Simply Surprising - this is how the Romanian tourist office describes its country, and it is simply true! In this hiking tour you can discover the mountains of the Carpathian chain as we travel from small villages into the back country and back to some typical country inns each night. We willl also visit the famous town of Sighisoara a medieval village known as the birth place of Prince Vlad Dracula as well as the famous Bran Castle which came to be associated with Prince Vlad (Vlad the Impaler to his enemies) and a charming and fun visit!
You will start in Bucharest, once called the Petit Paris between world wars, and from here you will go into the countryside where small villages and charming people await. You will see all that is modern advancing Europe and still horse drawn carts of the old world. Hiking will expose you to well marked trails and panoramic views; and if you are lucky you may even see some of the wildlife which is remarkably intact.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Day
Arrival at Bucharest airport Otopeni; participants must arrive on same flight or meet a specific flight to be fixed. Depart directly for Sinaia, 2 hours driving toward the mountains. Sinaia was the summer residence of the royal family in the 19th century and sits in a valley below high mountain cliffs and a streaming river runs through town. We will do a walk and visit the Peles Castle if time allows. Dinner (D) and night in Sinaia at 4 star Palace Hotel.
Day 2 | Hiking in Baiului Mountains
Departing from Sinaia, hike to Dog's Peak hut, hike up to 5440 feet, the view is spectacular overlooking the mountains and the Baiu Mare Peak at 6260 feet. Descend Busteni and transfer by car back to Sinaia. Medium 7 hour hike; gain 3280 ft. (B,L) Overnight same 4 star hotel; dinner on your own.
Day 3 | Hiking Bucegi mountains, visit Sighisoara
From Sinaia, transfer by car to Predeal, hike up to Dihan hut ;
continue to Poiana Izvoarelor lodge, a beautifoul path leading to a spectacular scenery over Bucegi peaks then descend to Gura Diham lodge for car transfer. Easy hike of 4 hours. Transfer to Sighisoara by car, birth town of Prince Vlad Dracula. Night in a nice guesthouse in the the old town. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
Day 4 | Walking in Sibiu, visit Dumbrava Open Air Museum
Leisure morning, followed by car transfer to Sibiu (1.5 hours) visit museum and have lunch (on your own). Walking in Sibiu, visit the medieval fortress. Stay in a guesthouse 11 km away in Rasinari. (B) Charming guest house of only 6 rooms; family run, outstanding home grown breakfast buffet. In 2007, Sibiu was recognized as the European Capital of Culture!
Day 5 | Hiking Postavaru Mountains
Transfer by car from Rasinari to Predeal (210 km). Visit city of Brasov (The Black Church - the largest gothic building in SE Europe, the Council square, Rope street, the most narrow street in Europe at 4 ft wide!) Upon arrival; hiking 2 hours in steep valleys and over ridges in Bucegi range with picnic lunch on the trail; stay in Predeal at 3280 ft elevation. (B,L) Stay in Predeal, a winter ski town, and your charming hotel overlooking two prominent peaks. Dinner on your own.
Day 6 | Hiking in Piatra Mare Massif
Early morning transfer by car to Cioplea Hut. From here up to Piatra Mare Peak at 5600 ft (+2625) then descend to Dambu Morii passing through the Seven Stairs Canyon which is literally stairs built into the cliffs alongside waterfalls in a beautiful slot canyon. (funding courtesy USAid) Moderate hike of 7 hours. Stay in Predeal at same charming and full service hotel - try a jacuzzi on the deck looking out at the peaks. This is the area where the movie Cold Mountain was filmed. (B,L)
Day 7 | Visit Moeciu and Bran Castle
After breakfast, transfer by car to Bran to visit the castle where the legend of Dracula was born. Visit the open air museum. Return to Bucharest after (2.5 hours drive). Overnight Bucharest in centrally located very charming 3 star hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Departure Day
After breakfast, explore the town and visit the Old Court, Wallachia's princely court for centuries (16th-18th C). Transfer to the airport at noon for those departing. If you stay longer, you can visit on your own the Cotroceni Palace - 17th century, and also pass the Parliament Palace - the 2nd largest building in the world. Additional nights in Bucharest possible. (B)
Details
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Dates: Any Saturday, subject to availability from May through October.
From 2 - 12 persons.
Accommodation: [Virtual Hotel Tour] 7 nights in charming Romanian 3 and 4 star hotels, country guest houses, large rooms, private bath, TV, dining, mini bar, and other amenities available. Please inquire for more details, photos, and a list of hotel names.
Guides: One of our local guides, a certified professional with excellent bilingual skills, will accompany you throughout the program. Our guides are Romanian and know these trails and villages expertly. They will help you throughout the trip to make everything just the way you want it including the possibility to add on other services such as horseback riding, spa, massages, or other services for a supplement.
Trip includes: Lodging, all breakfasts, lunches as picnics on walking days - see above, dinners with fixed menu on day 1 and 7, all transfers, guide services, suggestions for add-ons. Note about meals: your guides will suggest dining options and on open meal nights will invite you to dine with them in order to suggest specialties and explain and discuss anything you wish. You can also choose to dine alone. Included lunches are picnics. If you choose to eat at other times or places, you may do so if time allows and at your own expense.
Optional: roundtrip air from Paris to Bucharest, extra nights. Not included: drinks with lunches and dinners, entrance fees, any other services not mentioned. We strongly suggest a stop over either in Bucharest or other European capital where you will change planes before starting this tour since you will note that walking commences immediately. Romania is +2 hours GMT.
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Tour Details - At a Glance
Transylvania, Romania
Hiking the hills and mountains in central Romania as well as visits to villages including Sinaia, Bucharest, and Sighisoara, birthplace of Prince Vlad Dracula
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Dates 2008
Departures: every Saturday in May-October. Custom dates possible for groups of 4 or more.
from 2 - 12 persons.
Price
909 Euros per person, based on minimum 9 to 12;
1029 euros per person for groups of 4-8 persons, and 1360 euros for 2-3 persons.
min 2 persons
(convert)
Level
Level 2-3
Moderate to strenuous hiking; trails are well worn and good surfaces. Elevation change and duration add to level of difficulty.
Equipment rental Info
Nothing required. This is a guided tour, guides will look after all details. Bring your own light treking boots, hiking poles, and day packs. 1 piece of luggage per person accommodated.
Options
Paris-Bucharest RT air
Bucharest add ons
Paris add ons
General Info
The natural beauty of Romania is a big draw for this tour. Though you will unlikely encounter them, bears and wolves both still roam in remote parts of the Carpathians and other regions of Romania. You may very well encounter fox, deer, and if lucky boar or lynx. There are also many natural springs and rivers and streams and therefore waterfalls flowing from the mountains.
Images from this Tour
Local Coordinators  Your guide leaders are Radu (left) and Dan, both energetic Romanians who know this terrain extensively. (bio avail) They will look after your every need and adapt to your wishes.  These two exemplify the young and vibrant energy transforming Romania and they will ensure your satisfaction! Customer Comments
"We were very impressed with the maps/guidebook that we were presented with. Everything was easy to follow and the hints, suggestions were super! Also, the hotels/restaurants that were chosen were great!"
- Molly E.
"I loved the uniqueness of this trip and Mihai Zlavog was a great guide and wonderful ambassador for his country."
- Wendy C.
"Jane and I had a delightful tour. Vasile( the driver) and Emil(the guide) were very attentive, sensitive, and flexible to our needs and it was indeed a pleasure to be with them those seven days. The countryside is beautiful, the mountain treks and scenery awesome, the accommodations excellent, and the food was delicious. Thanks for all your help."
- Mike J.
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Tours |
Transylvania, Romania
