Trek and wild camp through the otherworldly canyons, plains, forests and peaks of the Isalo and Andringitra National Parks
Hike and scramble to the summit of Madagascar's second-highest mountain, the imposing Pic Boby (2658m)
Eyes peeled for lemurs, the island’s most famous residents – from ring-tailed and red-fronted browns, to tiny mouse lemurs
Day 1
Touch down in Madagascar's capital, affectionately known as Tana, meet your host at the airport and transfer across the city to your hotel. Meet up with your fellow adventurers for dinner and a chat through the adventure to come.
Day 2
This morning you will enjoy a morning getting hands-on with one of Madagascar's most famous exports: Malagasy cocoa. Your host has their own kitchen in Tana, which you'll head to for a workshop with a chef where you'll make your own chocolate bars using the revered cocoa and unique Malagasy spices. Later on in the afternoon, you'll be hopping on a flight to reach Tulear (Toliara) as the sheer size of Madagascar means that taking a domestic flight is common on many trips here. Tulear (Toliara) is 1000km south on the western coast, and your gateway to reach the two national parks that you'll be trekking through. Warm up for your trek with a night walk tonight at Antsokay Arboretum, getting your first glimpse of Madagascar's native plant and wildlife, including the tiny nocturnal mouse lemur and the enigmatic chameleon.
Day 3
Wake up early and hop in the van for the drive from Tulear (Toliara) to Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park and the starting point for your two-day trek through this remote region. The trail winds through a stunning landscape of towering sandstone formations, deep canyons, winding rivers and lush greenery. You will stop for a picnic lunch in a scenic spot surrounded by endemic plants and trees – with plenty of chances to spot your first wild lemurs of the trip. Camp out beneath mango trees for your first night beneath the stars in Madagascar.
Day 4
Roll out of the tent at sunrise to see the morning sun illuminating the Isalo massif before hitting the trail, reaching a forest at the foot of the cliffs that is home to unmistakable ring-tailed lemurs and the agile white sifakas. Trek deeper into the canyon between the towering walls, winding to reach the summit of the Isalo ridges giving a clear panorama to the north. After six hours of trekking through an evolving landscape of colours and textures through the heat of the day, you're rewarded with the most beautiful of Isalo's natural swimming pools. Take a well-deserved swim and enjoy sunset, before dinner at the next camp spot.
Day 5
Tuck into breakfast at your final camp spot in Isalo, pack down camp and trek out of the park, traversing a plateau resembling a classic African savannah. Descend a steep valley on a well-maintained trail to reach the forest-flanked Namaza River, hiking along the river with yet more lemurs in the canopies for company, until you reach the Nymphs Waterfall. The trek winds down as you arrive back at Ranohira, where you'll hop back in the van for the onward drive to the village of Ambalavao. Spend the night in bungalows in a beautiful spot, enjoying a comfy bed and shower conveniently wedged in between the two trekking and camping sections of your trip.
Day 6
Awake at Camp Catta and take in the stunning views of the Tsaranoro cliff. After the last few days of trekking, you'll spend a relaxed morning exploring the sacred forest in the Tsaranoro Valley, and visiting a typical Bara village. In the afternoon, you're free to chill in preparation for the next trek – Camp Catta has a beautiful eco-pool to cool off in and offers incredible views of Andringitra National Park.
Day 7
From one trek straight to another, you'll drive into the Tsaranoro Valley through some stunning highland landscapes, to reach the trailhead for the hike into the Andringitra National Park. Start the climb to the Andringitra Massif with the majestic Tsaranoro cliff towering in the background, and after a few tough hours you'll have lunch and cool down with a swim in the river. Continue through a lunar landscape nicknamed 'Diavolana' ('moonlight' in Malagasy) until you reach the Andranolava campsite, beside a river at 1965m. Tonight's campout at this altitude will be colder, so wrap up and settle in ahead of summit day tomorrow.
Day 8
Pic Boby is the star attraction of Andringitra National Park and Madagascar's second-highest mountain at 2658m, which you'll be summiting today. An early morning start with an hour of gentle hiking through the Andohariana plateau will lead you to the foot of huge granite cliffs, marking the start of the ascent to Pic Boby. After two and half hours of steady hiking and some rock scrambling, you'll be stood at the summit taking in a full panorama of the entire region. In very good weather, you can even see the Isalo massif, which you trekked through a few days ago. Descend from the peak via the same route, continuing along the foot of the cliffs back to the campsite to enjoy the rest of the afternoon by the river, where you can relax and recover from your summit exploits.
Day 9
Roll out of the tent to the first rays of sunlight coming down the cliffs and the plateau, tuck into breakfast and set off toward the Namoly Valley, passing waterfalls and taking in the stunning landscape of the Andringitra Mountains. Your hike today passes through past crystal-clear streams with opportunities to swim before tackling some steep inclines. You will spend your final night camping in the Madagascan wilderness at a picturesque campsite surrounded by the natural beauty of this remote area.
Day 10
Leaving the campsite, a short walk takes you to the village of Sendrisoa which is is a Malagasy rural commune located in the south-eastern part of the Haute Matsiatra region. Here you bid farewell to this wonderful place as you begin the drive back to civilisation. Given the poor condition of the road the going is slow, but this confirms the sense of remoteness that comes with the trek you've just completed in this region. You'll make a short detour for a hike through Anja Park, a community-run reserve famous for its ring-tailed lemurs. Continuing on the journey, you will stop at villages en route for a glimpse into rural Malagasy life, before coming to Fianarantsoa where you will spend the night.
Day 11
After a week in the wilderness, it's time to see the other side of life in Madagascar as you eat into the multi-day journey from your trekking spot to the capital. Road travel is slow in Madagascar due to the fluctuating quality of the roads, but this provides a great opportunity for an insight into life here. On your road trip today, you'll pass through charming villages showcasing local life and traditional architecture, including Ambositra – renowned for its woodcarvers and vibrant handicrafts, as well as the stunning highland landscapes with grasslands and volcanic formations. Eventually, you'll reach Antsirabe: the third-largest city in Madagascar is known for its colonial charm, thermal springs, and colourful pousse-pousse (a type of rickshaw). Enjoy some free time here to explore in the late afternoon and evening before bunking down in a cosy hotel.
Day 12
You'll have a chance to stretch your legs again this morning before the final stretch of driving to the capital later. Hop on a mountain bike to explore Antsirabe and its rural surroundings as you pedal through the town's charming streets, past colonial architecture and out into the countryside. Pedalling mostly off road on rough tracks, you will roll through lush, green hills and past traditional Malagasy villages, stopping to buy local foods and learn insights into the unique local culture and way of life here from your guide. Tuck into lunch at a local restaurant before it's time for the drive back to the capital, Tana.
Day 13
No need to rush to the airport on your final day today, as all flights depart in the afternoon and evening. The day is yours to explore Tana and perhaps grab one last lunch together, before your host transfers you to the airport for your onward flight.
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
On this trip, 5 lunches and 3 dinners are not included. The amount to budget for these will depend on your appetite, but a guideline is €10-16 for a 3-course meal at a tourist restaurant. Lunch in a local restaurant is approximately €3-4 for a main course of rice with meat or fish.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
Malagasy cuisine is a result of the island's diverse cultural heritage, which includes African, Arab, Indian, and French influences. The traditional Malagasy diet primarily revolves around rice, meat, fish, vegetables, green leaves, and tropical frui…
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked throughout the trip for an extra charge, see Optional Extras. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Made for those who seek to push themselves and embrace the outdoors
This is a challenging trek for many reasons – the distances are plentiful, and cross areas which don't always have a marked trail. The National Parks are very remote and the s...
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Sunday 28th June 2026
to Friday 10th July 2026
Last minute - Host approval required
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
The Malagasy Ariary is the local currency of Madagascar and cash is the most common form of payment. You are advised not to carry large amounts of cash with you at one time. There are ATMs in 6 locations visited on this trip if you need to withdraw extra cash as you go. While it is often easier to withdraw from an ATM than to change money, if you wish to do so then the Euro is the most widely accepted foreign currency but USD and GBP can also be changed.
It is never safe to drink the water in Madagascar, so all drinking water needs to be purified. Your host will travel with large containers of water throughout the trip, while the porters will ensure that water is carried through each day of the treks. However, please do bring water purification tablets or a filtration system. We recommend having a read of our Guide to the Best Water Filters for Adventurers.
Yes, you can store excess luggage at your host's base in Antananarivo to be collected when you return to the capital.
This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.
Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Isalo National Park is located in the southwestern part of Madagascar where from April to December is the dry season, so expect minimal rainfall or none at all. Temperatures will range from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) during the day; nights can be colder, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C (50°F).
November to December is the transition period between the dry season and the wet season. Temperatures can rise slightly, reaching up to 30°C (86°F) during the day. Showers and thunderstorms become more frequent, and the landscape starts to become greener.
Andringitra National Park is located in the southeastern part of Madagascar, and its climate is influenced by the nearby Indian Ocean which makes the temperatures slightly cooler on average than those listed above for Isalo. Before the summit of Pic Boby, you'll be sleeping at close to 2000m above sea level, so the night there can be significantly colder than all other nights on the trip.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 323kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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