Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
8 Days
Visiting: Romania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CVE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Transylvania – the name alone conjures images of craggy mountains, gothic castles, horse-drawn carts and forests filled with hibernating bears. The reality is not that far off. Crisp winters add an extra dimension to this small corner of Europe as snow blankets the pastures, farmsteads and woodlands. Spend a week exploring this region, hiking or snowshoeing to small villages, into gorges, through valleys and up mountains as we also take time to visit a local bear sanctuary and, of course, one of the most famous castles in the world, Bran Castle, the fictional home of Dracula.
From our guesthouse in the small village of Magura, we head out to uncover the region’s treasures on foot. Snow conditions will dictate whether we hike or snowshoe; either way, we get into the wilderness. On our travels, we meet local people who still live a traditional lifestyle, learn about the regional folklore and history, enjoy the mountain scenery and, with a bit of luck, see traces of the local wildlife including wolf or bear prints in the snow.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Magura, Transylvania
Meals Included: Dinner
The trip starts in the village of Magura at about 3,410ft (1,040m), within the boundaries of Piatra Craiului National Park in Transylvania. However, as the guesthouse is 103mi (165km) from Bucharest Airport, we strongly recommend you join the group transfer (3hr 30min), which will take you to the guesthouse from the airport. Dinner on arrival will consist of a cheese and continental meat platter with bread. Our hosts at our guesthouse, Villa Hermani, are very hospitable and enjoy stopping to chat over a glass of local plum brandy.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 2 : Walk To A Local Bat Cave And The Village Of Pestera
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading out on foot, our first destination today is a local cave, which is a hibernation roost for a number of bats including lesser and greater horseshoe bats. Remember to bring a torch (flashlight) with you for the visit. We then continue to the nearby village of Pestera (which translates as ‘the cave’) witnessing the winter rural life of these mountain communities. After lunch at a local pub, we return to Magura.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 3 : Explore Kalibash Villages
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Magura is one of a number of villages known as the Kalibash villages. The Kalibash once fled Walachia to this remote area which, at the time, was under Austro-Hungarian rule. Here, houses stretch along hilltops like pearls on a string. Starting at our guesthouse, we hike up to Dealul Magurice (4,265ft/1,300m) where we may spot wolf, lynx and bear prints in the forest snow. Later, as we make our way back to Magura, we stop by a farm to share a hot tuica (homemade plum brandy) with the farmer.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 4 : Snowshoe Or Walk Between Piatra Craiului And Bucegi Mountains
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we walk up to a high plateau between Piatra Craiului and Bucegi mountains. In winter, this plateau is uninhabited, everything is still and a quiet serenity permeates the air giving a sense of truly being in a remote and special area. In the afternoon, we return to the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 5 : Visit Libearty Bear Sanctuary, The Village Of Vulcan And Brasov
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Driving down into the valley, we make our way to the largest rescue facility for brown bears in Europe: Libearty. Founded in 2005, the rescue centre is home to nearly 100 bears, most of which suffered years in captivity as dancing bears or in circuses. The walk around the bear sanctuary will last approximately one hour.
We drive to the village of Vulcan, which derives its name from the Slavonic word valc meaning wolf. This region is closely related to the history of Transylvanian Saxons who immigrated here 800 years ago from the Rhine-Moselle valleys. They built fortified churches, some of which have been designated Unesco World Heritage sites. Upon arrival in Vulcan, we are greeted with warm coffee and traditional cake in the yard of the fortified church.
From Vulcan, we drive to Brasov for a tour around town and free time to explore. We then take our evening meal in a traditional Romanian restaurant and later return to Magura by minibus.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 6 : Walk To Bran Castle, Also Known As Dracula's Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we hike from tranquil Magura towards busy Bran where we visit Bran Castle. It’s easy to see why Bram Stoker picked this castle to be the residence of Count Dracula. The character himself was based on Vlad Tepes, aka Vlad the Impaler, Duke of Walachia and a brutal tyrant. Though Vlad himself never went to Bran, Stoker saw an image of the castle and thought it the perfect setting for his dark tale. After, we stop by Dracula’s market where we can pick up vampire-inspired souvenirs. Later, we meet the minibus and return to Magura.
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 7 : Snowshoe Through Zarnesti Canyon To Piatra Craiului Mountains
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we walk through a spectacular canyon, a gorge formed during the Jurassic period. We continue towards Curmatura Cabin just beneath the rocks of Piatra Craiului Mountain. The cabin is open year-round and we can relax here before going back to our guesthouse.
Altitude gain: We first walk down to the gorge 655ft (200m), then hike up 2,300ft (700m) to Cabana Curmatura, walk down again 2,300ft (700m), and hike up to Magura 655ft (200m).
Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Day 8 : End Magura, Transylvania
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our adventure comes to an end today. Bid farewell to Villa Hermani and start your return journey home. Clients booked on the group transfer will be transported (3hr 30min) back to Bucharest Airport.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners
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All accommodation
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Snowshoes and poles provided
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Free group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
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Single supplement
Food
All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners are included during our stay.
Meals are a mixture of local produce and Romanian/Transylvanian specialties.
Breakfasts usually consist of a small buffet including an egg dish, cold cuts, cheeses, boiled eggs, vegetables, spreads, bread, yoghurt, cereals, jam, juice, herbal teas and coffee.
Lunches included on this trip will include the following – a picnic lunch provided by a local farmer on one day, traditional soups, and self-made sandwiches that you can choose your own fillings from the buffet in the mornings.
Each evening there is a choice of a meat dish or vegetarian option.
If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking. One night we will have dinner in a traditional Romanian restaurant in Brasov, this meal is not included and you should allow approximately 100 Romanian lei (€20) – without drinks – for this.
Accommodation
We spend seven nights in Villa Hermani, a private guesthouse in the remote village of Magura. It’s ideally situated for our adventure, sitting at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and within Piatra Craiului National Park.
The property has twin and single rooms in a range of sizes and styles, almost all of which have private facilities (there are two rooms that share one bathroom). There is also wifi at the guesthouse; however, due to the weak internet lines in this remote location and the need to go via satellite, the hosts kindly request guests pay €5 for 750MB, which should be enough for a week of checking emails. Or you may prefer to just disconnect and enjoy the mountainous scenery from the garden or balconies.
Our friendly hosts, German couple Hermann and Katharina Kurmes, possess a wealth of knowledge on Transylvania, wildlife conservation and serve delicious homemade food.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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