Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
8 Days Starting and ending in Magura
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:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Transylvania - the name alone conjures up 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 the infamous Dracula.
From our comfortable 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 but, either way, we get into the wilderness. Along the way we meet locals who still live a traditional lifestyle, learn about the region’s rich folklore and history, enjoy the mountain scenery and, with a bit of luck, see traces of the local wildlife including wolf or bear paw prints in the snow.
Highlights
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Bucharest we will be picked up and transferred to our
comfortable guesthouse in Transylvania, approximately 3.5hrs drive from
Bucharest. The guesthouse is located in the village of Magura at about
1040m, within the boundaries of the Piatra Craiului National Park. Dinner on
arrival will consist of a cheese and continental meat platter with bread.
Our hosts at our guesthouse, the Villa Hermani, are very hospitable and enjoy
stopping to chat over a glass of local plum brandy.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 2
Heading out on foot again, 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 with you for the cave visit.
We then continue on our way 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.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 3
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 right at our guesthouse we hike up to Dealul Magurice (1300m) where
we may spot wolf, lynx and bear prints in the snow in the forest. Later, as
we make our way back to Magura, we stop by a local farm to share a hot
‘tuica’ (home-made plum brandy) with the farmer.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 4
This morning we walk up to a high plateau between Piatra Craiului and Bucegi
mountain. In winter time this plateau is completely 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 you will return to the guesthouse.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 5
Driving down into the valley we make our way to Europe’s largest rescue
facility for brown bears: Libearty. Founded in 2005, the rescue centre is
home to nearly 100 bears, most of whom suffered over many years in captivity
as dancing bears or in circuses. The walk around the bear sanctuary will last
approximately one hour.
We drive on 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 by warm coffee and traditional cake in
the yard of the fortified church.
From Vulcan we drive to Brasov and do a tour around town. We get some free
time to explore the town. We will then take our evening meal in a traditional
Romanian restaurant and later we return to Magura by minibus.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 6
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 the infamous vampire, 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, Bram Stoker saw an image of
the castle and thought it the perfect setting for his dark tale.
After visiting the castle we stop by Dracula’s market where we can pick up
some vampire-inspired souvenirs. Later we will be picked up by the minibus
and return to Magura.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 7
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 200m, then hike up 700m to
Cabana Curmatura, walk down again 700m and hike up to Magura 200m.
*Villa Hermani*
Day 8
Clients booked on the group flight or group flight transfers will be
transferred (3.5 hours) back to Bucharest Airport in time for the group
flight departure.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
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Transfers for group flights
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Snowshoes and poles provided
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All accommodation
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Travel insurance
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Visas & vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 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 approx. €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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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 the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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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 flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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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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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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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.