GUNUNG · Madagaskar

Pic Boby

Imarivolanitra (Pic Boby)

Information

Elevation: 2.658 m
Country: Madagaskar (MG)
Location / Range: Andringitra Massif, Andringitra National Park, south-central Madagascar
Mountain type: A granite peak in the Andringitra massif — non-volcanic (orogenic rock)
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: -22.1950, 46.8850
Difficulty: Moderate — a guided multi-day trek is required; the summit ascent is a long uphill walk with no technical sections, but cold and windy at altitude
Best Season: Dry season April–October (driest and clearest); night temperatures can drop below 0°C in the highlands. Avoid the rainy season November–March
Permits & Rules: Must go through Andringitra National Park (Madagascar National Parks): entrance ticket + official local guide; hiring a porter is common. Camp in designated areas (e.g. Camp Andriampotsy)
Hazards: Freezing temperatures and strong winds at the summit, hypothermia, rapid weather changes, granite terrain slippery when wet, and the long distance from medical facilities

Description

Pic Boby, also known by its Malagasy name Imarivolanitra, is the highest hikeable summit in Madagascar at about 2,658 m and the island's second-highest peak after the more remote Maromokotro. It rises within the granite massif of Andringitra National Park in south-central Madagascar — a landscape of huge granite walls, lunar-like high plateaus, waterfalls, natural pools and cold-hardy endemic plants. Unlike many of the world's high peaks, climbing Pic Boby requires no technical skill: the route is a long uphill trek usually done as a multi-day package from Namoly village, with a pre-dawn summit push to reach the top for sunrise. The challenge lies in the altitude, sub-freezing night temperatures and the remoteness. Climbs must use an official national-park guide and typically involve porters and camping at designated sites.

Routes

Namoly → Tsaranoro via Pic Boby (traverse)

Sedang

~4 hari 3 malam

The classic traverse starts at Namoly village and ends in the Tsaranoro Valley. The Pic Boby summit (2,658 m) is climbed pre-dawn on day two, about 2–3 hours, for sunrise, passing the Riandahy and Riambavy waterfalls and lunar-like rocky plateaus. An official national-park guide is required.

Source

Sirkuit Pic Boby (loop)

Sedang

~3 hari pulang-pergi

A three-day loop circuit linking the Boby basin with the Diavolana trail, ascending Pic Boby while varying the views across the Andringitra granite massif. Suited to those who prefer to return to the start without a full traverse.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Experiences on Pic Boby are typically two-to-four-day guided treks from Namoly village through Andringitra National Park, with a pre-dawn summit push for sunrise at the 2,658 m top. The sources below include first-person trek vlogs of the ascent and written trip reports covering guide logistics, camping, sub-freezing nights and the views across the Andringitra granite massif.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.