^{Photo Credit: Pioneer Expeditions}

Hiking Mt. Boby, also called Pic Boby or Imarivolanitra, meaning “close to the sky”, is one of Madagascar’s best treks.

It’s the highest mountain on the island you can climb (8,720 feet / 2,658 meters), tucked into the granite peaks and wide plateaus of Andringitra National Park. This place feels worlds away from the beaches and rainforests most people picture when they think of Madagascar.

Most people do it as a 3-day hike, starting near Ambalavao. You walk through valleys and past waterfalls, camping around 6,500 feet the first night.

The big moment is sunrise at the summit on day two—it’s a steep, rocky climb in the dark, but the views at the top are incredible if the skies are clear. You don’t need climbing gear, but you do need solid boots, layers, and a bit of stamina.

The third day takes you down through the Tsaranoro Valley where you’ll see towering cliffs, quiet villages, and maybe even some lemurs along the way.

It’s not an easy trek, but if you want raw beauty and hardly any crowds, Mt. Boby is totally worth it.

Explore more: