Looking north south, parallel to national road number 6 the sacred Galoka and Kalabenono Mountains display their high oblong impressive shapes, their limestone cliffs in contrast with the dark greenery of the primary vegetation which cover them. At their feet lies Ifasy valley limited on the other side by the first foothills of Tsaratanana mountain range. The main access is the rather poor track which links Beramanja to Anaborano Ifasy where you will only cross taxi brousse and local tractors. But for its people who are expert walkers like most in the bush the quickest way start from Ankazomahity about 50 kilometres between Ambanja and Ambilobe. You have to cross a path whose name – Antsakay – means pepper place and w hen you reach the summit you will enjoy a stunning panorama over the valley and the surrounding mountains.
Down below, Anaborano big village, which used to be an important coffee trade centre, lives according to the rhythm of Ifasy River. All along the valley down to Antsaba, rice fields provide food to many peaceful villages. Under the haze of the early morning sun, their marvellous green hue and the round shapes of Kalabenono in the back remindn one of a Chinese painting. The valley is a cul-de-sac and it is followed, in the south, by steep hills which alternate rivers, forest and large burnt clearings used for rice cultivation.