Drift Down the Danube Delta by Motorboat

From $700 pp

  • Duration

    5 days
  • Bookable From

    March to October
  • Trip Style

    Self-Guided
  • Country

    Romania
  • Physical Rating

    Average

Overview

Explore Romania's Danube Delta and discover an aquatic and ecological paradise as you drift down the river in a motorboat.

The Danube Delta is a biosphere reserve home to thousands of spectacular wildlife and plant species. It features immense stretches of sand, reed-covered lakes, willow tree-lined canals, and wild beaches. With its well-preserved traditions and picturesque houses, the Danube Delta has always drawn visitors. Meander along, spotting wild horses and myriad birds, tasting the mouth-watering dishes, and listening to the sound of the omnipresent waves.

On this self-guided tour, you'll be taken by a motorboat, steered by a local fisherman, and have leisure time to canoe, fish, swim in the Black Sea, and soak up the atmosphere of the Delta.

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the culture of Tulcea, the gateway city to the Delta
  • Enjoy the wetlands, culinary delights, and cultural heritage of Crisan
  • Admire colonies of birds and aquatic wildlife at the Sulina Branch distributary
  • Experience the magic of the "forgotten by God" village of Letea
  • Swim in the Black Sea in Sulina

The Danube Delta is the second-largest delta in Europe. The reserve is mostly located in Romania, with 20% of it in Ukraine. It's considered special for its wilderness and for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Having an intricate pattern of channels and lakes, it is considered the European paradise of flora and fauna with 12,000 kinds of plants and 250 species of migratory birds. Expect to see forests of willow trees and groups of pelicans and egrets.

Seasonal Notes

We recommend taking this trip anytime from March to October.

The Danube Delta is most spectacular in spring, especially in late April and early May. This is the period when nature comes back to life. The first aquatic plants appear, the banks are filled with wildflowers, the reeds regenerate, and the trees turn green. The weather is usually mild. This is a perfect time for nature enthusiasts and those who appreciate the tranquility of the riverbanks.

Note: Springtime can sometimes bring higher water levels and flooding in some areas due to rain and snowmelt.

Summer in the Danube Delta can be hotter and busier with larger crowds. Additionally, the summer months bring longer days so you’ll have plenty of daylight for seeing the incredible sites and cities. Summer months have some of the hottest temperatures ranging from 68-95°F. (20-35°C).

The autumn months bring a special charm to the Danube River. The weather remains pleasant, and you'll witness the region's stunning fall foliage. Temperatures range from 50-68°F (10-25°C). We recommend bringing layers and warmer, waterproof jackets as temperatures can get cooler during the evening and morning times.

Itinerary

Day 1 Tulcea [Romania] (arrival day)

Arrive to Bucharest where you'll be welcomed and provided an in-person briefing about your trip.

Transfer to Tulcea on the east coast of Romania. We can assist with this transfer on request.

The tour begins in Tulcea, the gateway to the Danube Delta. You'll have a transfer at 1:30 p.m. with the regular boat that transports all the locals from the delta. It will be a real immersion during which you will immediately see the villagers' way of living: how they get their supplies, what they transport, the animals they have in their backyard, etc.

Approximately 2.5 hrs later, you will arrive in Crisan, in the heart of the Danube Delta.

Enjoy free time at the end of the day to soak up the atmosphere of the delta or to take a short canoe trip, recommended just before sunset.

If you like fish, your dinner will be a treat.

Possible departure days can be Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Crisan
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Boat ride to explore the south side of the Sulina Branch

Today, you get back in the host’s boat to explore the Southern part of the Sulina Branch. Your motorboat ride will be guided and include short walking stretches.

You will discover the long canals as well as huge lakes that are home to large colonies of birds. You will be surprised by a contrasting landscape consisting of large stretches of water and small forested canals dense with aquatic vegetation. You continue this way until the afternoon when you reach again the village of Crisan.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Crisan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), Dinner

Days 3 Boat ride to Letea

This morning, your boat ride will take you to discover another facet of the Danube Delta. Your motorboat ride will be guided and include short walking stretches.

You will cross many canals, lakes, and ponds - places very rich in bird species. Your host will take you to the small hamlet of Letea. There you can visit this "forgotten by God" village with its traditional houses, dusty streets, and old-fashioned charm. This curious village is bordered by a no less surprising forest reserve where, next to centuries-old oaks, grow all sorts of exotic plants that have sprouted here thanks to the seeds brought by migratory birds. The guide will inform you about this magical land.

Picnic at the water's edge.

Note: The order of the two boat rides (on Day 2 and Day 3) could be reversed.

In the afternoon, you return by boat to Crisan from where you will take a public boat to Sulina.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Sulina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic)

Day 4 Visit historic Sulina and the Black Sea

Sulina is a free day in which you can explore this old port town on by foot.

Sulina is where the Danube, after a course of almost 3000 km, flows into the Black Sea. A visit to this cosmopolitan town, with its end-of-the-world atmosphere, is a treat: see its old lighthouse (km 0 from where the river is measured), the various churches, and the international cemetery where you will find tombs which are standing proof of a mixed population.

You can swim in the Black Sea. It is a rather wild beach, sheltered from the crowds.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Sulina
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Boat ride from Sulina to Tulcea, transfer to Bucharest (departure day)

Transfer by regular boat to Tulcea to leave this unique aquatic universe and the world which welcomed you with open arms along your journey!

End of services after arriving to Tulcea by boat. We can assist with the transfer back to Bucharest on request.

Meals: Breakfast

Route Map

A route map showing Bucharest and the main stops along the Danube Delta River by Motorboat tour.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Transfers from and to Tulcea on D1 & D5

  • 4 nights' accommodation: 2 nights in Crisan and 2 nights in Sulina

  • 4 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinners

  • 2 days of guided motorized boat rides on D2 & D3

  • 1 free day to explore Sulina on foot

  • International flights

  • Transfers between Bucharest & Tulcea (on request)

  • Motorized boat ride or kayak ride in Sulina (on request)

  • Meals not mentioned

  • Alcohol & drinks other than water

  • Personal expenses & souvenirs

  • Insurance, Visa, Taxes, Tips

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

Minimum of three people. Contact us for groups of two or for solo traveler pricing.

  • Deposit per person

    30% of the trip price

  • Group of 3-6 travelers - price per person

    $700

  • Single Supplement

    $135

Optional Add-ons

Prices are in Euros. Pricing in USD will be provided upon inquiry and added to your trip payment link.

One-Way Private Transfers:

  • Train transfer from Bucharest to Tulcea: 25 €
  • Bus transfer from Bucharest to Tulcea: 33 €
  • Private transfer from Bucharest to Tulcea (1-3 people; Inquire for vans for 4-6 people): 290 €

Extra Nights (per person):

  • Extra nights in Bucharest or Tulcea (double room): 43 €
  • Extra nights in Bucharest or Tulcea (single room): 80 €

Activities (per person):

  • Guided kayak ride (3h), in Sulina on D4 (min. 2 people): 35 €
  • Motorized boat ride (2h) in Sulina on D4 (min. 2 people): 45 €

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.

Environmental Initiatives

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.

Economic Initiatives

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.

Sociocultural Initiatives

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.

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.

Health & Safety

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

FAQs

What does the Physical Rating of "average" mean?

This trip is five days long and includes two days of guided motorboat rides, including short walking stretches. There is also one free day to explore Sulina on foot and an option to see or swim in the Black Sea.

A medium or intermediate level of fitness is required.

What are the accommodations like?

You will stay two nights in a guesthouse in Crisan and two nights in a guesthouse in Sulina. The guesthouse accommodations are double occupancy with private facilities.

What do I do with my luggage?

During transfers, you will have your luggage with you.

Inquire Now

Departure Dates

Choose your own departure date on any Mon, Wed, Sat, or Sun from March to October.

Minimum 3 guests required.

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