steps

TRIP DESCRIPTION

DAY 1: from UNAC (700 m) to CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) - 5 hours

You leave the bottom of the valley where Unac is sheltered to reach the first heights and discover a wonderful panorama of the Pyrenean range.
Chioula refuge is a fine place, alone in mountains,with good food.

DAY 2: Walk around Chioula Refuge

Right in the middle of the forests and the pastures, Chioula refuge is the starting point of many easy walks . On one side you are above the Ariège Valley, with Sault Plateau on the other side, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
If you are fit, you can make a great day of walking by following the GR7; You go along the ridge line in the direction of the Col de Pailhères. If you are tired, there are many possibilities for looping tours.

DAY 3: from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to UNAC (700 m)-  4 hours

Wonderfull prospect during the whole day. You follow the path on the top of this smooth mountain.

The times indicated are the time you go on hike, excluding breaks.

accomodations

Accommodation is available at the Chioula refuge. He can welcome you in half board and even prepare your picnic for the next day.

practical informations

Donkeys

They are used to carry your luggage and occasionally your young kids, under your responsibility, and along certain paths within your tour.
The kids must be able to sit by themselves (so being over 2,5 years old) and must be looked after to avoid any kind of problem (being ready to fall asleep,…). You have to protect the head of your child with a helmet (riding helmet or bike helmet). If you don’t have, you have to say us because we have.
When there is a child on its back, the donkey has to be hold by an adult with the tether (rope). If your child is very small, you must take with you a special bag to carry the baby on your own back to put him when sleeping.
The donkeys can walk along all the suggested tours, but in the high mountain area, their progression is rather difficult. You must know that: walking with a donkey doesn’t mean go faster, rather go more slowly sometimes.
When the path is steep, you can’t put the child on the back of the donkey. So it’s very important to choose a trek well adapted to the age of your children.

* Their équipment : each donkey wears a halter, a tether, a wooden pack-saddle, with a big bag clipped on each side.
It can carry a load of 35 kilos, that is to say the luggage for 2 or 3 walkers.
This load must be perfectly balanced (17-18 kg on each side). On top of that, only light stuff (such as matress) can be added, to avoid weariness or lack of balance.

* Food and nights of the donkey :  a donkey park is  set nearly Chioula refuge, with grass or hay, and water.

Preparing your hikeking

You choose your departure day, the best way being arriving the day before, between 15pm and 19 pm. Then you'll get all the instructions concerning your tour, modify it according to your wishes or the characteristics of your group. At that stage, during one or two hours, we will talk about the details of your tour and we trace it on the map. The next morning, you are introduced to your donkey and you are tought how to load it and lead it. Then we share the first loading.

Period

This hike can be done from may to october

Map

Map IGN Ax-les-Thermes 2148 ET 1/25000 is provided.

Groceries

There is no grocery along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary (especially your first picnic). For the following day (s), accommodations can prepare picnics if you book them in advance.
For water, you need a gourd per person, which you can fill along the way if necessary

Your luggages

In High Ariege, the climate is irregular, proper to medium heights : bright sunshine during the day, surprising coolness at night.
Packing:
* Walking boots, and light shoes
* Change clothes, a warm pullover, a sunhat
* Rain clothing (waterproof raincoat)
* Warm coat
* Flask, torch, notepad, pen, lighter, knife, string, medecine (don't forget aspivenin), suncream, sunglasses
* Plastic bags to wap your gear within your rucksack (very efficient in case of rain) and to carry your waste back
* Stove and cooking equipment, tent, sleeping bag (if camping)
* Sheet (only blanquets are provided in refuges)
* Compas and altimeter( for higher mountain tours) Wherever you walk through a village, you'll find drinkable water. If you only walk in the mountains, you'll get water from the numerous springs. Take chlorine tablets with you.Your luggages
For certain tours, food is provided every 2 or 3 days. Others happen in very wild areas and you often are several hour walk from the first inhabited spots. Think about this while packing.

S.O.S. donkeys service

In case of a problem with one of your donkeys, we freely replace it the same day.

Your dog

Your dog may accompany you during your hike.
After a time of adaptation and mutual observation, it will cohabit with the donkeys.
But note that it does not simplify the organization of your hike. It is sometimes difficult to manage everything at once: the donkey or donkeys, children, luggage, map and follow the right path and ... the dog. Especially since it is sometimes necessary to keep away from the donkey with the dog on a leash.
You  keep your dog on a leash in areas of grazing cattle. Dogs can not sleep in accommodation; In general, a shelter is provided for them outside.
Remember to let us know if you plan to walk with a dog.

Your car and various things

It will stay  on the church square, at Unac near from our farm. If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at home.

Terms and conditions for hikes with donkeys

prices

Price 2025 per person (from 2 people)

This tour is planned in three days. You can also do it in two days.
Depending on the season and the age of the children, you will opt for a Prades-Chioula-Prades or Prades-Comus-Prades loop that is easier and climbs lower up the mountain.

Rate applicable from 2 people

free for children less than 2 years old
for 5 to 9 persons :-6%
10 persons and more:-12%

All inclusive formula is a turnkey formula. We take care of the booking from your accommodation.
This tariff includes:
- half-board: including the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags, transportation of the donkey, accomodation and maps.
You must add your personnal expenditure and showers in Chioula refuge. Add also costs of accommodation and meals out of the hike (the day before your departure and return from the hike)
- full board: same thing with a picnic basket for each lunch from the second day to last day of hiking (first day picnic not included)

technical leaflet

Upload technical leaflet all inclusive Let's climb to Chioula! format pdf

contact

Some questions?
Phone us 33 (0)6 85 34 20 22.
To help you choose the hike-donkey that suits you, nothing better than a small conversation!
You can also fill out the form below. We will reply as soon as possible.

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Type of trek chosen

Choose your formula

- all inclusive trek: we manage the accommodation reservations.
Prices includeone donkey for 2 or 3 persons, its pack-saddle and bags, transportation of the donkey and maps, and for each person: dinner, night and breakfast (+ picnic for full board) picnic day 1 not included
Showers in Chioula and En Beys refuge are not included.

- simple rent donkey-trek: You manage your own accommodation reservations.
Prices include only the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags.
Accomodation and maps will be priced separately

All inclusive treks

2-3 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Stroll at the farm

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Around Montaillou

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Let's climb to Chioula!

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Orlu Reserve d'Orlu and En Beys lake

3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek and tree climbing

4-5 days: All inclusive- Donkey trek Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou

4-5 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Ax valleys discovery

4-5 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Chioula loop

6-7 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Belvederes of Pays d'Aillou

6-7 days: inclusive-Donkey trek Ax valleys tour

6-7 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek great Chioula loop

Simple rent treks

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Stroll on Corniche

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Around Montaillou

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Let's climb to Chioula!

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Orlu Reserve d'Orlu and En Beys lake

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Appy pond

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Ax valleys discovery

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Chioula loop

6-7 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Belvederes of Pays d'Aillou

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Ax valleys tour

7-8 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Crossing High Ariege Range

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek great Chioula loop

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Tabe's tour

7 days or more: Simple rent-Donkey trek Bonshommes' Way

Number of days of hiring (use your fingers to count !)

Beginning of the trek*

End of the trek*

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Adults*

Kids from 4 to 11 years included*

Kids from 2 to 3 years included*

Babies less than 2 years old*

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