steps

The steps day by day

Day 1 : from Unac (700 m) to Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) 5h

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. You sleep in Chioula refuge. +33(0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com.

Day 2 : from Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) to Camurac (1200 m) 4h

If good weather, you hike in the summer pastures of Chioula, reach the Col de Balaguès and cross the ridges of Camurac in an open landscape. This stage leads you in Aude, to the village of Camurac. If the weather does not allow a hike in crest, you join Camurac by the valley. Gîte La Marmite 33 (0)4 68 20 73 31 www.gites-camurac.fr. Grocery in Camurac open in the morning and late afternoon.

Day 3 : from  Camurac (1200 m) to Comus(1200 m) 2 to 4h

The villages of Camurac and Comus are not far apart. But the landscape treasures they hide in their mountains are well worth spending a day on. The passes, the Pla du Boum: these are beautiful places. You will even have the chance to see the castle of Montségur which is not so far, as the crow flies! Gîte 33(0)4 68 20 33 69 www.gites-comus.com.

Day 4 : from Comus (1200 m) to Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) 5h

You reach, through mountain pastures and forests, Chioula refuge and its magnificent panorama of the Pyrenean ridges. Accommodation is in small comfortable dormitories. Refuge du Chioula. 33(0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com. No grocery store

Day 5 : from Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) to Unac (700 m) 4h

Wonderfull prospect during the whole day. You follow the path on the top of this smooth mountain and go back to Unac.

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

accomodations

Accomodation

practical informations

Donkeys

They are used to carry your luggage and  your young kids, under your responsibility.
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.
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 equipement: 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 as maximum).
On top of that, only very light stuff (such as mattress) can be added, to avoid weariness or lack of balance.

*Night gestion : In case of accommodation, a donkey park is already set nearly. You have to give it some hey we let nearby and water.
If you camp in the wilderness, with one or two donkeys, you’ll be provided with a hiking park (very light glass fiber sticks, a fence wire and a mobile battery as big as a torch). So donkeys can’t run away and they graze well.
During evey one of the tours, the donkeys will get water they can drink daily.

Preparing your hike

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

You need map 1/25000ème TOP 25 AX LES THERMES n° 2148 ET by IGN.

Groceries

You find a small grocery only in Camurac  Then there is no more grocery store along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary (especially your first picnic). For the following days, accommodations can prepare picnics, if you book them in advance.
For water, plan one or two gourdes 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)
*  Wherever you walk through a village, you'll find drinkable water. If you want to camp in wilderness you'll get water from the numerous springs. Take chlorine tablets with you.

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 a square, in the small village of Prades (09110). If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at the farm, at Unac

Terms and conditions for hikes with donkeys

prices

This loop is scheduled in five days. You can also do it in 4 days: on day 2, you continue to Comus through the valley. So you will not cross the portion by the mountain between Camurac and Comus.

Price 2025 per person (from 2 people)

free for children less than 2 years
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 trek leaflet "Chioula loop" format pdf

contact

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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 !)

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Kids from 4 to 11 years included*

Kids from 2 to 3 years included*

Babies less than 2 years old*

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