PETITS NOMADES EN PAYS DIOIS

SMALL NOMADS IN THE DIOIS REGION
France

Adventure

group

Nature

From the valleys where clear water flows to the panoramic ridges of the Vercors, covered in greenery, the landscapes of this family donkey trek and the bivouac sites are extremely varied! In a small caravan, the pace is reminiscent of itinerant shepherds... We'll be doing short stages, with the option of stretching our legs once we've set up camp. A real mountain atmosphere, accessible to all, punctuated by farm visits, swimming, unforgettable bivouacs and wildlife watching. An enchantment for nature lovers.

From

670€

Length of stay

6 days /, 5 nights

Minimum number of participants

from 5 to 12 people

walks that can be part of a cultural discovery of the Diois region: Chatillon en Diois is one of France's most beautiful villages...

Programme
Rates
Practical information
The human trip plus

Day 1

Die - Combeau - Les Nonnières station (850 m)

the Combeau rock

Welcome at 10.15 am at Die station. Transfer to the bucolic Vallon de Combeau where our donkeys have their summer quarters. Picnic by the pond, then it's off on the great adventure. We cross the Combeau rock via the Col de Côte Chèvre, then descend to the hamlet of Nonnières, passing through former lavender fields and the remains of a distillery. We set up camp near the Sapet waterfall for our first night's bivouac.

3 hrs walk M: from 150 m. D: 600 m.

Night in camp.

Day 2

Les Nonnières - La Plainie ( 1200m)

On the trail of the Huguenots

We head up the Sareymond valley towards Mont Barral to reach the Désert farm, where the Huguenots used to hold their secret meetings. We're sure to come across the ewes and their guardians, the patous dogs. Next, a balcony path through magnificent beech forest takes us to the Col de la Plainie. We then descend to our bivouac in the foothills of the Montagne de Bellemotte.

4 h walk. M: 500 m. D: 200 m.

Night in camp.

Day 3

La Plainie - Refuge de la Tour (1340 m.)

Les Sucettes de Borne

A short stage takes us to the Refuge de la Tour. We then leave our donkeys to rest and explore the area around the refuge, including the Sucettes de Borne, a magnificent and unmissable geological curiosity, and the Bellemotte mountain, home to numerous chamois. Overnight at the refuge de la Tour, ideally situated in the pastures facing the Montagne du Jocou.

3 to 4 hours' walk. M: from 400 m. D: 350 m.

Night in refuge.

Day 4

Refuge de la Tour - Combeau (1400 m.)

The Grande Leyrie ridge and the Jiboui mountain pastures

We take a path through the heart of the forest to reach the ridge and the superb alpine pastures of Jiboui. Then, from the Col de Menée, we follow the Crête de la Grande Leyrie, which takes us gently back to the Vallon de Combeau via the Col de la Lauzette.

5 to 6 hours' walk. M: from 450 m. D: 400 m.

Night in a refuge or camp. Dinner at the refuge.

Day 5

Combeau - The Vercors High Plateaux Nature Reserve (approx. 1600m.)

The high plateaux of the Vercors

We're off to discover the Vercors High Plateaux Nature Reserve. After stalking marmots in the Essaure meadow, we'll reach the ridges for a magnificent view of the neighbouring Dévoluy and Oisans peaks and Mont-Aiguille, the massif's iconic mountain. We'll choose an ideal bivouac site in the middle of the wilderness before sleeping in the silence of the mountains.

3 to 4 hours' walk. M and D: 300 to 500 m.

Night in camp.

Day 6

The Vercors High Plateaux Nature Reserve - Die railway station

Observation of flora and fauna

We stroll through the heart of the Reserve, having fun discovering the flowers and animal tracks. We can look out for ibex and chamois before heading back down to the Auberge de Combeau. A final cuddle with our donkeys and it's back to Die station by 5pm.

3 to 4 hours' walk. M and D: 300 to 500 m.

Price per person Adult €670 - children aged 7 to 12 €580

The price includes:

- full-board accommodation throughout the tour (3 nights in a camp and 2 nights in a refuge)
- loan of tents and floor mats
- supervision by a mountain leader specialising in trips with donkeys
- the presence of pack and pet donkeys to carry luggage
- return transfers from Die station to the Combeau valley

Not included:

- drinks and personal expenses
- cancellation and repatriation insurance
- visits and activities not included in the programme

It is customary (but not compulsory), depending on your satisfaction at the end of your stay, to tip your tour leader.

Comfort

6 days including 6 days walking

A family trail with no particular difficulties, but good physical fitness is required. Children aged 7 and over.

Accommodation during the tour

3 or 4 nights camping in 2- or 3-person tents. Tents and groundsheets are provided. A "dining room" tent is provided in case of bad weather.
1 or 2 nights in mountain huts, in dormitories.

The Auberge de Combeau has a terrace, a restaurant with a fireplace and upstairs dormitories sleeping 6 with 2 showers and 2 toilets.

The refuge de la Tour is an association run by a group of 500 people who want to preserve a place where hikers can enjoy magnificent unspoilt countryside. The rustic dormitory has a stove. There are hot showers and toilets on site.

The meals

They are prepared by the guide when we are in bivouac. A helping hand is always welcome. In mountain huts, they are prepared by our hosts. Picnics are copious and prepared using local produce.

Framing

A qualified mountain leader (brevet d'Etat) for a group of 5 to 12 people.

Climate and equipment

We provide each person with a small bag in which to pack their belongings for the week. Weight limited to 8 kg per person.

- A rucksack with a capacity of 20 litres for adults and 15 litres for children to carry the day's essentials.
- Breathable underwear
- A warm fleece jacket
- A hat and gloves
- A down jacket
- A waterproof and breathable jacket
- Walking trousers
- Looped hiking socks
- A cap or hat
- Sunglasses
- A rain cape
- A minimum 1-litre water bottle (or water bag, pipette)

Footwear and technical equipmente

- Mountain boots with high uppers and grippy soles
- A pair of light shoes for the evening
- A headlamp
- Walking sticks (optional)

Bedding

- A mountain sleeping bag (0°C comfort). If you don't have one, layer 2 lighter sleeping bags or add a fleece sheet.
- A sheet and pillowcase for nights in a gîte

Don't underestimate the temperatures in the mountains even in high summer, the evenings and nights are cold, a change in the weather or wind can quickly cause the thermometer to plummet.

Pharmacy

- A small individual first-aid kit to be checked with your doctor: sun cream, adhesive tape and double skin, antidiarrhoeal, analgesic, eye drops, cough medicine, tweezers, personal medicines, etc.
- For children, use appropriate doses

Various

- Small Tupperware with lid, cup and cutlery
- A spare pair of shoelaces
- A swimming costume
- A toilet bag and a bath towel
- Toilet paper
- A pocket knife
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings
- A needle and thread
- An anti-theft pouch to keep with you at all times: identity papers, money, insurance certificates, etc.

Formalities

Don't forget your mask so you don't contaminate the donkeys during the cuddles!

Our opinion

An easy family hike to discover the Diois region.

The village of Chatillon en Diois was recently added to the list of the 162 most beautiful villages in France by the Commission Qualité des plus beaux villages de France.

Without drinking too much Clairette de Die, plunge back into the Middle Ages or take a canoe trip on the Drôme.

The + humans trip

- a pace of walking particularly suited to children
- idyllic bivouac sites
- very docile donkeys, used to trekking with families
- a very varied programme