This morning we will pick you up from your Tana accommodation and head west of the capital, to the highlands of the Marina people. This is an area that is dominated by rolling hills and rice farms. We will spend the next 2 nights in the buzzing town of Ampefy. Located on the shore of Lake Itasy, Ampefy is well known for its hospitality, wonderful local restaurants, waterfall and fishing.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Today we will explore the Ampefy region. We will wander down to the shores of the lake and take a wooden pirogue to see traditional fishing and lake life. We will wander through the local market and dine at one of the beautiful restaurants overlooking the main street. After lunch, feel free to walk the main street of town or visit the local waterfall, Chute de la Lily.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home stay

After a relaxing breakfast on the shore of the lake, we will travel further west as we leave the main road and travel backroads more frequented by Zebu carts than cars.

Journey through small villages and rice fields until we reach Ambavahady Anosy. If it is market day, we will stop and grab some supplies and sample some of the local rum! Once we reach the farm, take a sunset wander across the rice fields and finish our day with a family meal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Home Stay

Wake at dawn to the smell of fresh coffee and warm bread! The family kitchen overlooks the fields, take your coffee watching the farm come to life. Observe how to hitch zebu to the traditional plough or plant rice seedlings or harvest, winnow, gather and bag the rice. It’s harder than it looks! During your down time, learn how to play the very competitive sport of dominos or Bocce! Time permitting, take a walk into town to visit a local school and see how the community balances farm life and education. Finish your day with one of the joys of local farm life – music. Malagasy people are natural poets, singers and beautiful guitar players. Most evenings are spent relaxing around the table, enjoying local rum and song.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Accommodation: Home stay

After another morning watching Malagasy life go by, we will take a gradual journey back to Tana. Depart Tana anytime after 4pm for home, with memories of heartfelt Malagasy hospitality. 

Daily comforts 

Homestays give you a chance to experience traditional life, but it’s only natural to wonder about the comforts of local life. Toilet: Most traditional homes have a separate toilet for guests.

These are drop toilets with a fixed seat for comfort. Bathrooms are kept clean and hygenic. Food: Farm food is based on rice and vegetables or stews. Breakfast is traditionally coffee or tea, cheese and bread. Beds: Guest beds are separate to the family and tend to be a comfortable mattress on the floor, with sheets, blankets and mosquito nets. All guests share the same room. Wifi: The closest network is a 10 min walk from the main farm house.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch