Trekking and cultural trip to Romania

Day 1 (180 km)

Arrival in Bucharest at Otopeni airport. Meeting with our tour leader and transfer by car to the village of Magura (situated at the feet of Piatra Craiului Mountains) via Prahova Valley – the most touristic region in our country (nice view over Bucegi Mountains, 2509 m high).
Accommodation in an agrotouristic pension. (Nearest town Zarnesti)


Day 2 (7-8 hours trekking, 1600 m climb)

After breakfast we start our first guided trek in Piatra Craiului Mountains (about 7 – 8 h walking) – a very rocky mountain, a thin high limestone strip, 22 km long, considered to be a geographical accident of the Southern Carpathians, due to their gentle peculiar profile in contrast with the massiveness of the surroundings. Picnic lunch.
Piatra Craiului Mountains are a National Natural Reserve and also the home of The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project (Although the Romanian Carpathians cover less than 1.5% of the European surface west of Russia, they are home to almost one third of all European large carnivores: The authorities estimate that the number of bears is over 5,000, that there are about 3,000 wolves, and some 2,000 lynx. This is the highest concentration of large carnivores anywhere in Europe). Time to observe the bears (if we are lucky)
In the evening return to Magura village for accommodation. (Nearest town - Zarnesti)


Day 3 (250 km)

After breakfast transfer by car to Lacu Rosu (The Red Lake), 980 m altitude – natural dam lake with specific flora and fauna. On the way we visit the town of Sighisoara, which houses one of the few still inhabited medieval fortresses in Europe.
The road from Sighisoara to Lacu Rosu surprises us by the beauty of the landscape and villages. On the road we can observe the presence of 2 very strong minorities (The Szekeli and The Saxons) with their specific architecture and traditions.
Accommodation in Lacu Rosu

Day 4 ( 5 – 7 hours trekking, 600 m climb )

Breakfast; we spend all day hiking in Sugau Gorges or Bicajel Gorges and discovering a small, wonderful village – Barnadu, hidden in the mountains with no modern road to connect it with the world. Picnic lunch.
In the evening return to the hotel in Lacu Rosu for accommodation.


Day 5 (35 km, 3-5 hours trekking. 1000 m climb)

Breakfast; transfer to Izvorul Muntelui (nearest town - Bicaz) for starting trekking in Ceahlau Mountains (National Park and High Importance Natural Reserve). These mountains are held sacred by Romanians due to their deep religious meaning (they are said to have been the home of the most important Dacian God, called Zamolxis. Although they cover a small area, they consist in spectacular relief formations, most of them having their own legend and being an example of beauty and grandeur.
Hiking on the plateau; see some of the strange rocky formations: Panaghia, Toaca Peak (its shadow has the exact form of a pyramid in the month of August), Ciobanul etc.
Accommodation at Dochia ridge chalet.


Day 6 ( 160km, 3-4 hours trekking )

After breakfast descend to Izvorul Muntelui (nearest town - Bicaz). Transfer by car to Bucovina region, oasis of Romanian spirituality, housing the famous painted monasteries (Voronet, Moldovita, Sucevita, Arbore and Humor) included in UNESCO’s heritage list. We have time to visit one of them - Moldovita monastery – and to discuss with one of the nuns.
In the evening visit and have dinner at a sheepfold. Accommodation in a peasant house in Vama village. (Nearest town - Campulung Moldovenesc).


Day 7 (80 km, 3-4 hours trekking, 400 m climb)

After breakfast visit the most famous of all monasteries in Bucovina: Voroneþ - also named the Sixtine chapel of the East, due to the magnificent frescoes of the exterior and to its unique color “Voronet Blue”.
Transfer by car to Moldova region. We visit the collection of the popular artist Nicolae Popa, author of the famous ceremonial masks used at the heathen solar festival, in Târpeºti; have a traditional lunch prepared by the family of the artist.
In the afternoon we walk through beautiful forests towards Sihla hermitage, where we visit also St. Teodora’s Cave (Teodora was a hermit woman, who lived for about 20 years in this cave). Nowadays we can still see hermits living in this area.
Accommodation in Agapia village in an agrotouristic pension (nearest town – Targu Neamt)



Day 8 (360 km)
After breakfast transfer to Bucharest for flying back home