Biertan fortified church seen in private Transylvania Dracula tours

Carpathians trekking for fit hikers – Conquer Transylvania’s Alps

(tour code Ro6.2RoHi)

Highlights:

Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377
2 night sleep at highest Mountain Hut in Romania – located at an altitude of 2505 meters
Fagaras Mountains – part of the Southern Carpathians, the wildest, imposing, most spectacular mountains in Romania, home of the highest peak in Romania and incredible blue glacial lakes.
Highest Romanian Peak – Moldoveanu Peak, altitude 2544 meters
Omu Peak– the highest peak of Bucegi Mountains, altitude 2505 meters
Babele and Omu – famous mountain megaliths shaped by wind and rain in human forms.
The Cross on Caraiman Mountains – an initiative of Queen Mary of Romania
Sinaia – the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania home of the royal Peles Castle
The Medieval Saxon city of Brasov, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe

Level and Fitness
Strenuous walking, from 5 to 9 hours of march per day, the walking is mainly on mountain paths.


Day by day itinerary:

DAY 1 Saturday, Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov – Fagaras – Balea Lake
Welcome to Romania! You will be collected by our English speaking guide from Bucharest Airport. Tranfer to Balea Lake, located at an altitude of 2034 meters. On the way stop in Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania to visit Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. Next stop is the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. The most famous landmark of Brasov is the Black Church, the largest gothic edifice built in Southern Europe. You’ll reach Balea Lake in the evening. Accommodate in a 3* hotel located on the lakeside.

DAY 2 Sunday, Balea Lac Hut – Capra Lake – Dragon Window – Podragu Hut
After breakfast explore the beautiful area of Balea Lake and prepare to start the hiking programme. You’ll make the acquaintance of Fagaras Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians, the wildest, imposing, most spectacular mountains in Romania, home to the highest peaks in Romania and beautiful glacial lakes. From Balea Lake hike up to Capra Lake, a stunning blue glacial lake with a depth of 11 meters located at an altitude of 2241 meters. From the north side of Fagaras Mountains walk to the south side, hiking near by the most difficult winter mountaineering route in Romania, the Albota – Arpasel ridge and “Dragon Window”. In the evening you’ll reach Podaragu Peak, accommodate in a mountain hut near by.

DAY 3 Monday , Podragu Hut – Moldoveanu Peak – Fereastra Mare a Sambetei – Valea Sambetei (1401 m)
Today you’ll conquer the highest peak in Romania – Moldoveanu (2544 m) offering an incredible view of Fagaras Mountains. From Podragu hut hike up to Giurgiului Bridge up to the imposing Moldoveanu Peak.You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the hiking route. Continue walking on the main ridge up to Fereastra Mare a Sambetei and then descend on Sambetei valley for accommodation in a mountain hut.

DAY 4 Tuesday, Valea Sambetei – Bran
In the morning descend to Sambata Resort from where you’ll continue the road by car to Bran village, located on the Rucar – Bran corridor, renowned for the home made traditional cheese assortments produced here ( the ones smoked in pine tree bark are particularly delicious). The main point of attraction is Bran Castle, the legendary Transylvanian fortress, unrightfully called Dracula’s castle. The edifice owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Documentary evidence of the castle dates back as far as 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered her heart. Accommodate in a 3* country-inn.

DAY 5 Wednesday, Bran – Poarta Valley – Gaurei Gorges – Omu Peak – Omu Hut
To give you an idea on the incredible landscape you’ll enjoy today it’s enough to say that Bucegi Mountains are home to the most sophisticated Romanian mountain resorts. Conquer today the highest peak of Bucegi Mountains – Omu Peak. It ranks number 9 in the top of the highest Romanians peaks with an altitude of 2505 meters. From Bran walk up to “Poarta Valley”, crossing the imposing “Gaurei” Gorges also called “Delvil’s Mill” and reach “Hornurilor” Shed from where the view is breath taking. Accommodation in a mountain hut located at the highest altitude in Romania.


DAY 6 Thursday, Omu Hut – The Cave – Piatra Arsa – The Cross on Caraiman Mountains – Omu Hut

The highlight of this day is “The Cross on Caraiman Mountains”, an initiative of Queen Mary of Romania who wished to commemorate in this way the heroes of the First World War. The construction began in 1926 and ended in 1929. The hiking route is spectacular as well, in the morning descend from Omu Hut to the beautiful area of the “Cave”, continue with Piatra Arsa (Burned Rock) then hike up to the Cross on Caraiman. Return to accommodation on a different hiking route.
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DAY 7
Friday, Omu Hut – Babele Hut – Busteni – Bucharest
Your last day in the Carpathians. In the morning walk on the edge of the steep eastern wall of Bucegi Mountains full of mountaineering routes, arrive to “Babele” hut, and descend using the cable car on the spectacular Jepilor Valley in Busteni. From Busteni take the train to Bucharest, Gara de Nord (The North Railway Station).



Price and departure

Departure datePrice per person
Availability
7 day tour. Bucharest (Henri Coanda Airport) departure (10:00 GMT +02:00)
Every Friday

€ 819
single supplement € 69
Minimum group size 4 passengers


Price includes :
The services of an experienced English speaking guide with intricate knowledge in Romania’s hiking routes.
Accommodation: 1 night in a 3* hotel, 2 nights in a 3* pensions, 3 nights in mountain huts (hostel style dormitories) with a fine position which helps shorten the routes between accommodations. Some of them have no bathrooms and have outdoor toilets.
Transportation:
– pick up from Bucharest, Henri Coanda Airport and transfer to Balea Lake
– transfer from Valea Sambetei to Bran village,
– train ride from Busteni to Bucharest  
– cable car ride in Busteni
Meals:  breakfasts (6)
Entry fees to: Bran Castle

Not included: airfare, lunches and dinners, photo & video taxes for the tourist attractions, and all items not specified in the inclusion section.


Special notes & info:
The itinerary
is flexible and could be changed due to bad weather conditions, fitness and other local conditions.
What do you have to bring: Hiking boots, raincoat, sleeping bag
Weather:Romania has a temperate –continental climate with 4 distinct seasons. The summers are quite hot; 40°C are often reached in July and August, while violent thunderstorms and sudden bursts of torrential rain are also common. In the mountains temperatures are cooler (night time temperatures could go down as far as 5° C)
Note: The price may be subject to changes based on currency fluctuation, availability issues or changes in local costs at the time of booking. Group discounts could be applied depending on the size of the group.
Attention:
on the hiking routes you’ll have to carry personally your equipment, so please limit your self to one rucksack

Payments

We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form, by fax and by phone. We also accept payments by bank transfer and Western Union.
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Testimonial
I thought the service from your office at Transylvania Live was excellent. I could ask for nothing more. You replied to messages, sent information, organised guides, transport etc etc. Raul asked for feedback on Sunday and I said to him: he obviously knows the mountains very well indeed and had planned the trip very carefully, he was extremely helpful, always organising things at huts, or on the telephone. When things were tough and my knee was hurting quite badly by then, Raul offered to take heavy things from my pack and carry them himself. This was excellent. I was very satisfied, and very pleased that we booked the trek with you. Thanks and regards
David Wightman – Amsterdam, Nederland Guide
Raul
Good understanding of human nature, Raul is a calm, responsible and very sociable guide, qualities that do come in handy when guiding strenuous walking in Romania’s mountains.
Raul is also a leader of a mountain club.

Media Mentions

We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live – expert in Transylvania has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
more details here

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Testimonials

We had a wonderful time and are very happy that we chose Transylvania Live. I also wanted to let you know that it was really nice to meet the people from Transylvania Live during our party in Turda.

I will be sure to recommend you to any friends who might ask about Romania. Thank you again for all of your help, and most of all your patience with all of my many questions!!! Multumesc!!!!


Damon B, New York, USA

Interested in reading some more opinions on Transylvania Live Holidays?  Click our Tripadvisor page here!

Halloween tours in Transylvania on the national news

Please activate Caption button to see the news with English subtitles.

Halloween Party at Bran Castle:

Advice for British citizens traveling to Romania

According to British government most visits to Romania are trouble-free.

There were no cases of terrorism attacks in Romania but as the country is part of European Union terrorist attacks in Romania can’t be ruled out.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Romania call 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact
the British embassy from Bucharest
24 Jules Michelet,  010463 Bucharest, Romania
General enquiries+40 (21) 201 7200
Consular enquiries+40 (21) 201 7351
British Embasy Bucharest website

Urgent assistance
If you’re in Romania and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +40 (21) 201 7200.
If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Romania, call 020 7008 1500.

Get an emergency travel document
You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.
You can apply online for an emergency travel document.
If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

Safety and security for Transylvania travel
Crime
Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. There is a risk of petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops and hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), in the main railway stations and inside airport terminals.
Organised attacks by groups can occur. The most common method by distracting victims while several people, often children, attempt to snatch watches and jewellery from pockets or from around the neck and wrist.
Valuables including passports have been stolen from hotel rooms. Use the hotel safe and carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID.
There have been reports of credit or debit cards being ‘copied’ when used for payment in some bars and restaurants.

Road travel
Licences and documents
If driving in Romania, make sure you have with you all documentation, including your full, valid driving licence, proof of insurance/green card (third party or above), proof of ID (passport) and proof of ownership (V5C Certificate).
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If there’s no deal, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor after the UK has left. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry.
If you’re living in Romania, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving regulations Transylvania travel
You’ll need to pay a road toll ‘Rovinieta’ to use the national roads. You can buy the vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. The minimum cost is 3 euros for 7 days. Failure to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine. You can find out more about prices by using the website Roviniete.ro.
Observe the speed limit at all times. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.
It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The drink drive limit is zero.
Carry the following equipment: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangles and a fluorescent jacket.
If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in Romania, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage so that you have no problems when leaving. If any damage occurs inside the country, a report must be obtained at the scene of the accident.

Road safety
In 2018 there were 1,867 road deaths in Romania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population, (witch is similar with USA) and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018.
Road conditions are variable and secondary roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for double parked cars, people suddenly braking to avoid a pothole, horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs, particularly in rural areas, running in front of the vehicle. Equip your car for extreme conditions in winter.

Local laws and customs –Transylvania travel
It is illegal to change money on the streets. You should change money only in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously. The age of consent is 18. If you are convicted, you can expect a prison sentence.

Homosexuality has been legal in Romania since 1996. The country has made significant progress in LGBT rights legislation since 2000 including wide–ranging anti-discriminatory laws, equalising the age of consent and laws against homophobic hate crimes.

Bucharest’s annual Pride, usually accompanied by a LGBT film and art festival, has grown in recent years and is gaining the support of more public figures. Since 2017, a Pride event has also been held in the city of Cluj. The country remains generally socially conservative resulting in the majority of LGBT people not being openly gay and there being very few gay bars or clubs in Bucharest or the other main cities. You can find local information on LGBT issues in Romania on the website of ACCEPT. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. Ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg official buildings, police cars).

Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your Transylvania travel; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

Visas
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Romania.

Parental consent when travelling with minors
Some British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship (irrespective of whether they hold citizenship of other countries) are prevented from leaving the country without notarised parental consent from the minor’s non-travelling parent/s. While enforcement of this may vary at borders, British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship should obtain notarised parental consent before departure from Romania.
A list of the public notaries can be found on the website of the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania.

Healthcare
You should still get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.
The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Romanian nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
The UK government has or is seeking agreements with countries on healthcare arrangements for UK nationals after the UK leaves the EU. The NHS website and this travel advice will be updated with further information on travelling to Romania as the circumstances change.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Money
Romania is increasingly a card economy. While a growing number of businesses do accept credit cards, it may be safer to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your card provider whether you will be able to use these machines.
US dollars and sterling are not always easy to exchange for local currency, especially outside Bucharest. You may have difficulties using travellers’ cheques. Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes may not be accepted in banks and bureaux de change.

Before you travel abroain Transylvania travel
• tell family and friends where you’re going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and itinerary. Store them securely online
• ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)
• find out if travellers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers
• invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and consider using online travel forums for more detail about your destination
• check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad. Consider leaving your phone’s IMEI number with a friend or family member, to help block or locate the phone if there’s a problem
• if you’re going to be driving abroad, make sure your licence is current and valid and be aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting
• if you’re travelling with children who are unaccompanied by one or both parents, check our guidance on permissions that you might need to get and check the policy of your airline or transport provider

When you’re abroad in Transylvania travel
• think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts. Don’t take risks that you wouldn’t in the UK
• don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
• find out how to minimise your risk from terrorism and what to do if there’s a terrorist attack
• find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
• be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. These activities may be misunderstood by local authorities, especially near military installations.
• store useful numbers on your phone such as the local police and the nearest British embassy or consulate
• whether you’re living abroad or visiting, be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as you would in the UK; the ‘Be Alarmed’ campaign gives practical advice on how to stay safe and lists the symptoms to look out for
• if you intend to take part in any adventure sports or water sports during your trip, only use properly licensed and insured operators. Before taking part, make sure you fully understand the operating instructions and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place
• check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK

Learn more on Foreign travel Advice