Trekking the Transylvanian Alps
Trekking the Transylvanian Alps
Trekking the Transylvanian Alps
8 Days Starting in Bucharest Airport and ending in Bucharest
Visiting: Bucharest, Sinaia, Bucegi Mountains, Piatra Craiului Mountains, Zărnești, Moieciu de Sus
From:
$1410
$1140 (USD)
Operator discount: -$270
-19%
Tour Overview
Experience warm rural hospitality and discover the unspoilt beautiful countryside of Romania on this satisfying trekking holiday in the Transylvanian Alps. Overnight in mountain huts and a local guesthouse in Moieciu and enjoy walks through pine forests and flowered meadows.
Piatra Craiului Mountains - One of the most spectacular ridge walks in Europe
Bucharest - Explore Romania's capital on foot
Southern Carpathians - Walk in the Bucegi mountains to Omu peak (2,505m)
Highlights
Transylvania - Get into the heart of the Southern Carpathians, walk in beautiful countrysideBran and Peles castles - Ornately decorated (optional trips)
A warm welcome - Experience fantastic hospitality and traditional food from our guest house in Moieciu
Bucharest - Explore the city with a local guide, including the Village Museum
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip At Bucharest Airport; Drive To Sinaia
Location: Bucharest, Sinaia
Accommodation: Hotel
Our trip begins at Bucharest Airport at 8.45pm, the latest your flight can arrive is 8.15pm. You will need to arrive by this time to join the complimentary airport transfer today. We will travel together as a group to our hotel in Sinaia which will take approximately two hours.
This is a beautiful mountainous region, at the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains in the Prahova Valley. Sinaia is one of the oldest and most famous mountain resorts, often referred to as 'The Pearl of the Carpathians'.
Day 2: Visit Peles Castle, Cable Car To Bucegi Plateau. Hike Through The Bucegi Mountains To The Omu Mountian Hut
Location: Bucegi Mountains
Accommodation: Hut
After breakfast we visit in the Peles Castle (optional) which is considered by many as one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914. Then we take a short cable car ride to the Bucegi Plateau. From here we start our walk through the Bucegi mountains which make up part of the southern Carpathians and walk for approximately 4 hours gaining about 500 meters in elevation to the highest peak, Omu Peak 2505m. Wind and rain have turned some rocks in to spectacular figures such as the Sphinx.
We will finish the walk at the Omu Mountain Hut where we spend the night. The dorm rooms in the hut are communal with a stove in the centre, we are allocated two beds per person to allow for extra space. The simple toilets are located just outside of the main building, there is no running water and no washing facilities, although its possible to buy drinks. Although very basic the location at 2,505 metres on top of Bucegi Mountains in the Carpathian Range makes it worth it for one night. Our main luggage is transferred by road and will not be with us so we have to carry what we need for the night
Today's moderate 13 kilometre trek is expected to take around four hours with 775 metres of ascent and 320 metres of descent. If we arrive early enough at Omu Hut there is the option to extend this walk with an additional one and a half hours trek to summit Bucsoiu a nearby peak.
Day 3: Walk From Omu Hut Descending Through The Bran Valley To Moeicu
Location: Piatra Craiului Mountains
Accommodation: Guesthouse
We start our descent, including 50m on a scree path, to the Bran Valley with some stunning views of the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Today we walk from the peak of the Bucegi range to Moeciu and on our way will see natural monuments, various alpine flora and fauna, which could include the edelweiss, mountain wild rose, capercaillie and chamois. This area is also home to the European brown bear but a sighting would be rare. The wild beauty of this area is truly special. Today we walk with some steep sections and rough terrain, good walking boots are essential. The last part of the trail leads us to the guest house through their orchard. Here after a long day we will be welcomed with hot delicious food, locally brewed alcohol and a well deserved hot shower.
Today's challenging 20 kilometre trek is expected to take around six hours with 350 metres of ascent and 2000 metres of descent.
Day 4: Visit Bran Castle (Optional); Walk Towards The Piatra Craiului Mountains
Location: Piatra Craiului Mountains
Accommodation: Hut
Today we start our day with an optional trip to the castle at Bran. The truth behind 'Dracula's Castle' is even more fascinating than its myths! Earlier this century it was the home of the remarkable British born Queen Marie of Romania, grand daughter of Queen Victoria. Vlad the Impaler, the heroic 15th century ruler of Wallachia never lived here and there is no connection with the excellent novel by Bram Stoker - who never came near Transylvania. Perched on a crag in a valley between two high mountain ranges, it controlled an international trade route, but is now a rural back-water. From here we start our walk to the Piatra Craiului mountains. Piatra Craiului (The Royal Rock) is probably Romania's most loved mountain especially by hikers and nature lovers. The shining glow of this huge white limestone ridge can be seen from afar and it is probably the source of its unusual name. The mountain ridge has the biggest bio-diversity of the country. Not surprisingly, it is a national park. The wildlife is very diverse and there are still black chamois on the high cliffs and brown bear, wild boar, deer and stag, foxes, wolf and even lynx in the forests. The Piatra Craiului Mountains are further known for the abundance and diversity of flowers and plants. We walk today for between five and seven hours and end at a mountain hut where we spend the next two nights.
The wooden Curmatura hut is located at 1,470 metres in Piatra Craiului national park. There is more space in this hut, with dorms rooms solely for the group and a large outdoor terrace. Washing facilities are limited as there is no running water, but a fresh water spring nearby, the toilet is located outside of the main building.
Today's challenging 18 kilometre trek is expected to take around five hours with 1,340 metres of ascent and 660 metres of descent.
Day 5: Piatra Craiului Ridge Walk
Location: Piatra Craiului Mountains
Accommodation: Hut
Today we take a circular walk from our mountain hut to the Piatra Craiului's beautiful limestone ridge, which is about 25km long, from where we have superb views over the surrounding country. The walk today is challenging in parts with the odd section where you may need to scramble over rocks or through dense forest. Once we are up on the ridge the views of the southern Carpathians are spectacular. After around six hours of walking we will return to our mountain hut for a well deserved hot meal and refreshments. Note: During the walk on the ridge there is a section approximately two metres in width which will require holding on to a chain to cross. Vertigo sufferers may wish to opt out of this walk. There will also be a descent of 300m on a scree path. Besides this, today's walk will not operate if it is raining or if there is a threat of rain. If this is the case an alternative walk in the area will be arranged.
Today's moderate seven-and-a-half kilometre trek is expected to take around four hours with 800 metres of ascent and descent.
Day 6: Walk From Curmatura Hut Through The Zarnesti Gorge To Moeciu
Location: Zărnești, Moieciu de Sus
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Today we leave the mountain hut behind and walk to our guesthouse in Moeciu. Today's walk takes us through more beautiful countryside including the Zarnesti Gorge which has been used as a filming location for a number of movies including Cold Mountain.
Today's moderate 18 kilometre trek is expected to take around five hours with 470 metres of ascent and 1,100 metres of descent.
Day 7: Drive To Bucharest To Explore The Capital
Location: Bucharest
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we drive to Romania's capital, a remarkable blend of turn of the century elegance and communist excess. Situated on the Danube plain and set amid a series of lakes and spacious gardens, remnants of more gracious days still exist to charm the visitor. We visit many of the older parts of the city to see some of the buildings that have earned it the reputation as the Paris of Eastern Europe. After the city tour we have free time for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing.
Day 8: Trip Ends In Bucharest
Location: Bucharest
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Bucharest.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Bucharest at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Bucharest Henri Coand? International Airport (OTP) which is around 20 minutes' drive from the hotel.
Check out our Q&As
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Saturday - Saturday
Jun 01, 2024 - Jun 08, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 06, 2024 - Jul 13, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 10, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 07, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.