Next on our program was 2 nights camping and hiking in Andringitra NP. This is 45 Kms from Ambalavao, a mere 3 1/2 hours drive by 4WD only.
This was our first river crossing, the photo showing the bridge in better light than it felt going over.
Also it appeared to be washing day.
Despite the bad road, it was quite a scenic drive up to the granite ranges of Andringitra.
Alas the conditions and climb proved too taxing for the Patrol, it boiled again en route.
We stopped at the park offices to pay our dues and arrange guides and porters and set off loaded to the hilt with 3 extra people in the car and 3 walking the 7 Kms to the car parking area. Here we unloaded everything, including a chicken which had done the whole drive in the back of the car without so much of a squawk!
It was only a short walk to our "base camp"
We had a short walk up the river, bathed in there, and had an early night after a huge meal cooked on charcoal burners. The planned walk was a 12 km circuit, with 530 m up and back down. The blue route on this map, after walking up the yellow route from the bottom camp.
We had banana fritters at 6:30 am...
..and then walked up a ridge to the left and crossed above the two cascades...
...to a flat plain below the higher granite wall.
This was at about 2000m, we then climbed another 100 m through the saddle on the mid right background. There wasn't much wildlife, this colourful cricket was about all that caught our eye.
However when we got to 2100m we entered a whole new habitat. Lots of plants we had not seen previously, and lots of frogs in the waterholes.
There was also so natural rock art courtesy of the lichens
Plus remarkably, everlasting daisies.
Porters for other groups using higher camps came through, and of course their load had to be tested.
It was back down to camp level on a steep trail, with views back over to our camp and where we had come.
After 8 1/4 hours we were back in camp. Unfortunately for our chicken, it was now in the pot.
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