Early in the morning, we head south. We cross the characteristic landscapes of the Highlands, following a winding road bordered by a mosaic of fields with various crops and terraced rice paddies. Several stops are planned along the way to meet farmers and visit the villages lining National Road 7.

Heading due west towards Miandrivazo. The journey is punctuated by visits to markets in the villages we pass through.

Gradually, the patchwork of terraced rice paddies and varied crops, with hills topped by the red-brick houses of the Central Highlands, gives way to the arid landscape of the Mid-West Sakalava and the “bald” mountains carved by erosion in the southern part of the Bongolava Massif.

We reach the town of Miandrivazo, on the banks of the Tsiribihina River, by mid-afternoon.

We continue on the road to Malaimbandy. It is beautiful and runs along the Mahajilo River, which flows into the Tsiribihina River.

From the small town of Malaimbandy, we take the track to reach the northern base of the Makay Massif. This is the starting point of our unique hike.

We begin our hike and cross the Manampada River, leaving behind the crops and the village. Heading south, across the plateau, the first sandstone formations of the Makay Massif appear.

Around a bend in the trail, our eyes fall on a magnificent meander of the Manampada River, nestled between sandstone cliffs, with pristine forest surrounding it in all its beauty.

It is in this enchanting setting that our campsite is set up for the night.

We leave the bed of the Manampanda River and gain elevation to walk across the vast tabular formations.

The ruiniform sedimentary plateau of the Makay is composed of friable sandstone and is also the northern extension of the Isalo Massif.

The slow and relentless work of time, a few tectonic movements, and the flow of water have patiently eroded these rocks. We set out to explore this unique massif.

By late morning, along a hidden path, we reach a gorge called Ankaromokotry, named after a fruit found on the plateau. Clear water flows peacefully here, and we take advantage of this spot to have lunch.

Through a beautiful gorge, with our feet in the water, we arrive at our campsite, set on a lovely stretch of white sand along the river.

Very quickly, we reach the heights to dominate this great hydrographic network.

This __spectacular and inextricable _geomorphology_ has allowed, at the bottom of unexplored canyons, groups of original animals and plants to develop away from the world, to the point of giving birth to new species.

The lemurs are very present in these isolated forests but we see them more than we observe them, unaccustomed to any presence.

In this unique environment, our progress on foot allows you to immerse yourself in an astonishing nature. From time to time, we climb on the domes and eroded peaks, the panoramas are exceptional.

We reach a gorge with dry sands, Ampasimaiky.

We leave the dry riverbed of Andranomanga via a steep trail. We set foot on the ridge that separates us from the next fault. The route is somewhat complex, winding between the deep crevices cutting into the plateau. Along a steep path, we reach the waters of Andranomanga at the bottom of a magnificent canyon. We spend the entire afternoon making our way upstream through an enchanting environment. The canyon has been sculpted by the waters, creating remarkably diverse formations. We set up camp in this magnificent gorge.

We continue our progress at the bottom of this wonderful canyon. The water becomes scarcer, and a few tricky passages add a playful touch to our hike.

In this gorge, the spectacular and intricate geomorphology has allowed groups of original animals and plants to develop in isolation from the world, to the point of giving rise to new species.

Lemurs are abundant in these remote forests. We catch more glimpses than close-up views, as they are not accustomed to any human presence.

We reach the pass that marks the watershed between Manampanda and Sakapaly. A well-trodden trail used by the dahalos (the real ones, not the bandits) leads us to the head of Sakapaly.

Here, parrots are everywhere, their calls echoing through these long corridors. Birds of prey such as buzzards, kites, and African harrier-hawks soar above the mountains. At nightfall, bats—the guardians of the place—emerge to make their silent rounds.

Our camp is set up on the white sands.

Once again, following a complex route, we navigate more than we walk through these interwoven ridgelines to reach a magnificent canyon. We slip into this narrow passage, feet in crystal-clear water. The fantastical walls are carved in astonishing shapes, and the play of colors is strikingly varied.

The river flattens out, and we emerge into a beautiful, completely untouched forest crowned by high cliffs shifting in hue from grey to mauve. Our camp is set up on a lovely white sand beach.

In the late afternoon, we climb higher to admire this incredible Sakapaly Valley.

Our caravan makes its way along the cliffs, an easy route, until we reach the plateau. The goal now is to reach a narrow fault covered with pandanus, palms, and ferns, which opens the way to the great Manampanda hydrographic basin. We progress entirely with our feet in the water, in a lush, green environment. Lemurs are abundant, darting away into the canopy. At our feet, caught among the boulders in the riverbed, lie petrified woods, remnants of a fossilized forest. These silicified witnesses are invaluable for the study of geology, paleobotany, and paleoenvironments. Needless to say, this unique heritage must be protected.

Our tributary meets the Manampanda River, and the water flow suddenly becomes much stronger. Our camp is set up on a beautiful sandy beach along the river.

The Manampandana River guides our progress for about an hour before we leave it to reach the plateau. After joining the ridgeline, we head towards the Bara villages on the northern outskirts of the Makay massif. We arrive in the village of Tsiazorambo by late morning, where our vehicles are waiting for us. This marks the end of our unique and unprecedented journey through the magnificent Makay massif.

After lunch, we bid farewell to the porters and trackers. By track, we take our 4x4 vehicles to reach the town of Malaimbandy. The road to Morondava now awaits us—this is National Road 34, which leads us all the way to Miandrivazo.