Gruppe: Europische Studien GesellschaftCultural hiking tour in Transylvania

(Southern Carpathians)

Day 1 : Bucharest - Magura

Arrival in Bucharest from London - estimated time 17:45 (RO392). Meeting with the English speaking guide. Transfer to Magura, a mountain village near the Piatra Craiului national park.

Dinner and welcome cocktail brief introduction: Transylvanian history and culture. Overnight at families guest houses in Magura.

Day 2 : Bran-Busteni-Sinaia

After the visiting the Bran castle we drive to Busteni. On the Bucegi plateau we hike (2-3 hours) to the geological formation Babele and Sfinx. If the time allows it we visit the Peles castle in Sinaia - the summer residence of the former royal family and the orthodox monastery nearby. Return to Magura. In the evening we talk about the ecological activities and projects in the National Park Piatra Craiului. Overnight at families guest houses in Magura.

Day 3: Piatra Craiului

Full day hike journey (7-8 hours) in the national park. The morning starts with the spectacular gorge Prapastile Zarnestilor where one can see a variety of birds species, such as the wall creeper. From the gorge we hike to the Curmatura chalet, which lies at 1470 m just under the Piatra Craiului forest. On the way we will visit a traditional sheep farm and we learn of traditional sheep breeding, the cheese manufacturing and how shepherds act against the natural enemies such as wolf and bear. Overnight at families guest houses in Magura.

Optional: Bear-watching in the night (ca. EUR 35/pax).

Day 4: Brasov-Sighisoara

After visiting Brasov and its well-known Black Church we drive to Sighisoara. The medieval town, under UNESCO protection of historic building and monuments, is very well preserved. The town is known as the Transylvanias Rothenburg ob der Tauber. During a round tour we visit the clock tower, where a museum is located. Through the so called Schoolboys stairs with his 175 steps, we get to the Haltrich- Secondary School. On the Breite plateau we hike with a botanist (www.ecobreite.org) - about 3 hours. Drive on to Biertan. Dinner and overnight in the church castle in Biertan.

Day 5 : Biertan

Our todays hike lasts about 8 hours and is towards Medias. Trough Tobsdorf and Helzeldorf we arrive in Bussd, where we take a lunch break. Afterwards we continue our trekking trough Transylvanians uplands. Here we visit some typical church castles and we get by public transport back to Biertan. In the evening we attend a slide presentation about the castle churches in Transylvania. Dinner and overnight in the church castle in Biertan.

Day 6: Sighisoara Medias - Sibiu

Drive through Slimnic to Sibiu/Hermannstadt. Sightseeing: in our city tour we focus our attention on the towns landmarks: the old city-hall, the lie bridge, the Pemfliger stairs as well as the protestant town church. Lunch.

In the afternoon we get to the village museum through the alder tree park Walk for about 4 hours. Dinner in a local speciality restaurant. With the so called cheese tramway we get to Rasinari, a Sheppard village 9 km away. Overnight in families guest houses in Rasinari.

Day 7: Rasinari Sibiel

We will travel by regional transportation to Sibiel where we cant miss the chance to see the unique glass icon museum. After our visit we hike in the Cindrel Mountains to the Fantanele Peak. On the way we will take a picnic break after succeeding 500 m altitude difference. The way back to Sibiel Valley will be adventurously taken in a horse carriage. For dinner you will have the pleasure of tasting Romanian cuisine and our traditional home made Tuica beverage at a local family. Return to Rasinari. Overnight in families guest houses in Rasinari.

Day 8: Rasinari Cisnadioara

After visiting the village which inherited his name from the resin gatherer who once lived there (the Orthodox Church and the residence of the bishop) we start our day tour to Cisnadioara (5-6 Hours, approx. 700m altitude difference). We take a short break in Prislop, a small gipsy village. From here we hike to the Magura peak at the altitude of 1.103 m. Picnic. Trough the Silver Valley we will reach the Limestone Quarry where we admire fossils from the cretaceous Period. After visiting the roman Basilica we are invited for dinner at a german family / - Transylvanian Saxon cuisine. Return to Rasinari. Overnight in families guest houses in Rasinari.

Day 9: Carta Balea Curtea de Arges

Drive to Avrig (Brukenthal garden) and Carta the ruins of the Cistercian abbey. Drive to Balea glacial lake at the attitude of 2.030 m in Fagaras Mountains. After lunch we hike to the Capra lake (about 4 hours ). We go on along the Vidraru lake to Curtea de Arges. Sight seeing at the Poenari castle. Dinner and overnight in Curtea de Arges.

Day 10: Departure

Transfer to Bucharest. Flight at 10:00. Farewell from the guide and home flight.

Overnights:

3 x Magura Pension ***

2 x Biertan Pension **

3 x Rasinari - Pension **

1 x Curtea de Arges Hotel **

Activities:

Easy hiking with cultural sightseeing

8 days hike program (partly with sightseeing)

Included services:

Accommodation incl. breakfast (9 nights)

9 x FB (Lunch: Picnic, typical chalet lunch, restaurants, Dinner: Restaurants, Pension, camps).

English speaking guide from/to Bucharest

All Entrances according to the program

Transportation (minibus, local transportation, train)

Maps, tour details

Prices:

12 to 14 pax = 429,- EUR

15 to 18 pax = 417,- EUR

SGL SPL = 106,- EUR