The name Ambohimahamasina literally translated means ‘at the sacred mountain’ and it is here near this rural community, 40km southeast of Ambalavao that Ambondrombe, Madagascar’s most sacred mountain, is found. There are plenty of stories surrounding Ambondrombe, as it is believed that the spirits of all Madagascar’s dead reside on its slopes. Treks are two days up and down, and you might even spot a lemur on your way up, as Ambohimahamasina is located right on the rainforest corridor, meaning breathtaking scenery, with Betsileo villages, ricefields and important cultural sites.
If trekking up a mountain accompanied by a whole lot of spirits doesn’t sound like your thing, there is another smaller mountain, Itaolina, that offers breath-taking views from the top and on a clear day you can even see all the way across the rainforest corridor to the Indian Ocean. For the adventurous amongst you, you can even organise a trek to cross the rainforest corridor to its eastern side.
For those for whom trekking large distances gives you a chill of horror, not to worry – this area is well known for its weaving and basketry and Ambohimahamasina itself is a calm and interesting place to see a little of rural Madagascar. If you are there on a Monday or Thursday, you’ll find the town busy and with plenty going on, as those are market days and well worth seeing if you can.
All of this can be organised with community tourism program FIZAM, which has been running since 2003, meaning local guides are well trained and there are plenty of homestays located in the area to give you a real taste of the Malagasy lifestyle.
There are several daily taxi-brousses to Ambohimahamasina from Ambalavao, but generally it is better to get there early, so you can get in touch with your local guide and walk to the chosen homestay, as well as having a chance to have a look around and enjoy being out of the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
Alternatively there are various guides in both Ambalavao and Fianarantsoa who can organise trips to Ambohimahamasina.
Please contact Ny Tanintsika or APMM for more information.
If trekking up a mountain accompanied by a whole lot of spirits doesn’t sound like your thing, there is another smaller mountain, Itaolina, that offers breath-taking views from the top and on a clear day you can even see all the way across the rainforest corridor to the Indian Ocean. For the adventurous amongst you, you can even organise a trek to cross the rainforest corridor to its eastern side.
For those for whom trekking large distances gives you a chill of horror, not to worry – this area is well known for its weaving and basketry and Ambohimahamasina itself is a calm and interesting place to see a little of rural Madagascar. If you are there on a Monday or Thursday, you’ll find the town busy and with plenty going on, as those are market days and well worth seeing if you can.
All of this can be organised with community tourism program FIZAM, which has been running since 2003, meaning local guides are well trained and there are plenty of homestays located in the area to give you a real taste of the Malagasy lifestyle.
There are several daily taxi-brousses to Ambohimahamasina from Ambalavao, but generally it is better to get there early, so you can get in touch with your local guide and walk to the chosen homestay, as well as having a chance to have a look around and enjoy being out of the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
Alternatively there are various guides in both Ambalavao and Fianarantsoa who can organise trips to Ambohimahamasina.
Please contact Ny Tanintsika or APMM for more information.
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