trek transylvania, romania
Since ancient times the territory of today’s
Romania has been a borderland of European
civilization. This fact has had strong influences
on Romanian culture and its people, who are
now an exotic mixture of Oriental, Slavic and
Occidental elements.
Your trek takes place in Romania’s famed
Transylvanian Alps in a small region of the
country, rich in tradition and myths. You will
make contact with locals; sleep in small
mountain villages, taste traditional food, and at
the same time trek in three of the highest
mountain ranges of Romania.
You will visit the 14th century Romanian icon,
Dracula’s Castle this beautiful castle was
fabulously renovated in the 19th century by the
royal family of Romania.
The Bucegi Mountains are rich in heathen
mythological symbols, Piatra Craiului ‘The
King’s Rock’ National Park is home to the
Carpathian Large Carnivore Project (protecting
wolves, lynx and bears) and the Făgăraş
Mountains, also known as the Transylvanian
Alps are the highest mountains in the country.
Nearly every day you will trek to over 2,400m,
on steep mountain paths, needing all your
mental and physical strength.
It is a
challenging yet very rewarding expedition and
at the same time, a trip back in time, to an area
where tradition still guides people’s lives and
nature is wild.
Day 1: Tuesday – UK to Romania. Transfer to
Busteni
Meet at the airport for your flight to Bucharest, Romania.
Our Charity Challenge representative will be there to
assist you with the check-in and any last minute
questions. You will arrive in Romania and be met at
Bucharest Airport by a Charity Challenge local agent.
You will then transfer (approx 130kms / 2hrs) by minibus
via Prahova Valley, to Busteni. Busteni is situated at the
foot of one of Romania’s highest mountain range;
Bucegi Mountains. With the highest point, Omu Peak at
2,507m, Busteni lies in the shadows of the range’s
highest peaks and is edged by its steep slopes. Dinner
and overnight will be spent in a 3 star local pension.
Day 2: Wednesday – Babele Peak to Moeciu de
Jos (7- 8hrs trekking)
In the morning you will take a cable car up to 2,206m
and reach Babele Peak, otherwise known as The Old
Ladies Peak. In front of you is a strange stone
sculptures shaped like a human head with a mysterious
smile - the Sphinx. Near to that is a cluster of gigantic
stone mushrooms – are they creations of wind and rain
or ancient Dacian temples? There are lots of theories,
but no one can tell for sure! You will continue trekking
307m higher towards the highest peak of the mountain,
Omu (The Human Being) at 2,507m. The views from
the top are spectacular. From here you will descend
approx 1,600m having your picnic lunch on the way. In
the evening you arrive in Moeciu de Jos village situated
at 800m, where you have dinner and are accommodated
in a locally owned pension.
Day 3: Thursday – Piatra Craiului National Park
(8-10 hours trekking)
This morning you will transfer (approx 45mins) by
vehicle to Plaiu Foii chalet, situated at the foot of Piatra
Craiului ‘King’s Rock’ National Park. The King’s Rock is
one of the most beautiful mountains in Romania; a very
thin, rocky, high limestone ridge. At 22kms long the
mountain, is considered a geographical accident of the
Southern Carpathians. Piatra Craiului National Park is
also home of The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project,
as, although the Romanian Carpathians cover less than
1.5% of the European surface west of Russia, they are
home to almost one third of all European large
carnivores. Authorities estimate that the number of
bears in the Romanian Carpathians is over 5,000, and
that there are also about 3,000 wolves, and some 2,000
lynx! Today’s trekking is difficult, in fact it is considered
the most difficult tourist path in Romania, and includes
some areas where ropes have been added to help
tourists whilst scrambling. No climbing kit is needed nor
technical training however good physical condition and
faith in your own strength are essential. The highest
peak of the day is La Om at 2,238m, where you will rest
with a well deserved picnic and can admire the
spectacular view. From here you will continue to trek for
approx. 2-3hrs, up to Sharp Peak at 2,150m. In the
evening you will reach the small village of Măgura,
situated on a plateau between Bucegi and Piatra
Craiului Mountains, with a wonderful view over them
both. Dinner and accommodation will be in a 3 star
pension in Magura village.
Vanatoarea lui Buteanu Peak (2,507m) and Lezerul
Caprei Peak (2,417m). This is a perfect opportunity to
have a 360 degree view over all of Făgăraş Mountains
and to stretch out after the days’ travels. Overnight at a
chalet on the border of the Bâlea Glacier Lake.
Day 5: Saturday – Transylvanian Alps (8 – 9
hours trekking)
Today you have a long day of trekking to ensure you
have plenty of time to enjoy the ‘Transylvanian Alps’ but
the route is not easy. There are some difficult areas
where ropes and cables have been added as help and
some scrambling is also needed but your efforts will be
fully rewarded when you reach the second highest peak
of the country, Negoiu at 2,535m. From here you start
descending towards Negoiu chalet (1,546m) situated in
a beautiful meadow on the north side of the Făgăraş
Mountains. A little further on you will reach a forest path
where your vehicle will be waiting. You will transfer to
the small village of Sibiel, where you will enjoy a
traditional celebration dinner prepared by the locals.
Accommodation will be in a locally owned pension - the
food is good and the people great!
Day 6: Sunday – Fly UK
This morning you will transfer to Bucharest to catch your
flight to the UK.
Day 4: Friday Dracula’s Castle and project visit
(approx 4hours trekking)
Today you will transfer first thing (approx 40mins) to
Bran village, where you will visit the infamous Bran
Castle. Also known as Dracula’s Castle this beautiful
th
th
14 century castle was, renovated in the 19 century by
the royal family of Romania. Leaving Bran you will
transfer (approx 50mins) to a small town named Codlea
where you visit the project Charity Challenge makes its
donation to for this expedition - an orphanage housing
about 75 children. Here you can interact and spend time
with the children leaving any suitable gifts as agreed
with your expedition leader. In the afternoon you will
transfer (approx 1¾ hrs) to Făgăraş Mountains, the
highest mountains in Romania at 2,544m altitude, on a
scenic road. Before dark you will still have about 4hrs
time for trekking and will take on a circuit including three
peaks above 2,400m – Capra Neagra Peak (2,494m),
N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to
unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the
group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set
itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last
minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your
expedition leader will have the final say.