steps

TRIP DESCRIPTION

DAY 1: from FANGUIL PARKING- entrance of the Reserve (1000 m) to EN BEYS LAKE (1954 m)- 5 hours

Fairly long and difficult because of the great ascent. Fortunately,all your efforts will be rewarded when getting to Orlu National Reserve, wide natural space, privileged observation spot of wild animals. You enjoy the high mountain atmosphere: summer flocks with ringing bells, swift isards, marmot whistling, rhododendrons flowering round the lake. En beys refuge is a fine place, near the lake...and good meal.

DAY 2: ORLU RESERVE (2000m ) Trek from the EN BEYS REFUGE

Beyond the En Beys refuge, the paths are not suitable for donkeys. So you'll leave them in the park, and wallk for a day or a few hours, discovering lakes, flora, and fauna,both particularly abundant.

DAY 3: from EN BEYS LAKE (2000 m) to FANGUIL PARKING (1000 m)-4 hours

Well, you have to walk away from those enchanted areas! You stop walking at the Fanguil Parking and you leave the donkeys in a park.

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

Dogs prohibited

accomodations

Accommodation is available at  En Beys refuge. He can welcome you in half board and even prepare your picnic for the next day.
You need a sheet sleeping bag to sleep in En Beys refuge. They have blankets. You need your towel, soap...You will slepp in small dormitories

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 :  There is a night-park for the donkey near En Beys refuge. But you have to let it graze out of the park during 3 or 4 hours each day.

Preparing your trekking

You choose your departure day.We meet between 9am and 11am, in the car park of Fanguil above Orlu. After Ax-les-Thermes, take the direction of Orgeix-Orlu on the left side. After crossing the village of Orlu, you take the road on the left after the power station which is on your right. After 4 km, at the end of the road, you will reach the Fanguil car park. We are waiting for you on the oher side of the wood bridge.
A few days before your trek, you have to say us at what time you come between 9am and 11am. If  you  are  in  the  valley  the  day  before,  you  can  come  at  the  farm at  Unac  in  order  to  take  the backpacks you put on the donkeys. So you can prepare them in the evening. In the departure morning, we share the first loading.

Period

This trek can be done from july to october

Map

This trek is partially on map IGN Bourg Madame 2249 OT  1/25000. We give you a topo-guide that is sufficient.

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 as soon as possible.

Your dog

Dogs are prohibited in Orlu National Reserve.

Your car and various things

It will stay in Fanguil parking, at entrance of Orlu National reserve.. If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at home, at Unac.

Terms and conditions for treks with donkeys

prices

Price 2023 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
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 Orlu National Reserve and En Beys Lake 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

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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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