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3 days with a donkey in Auvergne - 2 hotel nights

Self guided trip - 3 days / 2 nights
3 days hiking with a donkey in a self guided trip and the confort of hotel nights. In the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, take time to share with your family or with your friends, real authentic moments. Go and discover this fabulous area, at the slow pace of your valiant companion who will carry your food for lunch and your bags. Your walking days will be both easy and fun, in harmony with this preserved nature. Great to fill-up your energy in this land of contrasts.
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Itinerary
  • Day 1:

    Pessade-Orcival

    3:30 walking - Hotel / 8,82 km / + 99 m / - 396 m

    Meeting around 10 o'clock in Pessade (follow the signs "rando- âne" in the village from the large parking lot, where you can leave your vehicle at the entrance of the village). For those who cannot begin the journey in the morning, contact us for an early afternoon arrival. It is in this small village that your donkey is waiting for you. Hike to reach Servières Lake, a lovely little crater lake a few thousand years old, followed by a gentle descent with beautiful landscapes to reach the village of Orcival.
    Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

    Possibility for this first day, to hire the services of a mountain tour leader who will help you for few hours to read the map (essential to follow a route). He will also explain how to deal with the donkey ... all this in order to make the best of your stay (More information further for these extra costs).

  • Day 2:

    Orcival - Aydat Lake

    4:00 walking - Hotel / 14,8 km / +313 m / -336 m

    Bucolic step between pastures and small mountain hamlets. This stage will take you south of the Chaîne des Puys to Lake Aydat where your accommodation is located.
    Night (hotel or bed and breakfast).

  • Day 3:

    Aydat Lake - Pessade

    3:30 walking / 11,4 km / +395 m / -75 m

    Your last day of hiking with your friendly traveling companion, you will go up to the village of Pessade through the Narse d'Espinasse, a real jewel and relic of the ice age.

Disclaimer

The route can be modified for reasons of safety, meteorology or unforeseen events linked to events beyond our control: cut roads, local festivals ... "Aluna Voyages" and its team will always strive to provide the best solution.

Level

Walking or Activity

Time The days offer 4 to 5 hours of activity per day.

Consecutive Days of Activities

3 days of activities suitable for families with children.

Elevation / Elevation / Terrain

Low elevation on easy terrain. 

Transportation

For groups up to 3 people, the donkey will carry all your belongings, so plan travel bags and not suitcases, with a weight not exceeding 12 kg per person.
For families or groups of friends over 3 people, your travel bags (or suitcases) will be transported by taxi. The donkey will carry your small backpacks with personal belongings of the day as well as your picnics.

Donkey (s)

There is 1 donkey for 6 people. Beyond 6 people, there will be an additional donkey.
Beyond this package, for any additional donkey on the stay: 145 €.

Weather Conditions

Pleasant mountain climate in the inter-season and hot in summer. The evenings can be cool.

Experience Required

No specific experience, Walk regularly and have the pleasure of effort. Easy journey and accessible to anyone in good health. 


Dates & prices
May to October
  • Adult price (from 16) :                              360 €
  • Teenage price from 12 to 15 years : 290 €
  • Child under 12 years :                               200 €

For families or groups of friends, from 2 people.
Only one person on the stay: 50 € extra.

1 donkey for 6 people. Beyond this package, if you want additional 1 donkey during the stay = 145 €.
1 taxi for luggage is provided every day, for families or groups of friends from 4 people without extra charge.

If taxi needed for transport of luggages, for groups less than 4 people, taxi package = 180 €. 

Option first day with a mountain tour leader : 215 €.
Option first half day with a mountain tour leader : 140 €.

Our price includes

Meals

Full board from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3.

Transport

Up to 3 people, the donkey will carry all your belongings during your trip. Donkeys can carry alltogether 40 kgs maximum.
For groups - 4 people or more - your bags will be transported by taxi, while the donkey will carry your small backpacks with personal belongings of the day as well as your lunch. Only 1 bag max weight 12 kg/pers will be transported by taxi.

Donkey (s)

There is 1 donkey for 6 people. Beyond 6 people, there will be an additional donkey.

Equipment

Maps and road book for logistical information but also for naturalist and cultural information.

Accommodation

Hotel or Bed & Breakfast


Our price does not include

Meals

Drinks and personal extras. Meals not mentioned above.

Transport and donkey (s)

Luggage transport by taxi, for group less than 4 persons : 180 €. 
Transportation to get to the starting point Day 1.
Additional donkey during your stay : 145 €. 

Tour leader option

Option first day with a mountain tour leader : 215 €.
Option first half day with a mountain tour leader : 140 €.

Various

Paying entries in the parks, sites and museums not included in the program.
Insurance Cancellation, Luggage, Interruption and Repatriation : 3.95% of the price of your trip. 
Compulsory registration fee : 15 € per file.




Practical info

Your meeting 


Public transportation : In order to limit your CO2 emissions, we encourage you to use public transport to get to Clermont-Fd bus or train station. 
From Clermont station to Pessade, about € 60 / taxi ride on weekdays and about € 90 / taxi ride on Sundays and public holidays. For information, transport to / from Clermont-Fd - Pessade (60 km return).

By road : 30 km (40 mn) from Clermont-ferrand. Take the D 2089 in the direction of Mont Dore, then at the Ventouse pass, turn left (dir Besse) then 500 m further on the right on the D 5. At Zanière, turn right until Pessade.

Accommodation 

2 nights in hotel or B&B. 

If you arrive the day before, you can spend the night in Finnish kota or caravan in Pessade.
  • Night in kota for adult  : 20 €/nightNight in kota for Child under 12 years  : 15 €/night

Possibility to order catering meals : You must add to these costs, a package of 24 €/delivery.
  • Evening meal + breakfast : 25 €/adult and 17 €/child under 12
  • Dinner / Breakfast / Lunch box, delivered to kota : 38 €/adult and 25 €/child under 12
  • Overnight Half board with dinner and breakfast : 45 €/adult and 32 €/child under 12 years
  • Night in full board with 3 meals : 58 €/adult and 40 €/child under 12 years

Food

You will have breakfast at the hotel and at the lodge. The pack lunch will be transported by your donkey. Evening meals are served in the hotel's restaurant and at the lodge.

Recommended equipment 

A small backpack containing 

• a hat or cap
• a pair of sunglasses
• a rain cape or a K-Way windbreaker or better a Gore-Tex jacket
• toilet paper
• a small personal first aid kit (aspirin, plaster, elastoplast, ...)
• Tupperware with cutlery for picnics and a gourd
• Plastic bags to wrap business in bad weather
• a camera / pair of binoculars

For your evening luggage

For donkey transportation : only soft bags (no suitcase). Donkeys can carry alltogether 40 kgs maximum.
For taxi transportation : only 1 bag/pers (max weight 12 kg/pers). 
• canvas or jogging pants
• a pair of tennis or other for the evening
• a polar fur
• spare clothing and underwear
• swimsuit
• toilet kit with a bath towel 

Shoes

• a pair of lightweight walking shoes, preferably already used, or, for sensitive feet, a good pair of reinforced tennis shoes
• socks



Strengths
  • Hiking with a donkey, adapted to the rhythm of children.
  • 2 nights in hotel ** or in bed and breakfast.
  • Detailed roadmap and mapping provided.
  • Varied and soothing volcanic landscapes.
  • Easy access by car, bus or train to Clermont-Ferrand.
  • Short hiking days (average 4 hours).
  • Flexible organisation.
  • Responsible journey : food based on local products and very low fuel consumption.
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