Exped Madagascar 

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.

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

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

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 

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.

You can view our current volunteer positions here. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. It is serious stuff so please do take everything we ask with you and discuss anything you are missing with the Expedition Manager. 

During the land phases, you will be carrying your personal equipment with tents, stoves, emergency kit and food carried by porters. Once on the river, all of your equipment including communal kit provided by our Operators, will need to fit inside your rucksack. Note on clothing: Wet/Dry kit. You need one set of clothing to wear in the day which will get wet on the jungle and river phase and a second set to put on in the evening. 

Rucksack (minimum 60ltr) A comfortable rucksack that fits your back, a good outdoor shop will be able to help with fitting. All your personal gear needs to fit easily into this pack plus your food and tents during theriver phase. Extra kit eg. travel clothes, can be left at the hotel in Antananarivo. 

Waterproof Rucksack liner - Sealable “canoe” or “dry” bags made by Podsac or Ortlieb. You need a large one to line your rucksack. In the raft your pack. WILL GET WET! 

Smaller drybags – As above, but smaller bags to put essential items in. The large rucksack liners will leak so anything important needs to be waterproofed individually. Please bring additional dry bags (named) to store your expedition rations in as these will be carried by porters during the land phase. 

Transition bag – A dry bag or. similar small, lightweight option to hold your food and specific 

kit for the rafting phase. This will meet you at the packraft transition and will not be accessible for the initial land phase. Please ensure the bag is named. 

Sleeping bag rated to 0 comfort – At altitude the temperature drops at night - in the mountains it may hover around freezing, if you know you sleep cold please adjust accordingly. It will be much warmer as we near the coast. 

Sleeping bag liner – For use at lower altitudes instead of a sleeping bag. 

Rollmat – Thermarest or equivalent. Bring a repair kit if it’s inflatable. 

Waterproof wallet – For your passport, essential documents and money. 

Clothing 

Long sleeve tops x 2 – Long sleeve tops (for sun and insect protection) that dry quickly. Avoid blue/black clothing as it attracts flies. 

Long trousers x 2 – Thin, wicking sports leggings. Full length essential for protection from 

insects and vegetation. 

Jacket/fleece – The evenings are cold at altitude. 

A lightweight synthetic jacket may pack smaller/lighter than many fleece options. 

Waterproof jacket - Lightweight Gore Tex or equivalent. 

Hiking sock x 4 – Light weight trekking socks. 

Trail shoes – Ensure your shoes are very well worn in and really comfortable with grip suited to varied terrain. ‘Mid’ shoes with ankle support give good support when carrying load, but are not essential. Try and avoid Gore-tex liners as your feet find it harder to breather and the shoes do not dry easily when wet. 

Sports sandals / river shoes – Around camp and on the river. Ensure secure and comfortable. Not flip flops! 

Sun hat – Wide brimmed sun hat. 

Cap or visor – For use under a helmet in the boats. 

Paddling or cycling gloves – Half-finger padded gloves are great for rafting. 

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.