Alarobia Bemaha

Day Trips

Arrive at Antananarivo International Airport and transfer to Alarobia Bemaha, taking in views of verdant rice terraces along the way. Your guide introduces you to the local Betsileo community as you settle into a traditional guesthouse. Enjoy a refreshing cup of Malagasy tea while learning about the region’s customs.

Share a communal lunch of ravitoto and rice prepared by your hosts and participate in a welcoming ritual with tribal songs and dances. Explore the village on foot, meeting artisans who carve wood and weave colorful raffia baskets. Learn basic Malagasy phrases as children greet you with curiosity and smiles.

Gather around an open-fire dinner with fresh tilapia and cassava cooked in banana leaves. Listen to elders recount stories of ancestors under the canopy of stars. Drift to sleep to the sounds of distant frogs and the gentle rustle of palm leaves.

Travel to the UNESCO-listed Royal Hill of Ambohimanga for a guided tour of its sacred palace and stone tombs. Learn about the Betsileo monarchy and the spiritual significance of the “blue sea” stone used in construction. Wander through fragrant eucalyptus groves that surround the fortress.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the palace walls with homemade sambos and fresh fruit. Observe local artisans carving zebu-horn jewelry in a nearby workshop. Climb to the summit for panoramic views of rolling highland hills and terraced rice paddies.

Return to Alarobia Bemaha and join villagers for a traditional famadihana drum performance. Share laughs and dance moves around an evening feast of grilled vegetables and spicy chicken brochettes. End the night with a calming moonlit stroll along the village’s narrow paths.

Depart early for a nearby private lemur sanctuary dedicated to conserving the endemic red-fronted brown lemur. Walk through lush forest trails, listening as guides call out lemur names to draw them near. Photograph these playful primates as they leap between branches.

Enjoy a bush picnic beneath towering ebony trees with Malagasy salads and local chocolates. Participate in a hands-on feeding session where you offer banana slices to habituated lemurs. Learn about ongoing reforestation efforts and volunteer to plant a native sapling.

Head back to the village for a sundowner at a hilltop viewpoint with fresh coconut water. Feast on a hearty rice and bean dish accompanied by sautéed greens. Share stories around a bonfire while village children perform traditional folk songs.

Set off before dawn for a guided trek deep into the rainforest, equipped with binoculars and a field guide. Spot rare endemic birds like the velvet asity and blue coua as they flit through misty canopies. Learn to identify medicinal plants used by local healers.

Break for a forest-side lunch of smoked fish and root vegetables wrapped in banana leaves. Wade through cool streams and traverse natural bridges formed by rushing rivers. Listen to your guide demonstrate bird calls to attract elusive species.

Return to your guesthouse for a steaming bowl of coconut curry and rice. Relax on a terrace while fireflies dance among pandanus trees. Drift to sleep to the melodic chorus of nocturnal frogs.

Visit the bustling Betsileo market before sunrise to see stalls laden with vibrant spices, fresh produce, and handcrafted pottery. Sample local treats like mofo gasy (rice cakes) and koba (peanut-filled banana paste). Haggle with friendly vendors as they display colorful textiles and raffia hats.

Join a cooking demonstration led by a market cook, selecting fresh ingredients to prepare a three-course Malagasy meal. Learn to grind spices by hand and wrap food in banana leaves for roasting. Sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with new friends.

Wander through the quieted market square as lanterns flicker on. Share insights with your guide about the region’s trading history and cultural exchanges. Savor a light supper of fresh mango slices and ginger tea before rest.

Set out on a moderate trek to the cascading Andriamamovoka Falls, stepping across wooden bridges and mossy rocks. Feel the mist on your face as you approach the roaring waterfall surrounded by orchids and ferns. Capture the scene on camera from a natural viewing platform.

Enjoy a riverside lunch of grilled zebu skewers and taro chips while listening to the waterfalls’ thunderous roar. Swim in the cool plunge pool beneath the falls and cool off amidst tropical foliage. Take time to sketch or journal by the water’s edge.

Return to camp for a communal dinner cooked in a traditional earth oven, featuring sweet potatoes and banana fritters. Gather around an open flame for stories of forest spirits told by village storytellers. Observe constellations far from city lights as the night deepens.

Visit a local artisan’s workshop specializing in zebu leather goods, from belts to sandals. Watch skilled hands tan hides in traditional vats and emboss tribal patterns using handmade stamps. Try your hand at stitching under the artisan’s patient instruction.

Feast on a light lunch of peanut stew and steamed rice in the workshop courtyard. Decorate a small leather pouch with natural dyes and carved stamps as a personal souvenir. Discuss sustainable livestock practices and the cultural importance of zebu in Betsileo society.

Return to the village for a festive gathering with music and dance. Savor a multi-course dinner featuring zebu steak and seasonal greens. Conclude with a lively dance demonstration where you’re invited to join in.

Board a traditional dugout canoe at dawn for a tranquil paddle along the Ikopa River. Observe kingfishers and herons hunting along the riverbanks. Learn cast-net fishing techniques from local fishermen and try your luck reeling in tilapia.

Grill your catch over a riverside fire for a fresh fish lunch with cassava chips and green mango salad. Drift with the current to hidden coves where water lilies bloom. Spot water buffalo grazing on floodplains as you glide past shaded riverine forests.

Return to shore for a riverside barbecue under lantern light. Share fish curry and vegetable skewers with your canoe guides, swapping fishing tales. Fall asleep to the rhythmic croaking of frogs and the gurgle of flowing water.

Join a local family in their kitchen to prepare breakfast staples like akondro flambé (flamed bananas) and rice porridge. Assist in pounding peanuts for sauce and stirring pots over an open flame. Chat with elders about traditional recipes passed down through generations.

Divide into small groups for craft workshops—beading, weaving, and wood carving—led by village artisans. Enjoy a shared lunch of romazava (meat and greens stew) and steamed rice on a woven mat. Exchange stories and techniques with fellow travelers and villagers alike.

Gather at the community hall for a final feast celebrating your shared experiences, featuring grilled meats, fried plantains, and rum-infused fruit salads. Participate in a communal dance circle accompanied by live drums. Close the evening with a heartfelt thank-you ceremony and gift exchange.

Enjoy a farewell breakfast of fresh fruit, coffee, and sweet banana fritters on your guesthouse veranda. Pack your belongings and collect any last-minute souvenirs crafted by villagers. Share final hugs and photos with hosts and new friends.

Transfer back to Antananarivo, stopping at roadside stalls to pick up spices, vanilla pods, and handwoven scarves. Reflect on your journey as you pass rice terraces and hillside villages one last time. Arrive at the airport with ample time for departure procedures.

Fly home carrying memories of vibrant sunsets, lush landscapes, and warm hospitality. Unwind on your flight as you review journal notes and photographs. Plan future visits to Madagascar as you drift into a satisfied sleep.