Village life in Transylvanian Carpathian mountains

THE PROGRAM PROPOSED BY THE ORGANIZERS IS:

Day 1: Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Brașov (one of the most important touristic cities from Romania – approx. 3 hours) or from Brașov Airport to Brașov (20-30 minutes). Accommodation at a 3* guesthouse/hotel located near the Old City Center. Depending on the flight time, we can have an evening Brașov 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. Then, 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 of both mountains and to the Bran area, with its mountain villages. Information 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 Măgura Village. Lunch pack and home-made dinner.

Day 3: Breakfast. Today we trek in the heart of Piatra Craiului National Park, crossing the epic Zărnesti Gorges up to Curmătura hut, at 1.470m. Information 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 Piatra Craiului National Park and Bucegi Natural Park – Măgura – Peștera – Șirnea (the first touristic village of Romania) – Ciocanu – Fundata, meeting the locals. Info about the hike: 5-6 hours, easy to medium, uphill/ downhill walk 1.083 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 Fundățica. Information 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 1.360 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 Șimon village (about 40 minutes). Full day hiking trip in Bucegi Natural Park. We hike on the northern part of the mountain, which is wilder. During the hike we will 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. Information 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 of 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 Brasov (about 30 minutes). Accommodation at a 3* guesthouse/hotel located near the old city center and farewell dinner.

Day 8: Breakfast. Transfer to Bucharest airport (about 3 hours) or to Brașov airport (about 20-30 minutes).

DETAILS

Website: www.adventure-tours.ro
Tour provider: Active Travel
About the provider: Active Travel Romania – a tour operator & travel agent – offers unique small group tours and vacation travel packages from general touring to wildlife-watching wilderness trips around Romania.