(13-07 -2009) While foreign tourists aren’t coming, and in order to promote local tourism, a new packaging was introduced byRegional Office of Tourism Analamanga. This last week-end, the Iharanandriana hill, 45km south of Antananarivo on the RN7, was the place where hikers met.

The "Doany d' Andriatsiamba"on top of Iharanandriana sacred hil

More than 250 people: athletes, women, children and tour operators participated into this saturday? hiking experience organized by the ORTANA (Regional Tourism Office of Antananarivo) at Iharanandriana, which is the 7th sacred hill of Andrianampoinimerina. Léon Cayla, Governor,  classified Iharanandriana as a historic hill in 1936.

On top of this granitic hill, which is also one of the highest in Antananarivo with its 1693m, stands the Doany d’Andriatsiamba. Iharanandriana is also home for ancient medicinal plants as well as “tapis” forests that grow on old bases. Precious gems are also thought to be found there, though at the bottom of the hill, one can still find big holes left by gold seekers who went away two or three years ago.

As a reminder, Iharanandriana hill is part of the Vakinankaratra region, and is located in the rural “commune” of Behenjy. Behenjy

is famous for its local product: the duck’s foie gras. Mr Randrianasolo Jean Toussaint, president of the regional tourism office of Vakinakaratra, who also participated into this hiking experience, announced a synergy cooperation between ORTANA, ORTVa and ORTMEN of Menabe.

In order to highlight Analamanga’s touristic attractions, the ORTANA is organizing such monthly events. The next one will happen on August 1st on the dairy channel of Ambatomanga, a region famous for its cheese.

Solofo Andrianjakarivelo