Dances with wolves in Transylvania
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| Zarnesti, Romania | |
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| Key Facts | |
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During this adventure in Transylvania, we hike and spot wolves and bears in the wild. Transylvania, with its name coming from the Latin - ultra silvam (beyond the forest) - is one of the most interesting and surprising regions of Romania. The Transylvanian plateau is surrounded by the Carpathians Mountains.
The main accent of this trip is to track and view large mammals (wolves and bears) while hiking. The Carpathians Mountains host 60% of the European bear population and 40% of the wolf population. Seeing them is not an easy task, but we know the region by heart and so we have every possible chance of success.
Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer from the airport to Zarnesti. Dinner at the guesthouse and a short presentation of the week’s itinerary.
Day 2 - Wildlife tracking in Barsa Valley area
We are taken by a traditional horse and cart to the Pleasa Valley. Our trail follows the ridge towards Ciuma Mountain passing by one of the few shepherd camps out here. We stop in a Gaozea meadow for lunch and also for wildlife observation. A slightly different trail will take us back to the horse and cart in the valley. In the evening, we visit at the bear hide (a camouflaged shelter used to get a close view of wildlife ). Dinner around 10 pm.
The Barsa Valley is one of the greatest expanses of wilderness in Romania. Home to an abundance of wildlife, it has represented the core area of research for the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project. The itinerary we follow passes through the territory of a resident wolf pack of six individuals wolves and a female bear with cubs. This is an ideal place for tracking and reading signs of wild animals. Gaozea meadow is a good observation point - from wolves and bears to red deer, wild boar, pine marten, etc. Some of the birds nesting here are: the black stork (Ciconia nigra) and the Ural owl (Strix uralensis). Walking time: 4h
Day 3 - Pietricica Mountain and Magura Village
We follow a trail just outside of Zarnesti up to Magura Saddle (top of Pietricica mountain). The Saddle is a picturesque meadow providing a panoramic view of the surrounding area. From the Saddle we descend to Magura village, passing traditional farms and households along the way. We follow a trail back to Zarnesti, through the Great River Valley. Walking time: 6h
Pietricica Mountain is an important passage for large mammals, coming from the Piatra Craiului area to the Bucegi area. The hike up the mountain provides good opportunities to see signs of wildlife. The traditionally-farmed meadows will be filled with a great variety of wild flowers and butterflies. In Magura village we can experience traditional activities first hand, like farming, hay cutting, shepherding, etc.
Day 4 - Piatra Craiului National Park
We take a traditional horse and cart into the National Park up to Botorog Spring. The trail takes us through the spectacular Zarnesti Gorges and up to one of the alpine meadows. There we visit a traditional sheep pen and assist the shepherds in their daily routines. We follow a different trail back, through Zanoaga meadow, back to the valley where the horse and cart will take us back to the guesthouse. Walking time: 6h
Zarnesti Gorges offer spectacular views and good opportunities to see some rare animals and flowers like the wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), alpine swift (Apus melba), crag martin (Ptionoprogne rupestris), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), edelweiss (Leontipodum alpinum), Hungarian and Common Glider butterflies (somewhat endemic to Eastern Europe), etc.
Day 5 - Trekking to Vulcan village
We go by car out of Zarnesti up to Brebina valley. We follow the valley east, passing by the gypsy village Saticel and Libearty bear reservation (one of the largest in Europe). The trail continues east towards the Saxon village of Vulcan, where we visit the old fortified church. We return back to Zarnesti by car. Walking time: 6h
This route offers good variety in terms of landscape and habitat (the forest here is mainly pine and oak). The area offers good possibilities for signs of bears, deer, wild boar and a variety of birds and butterflies. Vulcan village is a very old Saxon settlement (dating back to the 13th century) and would provide good insight into Transylvanian history and culture.
Day 6 - Wild animals tracking in Bucegi National Park.
We go by car to Simon village (part of Bran village). The trail takes us through the Simon Valley up to Gutanu Meadow, right at the base of Bucegi Mountain's towering slopes. We continue along the ridge of Plaiul lui Lom and back to Simon Valley. Drive back to Zarnesti. Walking time: 6-7h
Bucegi National Park is another great area for wildlife, offering a different type of habitat and landscape from Piatra Craiului. Gutanu Meadow is a good place for bears; in June and early July males roam the surroundings in search of mating partners. As for birds, we can expect to spot some rare owls and woodpeckers, amongst the usual residents.
Day 7 - Cultural trip
Drive to Brasov to visit the Black Church and part of the old city. After Brasov we visit Prejmer and its fortified church. This is one of the biggest and best-preserved fortified churches of Transylvania. Dinner at the guesthouse.
Day 8
Transfer from Zarnesti to the airport for the flight back.
Recommend this trip to a friend
The price includes
• Meeting/assisting at Bucharest airport
• 7 nights in guesthouse in double room
• Full board (breakfast, packed lunch, 3-course traditional Romanian dinner)
• Professional mountain guide
• Private transfers to and from Bucharest
• Transportation from the guesthouse
• Two trips by traditional horse and cart
• Bear hide fee
• Museum fees for the cultural day
The price does not include
• Airfare (for recommendations, click here)
• Travel insurance
• Anything not specified in ´The prices includes:´