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'''The incredibly scenic bike route from Sambava to Andapa can be a challenging one, not because of the road condition or necessarily the 110 kilometres -kilometre distance, but because of the gradually increasing intensity and regularity of uphills, especially along the final 20 kilometres. The rough stone tarmac road is in perfect condition and passing cars are few and far between.'''
[[File:Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_072.jpg|600px|link=Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_map]]
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The entire stretch is surrounded by mountinous mountainous landscapes, traditional farming and picturesque villages some including the French colonial era built bridges crossing rivers. There are at least one or two weekly markets along the route on any given day of the week.
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Throughout much of the ride, countless views of Marojejy massif with its 2,132 metres peak is part of the scenery.
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Every few kilometres there are villages but none of which offers high standard accommodation, so it's best to complete the entire stretch in one day, perhaps arriving at the Andapa peak by sunset.
[[File:Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_164.jpg|600px]]
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Thereafter, only a 10-minute downhill roll until the finishing line, where the best accommodation in town, [[Hotel Beanana]], is located shortly before the town hall and figurehead statue. Hotel Beanana offers hot water which, as it gets chilly at night in this region. There is no restaurant. Meals, includng including breakfast, can howhever however be preordered.
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Foreign visitors usually come to this part of Madagascar to visit [[Marojejy National Park]], which offers a stopever stopover for bikers wishing to break the ride into two parts.
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Marojejy has camp tents at three different elevations the peak. Marojejy's office can be found shortly before [[Manantenina]] where bikes may also be stored during visits to the park. Information about available circuits is available here as well as guides for to the park area.
[[File:Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_111.jpg|600px]]
After Manantenina, in the villa of [[Ambohimanarina]], Mr Kakao, has a restaurant (at S 14°30.457' E049°49.027'), which over halfway to Andapa makes a good lunch stop before embarking on the rmaining remaining and challanging upillschallenging uphills.
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[[File:Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_425.jpg|600px]]
Combining the uphills and downhills between Sambava and Andapa, the total ascent is 1,536 metres and the total descent is 1,054 metres. Towards the latter part and for the most people except the athlete biker, a good few uphills will require leading the bike.
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As of 2022, Andapa Basin is a virtually tourist-free zone, not due of its to a lack of attractions, but because the destination has remained below the radar of the tourism indistry industry and what is typically showcased offered by package tour operators.
[[File:Sambava_to_Andapa_by_bike_027.jpg|600px]]
To explore the area furter further afield, for example, complete a 26-kilometre bike ride from Andapa to [[Ampontsilahy]] and return.
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The return part to Sambava with less fewer uphills than downhills, especially the first kilometres, is an all-scenic rollercoaster.
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Find more bike routes at [[Madabike#Preloaded_GPS_routes|MadaBike]].