Village life in Transylvanian Carpathian mountains - 8 days

SPECIAL OFFER: BOOK TILL 31.03.2023 AND GET 10% OFF!!! From €1,299 €1169. You save: €130.
Guaranteed Departures: Every Saturday!
A perfect way to discover the real life in the mountain villages from the bottom of Piatra Craiului National Park and Bucegi Natural Park.

SPECIAL OFFER: BOOK TILL 31.03.2023 AND GET 10% OFF!!!*

*Subject of availability!

UPDATE: 2 people each signed in for 20.05.2023, 03.06.2023, 14.07.2023, 22.07.2023, 09.09.2023 and for 07.10.2023!

Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Min 2 - Max 10

Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Guaranteed Departures: Every Saturday!

Rate: 1299 EURO/PERSON

Single rate: 1479 euro/person

Solo traveler: 1999 euro/person

Upgrade in Brasov at a good 3* hotel located in Brasov old city center (eg. Bella Muzica, Casa Wagner): 58 euro euro/double room/night.

The package includes:

•  7 nights accommodation according with the program with HB (breakfast & dinner included), 6 lunch packs
•  licensed English speaking mountain guide from day 2 to day 7
•  all transfers by car or minibus
•  luggage transfers
•  entrance fees to “7 Ladders Canyon”,  Piatra Craiului National Park, Bran Castle

Not included: airfare, tips, travel insurance, meals and drinks not listed in the program.

Day 1: Transfer Otopeni Airport - Brasov (the most important touristic city of Romania). Accommodation at a 3* guesthouse/hotel located nearby the old city center. Depending on the flight time we can have an evening Brasov walking tour. Welcome Traditional Romanian dinner. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films.

Day 2: Breakfast. Transfer to Bran village (about 40 minutes). We visit Bran Castle (on Mondays it opens at 12:00) also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ — a hilltop estate that conjures up visions of howling wolves and bats fluttering in the moonlight. Wander the castle’s Gothic chambers and learn about its ties to Bram Stoker’s undead antihero. Than we start from Bran our first day of walking in Piatra Craiului National Park toward Magura village - an authentic and cozy mountain village. The path is the route which links Bucegi Mountains to the Piatra Craiului National Park. The route is easy to medium, through forest and meadows, with great views to both mountains and to the Bran area with its mountain villages. Info about the hike: 4-6 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk 750 m / 450 m, 8 km. Accommodation 2 nights at a village guesthouse in Magura Village. Lunch pack and home made dinner.

Day 3: Breakfast. Today we do a walking tour in the area visiting the Bat Cave enjoying the landscapes and village life (3 - 4 hours, easy to medium) or we trek in the heart of Piatra Craiului National Park crossing Zarnesti Gorges up to Curmatura hut at 1470 m. Info about the hike: 5 - 6 hours, medium, uphill/downhill walk 700 m, 14 km. Picnic lunch. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Day 4: Breakfast. Our 4th day of walking tour. Today we trek crossing the most authentic and beautiful mountain villages from the bottom of the Piatra Craiului National Park and Bucegi Natural Park - Magura - Pestera - Sirnea (the first touristic village of Romania) – Ciocanu - Fundata, meeting the locals. Info about the hike: 5-6 hours, easy to medium, uphill/ downhill walk 1083 m / 890 m, 15 km. Lunch pack. Home made dinner and accommodation at a 3* guesthouse for 3 nights.

About Sirnea village: in order to develop the village and attract as many tourists as possible, Professor Nicolae Fruntes initiated two feasts: "The measure of milk and the meeting of the village sons" held every June and "Winter at Sirnea", aimed at presenting the customs of the villagers, both during summer and winter. Launched in 1969, the feast "Winter at Sirnea" entails a skiing race with torches in hands, sleigh rides and parties organized at the Cultural Centre.

Day 5: Breakfast. Today we have a walk in the villages of Fundata and Fundatica. Info about the hike: 4 - 5 hours, easy to medium, uphill/downhill walk 300 m / 300 m, 10 km. Lunch pack and home made dinner.
Surrounded by the Bucegi Mountains and the Piatra Craiului Mountains, Fundata's altitude of 1360 m makes it the highest commune in Romania. In August 1916, when troops from the Romanian Old Kingdom entered Austria-Hungary, the first village they took was Fundata, also capturing their first prisoners there and suffering their first battle death.

Day 6: Breakfast. Short transfer to Simon village (about 40 minutes). Full day hiking trip in Bucegi Natural Park. We hike on the northern part of the mountain which is wilder and no so touristic. During the hike discover the Devil's Mill Waterfall and a local sheep farm where we can stop to have a Shepherd's lunch (from middle of June to middle of September). Transfer back at the guesthouse. Info about the hike: 5-6 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk 800 m / 800 m, 14 km. Lunch pack and dinner.

Day 7: Breakfast. Transfer about 1 1/2 hour to the starting point for "7 Ladders Canyon" from Piatra Mare mountain. The canyon has been carved in Jurassic limestone and is composed by seven waterfalls, the tallest being 15 meters high. The trail within the canyon is arranged with metal stairs and platforms. Duration: 4-5 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 400 m, 8 km. Lunch pack. Transfer to Bucharest (about 3 hours driving). Accommodation at a good 4* hotel in Bucharest and farewell dinner.

Day 8: Breakfast. Transfer to the airport (about 40 minutes).

The program could be changed because of weather conditions!

Compulsory equipment: waterproof hiking boots and clothes; warm clothes.

OPTIONAL: 1 extra night in Bucharest, with Bucharest Panoramic Tour included -  from 110 euro/person (minimum 2 people). More details about it at the time of the booking.