Two donkeys stand on a mountain path, carrying hiking bags. In the background, majestic mountains rise up, shrouded in mist. The landscape is green, with hints of con
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A group of hikers are walking along a mountain path, accompanied by horses. The surrounding landscape is green and rocky, with coniferous trees on the slopes. In the distance
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A spectacular mountain landscape with steep peaks and well-defined geological strata. Vegetation is particularly prominent in sunny areas, while grass and earth form a winding path.
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A donkey is present in a mountainous environment, carrying luggage attached to its saddle. The donkey is wearing a red harness to emphasise its presence. Majestic mountains can be seen in the background,
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A mountain landscape with a colourful tent in the foreground. The tent, mainly red and white, is surrounded by tall golden grass. In the background, majestic mountains display rocky peaks and
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A donkey stands on a slope overlooking a green valley surrounded by mountains. Equipped with a pack-saddle, the animal appears to be exploring its surroundings. In the background, mountain peaks rise up to the sky.
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A wooden chalet at a high altitude overlooking a green valley. The chalet's terrace is furnished with tables and chairs, surrounded by parasols. In the background, you can see the mountains.
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A donkey rests peacefully in an alpine landscape, surrounded by green meadows and high rocky peaks in the background. Nearby, a colourful camping tent is set up on the grassy ground.
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A horse in a red saddle is grazing on lush green land at high altitude, overlooking a majestic mountain range. The scene is bathed in bright light, with a cloudless blue sky. In the background,
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Two donkeys stand on a mountain path, carrying hiking bags. In the background, majestic mountains rise up, shrouded in mist. The landscape is green, with hints of con
A group of hikers are walking along a mountain path, accompanied by horses. The surrounding landscape is green and rocky, with coniferous trees on the slopes. In the distance
A spectacular mountain landscape with steep peaks and well-defined geological strata. Vegetation is particularly prominent in sunny areas, while grass and earth form a winding path.
A donkey is present in a mountainous environment, carrying luggage attached to its saddle. The donkey is wearing a red harness to emphasise its presence. Majestic mountains can be seen in the background,
A mountain landscape with a colourful tent in the foreground. The tent, mainly red and white, is surrounded by tall golden grass. In the background, majestic mountains display rocky peaks and
A donkey stands on a slope overlooking a green valley surrounded by mountains. Equipped with a pack-saddle, the animal appears to be exploring its surroundings. In the background, mountain peaks rise up to the sky.
A wooden chalet at a high altitude overlooking a green valley. The chalet's terrace is furnished with tables and chairs, surrounded by parasols. In the background, you can see the mountains.
A donkey rests peacefully in an alpine landscape, surrounded by green meadows and high rocky peaks in the background. Nearby, a colourful camping tent is set up on the grassy ground.
A horse in a red saddle is grazing on lush green land at high altitude, overlooking a majestic mountain range. The scene is bathed in bright light, with a cloudless blue sky. In the background,

Hiking

Donkey trekking in the Ecrins

July to September
6 days| 5 nights
Level 1
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

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Immerse yourself in local traditions and culture during authentic visits, such as the Shepherd's House or the creative workshops on offer.

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 6
Night
Gîte

We'll meet at 2pm at our gîte in Orcières. Once there, you'll discover your cocoon for the night and get to know the key companions of your stay: the donkeys who will accompany you throughout the adventure.


After an introduction to the preparation of pack equipment and panniers, you'll visit the farm: milking the goats, discovering the local produce... you'll be immediately immersed in the authentic atmosphere of the Écrins.


The evening ends with a meal prepared on the farm, using local produce.

DAY 2 / 6
Night
Bivouac
D+
300m
Distance
10km
Activity time
3h30 walk

Wake up gently to the rhythm of the farm and enjoy a rustic breakfast before taking care of the donkeys and getting ready for the day.


Today, we're off for a hike in the Champoléon valley, along picturesque paths lined with larch forests, green meadows and traditional hamlets. In the afternoon, visit the Maison du Berger to learn about local traditions, or take part in creative workshops for the youngsters: engraving, cairns, or felt work.


In the evening, we set up camp on the banks of the river Drac, for a night under the stars, lulled by the sounds of nature.

DAY 3 / 6
Night
Bivouac
D+
400m
Distance
10km
Activity time
3-hour walk

After breakfast and packing up the camp, we head for the Alpine pastures of the Champsaurins. After a two-hour walk, we settle down for a well-deserved lunch at the Tourond refuge, nestling in the heart of the mountains.


In the afternoon, a short hike takes us to the Planure mountain pasture, where we set up camp for the night. The day ends around a campfire, with the whole group sharing an authentic meal together.

DAY 4 / 6
Night
Refuge
D+
800m
Distance
12km
Activity time
5-hour walk

A fine day's walking awaits us, with a passage over the Col de la Venasque at an altitude of 2400m. The climb is rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.


After this adventure, you'll be offered free time or a painting, ink or watercolour workshop to help you capture the landscapes on paper.


At the end of the day, we're welcomed at Brigitte's gîte, Le Chamois, for an authentic evening in a warm and friendly atmosphere.


DAY 5 / 6
Night
Bivouac
D+
450m
Distance
10km
Activity time
4-hour walk

This day takes us beneath the impressive rock faces of Le Palastre. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to observe the majestic and fascinating birds of prey of the Écrins.


The hike ends with a final bivouac in the heart of nature, with a breathtaking view of the Champsaur and the Drac valley.


The evening is a time for sharing around the fire and reliving the most vivid memories of the adventure.

DAY 6 / 6
D+
560m
Distance
9.5km
Activity time
4h

We wake up to a panoramic view from the promontory of La Coche.


After breakfast, we make our way quietly back down to the farm, where we enjoy a final picnic together.


It's time to say goodbye to the donkeys, and leave with a head full of memories and a heart full of adventure.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Marc - Mountain leader and nature guide

Marc

Mountain leader and nature guide

FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

Hello, I'm Marc: mountain leader, nature guide and wildlife enthusiast. I've been running a donkey farm for the last 5 years, and have been leading groups for a few years now with my long-eared companions, whether for families, associations or groups of friends.

Find out more about Marc

What's included in the price

Included

Supervision: Throughout your stay, you'll be accompanied by Marc, a certified mountain leader, naturalist guide and wildlife enthusiast.
Accommodation: You will sleep the first and last nights in a comfortable gîte, and the other two nights in a bivouac under a starry sky.
Catering: All meals are included, from the first evening meal to the last picnic.
Bivouac equipment: Tents and cooking equipment for overnight bivouacs are provided.
The donkeys: Throughout your stay, you will be accompanied by donkeys with equipment suitable for hiking.
Activities: visit to the farm on the first day, the shepherd's house and watercolours and drawing (TO BE CHANGED)

Not included

Transport to the meeting point
Your sleeping bag and mattress for bivouac nights (hire available on request)
Any personal consumption

What level should you expect

Level 1
  • You are capable of hiking for 5 hours with an average gain of 500m per day
  • You want to discover the region with our faithful companions, the donkeys
  • We recommend that you are not prone to vertigo, as we will be taking some paths on balconies.
  • If you're looking for a holiday to enjoy with the family, friends or on your own (children aged 3 and over are welcome).

Getting there

Start: Orcières (14h)
End: Orcières (16h)

Transport

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You can get to Orcières by train:

  • Departure station > Valence station (FR)
  • Valence station > Gap
  • Gap > Orcières


From there, we'll pick you up and take you to your destination.

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It is possible to get to Orcières by car, where you can park your car free of charge in the car park at the meeting point.


If you don't have a car, you should know that we're encouraging car-pooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 15 days before the start: an opportunity to get to know each other before you even start your expedition!

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 474 97 09 38 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior to departures of less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable are the gîtes we'll be staying in?

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From what age are children admitted?

Children aged 3 and over are welcome.

Is it compulsory to take the creative workshops offered in the programme?

No, the creative workshops (printmaking, carving or felt work on day 2 and watercolour on day 4) are not compulsory. You are free to take part or to enjoy some free time.

Do donkeys carry our stuff?

Yes, but we make it a point of honour to respect the well-being of our travelling companions. The donkey can carry a maximum load of 35kg. You will only need to carry your rucksack during the day, along with your jacket, water bottle and picnic.

⛈ What happens if the metreo is wrong?

If the weather is bad but does not represent a danger to participants during the expedition, the activity will continue. If the weather becomes dangerous, the activity will be cancelled and replaced by an alternative offered by our professional guides.

What is included in the price of a DiscoveRent shipment?

At Wildhartt, we attach particular importance to price transparency for our shipments. Our approach is based on a clear breakdown of costs, aimed at providing a better understanding of the elements included in the total amount. Here's how we allocate the percentages:

  • 30% for our guides: We believe that our experienced guides play a crucial role in the success of each activity. That's why we make sure we allocate a significant proportion to pay for their expertise and supervision.
  • 35% for accommodation and food: We consider comfortable accommodation and quality food to be essential elements of an enriching experience.
  • 10% for equipment and transport: The safety and comfort of our participants is paramount. With this part of the total amount, we can guarantee that the equipment required is in excellent condition and adequate for each activity. Transport costs also come into play when they are essential during an expedition.
  • 25% for expedition participation and running costs: These costs cover the logistical, administrative and organisational aspects of the expedition, as well as the overall management of the experience, from start to finish.

Our aim is to provide you with a trustworthy, high-quality experience, while being transparent about how the final cost of your shipment is shared. If you have any further questions about our prices, please contact us here.


Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed on the dates of your choice. To make a privatisation request, go to the expedition of your choice and privatise it using the button under the "see departures" button.

Selected from 4 departures

From € 890 /pers.

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available

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