- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
- Small Group Travel
- Listen to Community Feedback
Travel back in time to appreciate movie-like castles, quaint villages, and stunning views on this small-group walking tour through the Carpathian Mountains. Local meals, cozy nights at guesthouses, and walks through traditional villages, all to fully immerse yourself in ancient customs that are still vibrantly alive. See fortresses erected in the 14th century and wander through the secret passages of the “Dracula Castle” to discover hidden mysteries!
In this bucolic country, locals still rely on craftsmanship and have a strong link with nature, so your days here will allow you to learn about their pastoral life. Well-preserved landscapes such as the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains provide ideal settings for hikes overlooking sheepfolds, green pastures, and woods. Our climb following woodland trails, rich in birdsong, will lull all your senses.
Highlights:
- Take a train ride through the Carpathian Mountains
- Climb through picturesque woodlands at Piatra Craiului National Park
- Explore the famous “Dracula Castle”
- Visit a remote cheese house (available through mid-September)
- Walk through quaint traditional villages
- Walk ridge to ridge walk along the Bucegi mountains
- Visit a bear sanctuary
- Visit the Vulcan Fortified Church
Locally produced lunches, such as soups and apple pies, and home-cooked dinners at our guesthouse will allow you to taste traditional Romanian meals while taking in the natural, idyllic views. To engross yourself even more in Romania’s traditions, visit the Vulcan Fortified Church, an ancient building that witnessed the Saxon Empire’s colonization of Transylvania.
This trip also includes some unique experiences. For example, you can explore the alluring Bran Castle, the same castle that inspired the story of Dracula. We’ll also visit a nearby bear sanctuary, home to formerly captive bears.
Bucharest, the capital of the country, is as enchanting as Romania’s natural landscapes. Bucharest welcomingly invites you to wander and discover its eclectic style. In your free time, seize the opportunity to see this vibrant city whose architecture has French as well as Ottoman and Communist influence.
This small-group trip through the Carpathian Mountains has multiple fixed dates in 2023:
- May 21-28
- June 18-25
- July 2-9 (guaranteed departure*)
- August 26 – September 2
- September 17-24
- October 8-15
*The minimum of 6 participants has already been reached, and more participants are welcome to join. The group maximum is 12 participants.
Related Trips:
[8 days] Carpathian Mountains & Castles
[9 Days] Villages of Bucovina & Maramures
Seasonal Notes:
The rich history and stunning landscapes of the country are much enjoyed if traveling in spring or summer. Mild temperatures allow pleasant walks around the villages and hikes along breathtaking settings. Traditional cheese tasting is available through mid-September.
Features
📋 Itinerary
Day 1: Bucharest [Romania] (arrival day)
Day 2: Piatra Craiului National Park (~5 hours | 15 km | ~ 9 miles | +750 meter elevation gain | -600 meter elevation descent)
Day 3: Magura to Bran Castle (~5 hours | 12 km | ~ 7 miles | +350m | -600m)
Day 4: Piatra Craiului Mountains (~5 hours | 14 km |~ 9 miles | +550m | -550m)
Day 5: Bucegi Mountains (~4 hours | 13 km | ~ 8 miles | +250m | -350m)
Day 6: Ridge to Ridge Walk (~5 hours | 18 km | ~ 11 miles | +850m | -850m)
Day 7: Bear Sanctuary, Fortified Church of Vulcan (~4 hours | 14 km | ~ 9 miles, +250m | -350m)
Day 8: End of trip in Bucharest (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
We are a certified partner of the Association of Ecotourism in Romania. Our philosophy has always been to encourage traveling as much as possible by non-motorized means and mostly off the beaten path, to try and avoid the mainstream and bring out the authenticity.
We constantly highlight the need for recycling, the use of biodegradable or reusable objects (food boxes, water bottles, etc.), and local food supply in particular.
This walking tour is a low-carbon impact activity that connects you with our nature.
You will take a train from Bucharest to get closer to your starting point for the walk.
All our partners are Romanians who work independently for the development of their country, the type of circuit that we carry gives work on average to about fifteen local providers in the region. We help you travel on less-popular roads where your presence will support local communities more.
We are committed to promoting and explaining the cultural and artisanal productions of the regions we visit. Furthermore, we only work with independent artisans & craftsmen whose respect for traditional know-how is wildly recognized.
Accommodations: You'll be staying primarily in guesthouses run by local families we've worked with for years, and eating homemade dishes. Tourism truly helps their families and communities to thrive. You'll also spend 1 night at a cozy 3-star hotel and 1 night at a 2-star hotel.
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- Use Environmentally Friendly Products
- Green Transportation
- Local/Organic Restaurants
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Responsible Waste Management
- Solar Thermal Panels
- Use Water Flow Reducers
- Provide Local Employment
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
Optional Add-ons:
- Single supplement: 125€
- Supplement for a departure in case of 5 people (supplement - price per person: 125€
- Supplement for a departure in case of 4 people (supplement - price per person) : 250€
- Supplement for a departure in case of 3 people (supplement - price per person): 500€
- Supplement for a departure in case of 2 people (supplement - price per person): 950€
- Transfer Bucharest OTP Airport - Bucharest city center or railway station - max. 3 pax, one way: 30€
- Extra night, Bucharest, 3-star hotel, price / DBL BB: 78€
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip, or if you still have some questions, contact us to let us know!
To reserve your spot on a tour, a non-refundable deposit equal to 30% of the trip price will be required if the reservation takes place more than 60 days before the departure. The balance must be paid two months before the beginning of the holiday.
If the reservation takes place less than 60 days before departure, we require the total amount of the holiday.
In case of cancellation on your part, the cancellation fee will be kept as followed:
- More than 30 days before the departure: $100 per person for set-up fees.
- Between 29 and 16 days before the departure: 50% of the full price of your holiday.
- Between 15 and 2 days before the departure: 90% of the full price of your holiday.
- Less than 2 days before the departure: 100% of the full price of your holiday.
This trip has a variable start date, so you can plan a departure date that suits you.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Special precautions:
Clients have their separate rooms with bathrooms and eat at a safe distance. Usually, the guesthouses we work with are small and there aren’t many people there at the same time. Of course, there’s hand sanitizer available and masks must be worn at all times while inside.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?
A: A medium level of fitness is required, with the longest walking day lasting up to 6 hours. Walks may be altered based on the group's abilities or weather conditions and may be interrupted by small transfers.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Please bring the following for your trip:
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Gloves
- Refillable water bottle
- Headlamp (some rooms are not equipped with lamps close to the bed)
- Snacks & energy bars for the day
- Credit card & a small amount of cash
Q: What about my luggage?
A: Luggage will be transferred from one guest house to the other.
Q: What is a guided tour?
A: Read more about Small Group, guided trips.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: Accommodations include 5 nights in guest houses run by local families in traditional mountain villages, 1 night in a 3-star hotel, and 1 night in a 2-star hotel. Bathrooms are private unless there's an exceptional case needed for two rooms to share one bathroom based on group size and guest house availability.
Q: What happens if our group is less than 6 people?
A: There is a 'small group supplement' for parties less than 6. Contact us for pricing.