Antoetra is the main town of the clan Zafimaniry. Around this town there are a few villages which the local people still preserve the culture of woodcarving. The Zafimaniry culture is classified as World Heritage. They carve their life, their dreams on the wall and at the same time it is a decoration. It is both a place for hiking and learning the local people’s everyday life.
Breakfast then drive to Ambositra. Stop in Antsirabe for lunch. Ambositra is a town of woodcarving so take a look at a workshop to see how skillful they carve the wood. Then continue to drive to Antoetra.
Check in then dinner.
Drive a couple of hours then start to hike. The landscape is dominated by mountains covered with wild flowers, bushy plants, and a few introduced plants. Do not forget to bring raincoat as it is a raining area, mostly foggy in the morning, and often raining. Arriving in Faliarivo village, you will see people’s everyday life. Most of the houses are built with wood, and every carving on the walls has a meaning. The villages here are very famous for carving, and it is the only area in Madagascar that people have that culture of carvings. Visiting the inside of the house is very interesting and people are very welcoming. Then continue to reach Sakaivo Village where we spend the night in a habitant’s house.
The accommodation here is very simple but nice.
Full day excursion. Having a look around the village of Sakaivo, then hiking to a nice waterfall. Picnic lunch in the place. Go back to the village to relax, maybe time to try the local rum by the fire, which is served on the mat.
Breakfast then start the day. Today we visit another village of the Zafimaniry clan. After a couple of hours we arrive at Kidodo village. Very typical among the other Zafimaniry villages, they still preserve their architecture on using wood materials as the roof is made of bamboo plants. We continue to trek to Antoetra small town. Then we drive to Ambositra. Picnic lunch on the way.
Check in and dinner.
After breakfast , visit woodcarving shops then drive back to Tana . Lunch en route.
