Lily Waterfall

The Chute de la Lily drops in two stages into a gorge below Ampefy, the upper fall wide and the lower one taller, with a viewpoint on the rim and a path down to the pool at the bottom for those who want the closer view. Volume varies enormously with the season: after the rains it is a broad curtain, while late in the dry season it thins to strands. The gorge below is green and steep, and the walk down and back takes an hour or so on a rough path. Village children act as informal guides and expect payment, which is the normal arrangement here. It is the standard outing from Ampefy and is usually combined with the geysers and the lake in a single day.

What you actually see

• The two-stage fall - a wide upper drop and a taller lower one.
• The rim viewpoint - the overview from the top of the gorge.
• The pool path - a steep descent to the base of the falls.
• The green gorge - vegetation below the highland farmland.

When to go

The falls are fullest from January to May, right after the rains, but the tracks are best from April to November. Late April and May give the best combination of water and access. By October the flow is much reduced.

Honest expectations

The path down is steep, slippery and unmaintained. Informal guides attach themselves at the entrance and payment is negotiated, which some find uncomfortable. Late dry-season visitors often find much less water than photographs show. There are no facilities on site.

Nearby

Analavory geysers are close by; Lake Itasy is at Ampefy.