Carpathians trekking holiday in Romania
| country: | Romania |
| location: | Carpathian Mountains |
| trip type: | Strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug |
| price: | From €1289 (7 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, transfers, 2 breakfasts, guide services and entry to Bran Castle. This trip can also be tailormade for private departures |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Challenging and tough - the Southern Carpathians won't give in that easily! You'll have to conquer them step by step, ridge by ridge up to the highest peak in Romania!
Highlights include:Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle 2 night sleep at highest Mountain Hut in Romania Fagaras Mountains and blue glacial lakes Moldoveanu Peak, Romania's highest (2544m) Babele and Omu, famous mountain megaliths Sinaia, home of the royal Peles Castle Brasov, preserved medieval Saxon city
Walk on the edge, and confront the bloody Count Dracula in his Kingdom - a rewarding victory for you in the end! This Carpathians trek provides you with a strenuous walking programme offering the highest mountains of the Southern Carpathians – Fagaras Mountains which include Romania’s highest peak, Moldoveanu – 2544 meters and Negoiu Peak 2535 meters, second in altitude.
Another important mountain range of Southern Carpathians is Piatra Craiului Mountains which would translate as 'Rock of the King Mountains'. These mountains form a narrow and saw-like ridge of about 25 km long, considered one of the most beautiful sights in the Carpathians. You’ll explore the highest elevation in the massif, La Om Peak, 2238 meters. Known for their specatacular landscapes as well as the accesability of their routes Bucegi Mountains are high compact blocks, edged by steep slopes renowned for the two mountain megaliths shaped by wind and rain into human forms – Sfinxul and Babele (The sphinx and Old Ladies).
The challenging trekking programme is combined with an excellent cultural adventure, introducing you to Rasnov Peasant Citadel, the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, Bran Castle also known as Dracula’s Castle and the royal Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.
Accomodation is in mountain huts, some with no bathroom and outdoor toilets. In case of late booking hostel style dormitory may be used for up to 3 nights. Price includes entry fees to Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Citadel and Fagaras Citadel. This trek includes 15-25km walking daily, over 1500-2500m altitude difference, mainly on mountain paths. Our meeting point is Medias Railway Station in Romania.
Highlights include:
Walk on the edge, and confront the bloody Count Dracula in his Kingdom - a rewarding victory for you in the end! This Carpathians trek provides you with a strenuous walking programme offering the highest mountains of the Southern Carpathians – Fagaras Mountains which include Romania’s highest peak, Moldoveanu – 2544 meters and Negoiu Peak 2535 meters, second in altitude.
Another important mountain range of Southern Carpathians is Piatra Craiului Mountains which would translate as 'Rock of the King Mountains'. These mountains form a narrow and saw-like ridge of about 25 km long, considered one of the most beautiful sights in the Carpathians. You’ll explore the highest elevation in the massif, La Om Peak, 2238 meters. Known for their specatacular landscapes as well as the accesability of their routes Bucegi Mountains are high compact blocks, edged by steep slopes renowned for the two mountain megaliths shaped by wind and rain into human forms – Sfinxul and Babele (The sphinx and Old Ladies).
The challenging trekking programme is combined with an excellent cultural adventure, introducing you to Rasnov Peasant Citadel, the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, Bran Castle also known as Dracula’s Castle and the royal Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.
Accomodation is in mountain huts, some with no bathroom and outdoor toilets. In case of late booking hostel style dormitory may be used for up to 3 nights. Price includes entry fees to Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Citadel and Fagaras Citadel. This trek includes 15-25km walking daily, over 1500-2500m altitude difference, mainly on mountain paths. Our meeting point is Medias Railway Station in Romania.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov – Fagaras - Balea Lake. Welcome to Romania! Tranfer to Balea Lake, located at an altitude of 2034 meters. On the way stop in Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania to visit Pelesc Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. Next stop is the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. The most famous landmark of Brasov is the Black Church, the largest gothic edifice built in Southern Europe. You’ll reach Balea Lake in the evening. Accommodate in a 3* hotel located on the lakeside. |
| Day 2: | Balea Lac Hut - Capra Lake - Dragon Window - Podragu Hut. After breakfast explore the beautiful area of Balea Lake and prepare to start the hiking programme. You’ll make the acquaintance of Fagaras Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians, the wildest, imposing, most spectacular mountains in Romania, home to the highest peaks in Romania and beautiful glacial lakes. From Balea Lake hike up to Capra Lake, a stunning blue glacial lake with a depth of 11 meters located at an altitude of 2241 meters. From the north side of Fagaras Mountains move to the south side, hiking near by the most difficult winter mountaineering route in Romania, the Albota - Arpasel ridge and then “Dragon Window”. In the evening you’ll reach Podaragu Peak, accommodate in a mountain hut near by. |
| Day 3: | Podragu Hut - Moldoveanu Peak - Fereastra Mare a Sambetei - Valea Sambetei Hut (1401 m). Today you'll conquer the highest peak in Romania - Moldoveanu (2544 m) offering an incredible view of Fagaras Mountains. From Podragu hut hike up to Giurgiului Bridge up to the imposing Moldoveanu Peak. Continue walking on the main ridge up to Fereastra Mare a Sambetei and then descend on Sambetei valley for accommodation in a mountain hut. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the hiking route. |
| Day 4: | Sambata Hut – Bran. From the hut we walk to Sambata Resort from where you’ll continue the road by car to Bran village, home to the legendary castle, located on the Rucar – Bran corridor, famous worldwide for the home made traditional cheese assortments produced here ( the ones smoked in pine tree bark are really divine). Bran Castle, unrightfully called Dracula’s castle, owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Documentary evidence of the castle dates back as far as 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered the heart of Queen Marie. |
| Day 5: | Bran - Poarta Valley - Gaurei Gorges - Omu Peak - Omu Hut. To give you an idea on the incredible landscape you’ll enjoy today it’s enough to say that Bucegi Mountains are home to the largest, most sophisticated Romanian mountain resorts. Conquer today the highest peak of Bucegi Mountains - Omu Peak. It ranks number 9 in the top of the highest Romanians peaks with an altitude of 2505 meters. From Bran walk up to “Poarta Valley”, crossing the imposing “Gaurei” Gorges also called “Delvil's Mill” and arrive to “Hornurilor” Shed from where the view is breath taking. Accommodation in a mountain hut located at the highest altitude in Romania. |
| Day 6: | Omu Hut – The Cave – Piatra Arsa – The Cross on Caraiman Mountains – Omu Hut. The highlight of this day is “The Cross on Caraiman Mountains”, an initiative of Queen Mary of Romania who wished to commemorate in this way the heroes of the First World War. The construction began in 1926 and ended in 1929. The hiking route is spectacular as well, in the morning descend from Omu Hut to the beautiful area of “Cave” continue with Piatra Arsa (Burned Rock) then hike up to the Cross on Caraiman. Return to accommodation on a different hiking route. |
| Day 7: | Omu Hut - Babele Hut - Busteni – Bucharest. Your last day in the Carpathians. In the morning walk on the edge of the steep eastern wall of Bucegi Mountains full of mountaineering routes, arrive to “Babele” hut, and descend using the cable car on the spectacular Jepilor Valley in Busteni. Transfer to Bucharest Airport. |
travellers' tales
When the clouds finally lifted on top of the Bucegi range the views were tremendous. Very challenging, but ultimately a great sense of achievement. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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To protect the environment, especially because this strenuous walking tour leads our guests in the very heart of Transylvania offering the stunning sceneries of the Southern Carpathians, we operate with small groups, with a maximum of 14 people. To minimise the negative impact on the environment, always make sure that our tourists have a recyclable garbage bag and that the waste will be disposed only on the special arranged areas. Our guide, a nature enthusiast, has intricate knowledge of the routes involved and provides our guests with the best suggestions: keep to tracks, not disturb the wildlife, use bio-degradable hygiene products and of course, enjoy themselves.
Besides the economic aspect – we’re using only local suppliers; your visit is of great importance for the small rural communities as you’ll be able to purchase locally goods starting with food and ending with souvenirs & handicrafts. Most of the accommodations are mountain huts - small local businesses, some of which are family run. These huts have a fine position that helps shorten the route between accommodations while offering breathtaking scenery, however these accommodations are in need of money for maintenance. This is actually an ideal opportunity to spend more time with the locals but also ensure that the financial benefits of your visit reach the people of the area and not some large companies based outside the region. The Romanian guide will also advise you on local customs as well as help you to break down language barriers. The entry fees will help maintain and even restore the precious tourist attractions visited through out the tour: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Citadel, Fagaras Citadel. We’re also making financial contributions of £1 for every person who books one of our tours, to support Saint Daniel’s Foundation programme entitled 'A grandfather for a nephew – A nephew for a grandfather', helping elderly and orphans, people most in need. We encourage our guests do a little reading before coming to find out more about their host communities and the environment so that they would connect better with the locals. We provide suggestion on how best to support the local economies and communities, as well as the surrounding environment. Guests will receive a pre-trip information pack via e-mail, to minimise the use of paper, which will inform them about issues relating to the place they will travel, some language tips and general advice. Furthermore, our tour guides are well-educated multilingual people who can offer guests their skills as an interpreter and offer up-to-date details on current national and regional issues. |
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