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'''The route between Diego and Ambanja is suitable for biking at anytime of throughout the year, even while the road is in a bad condition as it often is during the rainy season between December and April, but which is also when the landscapes are the greenest.'''

Start early, ideally around 6am to avoid the many passing cars and trucks between warehouses and factories industrial facilities along the stretch from Diego to Arrachart Airport. Thereafter, the traffic along the RN6 will gradually becomes less frequent.

Passing the French Mountain on the left, the route is runs consistently but not steep uphill. After 60km, at the sign to for Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre, turn right and continue 6km to [[Antsalaka]] where accommodation can be found after . From here, another 1.5km of mostly walking trail leading leads to [[West Valley Lodge]], where an accommodation is offered located on a farmland tropical farm and garden where countless flowers, fruit and vegetables and countless flowers grow.

Again, an early start is recommended to avoid the heat of the day for much of the ride which starts with an uphill stretch to [[Anivorano Nord]]. Beautiful scenery all along the way.

About one to two hours later you will reach the main entrance for [[Ankarana National Park]] and shortly thereafter a high point with amazing great views towards of the landscapes in the direction of [[Ambilobe]] and the coast from where . Thereafter, a loooooooong long downhill stretch follows.

There are few no particularly good accommodation directly hotels in the centre of Ambilobe. The two best available options are [[Noor Hotel]] and [https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Hotel/Hotel-National-Ambilobe-1262168603868135/ Hotel National].

As usual, but especially Especially today, an early start is recommended, partly as since it's best to get out of the city before most of the traffic starts along the fairly long stretch out of the city and partly because the longest stretch distance of any day lay ahead.

Close to Ambilobe there are is an area of cashew tree plantations and shortly farming. Shortly after leaving town , numerous farmers selling sell freshly roasted cashews are offered in cashew from small stalls along the roadside. Each tin-can full of cashew will cost 5,000 Ar (2019).

A nice good lunch restaurant named Relax's Garden can be found at [https://goo.gl/maps/jSqsxnbDf92KRa1k7 S 13°29.605' E048°39.358']. However, there are usually not many guests here and there's not always something on offer, so if you want something specially to be sure to food prepared, call Mme Mariamo at 032 34 397 49 to and place an advance order when you leave leaving in the morning or in the evening before. Alternatively, a popular truck-stop restaurant where there's always something in the pot can be found on the left side of the road a few kilometres further. The best hotel in Ambanja is unquestionably [[Palma Nova]] which offer room categories in budget categories from dorms, through rooms with shared bathroom to doubles with en-suite bathroom. The informal bar and restaurant is open during breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's easy to get lazy and spend a few days here after a long bike ride.

Before reaching the crossroad town of [[Madirofolo]] it's possible to take a shortcut by turning right onto the a zebu cart route road at [https://goo.gl/maps/zbmBHLHnyoZE32Wa8 13°37'32.5"S 48°28'15.5"E] and to avoid much of the traffic along the final stretch into to Ambanja. This The route leads through cacao plantations parallel to the main roadthrough cacao plantations. However, during at times of much rainfall the this route gets quite muddy and is not ideal by may become partly or mostly impossible to bike. Then just continue a bit further and turn left at Madirofolo.

For those who have not yet haven't been up and down the to [[Sambirano]] it this would be the best area to explore further by bike. Or to complete a coast-to-coast bike trip, continue onto [[Ankify]] and from there a another few kilometres to [[Ankify-Doany]], a small fishing village with a nice beach and view onto [[Nosy Komba]]. The distance back and forth can easily (42km) will be completed an easy ride in a day or lesscomparison to the previous days.

From Palma Nova to Ankify, part of the route through the cacao plantation is unquestionably the most beautiful but which can get a bit tricky here and there during rainy periods. At other times, the many cross-crossing trails are perfect for biking.