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This extraordinary summit-to-sea adventure combines trekking, trail running and packrafting through remote jungle, granite mountains, rivers and rural Malagasy landscapes. Encounter lemurs, chameleons and untouched wilderness as you journey across one of the world’s most unique island environments on a truly immersive expedition-style endurance adventure.
15 - 27 October 2026 (2 places)
12 - 24 October 2028
13 Days / 12 Nights
79 miles hike (122km)
41 miles raft (66km)
Expeditions Small Group
Summit the second highest mountain in Madagascar
We have handcrafted this unique expedition style adventure to showcase the unique beauty of this east African island, you will pass through dense jungle, vast farmland and towering granite mountains as you wind your way to the summit of Pic Boby (2658m)
Raft the Matutanana River
Here you will get into pack rafts for an exhilarating rapid fuelled adventure which will take you closer to the coastline. You will be cheered on by local children as they watch you take on the rapids in pack rafts. As the river starts to slow and meander towards the Indian ocean you will be greeted by families and workers panning for gold in the river you are paddling.
Spot Lemurs and Chameleons
Madagascar is situated 300mile east off the coast of Mozambique. Known for its wildlife, lemurs, chameleons and unique flora and fauna such as the huge baobab trees.
Discover Madagascar's diverse landscape
The landscape is a mixture of jungle, farmland, rice paddies and towering granite mountains. Famous for Madagascan vanilla and a fusion of French and African cuisine. Our event allows you to experience the best of the Madagascan landscape from Summit to Sea.
On Thursday you will arrive into Ivato International Airport where we will pick you up on our group transfer and take you to our hotel for the night. The next day we will start our long car journey to Fiana.
We'll set off for the final part of our journey to Vohitsaoka, a beautiful scenic drive as we head into the mountains and end up in the Andringitra National Park. You may spot a ring tailed Lemar and first sighting of the imposing granite massifs that make the national park famous. After a quick freshen up we'll jump straight into our core event briefings, Registration and kit prep in afternoon.
Your adventure begins with a run from Tsarasoa Lodge, easing into Madagascar’s heat, dry air and lung-busting climbs from the very first steps. The day finishes at a beautiful wild camp, complete with the perfect swim spot to cool off and recover.
A 7km run brings us to camp, where we’ll sort kit and prepare for the next challenge. Subject to weather and conditions, groups will then set out with guides for the ascent of Pic Boby (2,658m), Madagascar’s second-highest peak, a spectacular summit adventure taking around four hours in good conditions.
The trail narrows as we enter the jungle, with more technical terrain slowing the pace and adding to the adventure. A thrilling roped descent down the escarpment brings a real expedition feel and is sure to be a highlight for the group.
A long but rewarding run day following the river’s edge, with the landscape gradually shifting as signs of village life begin to appear. After days in the wild, the chance to pass through local communities and even grab a coffee or cold soft drink.
A day of rafting down the river, navigating the rapids and portering boats and kit when the rapids are not suitable for decent. The river today will be full of people panning for gold. There may also be crocodile sightings.
The rafting stage finishes at the bridge, where you’ll transition back into running kit for one final push, a half marathon to the Indian Ocean and the finish line. Meanwhile, boats will collect participants and crew from the river finish, returning everyone to the bridge and main road for the transfer to the hotel.
We will drive to Ranomafana National Park where we will visit hot springs and go lemur spotting! The following day we will drive to Antananarivo.
Time to fly home with some epic memories of your incredible bucket list adventure. We will return you via a group transfer to Ivato International Airport International Airport.
With more than a decade of expedition experience, Abbi is a highly qualified, multi-disciplined adventure professional who thrives in the world’s wildest places. An International Mountain Leader, Mountain Bike Guide, Bushcraft Instructor, Sea Kayak Leader, sailor and skydiver, she brings exceptional skill, calm leadership and serious expedition credibility to every adventure.
Raise £5000 and get up to £2500 refunded
Is the route likely to change?
The very nature of adventure means that the unexpected can sometimes become part of the journey and that is all part of the experience. While we will always strive to deliver “Plan A”, there may be occasions where operational, safety, weather or environmental factors require us to adapt plans and implement contingency routes or alternative arrangements.
As with all Rat Race adventures, participant safety and overall event delivery remain our highest priorities. We therefore reserve the right to amend routes, itineraries or logistics where necessary, using the experience and judgement of our expedition team to make the best decisions on your behalf in changing conditions. Wherever possible, we will communicate any changes in advance. More often than not, these unexpected moments become part of the adventure itself adding to the stories, memories and unique character of the experience.
How do I enter?
Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com
How old do I need to be?
Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.
Can I transfer my entry?
If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE
Can I fundraise for charity?
You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.
Can I volunteer?
You can view our current volunteer positions here.
Can I go at my own pace?
We have designed this challenge so that you may travel at your own pace. There will also be some cut-offs, but in the true Rat Race tradition these will be generous and we will always look to help you to achieve your goals in finishing this challenge, vs having to pull out. Of course, we will give you some early starts to allow the very best possible window for route completion.
What is Refund Protect?
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this event and must cover both general travel and participation in the outdoor endurance activities included within the itinerary. You will also require Evacuation Insurance, which covers emergency extraction and onward medical transport by helicopter or similar should urgent assistance be required in this remote environment.
We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you enter the event and booking flexible flight options where possible to allow for any unexpected changes. Please ensure your chosen policy specifically covers the activities you will be undertaking during the expedition. There are a number of specialist adventure travel insurers available, including Mann Broadbent.
What kit do I need?
Can I use Rat Race credit or a discount code on my Exped entry?
Yes, Rat Race credit can be used towards the cost of any Expedition booking. However, discount codes and promotional offers cannot be applied to Expeditions. Unlike our larger events, Expeditions operate with very small group sizes and involve significant logistical costs, specialist guides, local operators, accommodation and transport arrangements. As a result, margins are considerably tighter and we are unable to offer additional discounts on these trips.
How can I stay connected on my adventure?
You can stay connected throughout your adventure with Holafly eSIM. It's a quick and hassle-free way to get reliable mobile data as soon as you land, so you can navigate, keep up to date with the event WhatsApp group (link shared in 1 week to go email) and share your photos during the trip!
You can bag 5% off your Holafly eSIM by purchasing your e-sim HERE. Your Rat Race discount is applied automatically when using this link.
We’ve created a flexible, interest-free* instalment plan so you can choose how many months to spread the cost of your adventure. Choose to pay in full or in equal monthly instalments up to 3 months before your event date.
* Once you sign up, Rat Race will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund or transfer eligibility.
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2026
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