1. Aluna Voyages
  2. Hiking with a donkey in Auvergne Rhône Alpes
  3. 5 days with a donkey in Auvergne

5 days with a donkey in Auvergne

Self guided trip 5 days/4 nights
Hiking with a donkey in a self guided trip. 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.
  • Self guided trip with a donkey with Aluna Voyages
  • travel with a donkey in France with Aluna Voyages
  • Hiking in France with a donkey with Aluna voyages
  • Self guided trip in France with a donkey with Aluna voyages
  • Familly trip with a donkey in Auvergne with Aluna Voyages
  • randonnée avec les ânes en Auvergne et du lac servière
  • randonnée avec les ânes en Auvergne
  • randonnée avec les ânes en Auvergne
Itinerary
  • Day 1:

    Hiking : Pessade - Pessade

    2 to 2h30 walking - Hotel / 6 to 8 km/ + 150 m / - 150 m

    Meeting at 2 p.m. in Pessade (follow the “rando-âne” signs in the village from the large car park where you can leave your vehicle at the entrance to the village). It is in this small village that your donkey awaits you.
    Possibility of spending the night here the day before departure (see “Details” section).

    Short loop hike in the afternoon on the Puy de Baladou for a first approach to the volcanoes.

    Possibility for the first day (or half day), to hire the services of a mountain guide who will teach you in a few hours how to read a map (essential for following a route). The guide will also be able to make you aware of the donkey's good behavior... all this in order to make the most of your stay (see the prices in the "Price information" section for this accompanied option).

  • Day 2:

    Hiking : Pessade - Orcival

    3h30 walking - Lodge / 9 km / + 100 m / - 400 m

    Hike to reach Lake Servières, a pretty little crater lake a few thousand years old, followed by a gentle descent with superb landscapes to reach the village of Orcival.

    Dinner and overnight at the hotel or in a B&B.

  • Day 3:

    Hiking : Orcival - Laschamps

    5h30 walking - Lodge /15.5 km /+455 m / - 347 m

    Bucolic stopover between pastures and small mountain hamlets. This stage takes you to the heart of the Chaîne des Puys to the village of Laschamps, passing near the twin Puys of “La Vache” and “Lassolas”, among the youngest scoria cones in this alignment of more than 80 volcanoes….

    Night in Laschamps, under the watchful eye of the giant of the Domes.

  • Day 4:

    Hiking : Laschamps - Aydat (or La cassière lake)

    3 to 4h walking - Hotel or Lodge/ 7 to 12km /+100 m / - 220m

    Departure from your lodge to reach Lake Aydat via the cheires (lava flow),
    Possibility of swimming (in the protected swimming area).

    Night in a hotel room at Lake Aydat or Lake La Cassière.

  • Day 5:

    Hiking : Aydat (or La cassière lake) - Pessade

    4 to 5h walking / 12 to 15 km /+ 400 m / - 75 m

    Your last day of hiking with your big-eared travel companion will take you back to the village of Pessade via the Narse d'Espinasse, a real little gem and relic of the ice age.
    For groups of 4 people or more, remember to leave your luggage at the hotel that day, before setting off on your hike. You will have to collect them at the end of the hike.

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 3h30 to 5h30 of activity per day.

Consecutive Days of Activities

5 days of activities suitable for families with children. 

Elevation / Elevation / Terrain

Low elevation on easy trail. 

Transportation

For groups of 2 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.
If you desire more comfort, we can transport your luggage by taxi Day 2, 3 and 4 : 180 €.

For families or groups of friends over 3 people, your travel bags (or suitcases) will be transported by taxi Days 2, 3 and 4. In this case, the donkey can carry your small backpacks with personal belongings of the day as well as your picnics.

Donkey (s)

1 donkey included in the price.
For any additional donkey during the trip : 365 €.

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 2024

Price for adults and teenagers from 12 years old :
  • 1 person in the group :  1295 €/pers
  • 2 people in the group :  810 €/pers
  • 3 people in the group :  660 €/pers
  • 4 people in the group :  635 €/pers
  • 5 people in the group :  610 €/pers
  • 6 people in the group :  595 €/pers
  • 7 or 8 people in the group :  575 €/pers

Price for children under 12 years old : Reduction of 100 € on the price above.

1 donkey included in the price.
If additional donkey desired during the stay = 365 €/donkey.

For families or groups of friends - 4 people or more - 1 taxi for luggages is provided Days 2, 3 and 4, with no extra charge.
If taxi needed for the transport of luggages, for group under 4 people Day 2, 3 and 4, taxi package = 180 €. 

Option first day with a mountain tour leader : 225 €. 
Option first half day with a mountain tour leader : 150 €.

For single-parent families, if you have no prior experience of staying with a donkey, you will have to leave with a guide for the first 1/2 day or day, because we will not let a parent leave alone with their child(ren).

If you arrive the day before we can reserve a hotel for you the day before departure in Orcival :
  • Half board for adults or teenagers from 12 years old in a double room = €87/pers
  • Half board in a triple or family room = €82/person
  • Half board for single-parent family = €118/adult
  • Half board for children under 12 years old in their parents’ room = €42/child
PS: At these prices, add €15/person for a picnic basket

You can spend the night the night before in Finnish kota or caravan in Pessade :
  • Night in Kota (without meals) : For 1 single person (€66)
  • Night in Kota (without meals) : For 2 people (36 €/pers)
  • Night in Kota from 12 years old (without meals) : From 3 people (30 €/pers)
  • Night in Kota for children under 12 years old (from 4 people in the group) : €24
Blanket provided (which includes a duvet with cover + a bath towel and a hand towel per person). Shared toilets.
Possibility of ordering catered meals : A flat rate of €24/delivery must be added to these costs.
  • Evening meal + breakfast + picnic: €39/adult and €27/child under 12 years old

Our price includes

Meal

Full board from dinner on D1 to lunch on D5.

Transport

For group of 2 to 3 people, the donkey will carry all your belongings during your trip. For families or groups of friends of 4 or more people, your bags will be transported by taxi Days 2, 3 and 4, 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/personn will be transported by taxi. 

Donkey (s) 

1 donkey included in the price. If additional donkey desired during the stay = €365/donkey. 

Equipment

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

Accommodation 

Hotel and lodging

Our price does not include

Meal

Drinks and personal extras. Meals not mentioned above.

Transport and donkey (s)

Luggage transport by taxi Days 2, 3 and 4 for group less than 4 persons : 180 €. 
For groups of 4 people or more, the transport of luggage by taxi Days 1 and 5 is not included.
Transportation to get to the starting point Day 1.
Additional donkey during your stay : 365 €. 

Tour leader option

Option first day with a mountain tour leader : 225 €. 
Option first half day with a mountain tour leader : 150 €.
Various
Paying entries in the parks, sites and museums not included in the program.

Insurance

nsurance Cancellation, Luggage, Interruption and Repatriation : 4.90% of the price of your trip. 

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 train or bus station.
From Clermont station to Pessade, about € 70 / taxi ride on weekdays and about € 100 / taxi ride on Sundays and public holidays.

For information, transport to / from Clermont-Fd - Pessade (60 km A / R). 

By road : 30 km (40 mn) from Clermont-ferrand. Take the N89 in the direction of Mont Dore, then at the Ventouse pass, turn left (dir Besse) then 500 m further on the right on the D5. At Zanière, turn right until Pessade.

Accommodation 

First night in a kota or caravan (3 to 5 beds per accommodation). The following 3 nights are in hotels, guest rooms or gîtes in hotel formula, in family rooms. 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. 

Child Carrying

During the hike, it is under your complete responsibility that the child rides on the donkey. NB: Our activity is not horse riding, but transport. If you wish to put the children on the back of the donkey donkey, we advise you to bring a suitable helmet that meets horse riding standards.
NB: We do not provide a helmet.

Recommended equipment

 A small backpack containing 

  • Hat or cap
  • Pair of sunglasses
  • Rain cape or a windbreaker or better a Gore-Tex jacket
  • Toilet paper
  • Small personal first aid kit (aspirin, plaster, elastoplast, ...)
  • Tupperware with cutlery for picnics
  • Plastic bags to wrap business in bad weather

For your evening luggage

For donkey transportation : only soft bags (no suitcase). A donkey can carry 40 kg altogether.
For taxi transportation : only 1 bag/pers (max weight 12 kg/pers).
  • Canvas or jogging pants
  • Pair of tennis or other for the evening
  • Polar fur
  • Spare clothing
  • Swiming suit

Shoes

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

Strengths
  • Hike with a donkey, adapted to the pace of children.
  • First night in a kota or caravan (3 to 5 beds per accommodation). The following 3 nights are in hotels, guest rooms or gîtes in hotel formula, in family rooms.
  • Possibility of swimming at Lake Aydat.
  • Detailed road book and mapping provided.
  • Soft and varied volcanic landscapes.
  • Easy access by car or train to Clermont-Ferrand.
  • Short stages (average 4 hours) suitable for children.
  • Organizational flexibility.
  • Responsible stay: food based on local products and very low fuel consumption.
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