Transylvania is surrounded by the Carpathians, wild mountains with tall and abrupt cliffs, large woods with beautiful flora and fauna. It gives you the feeling that there's nothing more beautiful, or more enjoyable than hiking around here. The trip we offer goes from easy to medium difficulty. On our way you have chance to see natural monuments like "the Sphinx", but also the lifestyle of simple people that live in Magura and Pestera, villages hidden in the Carpathians.
Day 1: Bucharest
After meeting our guide in Bucharest you will be transferred in Sinaia. The hiking trip starts in Prahova Valley, most important passage way between the principalities of Wallachia and Transylvani and the separation point of the Eastern Carpathians chain from the Southern Carpathians. You will dine and spend the night in a very nice pension in Sinaia.
Day 2: Bucegi Plateau
Today we climb up to 2300 m (4 hours walking time). First we will go with the cable car up to the Bucegi Plateau, where we visit the famous "Babele" and "Sphinx" rocks, two natural wonders. Here the powerful wind and the rain have carved in millions of years the profile of a male head that has an enigmatic smile. Then, in order to enjoy the most beautiful views over the Prahova Valley we go to Ialomicioara peak. Afterwards we will visit "Pestera" monastery- this will last for about 2 hours. Dinner and accommodation at the monastery.
Day 3: The Bucegi Mountains
Breakfast at the monastery. Today you will get familiar with the Bucegi Mountains, the tallest in the Southern Carpathian Mountains (5 hours walking time). Our destination is Bran where we'll find the so called Dracula Castle. Dinner and overnight in a Pension close to the castle.
Day 4: Dracula's Castle
After visiting Dracula's Castle in Bran we drive to Brasov (2 hours). We will visit the most important cultural points such as the Black Church, the Weaver Bastion, the White and the Black Tower, the First Romanian School and the Town Hall Square. In the afternoon we'll have free time to spend in this beautiful city of the Carpathian Arch. We return to the pension.
Day 5: Romanian mountain villages
Today you'll get the chance to see the simple and natural life of peasants living in the villages of the Carpathian Arch (4 hours walking time). Our journey includes the visit of scattered villages such as Pestera and Magura. In this area you will have the feeling that time had stopped 100 years ago. The people live here in total harmony with the nature. We are invited for lunch at one of the local families. On our way back we can explore some caves populated with bats. Overnight in a pension.
Day 6 & Day 7: Piatra Craiului Natural Reservation
After breakfast we head to the Natural Reservation Piatra Craiului (5 h walking time). On our way we pass through the spectacular "Zarnesti" Gorges (500 m). In the reservation there are kingfishers as well as rare plants- the living marks of the Ice Age. Another important feature of this reservation is the fact that it has the largest number of brown bears in Romania. "The Large Carnivores Project"- a study about bears, wolves and lynxes in the Carpathians still takes place here (this project was sponsored by the EU until a few of years ago). Next we go to the hidden "Curmatura" cabin (1.470 m). On our way you can visit a sheep farm where the secrets of making cheese will be revealed to you. Cheese tasting at the farm. Overnight in a rustic Pension.
Optional: In the evening - Bear watching in the Reservation from a tall stand.
Day 8: Bucharest
After breakfast we drive towards Bucharest in a small bus. After a sightseeing tour (depending on the flight schedule) you'll be transferred to the airport.
