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9th Nov 2024 - 21st Nov 2024
13 days/Madagascar /Moderate to Challenging
Join Weldmar Hospicecare as they explore the towering mountains , verdant grasslands and exotic rainforests of the incredible island of Madagascar.
This 12-day trip will give you ample opportunity to discover the delights of this island nation as you spend 5 days trekking through the Andringitra National Park.
Join us as we attempt to summit the island’s second highest peak Pic Boby and neighbouring Chameleon Peak for some spectacular views over the Tsaranoro Valley.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the endangered lemurs, reptiles and a host of other creatures endemic to the region along the way.
You will also spend a day at a community project in the country’s capital Antananarivo. The typical tasks you will be involved in include basic refurbishment such as repainting rooms and improving kitchen facilities, gardening and general maintenance.
You will be part of an exclusive team helping to fund vital end of life care throughout Dorset, as part of Weldmar’s 30th Anniversary celebrations
This trip is rated as moderate to challenging for someone of good fitness levels. You will be trekking for 5 consecutive days, over varying and sometimes challenging terrain. You will cover approximately 15-20km per day but this will take around 6 – 8 hours.
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 Different Travel Company UK tour manager and a Weldmar Hospicecare charity representative.
The undulating terrain you will be walking across will be a mixture from grassy bush paths to rocky, dry mountain tracks.
The maximum expected daytime temperature in November is around 33°C, dropping down to 12°C at night. The climate is very humid and intermittent downpours are possible so you are advised to bring good waterproofs and warm layers for evenings.
Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate for this time of year; climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience conditions during the trip which are uncharacteristic and out of our control. If unexpected climate conditions occur the guides will make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
You will be staying in comfortable 2/3 star hotels in Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Ambalavao.
During the trek you will be staying in three man tents (two to a tent). You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
You will also be spending 2 nights at the basic lodge at Tsara Camp.
You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian–please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit.
An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.
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.
You must engage in training (including plenty of walking up and down hills) before departure to ensure your best chance of enjoyment of the trip. This could include hill walking, running, cycling, gym workouts, bootcamps, etc. Increasing your cardiovascular endurance, core strength and leg strength will also benefit you greatly so resistance workouts should be added to your training regime in addition to plenty of hill walking. You can download a number of free apps which will help you train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyWalk, couch to 5k, MyFitnessPal etc. If you attempt to complete the challenge without training it will make the trek unnecessarily difficult and may be detrimental to your experience, and the experience of your team mates.
The altitude you experience on this trek is up to 2,658m which is slightly under the threshold that is considered high altitude (3000m). However there is a possibility that some people may notice altitude related symptoms.
The local guides are very experienced in spotting signs of altitude sickness but it is important that you also research the effects so you can be aware of how your body is adjusting.
A great source of information can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Altitude-sickness/Pages/Introduction.aspx or http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm.
The tour manager for this trip is …
London – Antananarivo
Fly from London to Antananarivo and transfer to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Meals: Dinner (subject to arrive time)
Overnight: Hotel
Antananarivo – Antsirabe
We will set off on a five hour drive to Antsirabe today. We will stop for lunch in the charming small city of Ambatolampy enroute. We will enjoy a short city tour on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Antsirabe – Ambalayo
Our journey continues as we head to Ambalaya – the gateway to the South. The drive will be approximately 7 hours but we will be stopping at Ambositra, famed for its handicrafts, on the way. Tonight you will meet your trek guides for a briefing about the days ahead.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Ambalayo – Namoly – Antantsoa
It’s an early start this morning as we head to Namoly (approx. 3 hours’ drive) and the starting point of our trek. Keep your eyes peeled for our first lemurs as we walk to our first campsite at Antantsoa. The route will also take us past some stunning natural rock pools.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 4 hours
Overnight: Camping
Antantsoa – Andriampotsy
Expect a tough day today as we head uphill to our next camp at around 2,100m above sea level. We will stop to visit some caves on the way and may even get the chance for a relaxing dip in a natural pool.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 6 hours
Overnight: Camping
Andriampotsy – Pic Boby – Iantaranomby
An early start to scale Boby Peak (2,658m). The climb up will take around 2.5 hours, then after taking in the incredible views, it is a 2 hour descent back to Base Camp. After a break for lunch we continue for another 4 hours to reach our final campsite at Iantaranomby.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 8 hours
Overnight: Campsite
Iantaranomomby – Tsaranoro – Tsara
We continue downhill for around 4 hours this morning to reach Tsaranoro, located in ‘Dream Valley’. This afternoon we continue through the forest for another 2 hours, hoping to see lemurs along the way, before reaching Tsara, where we stay in a basic, but comfortable lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 6 hours
Overnight: Basic lodge
Tsara – Chameleon Peak
One final mountain awaits today, Chameleon Peak. Taking around 4 hours to reach the summit you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the Tsaranoro valley. After stopping for a picnic lunch it’s downhill all the way back to Tsara, and another night in the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 4 hours
Overnight: Basic Lodge
Tsarano – Fianrantsoa
After breakfast, we rejoin our vehicles for the journey to Fianrantsoa, an old royal city with a colonial past (approx. 4 hours). Spend some time this afternoon exploring both the ancient and modern sides to the city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 4 hours
Overnight: Lodge
Antananarivo
It’s one final long day on the road, heading back to the capital, Antananarivo (approx 8 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Fianrantsoa – Antananarivo
Our final day in Madagascar is spent helping at a local community project, such as a school. Activities are likely to include painting, decorating and refurbishing, as well as interacting with the local community. Farewell dinner this evening before transferring to the airport (depending on flight times).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Hotel
Antananarivo – London
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. We will do our best to keep to this itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.
Registration fee: £375
and then either…
Sponsorship: £4600
orÂ
Flexi: £2,300 trip costs* and £2,300 donation to Weldmar Hospicecare. Please contact Weldmar Hospicecare for more information.
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to Weldmar Hospicecare. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for Weldmar Hospicecare. Please contact Weldmar Hospicecare for more information.
*Please note trip costs are based on the final group size and are subject to change.
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and flight surcharges.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
