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Vos impressions sur Mexicana airlines English translation pending
by Petitsoleil · 2005-06-15 · 6 replies
Bonjour,

Est-ce que quelqu'un a déjà voyagé avec Mexicana airlines? Quelles sont vos impressions??

Et l'aéroport de Mexico, est-il énorme? Est-ce difficile de passer d'un terminal à l'autre?

Merci!
Logement à Tananarive (Madagascar) English translation pending
by Gadj · 2005-05-31 · 24 replies
bonjour 🙂

je prepare en ce moment avec mon ami un voyage a madagascar.nous partons 3 semaines entre fin septembre et debut octobre.

nous avons un vol sec paris/tana.nous aimerions prevoir un logement sur tana pour les 2 premiers jours de notre sejour. Si qq'un peut nous conseiller... merci d'avance😉
Avis sur circuit Maroc "Grand Sud" English translation pending
by Nacre22 · 2005-05-26 · 10 replies
Je souhaiterais faire le cirduit "Grand Sud" du Maroc. Le TO Fram en propose un à partir de 599€ et Etapes Nouvelles en a un à 449€. Je sais que fram a une bonne réputation mais je voulais savoir si qqu'un avait déjà voyagé avec un des 2, lequel me conseillerez-vous ? y a-t-il d'autres TO plus intéressants?
De retour du Perou English translation pending
by Theluck · 2005-05-16 · 24 replies
Bonjour,

Nous sommes deux filles qui ont fait le sud du Perou et un peu de la Bolivie pour un mois. Nous sommes arrivés vendredi pour ceux qui désire de l'information sur ces destinations, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter pour de l'information à jour!

Au plaisir!
Quel trek choisir dans l'Himalaya? English translation pending
by Glucrin · 2005-05-12 · 24 replies
🙂BONJOUR A TOUS !

Comme j'envisage un petit voyage dans l'Himalaya pour l'automne et que j'hésite entre qq destinations, j'aimerais avoir vos opinions sur les lieux suivants : BHOUTAN - SIKKIM - LADAKH/ZANSKAR - TIBET- NEPAL .

Quel est la région représentant le mieux l'HIMALAYA ? (question banale et subjective🤪, mais qui est importante en ce qui me concerne car je ne pars que 3 semaines env.)

Je recherche surtout une région pour effectuer un trek tout en s'imprégnant de la culture locale, en évitant les coins touristiques (genre Katmandou).

Merci d'avance et à bientôt!😉

dom
Ile de la Barbade English translation pending
by Tourterelle · 2005-05-07 · 10 replies
Bonjour, je me demande si les gens visitent la Barbade...On parle beaucoup de la Republique Dom.Cuba et Mexique mais...y a-t-il quelqu un qui y a ete dernierement.

J ai visite cette ile en 92 et j ai adore, je me demande si c est toujours aussi bien. Et si quelqu un connait le Bougainvillea, et si oui j aimerais beaucoup avoir des informations sur cet hotel. Merci
voyage de 3 mois Inde: quel coût là-bas? English translation pending
by Odounette · 2005-04-29 · 5 replies
Bonjour,

Pourriez-vous me renseigner sur le coût approximatif d'une journée en Inde? Ou tout simplement le coût de l'alimentation, des transports, des hébergements, sachant que c'est un voyage à budget serré. Donc rien de superflus.

Merci d'avance
Besoin de simples infos sur la Suisse... English translation pending
by CedricQC · 2005-04-16 · 8 replies
Bonjour a tous!

Cet été (juin-juillet-aout...peut-etre plus) j'ai decider d'explorer la suisse, mais comme je prevois de voyager tres leger, et a pied ou sur le pouce, jai quelque questions pour ceux qui ont deja visité ou qui habite la Suisse.

Comment est-ce vu par les gens en suisse de voyager sur le pouce, autant par les authorités que par les habitants, est-ce facile ou meme inimaginable :P ?

Je sais tres bien que la vie en Suisse est dispendieuse, mais a quoi est-ce qu' un routard peu bien s'attendre comme budget pour manger sainement mais tres simplement?

Et finalement, pour dormir...est-il bien percu par les gens de les approcher pour leur demander un petit coin de terre pour se tenter une nuit? Comme je l'ai beaucoup pratiqué a travers le canada, j'aimerais bien repéter l'expérience :)

Alors en espérant quelque réponse :)

Merci a tous!
Conseil pour séjour 5 mois à Sao Polo English translation pending
by Ghighi · 2005-03-19 · 11 replies
Bonjour,

je suis en contact avec quelqu'un qui souhaite que je l'aide à agrandir son association de micro crédit au Brésil. Je ne l'ai pas rencontré autrement que par mail et par téléphone et son association est plutôt modeste : 4 personnes à plein temps il souhaite l'agrandir à 8 ou 9 employés vu qu'il est sur le point d'avoir de nouveaux partenaires. Comme j'ai vraiment envie de découvrir le Brésil je suis près à y aller même s'il n peut pas me financer. Il y a quand même quelques problèmes sur lesquels j'aurais besoin de conseil.

Le premier c'est que son association se situe dans une favelas en banlieue de Sao Polo et je me demandais si c'était pas un peu dangereux pour un mec blond, palot et qui parle pas un mot de Portugais. Je parle un peu espagnol mais c'est pas tout à fait pareil.

Le deuxième c’est qu’il ne peut pas m’héberger ce qui signifie que je risque de devoir me loger je ne sais pas trop où dans une ville et un pays où je ne connais personne. Je n’ai aucune idée du prix de l’hébergement et à cause de la langue ça risque d’être dur de négocier.

Le troisième c’est le coût de la vie là bas. Et comme ça risque de coûter cher pour cinq mois j’aimerais avoir une idée de ce que je vais avoir besoin. Comme je suis jeune je n’ai pas trop de tune et je risque de ne pas pouvoir m’offrir ce voyage.

Evidement aux yeux du mec tout ça n’est pas un problème et de toute façon à l’écouter je partirais tout de suite. Mais comme je ne connais pas le type personnellement j’aurai aimé avoir l’avis d’autres personnes qui connaissent un peu le Brésil pour répondre à ces questions. Merci d’avance parce que j’aimerai bien voir le Brésil mais j’ai pas envie de m’embarquer dans n’importe quoi non plus…
suggestion de guest house à Hanoi English translation pending
by Chine · 2005-03-04 · 4 replies
Je voudrais avoir des adresses de guest house à Hanoi puis à Mui Me, Nha trang.Nous voyageons avec deux enfants de 7 et 16 ans.Nous voulons quelque chose de simple mais propre.
Voyager avec des enfants de façon économique English translation pending
by Chelsea15 · 2005-01-06 · 5 replies
Bonjour,

j aimerais savoir sil existe des facon de voyager avec 2enfants de facon economique...???

En tout cass plus economique que de loger ds des hotels a chaque jours ...

Existe t il des facon ...des echanges de familles...je ne sais pas ..pour pouvoir voyager souvent et sans que ca coute la peau de fesses???!!🤪

merci et bonne journee
Le nord du Chili English translation pending
by CamilleP · 2004-12-13 · 1 reply
je voudrais savoir si le nord du chili vaut vraiment le coup, car nous voudrions aller qu a san pedro en partant de la bolivie

merci
Conseils pour séjour à Paris English translation pending
by Sylvietrembl · 2004-11-16 · 56 replies
J'ai besoin de conseils.

Je vais à Paris pendant la deuxième et la troisième semaine du mois de mai 2005. En fait, je vais à Paris pendant une semaine et l'autre, je la garde pour visiter un peu le Nord de la France (Mont St-Michel, etc...).

On m'a parlé de louer un appart. et que cela pouvait être moins coûteux que de prendre une chambre à l'hôtel. Quelqu'un peut-il me confirmer la chose. Quel prix puis-je m'attendre à payer pour un appart. avec un lit double et une salle de bain (bain ou douche compris)? Y a-t-il normalement des frais supplémentaires comme l'électricité? J'aimerais avoir une idée du prix à payer et de son équivalence en dollars canadiens.

On m'a parlé également de louer une voiture pour ma visite dans le Nord de la France. Certains m'ont dit que je pouvais aussi acheter une voiture et la revendre avant mon départ. Quelqu'un peut-il m'expliquer de quoi il s'agit et quels en sont les avantages? À quel prix dois-je m'attendre? Puis-je louer ou acheter une voiture à Paris et la laisser à Nantes puisque c'est de là que je penses repartir vers Québec (Canada)?

Je voudrais savoir tant de choses. À quelle distance se trouve le Château de Versailles des limites de Paris? Peut-on s'y rendre en bus ou en métro? Quelle est la superficie de Paris? Peut-on visiter un vignoble?

J'espère que certains d'entre vous pourront répondre à mes nombreuses questions car c'est mon premier voyage à l'étranger et je dois avouer que j'ai peur d'oublier un détail dans mes préparatifs.

Aidez-moi SVP...

J'ai trouvé un site (
http://www.antre-amis.com) dans lequel on suggère des appart. à louer. Quelqu'un sait-il si ce site est fiable?
Nouvel An à Barcelone English translation pending
by Hakàrl · 2004-11-11 · 28 replies
Hello,

Je compte passer le nouvel an à Barcelone, quelqu'un aurait-il des infos ou des expériences à partager ?

Merci
2 mois du Guatemala au Costa Rica English translation pending
by Chanmar · 2004-09-24 · 4 replies
Bonjour,

Je pars début février 2005 pour un tour du monde.

La première étape est l'Amérique centrale où j'ai 2 mois pour me rendre de Guatemala city à San José.

Quels sont d'aprés vous les endroits où prendre le temps de se poser et visiter ?

Même si je suis en train d'apprendre quelques bases d'espagnole, j'aimerai éventuellement prendre des cours sur place.

Dernière chose, on parle d'une moyenne de 15 euros par jour, est-ce proche de la réalité et est-ce que ça comprend les trajets en bus?

Merci d'avance pour me faire partager vos expériences.😉
Côte pacifique du Mexique ou Cuba? English translation pending
by Cdave · 2004-08-11 · 6 replies
Bonjour,

Routard besoin de vos impressions, j'hésite entre le côte pacifique du Mexique (P. Angel, ...) et Cuba que je n'ai jamais visité et sachant que la vie est relativement chère à Cuba selon guides et forums.

Merci d'avance.

Le voyage c'est la nourriture de l'esprit.
Immersion à la langue espagnole en Espagne English translation pending
by Catalina · 2004-08-08 · 2 replies
Bonjour,

Je projette l'été prochain d'aller en Espagne pour parfaire mon espagnol. J'aimerais partir quatre semaines. J'ai suivi beaucoup de cours d'espagnol par ici et présentement je suis des cours privés mais évidemment je ne peux pratiquer comme je le voudrais.

Je sais que le Collège Maisonneuve offre ce genre de voyage-étude mais connaissez-vous d'autres endroits qui offrent ce genre de voyage.

S'il y a des personnes qui ont déjà fait ce genre de voyage, j'aimerais connaître votre expérience et savoir si vous recommandez ce genre de voyage.

En vous remerciant à l'avance.
Votre avis sur les Seychelles English translation pending
by Carinee9 · 2004-06-02 · 6 replies
bonjour, ce voyage en vaut-il vraiment la chandelle?
Trekdans l' Atlas marocain début avril? English translation pending
by Legnou · 2004-02-27 · 2 replies
Bonjour!

Nous partons à 3 dans l'atlas marocain en avril pour 10 jours. Nous sommes preneurs de tout bon plan pour un trek: idées de circuits, possibilités de ravitaillement, villages étapes...

Le haut atlas est-il praticable début avril avec duvet et chaussures de marche, mais sans crampons?

Avec une carte est-il possible de partir quelques jours sans guide?

Quelles sont les possibilités de rentrer en contact avec l'habitant, y dormir, quels sont les bons usages pour négocier avec eux gîte et couvert? est-ce mal vu par les hotelliers?

merci d'avance
Madagascar - June 2025
by Nancy · 2025-07-10 · 35 replies
Five years of an unintended break... The closure of VF, COVID... What a joy to rediscover the pleasure of sharing!

I’ve stayed true to my habits: the following account is a collection of practical tips rather than a travel journal...

Madagascar is as big as France and Belgium combined. In three weeks, choices have to be made! It was the Great Tsingy that inspired our trip. We decided to focus on the southwest and the RN7. We skipped the Deep South and the North. Oh well...

OUR ITINERARY IN 3 WEEKS:

Fri 6 June – Direct AF flight to Tana – Flight arrives at 10:30 PM – Tana Sat – Antsirabe Sun – Miandrivazo Mon – Drive to the Masiakampy pier – Descent of the Tsiribihina River by pirogue - Bivouac Tue – Descent of the Tsiribihina River by pirogue - Bivouac Wed – Descent of the Tsiribihina River by pirogue – Bekopaka Thu – Pirogue on the Manambolo River and Small Tsingy of Bemaraha – Bekopaka Fri – Great Tsingy of Bemaraha – Bekopaka Sat – Avenue of the Baobabs – Morondava Sun – Belo sur Mer Mon – Free day – Belo sur Mer Tue – Manja Wed – Andavadoaka Thu – Free day – Andavadoaka Fri – Salary Lagoon – Mangily Sat – Ranohira Sun – Isalo National Park - Ranohira Mon – Anja Reserve - Ambalavao - Fianarantsoa Tue – FCE train canceled – Visit to a Tanala village - Manakara Wed – Pirogue on the Pangalanes Canal – Ranomafana Thu – Ranomafana NP – Ranomafana Fri – Ambositra – Antsirabe Sat 28 June – AF flight to Paris – Flight departs at 11:55 PM

TRIP ORGANIZATION: I prepared my trip using the usual guides (LP and Rough Guide), the internet, and the Freytag & Berndt map (1:1,000,000). I’m old-school—I still love visualizing my route on a paper map, even though in Madagascar, it’s misleading because some National Roads are only national in name!...

The agency: Since we couldn’t deal directly with a driver-guide (we lacked reliable info to take the plunge), we went through an agency to organize the logistics of our trip. We didn’t feel like using bush taxis (not enough time) or driving a 4x4 ourselves (neither the skills nor the boldness). The French agency connected us with a local agency, to whom I sent my detailed itinerary by email. A few exchanges via email and WhatsApp calls allowed us to finalize everything quickly after some adjustments. As you’ve gathered... we multiplied the commissions, which inflated the budget. That said, in the end, we were thrilled with our decision and our choice. Our trip was booked by the end of 2024, and reservations were made immediately. No bad surprises: the bookings in the planned hotels were honored, often with one of the best rooms. On our last day in Tana, before departure, we were lucky enough to meet the director I’d been communicating with, who helped build and validate our circuit. A very warm debriefing.

The driver-guide: The agency assigned us Faly, 33, a driver-guide for over 10 years. He stayed with us from start to finish: he picked us up at the airport on arrival and dropped us off 23 days later. A very experienced driver (which is important here), an open and cultured guide, reliable, punctual, and a great companion. And a provider of good advice throughout the trip. We made the most of the long stretches on dirt roads or highways to listen to him talk about daily life, rituals, wildlife, and flora... No time wasted! With a great playlist in the background, we combined business with pleasure! Faly’s accommodation and meals were included (quite often, hotels offer free lodging and meals to driver-guides who bring clients), as was the fuel. That didn’t stop us from inviting Faly to share a beer or our evening meal sometimes. He didn’t always accept, wanting to let us "enjoy our romantic evenings," as he put it. Present without being intrusive! Faly is fully capable of organizing a tailor-made trip directly. I recommend him without any hesitation—we were delighted with his service. I’ll gladly share his contact details via PM to anyone who asks.

Local guides: It’s the national guide’s prerogative to choose the local guides (mandatory in the parks). Thanks to his experience, Faly always booked us amazing, competent, and interesting local guides.

Hotels: I told the agency I wanted charming, comfortable accommodations, without falling into flashy luxury. We loved all the hotels (except the Hôtel Kanto in Manja). The rooms, mostly bungalows, were always spacious and clean. Unfortunately, I can’t give the prices—I didn’t get the details. Breakfast is always included, usually fresh and hearty. Very often, a small bottle of water is provided in the room.

Tana Hôtel Les 3 Métis Power cuts are common (!) in Tana. Bring a headlamp.

Antsirabe Ecolodge – Les chambres du voyageur Maybe our favorite! A few bungalows, beautifully arranged in a splendid tropical garden. The dog Kodak welcomes us warmly.

Miandrivazo Hôtel Princesse Tsiribihina Magnificent view of the valley.

Bekopaka Hôtel Orchidée du Bemaraha 2 (yes, 2) beautiful pools, a large open common room.

Morondava Hôtel Baobab Café Brand new or at least, according to Faly, just renovated. Very comfortable but without much charm (international style).

Belo sur Mer Ecolodge du Menabe The bungalows, all made of wood, bamboo, and thatch, are set on the beach. Very spacious and fully equipped! Large open-air restaurant by the sea. No hot water from the tap—it’s available in plastic bottles heated by the sun in front of each bungalow. Actually, we never used it... Another very, very beautiful spot.

Manja Hôtel Kanto The only hotel on this leg of the journey, so no choice. The owner knows it and, as a result, doesn’t bother. It’s a real dive! Tiny, dark room, a sordid bathroom with only a trickle of water—we skipped the shower! Clean sheets, though. Obviously, no Wi-Fi. The only place where I didn’t leave a tip. We were well warned about the discomfort of this stop, both by the agency and Faly. We weren’t surprised, and it even became a running joke during the trip. On the other hand, we found a nice little market in town.

Andavadoaka Manga Lodge What bliss! Especially after the horrible Hôtel Kanto. A paradise-like spot, overlooking three beautiful deserted white-sand beaches. Meals are served on the terrace facing the sea. Stunning sunset. We loved spending a day lounging here! We were the only guests and were pampered.

Mangily (Ifaty) Mangily is the "suburb" of Ifaty. Hôtel Vovo Telo A large beachfront bungalow complex. More touristy but pleasant—we spent a lovely evening there with our feet in the sand.

Ranohira Le Relais de la Reine A splendid resort built by a Frenchman, at the foot of the rocks, very well integrated into the environment. Beautiful marked trail starting from the garden.

Fianarantsoa Villa Sylvestre Contrary to what its name suggests, it’s a hotel right in the city center. Quite decent, though.

Manakara Parthenay Club Pretty bungalows in a large garden by the sea, but swimming isn’t safe—the water is too dangerous and rough.

Ranomafana Hôtel Thermal Very spacious rooms.

Meals: Not all our meals were included. It’s really not expensive. 1 meat or fish dish: around 35,000 Ar 1 full menu (starter, main, dessert): around 70,000 Ar 1 large THB beer (65 cl): between 8,000 and 12,000 Ar 1 piña colada: 15,000 Ar 1 flavored rum: 6,000 Ar (sometimes free) 1 glass of baobab juice (!): 5,000 Ar

We always ate very well. Rice is everywhere, served in large quantities. Zebu meat is quite good if not overcooked. Personally, I prefer fish, and I feasted: grouper, captain, crab, small lobsters...

We happily discovered baobab juice (especially in Belo, on the west coast). And of course, flavored rums!

We bought 2 packs of 6 bottles of mineral water at Carrefour (!) (about 5,000 Ar per large bottle) at the start of our trip. That was enough, especially since we often got water in the bungalows.

We had a few picnics included in our trip. Instead of picking up the hotel’s lunchbox, Faly prepared delicious, fresh, and varied picnics for us: tuna pasta salad, fried rice with eggs, grilled vegetables, and avocado...

An exceptional address not to miss: Mad Zébu – Belo sur Tsiribihina A highly reputed restaurant, a favorite of LP and Rough Guide, and rightly so! Gourmet cuisine, refined and elegant. Barely more expensive than elsewhere, and it’s worth it. We stopped there on our way up to Bekopaka and the Tsingy NP. Fully booked! So Faly reserved for our return, three days later. We’re still thanking him! What a treat!

THE BUDGET: Ariary exchange rate: 5,000 Ar = 1 €

Pre-trip expenses: Direct Air France flights: 930 € per person round trip Cost of the circuit with the agency: 2,880 € per person

The visa: Issued on arrival, very quickly. 35 € per person for a stay under 30 days. Super simple. Super fast.

On-site expenses: As soon as we arrived at the airport (it was nearly midnight), Faly advised us to exchange our euros for all our needs. There are few opportunities on our route to find an ATM or an open bank with a good rate. To be more comfortable, he took us to a small office under military protection just outside the airport. I exchanged 1,200 € (I had asked the agency for advice on the amount to bring) at a rate of 4,750 Ar and became a millionaire. Faly recounted all the stacks. That covered all our expenses (meals, drinks, tips) without ever feeling deprived. Personal purchases were made at the end of the trip. Convenient—it served as an adjustment variable. We spent our last million (200 €) on marquetry and vanilla. Tip: We asked for 200,000 Ar in 5,000 Ar bills for tips. That wasn’t too much—I even ran short of small bills in the last two days.

Tips: Madagascar is a poor country where every service deserves a small reward. While not mandatory, it’s customary. But no one ever demanded or expected it openly. On the contrary, I sometimes had to remind a porter to give them my small bill. We never carried our luggage—porters were always present when the car arrived or waiting at our door to watch for our departure. I gave each of them 5,000 Ar. In restaurants, I rounded up to the nearest ten and left the change. Local guides also expect a tip: I gave around 20,000 Ar per day for the two of us. Finally, the national guide also expects a gratuity. I had read online to budget 5 € per day per person. I added more since we were so happy with his services. The tip was given at the end of the trip, in euros, outside the budget.

Total budget all included (excluding personal purchases): 8,690 € Clearly, Madagascar is a country where life isn’t expensive, but travel costs add up quickly due to the need to rent a 4x4 with a driver.

HIGHLIGHTS:

· The dirt roads Yes, I’m listing them among the highlights! We loved those long hours spent driving at 20 km/h on rocky, muddy, white, red, or gray sand tracks... surrounded by tropical vegetation, palm trees, pandanus, mango trees... The experiences were sometimes thrilling: crossing a river on a ferry (just planks of wood fixed on two motorized pirogues side by side) or crossing a river without a ferry, with just a kid running ahead of the 4x4 to show the way; soft sand where the 4x4 easily gets stuck... The tracks are quite narrow, and crossing paths with a bush taxi, a zebu cart, or a herd of goats is always epic. So many beautiful images, so many beautiful photos! Much more beautiful than on asphalt. So yes, we loved those long stretches on dirt roads. For us, it was clearly part of the journey. Faly was particularly careful, and the 4x4 was comfortable. No injuries, no fatigue, even after 7 or 8 hours on rough tracks. The national roads (including the famous RN7) are badly damaged by cyclones, huge trucks, and lack of maintenance. Potholes have turned into ostrich nests, and we didn’t drive much faster than on the dirt roads.

· The landscapes, villages, encounters... We crossed a variety of stunning landscapes: mountains with slopes covered in terraced crops, rice fields from apple green to emerald green, sugarcane fields, then tropical forests, baobab forests (they deserve a special paragraph below), traveler’s tree forests. And then coastlines with white sand dunes against a backdrop of blue hues!... Magical! We also passed through many villages with houses whose architecture varied by region. The Betsileo houses display beautiful decorative brick reliefs. On the west coast, the houses are more precarious, made of bamboo with palm-thatched roofs. In the Highlands region, we found solid houses with pastel plaster. Each region has its own landscape, crops, habitat, and clothing. Zebu carts are often the only means of transport in remote villages. We saw them very frequently. Again, the cart’s decoration depends on the region. And then, we met many villagers coming out of the bush and walking to the next market, carrying their crops on their heads or shoulders. More beautiful photos!

· The descent of the Tsiribihina River We boarded around 9 AM in a long pirogue with Gana, the local guide, and two pirogue men. So, five of us. The pirogue is long but narrow, about 65 cm wide. We sat one behind the other at the front on seats padded with what would become our mattresses during the bivouacs. We only took the bare essentials for two nights. A little goodbye to Faly, whom we’d see again in three days! Don’t forget us! The river is silty—meaning orange, opaque but clean. We glided along silently. Gana showed us the trees, birds, crocodiles (we saw five—apparently, we were lucky). The pirogue men rowed to get us as close as possible to these crocs sunbathing on the roots of big trees. Yeah, right!... as soon as we got too close, *splash*, they disappeared into the water. We marveled at the mini rice fields lining the river. Every tiny plot, no matter how small, is cultivated. Above them, banana fields. And on the water, a whole life of fishermen and villagers living with and from the river. Gana warned us we’d eat on the pirogue because the journey was long. So, I expected chips... But no—fried rice and zebu steak, cooked right in the pirogue!! Incredible! In the middle of the afternoon, we reached a small beach where we disembarked. Gana led us about a hundred meters to a sublime waterfall. We were alone there. We had time to swim. We’d brought our swimsuits and a towel (bought at the Carrefour in Antsirabe on Faly’s wise advice!). This swim in this paradise-like spot remains one of our best memories. We found our pirogue again and set off until our first bivouac. We’d sailed for 7 hours today. The tents were set up on a wide beach, without a single tree. A moment of solitude... Uh, where can we go to the bathroom?... Especially since it was a full moon, so we felt like we were in the spotlight. Anyway... we did as everyone else—walked away, dug a hole, and the others turned their backs. A hearty meal on the beach before a comfortable and silent night. The next day, same program, with slightly different landscapes. The gorges widened, the trees were different. But still many colorful birds. Again, we ate on the pirogue: grilled chicken and vegetables. 9 hours of sailing. A similar bivouac. This time, we got it. On the third day, we finished the descent with 5 hours of sailing. So, 7 hours, 9 hours, 5 hours... doing nothing. It might sound boring... but it wasn’t. Like the dirt roads, these were contemplative moments. It glides, it’s calm, relaxing, and there’s a lot of life on this river, animal and human. Contemplation. Suspended time. On arrival, we disembarked at a sort of joyful, bustling river port. Of course, Faly was already there to pick us up.

· The Tsingy de Bemaraha NP (Small and Great) I have vertigo. During my research, several agencies advised me against visiting the Great Tsingy. "Stick to the Small ones," they said. Grrr, no, not what I wanted—we’ve dreamed of this for years! The agency we chose also warned me but didn’t discourage me. So we started with the Small Tsingy, quite close to Bekopaka, guided by Alisha. This forest of sharp limestone rocks is impressive. No vertigo issues here. The day was completed with a short pirogue ride on the Manambolo River and a visit to two caves with pretty formations. The next day, Faly and Alisha drove us to the Great Tsingy (a good hour on a terrible track). Arriving at the park entrance, Alisha equipped us with harnesses, carabiners, and gave us some safety instructions. Faly was also equipped. Wait? He’s coming with us? I quickly understood he was there for me—if I got stuck, he could go back with me, and Philippe could continue with Alisha. A wise precaution that delighted and reassured me. In the end, it was unnecessary since the famous bridge crossing was fully secured by the harness and carabiners. 18 meters on planks, one by one, it didn’t sway too much—I walked looking straight ahead, not a glance down. I even managed to smile in the middle of the crossing—I have a photo to prove it! I was overjoyed! The circuit in the Great Tsingy is a loop, so we didn’t have to cross the bridge again. We climbed to viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramic views. It’s extraordinary, unique, incredible. All this to say that if you have vertigo, don’t hesitate! It’s doable! It’s completely safe and really worth pushing your limits a bit! For those who’ve done treetop adventure courses, it’s similar. Also, no need to be a great athlete—just a bit of agility to climb a few ladders and high steps. Don’t censor yourself! I even had a small regret—the loop was a bit short (about 2 hours). I would’ve liked to continue or even redo it, with less apprehension. Tip: Do the Small Tsingy before the Great ones, or not at all. And if you can only do one, do the Great ones without hesitation.

· Canoeing in the Belo mangrove The Belo sur Mer ecolodge lends small individual canoes for free to go to the mangrove. We left at high tide, paddled for about twenty minutes to reach a fairly sparse forest where we could easily venture in. Very shallow water, crystal clear—we could see the roots of all these trees, schools of tiny fish... It was quite surprising. Until then, I only knew impenetrable, tangled mangroves. Here, nothing like that—we walked through an aquatic forest. We loved this adventure so much we left a bit late. The tide had gone out, and we had to carry our canoes for the last few meters... Of course, the staff came to help (probably laughing silently!). The lodge owners gave all the necessary explanations and lent a waterproof bag for the phone (because yes, it’s worth taking photos!). A very useful precaution—the canoes are small, low in the water, and paddling quickly soaks you. Again, this isn’t just for Tony Estanguet! It didn’t cause us any problems, not even sore muscles the next day. A great experience. It’ll take about 2 hours.

· Isalo NP Big surprise when we saw this huge rocky massif appear on the RN7! A massif of colored sandstone, carved with crevasses giving it a ruined look. Le Relais de la Reine is a little gem cleverly nestled in the heart of these rocks. A small marked trail starts from the garden. We picked up the description at reception and set off. Without a guide, alone following the markers, it took us 2 hours to complete this magnificent little trail, giving us a first glimpse of the massif before the hike the next day. And we enjoyed being completely alone for this walk. It’s free, easy, and well-signposted. Don’t miss it. In the evening, Faly took us to the so-called Isalo Window site—a hole in a wall through which we could see the sunset. We met all the tourists in the area here. We weren’t blown away by the show... The next day, we left early to reach the start of the hike. We met Zozoly at the guides’ office in the small town of Ranohira. During this hike, we climbed through the rocks to a viewpoint offering stunning 360° views of the massif. Then we reached a site called the "natural pool," breathtakingly beautiful, especially since we were alone again. A sort of oasis, a cascading waterfall, palm trees and tree ferns, fine sand, all nestled at the bottom of a small canyon. Paradise-like. We resisted swimming, but it was really tempting. A long walk on the plateaus then led us to a well-equipped picnic site where a local team prepared grills. Concrete tables were tiered in a spacious, shady clearing where a whole family of ring-tailed lemurs frolicked. They knew the tourists’ habits and tried to snatch food. Playful and not very shy, they amused us with their antics! We had to resist not luring them with a piece of banana!! Thousands of photos!! After the meal, we set off again with Zozoly for another landscape. This time, we were by a small river at the bottom of a canyon with high walls covered in vegetation. The trail was narrow and slippery, on a ledge of the wall. We progressed carefully. No danger, though. We first reached the Blue Pool, which only turns blue in photos (surprise!), then the Black Pool fed by a shower of waterfalls. Two magnificent spots that showed us a completely different aspect of the massif.

· Anja Reserve This ficus forest is home to many groups of lemurs. Used to humans, whom they don’t fear, they move around us, ignoring us completely. It’s almost annoying... The best place on our trip to see lemurs.

· The FCE train To the great regret of Manakara’s inhabitants, the FCE train hasn’t reached here for over a year and a half. As a result, there are far fewer tourists—the train was part of the experience. We drove there and didn’t regret coming to this port on the east coast.

· Visit to a Tanala village This visit wasn’t part of our program—it was added by the agency to compensate for the train not running. Which was the case. Not big fans of this kind of visit, where we feel like we’re at a zoo, voyeuristic, lacking authenticity, we followed the local guide with some skepticism and exchanged dubious looks. And yet... the guide’s explanations about village life and the warm, smiling welcome from the villagers charmed us and dispelled all our concerns. We learned a lot, met smiling families, and were able to enter these beautiful bamboo houses. A very pleasant surprise, rich in lessons.

· The Pangalanes Canal Arriving in Manakara, we crossed a bridge overlooking the Pangalanes Canal. A cry of surprise: the water is turquoise! We took a short pirogue ride with a team of three pirogue men and Joël, a local guide who explained the drama caused by the train’s halt. We stopped in a fishing village where Joël bought fish for the barbecue. We ended up on a beach where the team prepared the meal while we went to watch the fishermen return on the nearby beach. We admired the fishermen’s dexterity in untangling their nets, sorting their fish, cleaning their gear. On our return, we found a small table set up on the beach, in the shade of palm trees and casuarinas. Lobsters, captain fish, grilled vegetables, sautéed potatoes. A real feast (included in the trip cost).

· Ranomafana NP A 4-5 hour hike (some climbing) in a dense secondary forest to look for lemurs. As usual, we were accompanied by a local guide who, while waiting to find our furry friends, gave us lots of info on the vegetation, birds, and Tanala ethnic rituals. In the forest, we met 4 or 5 trackers, armed with radios to alert guides of their findings. In the end, we saw several lemurs of different types. Quite far, quite high... A nice complement to our lemur encounters in Isalo. Here, it rains 200 days a year. We started the hike in thick fog, but the forest’s density protected us from the humidity. Be careful—it can be a bit frustrating to see the lemurs so far away, so high. Nothing like the Anja Reserve or Isalo NP. Here, what’s fun is the hunt.

· The baobabs We were captivated by these kings of the forest, noble, imposing, majestic. We spotted them from very far away, towering over the rest of the vegetation. Alone, in small groups, or in forests, our trip allowed us to see hundreds of them! Mainly on the west coast. All different—bald, hairy, shaggy, short and stout, tall and thin, like Laurel and Hardy. Philippe took to naming them. Respectfully!

OUR FAVORITES: · The variety of landscapes. · The Tsingy NP.

OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS: · The Avenue of the Baobabs, very overrated and the only place where we saw crowds. We saw many other "forests" of baobabs that were much more impressive. · It’s hard to approach the population calmly as swarms of children run up as soon as we arrive, asking for sweets. Without any aggression, their smiles and laughter quickly made us forget this small inconvenience. We never gave out candy, clothes, or money. We left pens at a school and clothes with Faly.

IF WE WERE TO DO IT AGAIN: · Same period, same duration, same pace, same itinerary, but if we were to do it again today, I’d go through Faly directly! · Maybe we should’ve stayed in Ambalavao instead of Fianarantsoa. · Plan a longer loop in the Great Tsingy—it felt a bit too short.

MISCELLANEOUS: The welcome: ‘Samala Vazaha,’ there are many, many kids, sometimes overwhelming, never aggressive. We were impressed by the villagers’ smiles and good humor, towards us or even among themselves—laughter was everywhere. Safety: No problems. Out of (excessive?) caution, we spread all our money across several bags that we padlocked whenever we left the hotel. Bribes: We were stopped several times on the road by police or gendarmes. They checked our papers, sometimes our passports. Faly was perfectly in order. No discussion, no bribes, a cordial greeting from the officers. However, several times we found ourselves at small "tolls" on the tracks for villagers who had leveled the road or filled a hole, or for the young guy who ran through the river to show the way... Faly complied without discussion: every service deserves a small bill. Language: French is still widely spoken. Credit card: Unused. Cash: You need it! The climate at this time: Ideal—blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures (20-25°C) throughout our trip. Temperatures started to drop by our departure—winter was setting in. Clothing: T-shirt or polo and a vest sometimes in the evening, sandals on our feet, hiking shoes for all the hikes. Tip: We left a bag in the car (completely safe) with things we didn’t need daily and dirty laundry. The two bags to take out at each stop were much lighter. Before leaving, we left several polos and T-shirts with Faly, which, once washed, will make a few people happy. Tourist crowds at this time: Low—we were sometimes the only guests at the hotel. Faly explained that at the Isalo picnic site, in high season, you have to queue for a table, whereas we had our pick. Photos: Lots! Too many! That’s the problem with digital—we take so many! Health issues: Nothing serious, just the usual mild traveler’s diarrhea. Mosquitoes: They’re voracious. We took anti-malaria treatment. I’m still not sure if it was the right thing to do... I’m always very skeptical about such precautions. Internet: Free Wi-Fi at the lodges’ reception (except at Hôtel Kanto!), sometimes (rarely) in the bungalows. Phone: We didn’t try to get a local SIM card—the evening Wi-Fi was enough for us to make calls and send messages via WhatsApp. Make sure to turn off mobile data and switch to airplane mode (I activated it a bit late—received calls, spam ones at that, were charged...). Electricity: French plugs. Personal purchases: Beautiful wooden objects (sculptures and marquetry) or zebu horn items in Ambositra. 1 kg of vanilla (400,000 Ar – 80 € per kg) in Tana.

IN CONCLUSION: A trip of contemplation. A pause for admiration, as our local guide in Isalo NP said. Nothing else to do but walk, look, and enjoy. Here, there are no old stones, no museums—it’s a trip where nature reigns supreme. And what nature!
Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam?
by Marien33 · 2025-06-02 · 46 replies
I really loved Thailand, but it was too touristy for my taste. So I'm hesitating about going back and wondering if Cambodia or Vietnam would be less crowded with tourists...
Questions for a family road trip in a camper van in Quebec
by Azurplage · 2025-05-29 · 7 replies
Hi there, We’re planning a 3-week camper van road trip in August 2026 with our two kids (5 years old and 14 months). I’m looking for feedback from families who’ve explored Quebec in a camper van—specifically, whether it’s more budget-friendly than renting a car/hotel/restaurants. The itinerary is still being planned, but it’ll likely follow the classic loop: Montreal / Mauricie / Quebec City / Tadoussac / Saguenay / Lac Saint-Jean / Gaspésie / Montreal. With the camper van, I’ve got a few questions:

Can you rent a camper van and pick it up/drop it off in Montreal? What budget should we set aside for renting the RV + campsites? Are there free spots where we can sleep in the camper van? Without using official campsites. Are there other rental companies besides the two main ones (Canadream and Cruise America)?

Thanks so much for your replies—they’ll really help us make a decision. Azurplage
Train itinerary in Japan: Kinosaki Onsen – Himeji – Hiroshima
by Bananette · 2025-01-22 · 11 replies
Hi there,

I’m continuing to plan our next trip for this coming November.

I’d love to know if it’s realistic to leave Kinosaki Onsen by train in the morning, stop at Himeji Castle (for a visit), and then continue on to Hiroshima to spend the night.

From what I’ve seen, visiting Himeji takes about half a day, and there are coin lockers nearby to store our luggage.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Le Japon suspend l'exemption de visa accordée au français English translation pending
by Michelzen · 2020-03-22 · 12 replies
sur site MAE

A compter du 21 mars : • Un visa est nécessaire pour tout ressortissant français qui souhaite entrer au Japon pour un court séjour. L’exemption de visa en vigueur jusqu’à cette date, permettant aux titulaires d’un passeport français de séjourner au Japon pendant 90 jours, ne s’applique plus, jusqu’à nouvel ordre. Un visa peut être demandé auprès des représentations diplomatiques et consulaires japonaises.
Trek du Mardi Himal en partant de Pokhara ou de Kande (Népal) English translation pending
by Palmier58 · 2020-01-27 · 17 replies
bonsoir , je souhaiterais des renseignements sur le trek " mardi Himal " en partant de pokhara ou de Kande , pour une période de 5 jours environ , ce debut avril . nous voudrions savoir si les nuits sont froides et quel genre de duvet nous devons prévoir ?, s' il faut reserver les lodges , ou si nous pouvons nous rentre directement dans les camps , sans avoir reserver , ? auriez vous un itinéraire en partant de kaskikot et retour à kaskikot ? la difficulté du trek ? que faut il prévoir dans notre sac à dos? généralement je suis bien organisée mais là je peine un peu , ne voulant pas passer par une agence . un guide est il nécessaire ? nous sommes intéressés par toutes sortes de suggestions . cordialement
Chargeur e-Werk, chargeur solaire, batterie externe: que choisir? (à vélo) English translation pending
by Mathiasamber · 2020-01-15 · 15 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Ceci est mon premier post sur ce forum voir sur n'importe quel forum d'ailleurs! 🙂 je prépare un voyage en vélo avec ma copine, l'idée est de partir d'Ushuaïa et de remonter jusqu'en Colombie (dans un premier temps)

De 1 : Cela implique plusieurs nuits en bivouac. De 2 : Nous comptons emmener du matériel électronique, à savoir, appareil photo, téléphone, ordinateur, mini drone.

Après de nombreuses recherches je me sens perdu sur la bonne tactique à adopter.

- Je voulais prendre un chargeur E-Werk, mais il devra être branché sur la dynamo de la roue du vélo. Nous avons des pneus schwalbe marathon mondiale. Est-ce que l'utilisation répété de la dynamo va abimer le pneu ? Est-ce que le E werk couplé avec une batterie tampon est un vrai plus ?

- Le chargeur solaire, quel modèle prendre pour ce voyage ? X moov ? Ravpower ? Combien de mA ?

Nous comptons prendre une batterie externe dans tous les cas. type powerbank 10000mA.

Évidemment nous allons recharger régulièrement notre matériel dans des campings ou autre mais il est fort possible que nous allions devoir nous débrouiller sans pendant quelques jours.

Pour résumé, je suis sur ma réserve sur le E werk par rapport à tout ce que j'ai lu et n'y connaissant rien en panneau solaire, je ne sais pas vers lequel me tourner.

Merci d'avance pour vos réponses ! : )
Contact chauffeur-guide pour l'Inde du Nord au départ de New Delhi English translation pending
by Gyruss · 2019-12-22 · 6 replies
bonjour je projette un voyage pour inde du nord je recherche un chauffeur/ guide pour un départ depuis New Delhi Si vous avez des numéros de téléphone, adresse mail ?? merci
From Ol Pejeta to Tsavo West (Kenya)
by Pygmalion19 · 2019-12-17 · 286 replies
Hello everyone,

Here’s the story of our two-week trip—13 nights, actually—in the national parks of northern and southeastern Kenya, which we took last September at the end of summer. My wife and I planned this trip with a French agency (Bel Africa, Paris), which worked with a local operator in Nairobi (Nadhy Travels & Tours). The latter provided a driver-guide and vouchers, but no aperitif🙁! Our all-inclusive package included animal safaris exclusively in a customized 4x4 vehicle (with a pop-up roof) and accommodations in high-quality lodges that we selected ourselves. It’s great for comfort, but not so much for the wallet. The cost was obviously astronomical for the services provided. But that’s just my usual take on lodging in East and Southern Africa! Our itinerary was a loop starting and ending in Nairobi, passing through Ol Pejeta, Buffalo Springs-Samburu, Meru NP, Amboseli, and Tsavo West.

Trip breakdown:

Day 1 to 3: Ol Pejeta Day 3 to 7: Buffalo Springs Day 7 to 8: Meru NP-Nairobi Day 9 to 11: Nairobi-Amboseli Day 11 to 14: Tsavo West

Photo gear we brought:

- 1 bridge camera - 2 DSLR bodies - 2 telephoto lenses: 70-200mm f/2.8 and 200-500mm f/5.6 - 2 pairs of 10x42 binoculars

What motivated this trip? We wanted to recharge and were looking for a certain tranquility that would be ideal for wildlife observation and photography—our hobbies. That immediately ruled out the parks in the southwest, which are too crowded. Plus, those would have likely been a repeat of what we experienced in Tanzania a few years earlier (see my travel journal "The Great Migration"). Buffalo Springs particularly appealed to us because of the unique animal species it’s home to. It was really their existence that drove our choices. We wanted to see animals we’d never seen before in their natural habitats.

So, on a beautiful late-summer evening, we took off from Paris-CDG for Nairobi. The overnight flight was uneventful, and we landed early in the morning at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). But our driver-guide wasn’t waiting for us. Judging by the number of signs being held up, we must have been the only travelers in that situation. Good grief, why wasn’t he there like all the others?
Yellowstone: dormir à Old Faithfull ou Grant Village près du lac? English translation pending
by Chris64320 · 2019-11-27 · 4 replies
Bonjour, Je recherche des retours sur des nuitées au Yellowstone car nous hésitons entre le Grant Village Premium près du lac ou 1 cabine près du Old Faithfull. Merci
Validité d'un document attestant la prise en charge d'une personne en France English translation pending
by AlexPauline · 2019-10-26 · 21 replies
Bonjour, Mon copain mexicain veut venir passer quelques mois en France aux alentours de Noel. Pour cela je compte lui faire une attestation d’accueil et souscrire à une assurance. De plus, j’ai vu qu’il devait avoir une certaine quantité d’argent sur lui pour venir (30€ x nombre de jours) et il n’aura pas assez pour la période que nous souhaitions.

Après avoir cherché sur des forums et contacter l’ambassade sans obtenir de réponse ma question est:

Est-il possible que je lui fasse une attestation pour assurer que tout ses frais seront pris en charge? Ce document existe sur le site de l’ambassade mais il concerne les personnes venant avec un visa ou des étudiants et ce n’est pas son cas car il n’a pas besoin de visa pour moins de 3 mois.

Puis-je utiliser ce document et sera t-il valable à l’aeroport ?

Un document fait main pour son cas (ni visa ni étudiant) est-il aussi valable à l’aéroport?

J’espère que quelqu’un ayant connu cette situation pourra m’aider, malgré mes recherches je n’ai pas trouvé de réponses. Merci beaucoup! ! !

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