Carpathian Walking & Bears

On arrival of the group flight at Bucharest Airport we are transferred by
minibus to our private guesthouse at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains
(approx. 3 hours). Food and refreshments will be served during the transfer.
Our guesthouse is situated in the quaint village of Magura at 1020m and
within the boundaries of the Piatra Craiului National Park.
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 2

After breakfast we spend the day walking around the area surrounding the
unique Kalibash villages of Magura and Pestera, where the houses are built
along the mountain ridges with deep ravines and valleys in between. We visit
these traditional houses and learn about the history of the settlements,
which were built against the mediaeval invasions of Mongols, Tartars and
Turks. Near Pestera we visit a bat cave, home to five separate species of
bats (though not found year-round). Make sure to bring a good torch with you!
 
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 3

Today we travel the traditional way as horse-drawn carts take us into Barza
Valley, a long valley stretching along the Barsa River. As we make our way
slowly through the valley we can enjoy the spectacular view to Piatra
Craiului Mountain and the dispersed settlement of Poiana Marului. We leave
the horse-drawn carts and hike through the hay meadows uphill to a hermitage
in the rocks where we have lunch and enjoy the tea made by monks from herbs
picked in the meadows.

This evening, those who want can take the opportunity to go Brown bear
watching. A forester will take us to a safe hide deep in the forest. The
hides are managed by the forestry commission and access is dependent on their
permission which is why it is organised and paid for locally. Not being able
to get access to the hides is extremely rare.
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 4

Setting off from Magura, we hike up to the alpine pastures. From here we can
see the 25km ridge of Piatra Craiului as we enjoy the calm of the area. The
silence is broken only by the bells of cows and sheep that are brought to
these high pastures in summer to graze. We return to Magura in the afternoon.
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 5

Today we explore Postavarul Mountain, a well-known ski area in Romania during
the winter and fantastic place for hiking in the summer. After breakfast, we
set off from Magura to Postavarul Mountain. On arrival, we take the cable car
up to Postavarul peak at 1,727 metres and continue to climb up to 1799m. At
the top, we are welcomed with fantastic panoramic views over the whole
region. Our walk continues down through Postarvarul Nature reserve towards
the old Romanian quarters of Brasov. The trail is varied and will lead us
over alpine meadows and through mixed forests (mainly beechwood and spruce)
until we reach Piata Unirii the main square in Brasov, home to the Orthodox
cathedral and the first Romanian school. From here it is about a 15-minute
walk to the medieval historic town centre.

After some free time to relax we meet the birder from the Romanian
Ornithological Society and Brasov University. He will show us around a UNESCO
Ramsar site at the Dumbravita lakes (near Brasov). In the evening we return
to Magura for dinner. 

Please note: /At times the cable car may be closed due to high winds and the
road may be closed. In this case, we will hike along an alternative high
alpine trail in the region. /

*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 6

Today we uncover Transylvanian culture at its best!

After breakfast we drive to Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle.
This impressive fortress was built on the border to Wallachia where Vlad
Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler), the Duke of Wallachia, once ruled.
Vlad, also known as Dracula, was a brutal tyrant and provided inspiration for
Bram Stoker’s famous vampire story. Vlad himself never went to Bran Castle,
but Bram Stoker saw an image of it and felt it was the perfect setting for
his gothic tale.

After Transylvania had become part of Romania in 1920, the castle was donated
to the Romanian royal family. It became the summer residence of Queen Maria,
a granddaughter to Queen Victoria.

From Bran Castle, it is less than an hour’s drive to the region's culture
and economic heart, Brasov. This mediaeval town has been a melting pot of
nations ever since its foundation in the 12th century. We have a guided tour
of the town before having some time to explore at leisure. 

In the evening we visit a traditional Romanian restaurant in Brasov for
dinner (at own expense).
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 7

We head down to the valley and visit Libearty, Europe's largest Brown bear
sanctuary. Set in 70 hectares of oak and hazel forests, the sanctuary is home
to more than 100 rescued bears, many of whom suffered over years in captivity
as dancing bears or in circuses.

From the Brown bear sanctuary, we go on a gentle hike across meadows to the
village of Vulcan. This region, around Brasov, is closely related to the
history of the Transylvanian Saxons, settlers who emigrated 800 years ago
from the Rhine-Moselle valleys. Their strong fortified churches have
attracted international attention and some of them are listed as UNESCO world
heritage sites. Vulcan derives its name from the Slavonic word 'valc',
meaning wolf. In Vulcan we will be welcomed with coffee and tea in the yard
of the fortified church. The churches in Transylvania were strongly fortified
during the Middle Ages when the region was raided a number of times by
Mongols and Tartars.
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*

Day 8

Transfer to Bucharest; fly to London.