Epic journeys
Introduction
Blessed with diverse landscape and unique biodiversity, Romania is one of the best destinations where you can contemplate the incredible beauty of nature. With varied landscapes such as rocky mountains, stunning gorges, alpine meadows, caves, swift rivers, volcanic lakes and vast forests, Romania is a paradise for trekking lovers. The rich nature offers the perfect conditions for a range of mountain trails, accessible to both beginners and advanced adventurers.
For this program we chose 3 unique mountain ecotourism trails, accessible to beginners as well. And even if these routes do not lead to the highest mountain peaks in Romania, they have a unique feature that even the well-known trails do not offer: the beauty of agro-pastoral landscapes that succeeds with incredible speed at every step. Painted-like landscapes will leave you speechless and will make you admire dozen minutes without even blinking. We offer an original climbing concept that we successfully tested and implemented last year. Now is the time for those who are not residents of Romania to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of these ecotourism routes.
So, if you want an adventure and a unique trekking tour in the middle of the most beautiful Romanian mountain landscapes, you just have to try this wonderful itinerary that we have prepared for you.
Tour Overview
Trekking in Fundata
* The municipality of Fundata is located at about 1300m altitude, being the highest municipality in Romania. It is also said that it has the cleanest air. The historic road connecting Rucar to Bran goes exactly through this place, and the landscapes in this area and the remote peaks of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains leave you speechless. We will spend about 6-7 hours in nature, on the smooth paths of a route in which the rush has no point and laying on the green grass is recommended. There are no difficult ascents, most of the slopes are smooth and perfect to admire the breathtaking landscapes! The road runs smoothly through spreading houses, pastures, meadows, fir forests, and the traveler is delighted every step by the biodiversity of the area. Half way down the trail we'll stop in a wonderful meadow and we will enjoy a natural picnic
* In the evening we reach the guesthouse and enjoy the local cuisine and relaxation
The numbers of the day:
* Distance: approx.: 12 km
* Difficulty: 1-2 out of 5
* Duration: 6-7 hours with breaks for nature contemplation and picnic
Peles and Bran Castles
* Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence for the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls
* Bran Castle, situated near Bran and in the immediate vicinity of Brasov, is a national monument and landmark in Romania. The fortress is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Commonly known as "Dracula's Castle" (although it is one among several locations linked to the Dracula legend, including Poenari Castle and Hunyadi Castle, it is often erroneously referred to as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula
* Between the two visits to the castles mentioned above we will take a short break at the restaurant where we will serve lunch. In the evening we retire at the guesthouse
Trekking in Moeciu
* Situated in a special geographical assembly with a picturesque landscape, neighboring with areas with a strong historical load, Moeciu offers us the most spectacular route of our 5-day adventure. This area benefits of enviable landscapes, healthy ozone air, delicious and traditional ecological food products, a touch of silence complemented by the scent of mountain crystal waters, and last but not least, experienced and hospitable households. We look forward to enjoy together these wonderful gifts offered by the nature. We will spend about 6-7 hours together on this route, while enjoying fresh air and walking in nature
* Halfway down the road, we stop in a place to serve the lunch (picnic on the green grass)
* In the evening we return to the guesthouse where we will taste delicious dishes and we will enjoy the traditional red wine
The numbers of the day:
* Distance: approx.: 10 km
* Difficulty: 2 out of 5
* Duration: 6-7 hours with small breaks for nature contemplation and picnic
Rasnov Fortress and Liberty Bear Sanctuary
* Rasnov Fortress is located on a rocky hilltop in the Carpathian Mountains, 650 ft. above the town of Rasnov. First mentioned in an official document in 1331, the fortress was built by Teutonic Knights as protection against invading Tartars and was later enlarged by the local Saxon population. Strategically located on the commercial route linking the provinces of Transylvania and Walachia, Rasnov differs from other Saxon fortresses in that it was designed as a place of refuge over extended periods of time. As such, it had at least 30 houses, a school, chapels and other buildings more commonly associated with a village
* In 1998, a Romanian woman, Cristina Lapis, saw 3 bears in a small cage outside a restaurant in central Romania where they were used to attract customers. She later found more bears used in similar ways in other areas of the country. Her dream was to rescue these distressed animals and to change public attitudes to stop this cruel and illegal exploitation of one of Romania's magnificent native animals. Now that dream is being realized, with over 70 bears enjoying a new life in the Liberty Bear Sanctuary - 70 hectares of Oak and Hazel Forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zarnesti. Here, the bears climb trees, swim in the pools and forage on the vegetation. For many of them, being caught from the wildness as they were cubs, this is a new and stimulating experience
* In the evening we return to the guesthouse. We serve dinner and we prepare for our last day of trekking from the program
Trekking in Piatra Craiului
* The Piatra Craiului Massif is known for difficult trails with breathtaking views and it is a heaven for rock and adrenaline lovers. But also, in Piatra Craiului you can find beginners' trails, just as spectacular but less demanding. So, for those who just want a relaxing break or for beginners who want a bit of Piatra Craiului experience, this route is ideal and absolutely beautiful! We will spend about 6-7 hours on a smooth route through the scattered villages from the Piatra Craiului National Park and we will enjoy the spectacular steep walls that rise above our heads in the Zarnesti Abyss. In the mid of the day we stop for picnic and relaxation
* In the evening we return to Bucharest
The numbers of the day:
* Distance: approx.: 15 km
* Difficulty: 1 out of 5
* Duration: 6-7 hours with small breaks for nature contemplation and picnic
What is included in the price:
- 4 nights guesthouse accommodation (single and double rooms)
- 2 meals/day (breakfast and dinner at the guesthouse). We can also offer alternatives for other types of diet
- Lunch in traditional households
- All the activities presented above
- Two professional tour guides (fluent English speaker), rangers, local guides and support staff for the activities
- English guided tours for the entire period
- Pick up from any city in Romania
- Transfer from and to the hotel
- Transport with bus or mini-vans for the entire duration of the adventure – fuel included
What is not included in the price:
- Extra accommodation nights. Optionally, depending on the flight schedule, we can arrange extra accommodation with extra costs regardless the city
- Entrance tickets to all touristic attractions
- Airport transfers
- Flight tickets (optionally we can reserve the flights)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Other personal spending
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Sometimes, some of the places we intend to visit may be closed at that time. But don’t worry. We have prepared tourist attractions at least as interesting as the previous ones.
- We can organize this tour all year long.
- The tour can be customized depending on the number of days you have available.