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.
Itinerary
-
Day 1:
Pessade-Orcival
3:30 walking - Hotel / 8,82 km / + 99 m / - 396 m
Meeting betwin 11 et 12 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)
1 donkey included in the price. If additional donkey desired during the stay : 210 €.
The donkey can carry a maximum of 30 kg.
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
Price for adults and teenagers from 12 years old :
- 1 person in the group : 670 €/pers
- 2 people in the group : 405 €/pers
- 3 people in the group : 345 €/pers
- 4 people in the group : 330 €/pers
- 5 people in the group : 310 €/pers
- 6 people in the group : 295 €/pers
- 7 people in the group : 290 €/pers
- 8 people in the group : 280 €/pers
Price for child under 12 years old (in parents' room) : Reduction of €80 on price above.
Single room supplement (adult) = 75 €
1 donkey included in the price.
If additional donkey desired during the stay = 210 €/donkey.
For groups of 2 to 3 people, the donkey will carry your luggage every day.
For groups from 4 people, 1 taxi for luggage is provided on day 2.
For groups of less than 4 people, if taxi desired on day 2, for transporting luggage = 60 €
Option first day with a mountain tour leader : 215 €.
Option first half day with a mountain tour leader : 140 €.
For single-parent families, if you have no previous experience of staying with a donkey, you must leave with a guide for the first 1/2 day or day, because we will not let a single parent leave with his or her children.
If you arrive the day before we can reserve a hotel for you the day before departure in Orcival :
- Half-board adult or teenager from 12 years old in a double or family room = 82 €/pers
- Half-board child under 12 years old in parents' room = 42 €/child
During summer time, you can spend the night in Finnish kota or caravan in Pessade :
- Night in kota for adult : 25 €/night
- Night in kota for Child under 12 years : 20 €/night
Provide a comfort sleeping bag +5° for the night or as an option: duvet KIT which is €6 extra per person (which includes a duvet with cover + a bath towel and a hand towel per person). Shared toilets.
Possibility to order catering meals : You must add to these costs, a package of 24 €/delivery.
- Evening meal + breakfast : 30 €/adult and 21 €/child under 12
- Dinner / Breakfast / Lunch box, delivered to kota : 39 €/adult and 27 €/child under 12
- Overnight Half board with dinner and breakfast : 54 €/adult and 39 €/child under 12 years
- Night in full board with 3 meals : 63 €/adult and 46 €/child under 12 years
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 families or groups of friends of 4 people or more, your travel bags (or suitcases) will be transported by taxi on Day 2 (only 1 piece of luggage per person of 12 kg maximum. Any excess may be refused or surcharged by the carriers on site) while the donkey can carry your small backpacks with personal effects for the day as well as your picnics. On the first day, you will have to drop off your luggage yourself in Orcival before the first hike. On the last day, you will need to collect your luggage from Aydat at the end of the last hike.
Donkey (s)
There is 1 donkey. If additional donkey desired during the stay = 210 €/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)
Transport of luggage by taxi for families of less than 4 people on D2 (optional): €60.
Transportation to get to the starting point Day 1.
Additional donkey during your stay : 210 €.
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
Insurance, Cancellation, Luggage, Interruption and Repatriation : 4.90% of the price of your trip.
Compulsory registration fee
- 30 days or more before departure: 12 €/pers.
- Less than 30 days before departure: 20 €/pers
- For any tailor-made trip: 30 € + 12 €/pers.
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.
Your room will be accessible from 5 p.m. and must be vacated before 10 a.m.
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