, we have a dedicated team of experienced guides, who will have the pleasure of bringing you to the most beautiful trails on Madagascar. They will guide you to remote sights most travellers never see.
custom treks
We provide all the back-up support, guides, cooks, porters, food, equipment, transport, accommodation and permits.
What Experience is needed?
For most
of the trekkings you need to have good fitness, a
co-operative team spirit and an open mind. Most days we
plan to walk for SIX HOURS or so, with a long break for a
picnic lunch.
Full details and itinerary will be emailed on request.
ROUTES
Ilay Tours offers 10 trekking trails full of nature interests and discoveries. The duration of the trips are only for the trekking itself - The transfer duration is not yet included.
The Tsingy of Ankarana (2 to 7 days) – North
Some centuries ago, during a long battle
between kingdoms, the Antakarana tribe fled to Tsingy and
died there. Since that time it is a holy place where
offerings are brought to the ancestors. During our
trekking we’ll make contact with the Ankarana tribe.
Trekking in Tsingy is not for the fainthearted; you need
to be in a good condition and fond of scaling hights !
The Tsingy of Bemaraha (2 to 6 days) – West
Tsingy of Bemaraha is classified as World
Heritage by the Unesco. Once you come to the Tsingy area,
you enter another world. The Tsingy resemble cathedrals
of stones of which some peaks may reach 30 meters high.
This area is the area where the Vazimba, the Malagasy
ancestors who came from Africa, lived. They were very
short people and their sacred tombs can be visited.
During the trekking through Tsingy and the adjacent dry
forest we’ll see lemurs, geckos, crocodiles,
fisheagles, parrots, snakes, pachypodium and elephant
feet. By pirogue we will visit some caves with huge
stalactites and stalagmites along the Manambolo river.
Lodging will be in Hotels and in Bivouac.
By jeep we’ll pass some typical graves and impressive Baobabs and drive through savannah and palm forest.
The Mountain of Amber (2 to 3 days) – North
This is a trekking for people who love the rain forest. You’ll be flabbergasted by the lush tropical vegetation on the slopes of the mountain. On this trekking we'll will pass huge waterfalls and holy lakes and see endemic species of lemurs like the macaco and the crowned lemur.
This trekking can be combined with a stay on the Island of Nosy Be.
Vanilla route (7 days) – North East
The transfer will be by plane or four wheel drive. The starting point is around the Vanilla region where we can see vanilla, cacao, coffee and pepper grow. Before we head into the forest we’ll pay a visit to local villages. The jungle houses several species orchids, palms, lianas and animals. To reach the heart of the forest we have to cross some cliffs and mountains, which makes this trekking not suitable for people with a less than good condition.
At the end, you have still several choices with us : visiting a very new national park, whales watching (from August to October), flying to another destination etc. The lodging will be in huts and tents.
The Highest peak 2876 m (15 days) - North
This is a round trip. At the departure point, you will be in the middle of a melting pot of populations : Comorans, Pakistanis, Arabians, the Tsimihety tribe and the Antakarana.
After crossing the cacao-, pepper-, papaya- and coffee plantations we continue through villages surrounded by high mountains. We will be exploring some fabulous open hills and green valleys where wild game and exotic birds abound. The slopes of the mountains are a special reserve, which we’ll scale around the 9th day. Crossing rivers, hills, fields and jungle, you will experience a real expedition above the cloud. This trekking, interesting for researchers and nature lovers, needs good physical condition and adventure feeling.
Bananas route (5 days)
This trekking starts in the highland. First we head east and pass through the territory of the Antanala tribe ("those who are from the forest"). Later we’ll enter Betsimisaraka territory ("those who cannot be separated"). We walk through banana plantations and tropical forest. Raphia palms and elephant ears are in abundance in this wet area. Some rivers should be crossed by pirogues and we’ll see some magnificent waterfalls. The area is also famous for its goldmines and precious stones. You’ll experience some typical Malagasy life by lodging with Malagasy families.
At the end of the trip you will be on the sea shore again and another eastern destination will be available.
Latoko route (5 days) - Middle East
The starting point for this trip lies in the
highland. On the way to the departure point we’ll
visit some historical monuments. Before we cross the
mountains and forests on foot we’ll descend a river
by canoe. Trekking and mountain climbing in gorgeous,
lush, high mountain jungle vegetation. This trip has it
all!! During this trekking we’ll visit three tribes
and get to know their different way of life and culture.
The lush landscape is very rich on birds, frogs and
chameleons.
We’ll be camping throughout the entire trip. At the end, a visit to the national park of Perinet is one of many possibilities.
The Indri route (5 days) - Middle East
By car, bike or train we travel to the departure point. From there you walk on red trails surrounded by green forest of ravenala (a kind of palmforest). The first part is rich on wild pigs, birds, insects and typical tropical plants like pandanus and dracena. Three big waterfalls ornate the way.
The second part of the trekking will be through the lands of the Bezanozano tribe who still cling to their old traditions. The last part takes us through primary rainforest where we will hear the famous call of the indri-indri.
The expedition ends by the national park of Perinet.
The Isalo National park (1 to 5 days) - South
Isalo is a huge area of canyons and cliffs
vaguely resembling the countryside of Nevada. Millions of
years ago the sea carved strange figures out of the
limestone rocks, figures that now bear names like the
queen and the window. The unusual peaks vary in altitude
between 515m and 1268m high. Walking through the many
canyons you feel like rediscovering paradise. Amidst the
cliffs we'll find oasis alike the ones of Egypt. Nothing
suits the tired body better than a dip in on of the
natural pools the water has carved out of the rocks.
Hidden in the canyons lie some nice waterfalls which can
be reached after some light climbing.
Walking through the national park we'll see savanna, pandanus, aloe, calanchoe, dry forest, pachypodim, orchids, catta lemur and sifaka.
The Stones route (3 days) - Middle West
This route takes us through an area which is very rich of stones. During our visit to some mines we'll see how semi-precious like crystal, marble and tourmaline are harvested. We'll also visit a number of caves some of which are 50 to 60 meters high. The vegetation in this area is also very interesting. Next to some very special orchids we'll see tapia trees and aloe.
Focus on your holidays with Ilay Tours
and spoil yourself !
