Six-day unaccompanied hike with a donkey beginner / with young children

The level of walking required for this hike: Medium

DAY 1 :
12.5 km or about 4h30 of walking / D+: 271 m and D-: 167 m

DAY 2:
13 km or about 4h30 of walking / D+: 277 m and D-: 217 m (shortcut of 3 km possible)

DAY 3:
Loops of 5 to 12 km possible around your accommodation.

DAY 4:
13.5 km or about 4h30 of walking / D+: 183 m and D-: 195 m (shortcuts of 2 and 5 km possible)

DAY 5:
16.5 km or about 5h30 of walking / D+: 338 m and D-: 334 m (shortcuts of 2 and 4 km possible)

DAY 6:
12.5 km or about 4h30h of walking / D+: 174 m and D-: 403 m

Please note, this program is given for information only, it can be modified depending on weather conditions, group level and / or availability of accommodation.
The walking times are given for information only, without the break times and depend on your walking level.
NB : D +: ascent, D-: descent.

The French Federation of hiking has designed a practical tool for estimating the difficulty of hikes.
A simple tool that we used to give you an idea of ??the level required for this hike.
The rating of the federation is a true reflection of the difficulty of a hike expressed according to 3 criteria:
EFFORT, TECHNICITY and RISK

General level of the hike: NOT VERY DIFFICULT

EFFORT : LEVEL 3/5: NOT VERY DIFFICULT, Hiking requires some physical commitment, but it is still measured. This level corresponds to moderate 

TECHNICITY : Level 2/5: EASY, Route or portion of route with obstacles less than or equal to ankle height.

The laying of the foot is carried out by looking for areas «flat», or «comfortable» of the support, quite easily identifiable.

RISK : Level 2/5: LOW, relatively low level of accident risk. Exposure to the hazard remains limited. Injuries are possible but minor (examples: path with fairly marked terrain with possible presence of slope, dislocation and possible sprains in case of fall…).

First evening: Accommodation in a guest room (private sanitary facilities) and meals at tables d'hôtes on site.

Second and third evening: Accommodation in a tepee (private showers and toilets in the shared toilet block) or in a trapper's cabin (private bathroom) and meals at the table d'hôtes on site (free swimming pool and sauna: €15 per person to be paid on site) .

Fourth evening: Accommodation in a stopover lodge in a former school. Private room with private toilets but shared showers.

Fifth evening: Unusual accommodation: Maloka or wigwam (private showers and toilets in the shared sanitary block). Meals at the village restaurant 3 mins walk away.

Picnics are prepared daily by the accommodation where you sleep.

Do not take too much things (remember 30 to 35 kilos maximum weight of luggage and children included) : take only useful things!

Two bags in which you must distribute your luggage to balance the weigh in each bags (a peson to weigh the luggage will be provided for all the hike) will be given the day before the hike.

What you need :

• Your clothes (do not forget a practical and light rain suit and caps).
• Good hiking shoes and possibly a second pair to rest the feet at night BUT LIGHT (type sandal).
• Shower gel and shampoo not included in the B&B.
• A gourd of at least 1.5 liters per person which will be filled each morning before your departure.
• A small emergency pharmacy (antiseptic, bandages, aspirin, mosquito and anti ticks, sun cream).
• A bicycle helmet for children riding on the donkey (MANDATORY, not provided).
• One or more small backpacks that allow you to unload the donkey when the children are tired or carry the extra luggage that the donkey can not carry.
• Garbage bags for puting your clothes: garbage bags are very light, waterproof, solid and space-saving: it's even better than a backpack or a gym bag. Suitcases to avoid absolutely.
• A water sprayer (usually used for plants), very useful for cooling you down in hot weather.

 What you don't need :

• you do not need towels, sheets or sleeping bags.
• You do not need picnic material, everything will be provided with pic nic of the first day.
• games for children (there is everything you need for accommodation).
• additional food (including for the donkey), meals, breakfasts and pic nic are very plentiful, do not worry.

How many donkeys?

With the maximum weight that can carry a donkey (30 to 35 kilos maximum per donkey, weight of luggage and children includ), we recommend to book one donkey for 3 to 4 people; this rule can change according to the age of the children and their ability to.

walk the whole hike or not : we advise you to evaluate the weight that the donkey will have to carry during the hike and possibly take an extra donkey.

If necessary, donkeys can carry young children (under your responsibility) for short distances several times a day when they are tired or if you need to move more quickly.

If you want to do this trek with very young children under 3 years, it is quite possible but they will have to be carry by an adult (scarf of portage, baby carrier).

Can I come with my dog ?

Some accommodations do not accept dogs, so it is imperative to notify us if you wish to be accompanied by a dog, so that we offer you a suitable circuit. Your dog must be gentle : he must accept other animals : donkeys, cats, dogs, rabbits, pigs that he will meet in the different accommodations where you will stay. Your dog must be on a leash on arrival at the accommodation and if the owner asks for it, you must let it hang. Is your dog trained enough to hike? Remember to do a small preventive treatment two weeks before the hike to harden the pads (ask your veterinarian for advice).

Problems during the hike?

In case of problems with your donkey during the hike: problem of health, hooves... not detected at the start of the hike, the donkey will be replaced very quickly If you decide to stop the hike on your own without good reason, you can be repatriated on the basis of 1 € by km (maximum 50 €).

In the month preceding your departure, you will receive:

• The list of accommodation.
• The hiking book and all useful information (variants, distances, walking time, etc.).
• Hiking maps in pdf (but no need to print them, you will be provided in A4 laminated format upon arrival).
• The itinerary in .gpx format for GPS (sending on request by internet).

It seems obvious to us that a minimum knowledge of reading IGN maps is important. We have only french web site or youtube video, but I'm sure you'll find some really good one in your langage : it can be a good idea if you're not a map specialist.

Here are some links to help you:

http://education.ign.fr/dossiers/lire-une-carte-et-sorienter

https://www.altituderando.NotAllowedScriptcom/Comment-lire-une-carte-IGN-de-randonnee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YOMTl6OSQQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OwxFPWI2LE

You are going to the village of Melay in Saône et Loire: department 71

Saône et Loire is served by the A6, A39 and A40 motorways and by the national road Center Europe Atlantic.

By road, Melay is 9 hours south of London, 7 hours south of Brussels and Bruges, 3 hours west of Geneva, 4 hours south of Paris, 2 hours south west of Dijon, 1 hour 30 minutes south west of Chalon sur saône , 1h30 north-west of Lyon, 1h west of Mâcon, and 20 mins north of Roanne. On Google Map, enter the destination "bougres d'ânes".

By train, enter as arrival destination: MARCIGNY

If you come from the North of France or Europe, you can stop at Le Creusot - Montchanin TGV station where you will take a bus which will drop you off an hour later at the Marcigny stop where a taxi that we can book take you to your destination. If you come from the south of France or Europe, you must reach Roanne station where we will pick you up where a bus will drop you off at the Pouilly sous Charlieu stop where a taxi that we can book take you to your destination.

SNCF information: 00 33 (0) 8 92 35 35 35 - https://www.oui.sncf/billet-train

Bus company for the shuttle train station Le Creusot - Montchanin to Roanne: +33 (0) 4 77 68 30 00 - Timetables in pdf format provided by email at your request

Luggage is carried by donkeys.

We recommend a donkey for 3 to 4 people with a load of 30 to 35 kg MAXIMUM depending on the size of your donkey

This weight includes the weight of luggage AND children likely to ride on the donkey. TRAVEL LIGHT!

PRICES :

From 430 to 440 € per adult in a double room with full board.
From 280 to 340€ per child from 12 years old in full board.
From 240 to 260 € per child under 12 full board.
From 90 to 150 € per child under 4 years old full board.
From 30 to 45 € per child sleeping in a cot.

365 € per rented donkey (one donkey for 3 to 4 people)

These rates are for a minimum of 2 adults participating and staying in the same room.
For families of more than 5 people, for people wishing separate rooms, a supplement will be indicated during the quote.

For people traveling alone or for single-parent families with children under 12, a supplement will be indicated to you during the quote.

In all cases, these rates are given as an indication, depending on your requests, an estimate will be established before booking.

These prices include:

• A single donkey, its hiking equipment (packsaddle and panniers) and its food.
• The complete organization of your hike.
• Accommodation during the hike with full board from the picnic on day 1 to the picnic on day 6.
• The departure briefing: advice for leading a donkey, itinerary.
• The routes on the IGN map for each day of hiking, as well as a detailed roadmap.
• The GPX tracks of each hiking day can be downloaded before your arrival.

These prices do not include:

• Drinks excluding meals and personal expenses.
• Accommodation the day before and the last day of the hike :
  • From €67 per adult in a double room with full board.
  • From €46 per child from 12 years old full board.
  • From €32 per child under 12 full board.
  • From €20 per child under 4 years old full board.
  • From €10 per child sleeping in a cot.
• Transportation to the starting point of the hike and back.
• The repatriation of the donkey and hikers to the starting point in case of abandonment on your part.
• Epidemic multi-risk insurance.

This hike is accessible all year round.