Romania's Carpathians: Walking, Bears and Saxon Villages

Arrive in Bucharest and drive to Zarnesti

Henri Coanda Airport (OTP) to Brasov and on to Zarnesti

• Repas du soir
• Nuit : Zarnesti

Après-midi

Brasov is the natural stop, so we plan a late lunch there and a short walk in Council Square under the Tampa hill before the final stretch to Zarnesti, a small town at the foot of the Piatra Craiului massif. The whole day is a long transfer after a flight, with the exact time depending on traffic and the stops we choose, so we do not give a fixed duration here.

Soir

You settle into a village guesthouse; the owners often serve a home-cooked dinner. A short briefing explains the three days in the mountains and how easier options work.

Compris

• Airport pick-up at Henri Coanda Airport (OTP)
• Short walk in Brasov, Council Square
• Welcome dinner

A walk in Piatra Craiului National Park

Zarnesti Gorge and the lower trails of the Piatra Craiului massif

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du midi
• Nuit : Zarnesti

Après-midi

Easier option: a gorge-only walk and a village lunch (not included).

Soir

The evening is free.

Compris

• Guided mountain walk with a local mountain guide

Libearty Sanctuary and a bear hide at dusk

Zarnesti: the bear sanctuary, then an evening at a permitted hide (operator to be quoted)

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Zarnesti

Soir

After a free afternoon we plan a separate evening at a permitted bear-watching hide; the operator and the evening are to be quoted, sessions typically run for several hours in silence, and a sighting is never guaranteed. Wild bears are dangerous, so we follow the hide operator's instructions without exception. Transfers to and from the hide, and the end time, are set by the hide operator and confirmed in the quote. Dinner timing on the hide evening is also set with the operator.

Compris

• Libearty Sanctuary guided tour (fixed morning time, tickets to be confirmed)
• A permitted bear-watching hide visit, operator and evening to be quoted

Bran Castle and Magura

Zarnesti to Bran, then the village of Magura

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Bran and Magura

Après-midi

After lunch we continue to Magura, a village of scattered farms and hay meadows above Zarnesti where families run guesthouses, and walk a short loop on a footpath through the pastures.

Soir

We spend the night in or near Magura. The easy option skips the castle interior and takes the village walk only.

Compris

• Bran Castle visit (entry fee to confirm)
• Guided walk through Magura village meadows

To Viscri

Bran and Magura to Viscri through Rupea country

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Viscri

Après-midi

After lunch the guide walks us through the lanes and into the church, and a local family may show how the village's craft and farming traditions continue.

Soir

The cart roads here are rough, and Viscri has few cafes, so evening meals tend to be at the guesthouses. Bring cash in lei for small purchases. We stay two nights in Viscri, giving tomorrow for walking in the surrounding hills without the packing and unpacking of a daily move.

Compris

• Viscri guided tour: fortified church and village lanes

Activités en option

• Church tower climb if open

Saxon village walks and a horse-cart lane

Viscri and its hills, with a horse-cart ride

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du soir
• Nuit : Viscri

Après-midi

A guide leads a walk of about 4 to 6 hours across hay meadows and low forest from Viscri to neighbouring Saxon villages, with a village lunch on the way. In the afternoon we ride a horse-drawn cart on a village lane, a slow way to see the oak trees and the farm yards. The Saxon community that built these fortified churches is now small, and the guide describes village life today plainly, including who lives and farms here now. Easier option: a shorter loop and the cart.

Soir

Dinner is a home-cooked meal at the guesthouse, usually soup, a meat or vegetable main, and a local dessert.

Compris

• Guided Saxon village walk
• Horse-cart ride (operator to confirm)
• Dinner at the guesthouse

Sighisoara

Viscri to Sighisoara

• Petit-déjeuner
• Nuit : Sighisoara

Après-midi

Sighisoara is busy at midday in summer, so we plan the walk early or late in the day. Cobbles are steep and uneven, and the covered stairs are narrow.

Soir

We stay one night in or near the old town, with the evening free for a meal on the square. The Sibiu departure the next morning leaves time for a short stop on the way, and tonight is a good night to pack and charge your camera.

Compris

• Guided walk through Sighisoara citadel

Activités en option

• Clock Tower museum (fee to confirm)

Departure from Sibiu

Sighisoara to Sibiu and Sibiu Airport (SBZ)

• Petit-déjeuner

Matin

After breakfast the driver takes the group to Sibiu, with a short stop along the way if time allows, such as a Saxon fortified church. The transfer ends at Sibiu International Airport or in the city for those continuing by other means. Do not book your onward flight until we have agreed a transfer time with you, since Sibiu has fewer connections than Bucharest, and flights from there are not covered by this plan. If you prefer to fly from Bucharest, the road is long, takes most of a day with stops and is not included in the base plan.

Soir

An extra night in Sibiu is not included and would need a separate quote, as would any private airport transfer outside the group's schedule.

Compris

• Transfer to Sibiu and airport