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Wander through the mountains and forests of wintery Transylvania.
For land only clients the trip starts this afternoon in the village of Magura at about 1040m, within the boundaries of the Piatra Craiului National Park in Tranyslvania. However, we strongly recommend that land only clients meet the group transfer at Bucharest Airport when the group flight arrives due to the guesthouse being located 165km away. Upon the group flight arrival in Bucharest, clients booked onto the group flight or group flight transfers will be transferred to our comfortable guesthouse, approximately 3.5hrs drive away. Dinner on arrival will consist of a cheese and continental meat platter with bread. Our hosts at our guesthouse, the Villa Hermani, are very hospitable and enjoy stopping to chat over a glass of local plum brandy. *Villa Hermani*
Heading out on foot again, our first destination today is a local cave which is a hibernation roost for a number of bats including lesser and greater horseshoe bats. Remember to bring a torch with you for the cave visit. We then continue on our way to the nearby village of Pestera (which translates as ‘the cave’) witnessing the winter rural life of these mountain communities. After lunch at a local pub we return to Magura. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
Activity Hours: 5
Altitude Gain: 300
Altitude Loss: 300
Magura is one of a number of villages known as the Kalibash villages. The Kalibash once fled Walachia to this remote area which, at the time, was under Austro-Hungarian rule. Here houses stretch along hilltops like pearls on a string. Starting right at our guesthouse we hike up to Dealul Magurice (1300m) where we may spot wolf, lynx and bear prints in the snow in the forest. Later, as we make our way back to Magura, we stop by a local farm to share a hot ‘tuica’ (home-made plum brandy) with the farmer. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 5
Activity Hours: 4.5
Altitude Gain: 350
Altitude Loss: 350
This morning we walk up to a high plateau between Piatra Craiului and Bucegi mountain. In winter time this plateau is completely uninhabited, everything is still and a quiet serenity permeates the air giving a sense of truly being in a remote and special area. In the afternoon you will return to the guesthouse. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 6-7
Altitude Gain: 600
Altitude Loss: 600
Driving down into the valley we make our way to Europe’s largest rescue facility for brown bears: Libearty. Founded in 2005, the rescue centre is home to nearly 100 bears, most of whom suffered over many years in captivity as dancing bears or in circuses. The walk around the bear sanctuary will last approximately one hour. We drive on to the village of Vulcan, which derives its name from the Slavonic word ‘Valc’ meaning wolf. This region is closely related to the history of Transylvanian Saxons who immigrated here 800 years ago from the Rhine-Moselle valleys. They built fortified churches, some of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Upon arrival in Vulcan we are greeted by warm coffee and traditional cake in the yard of the fortified church. From Vulcan we drive to Brasov and do a tour around town. We get some free time to explore the town. We will then take our evening meal in a traditional Romanian restaurant and later we return to Magura by minibus. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 5
Distance in Miles: 3
Activity Hours: 3
Today we hike from tranquil Magura towards busy Bran where we visit Bran Castle. It’s easy to see why Bram Stoker picked this castle to be the residence of the infamous vampire, Count Dracula. The character himself was based on Vlad Tepes, AKA Vlad the Impaler, Duke of Walachia and a brutal tyrant. Though Vlad himself never went to Bran, Bram Stoker saw an image of the castle and thought it the perfect setting for his dark tale. After visiting the castle we stop by Dracula’s market where we can pick up some vampire-inspired souvenirs. Later we will be picked up by the minibus and return to Magura. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4-5
Altitude Gain: 400
Altitude Loss: 500
This morning we walk through a spectacular canyon, a gorge formed during the Jurassic Period. We continue towards Curmatura Cabin just beneath the rocks of Piatra Craiului Mountain. The cabin is open year-round and we can relax here before going back to our guesthouse. Altitude gain: We first walk down to the gorge 200m, then hike up 700m to Cabana Curmatura, walk down again 700m and hike up to Magura 200m. *Villa Hermani*
Distance in Km: 15
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 7
Altitude Gain: 900
Altitude Loss: 900
End Magura, Transylvania. Clients booked on the group flight or group flight transfers will be transferred (3.5 hours) back to Bucharest Airport in time for the group flight departure.
* 7 nights at the comfortable Villa Hermani guesthouse with twin and single
rooms; most rooms are en suite
* 6 days guided snowshoeing and winter walking
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by private minibus
* Sightseeing visits to castles and villages
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners are included during our stay.
Meals are a mixture of local produce and Romanian/Transylvanian specialties.
Breakfasts usually consist of a small buffet including an egg dish, cold
cuts, cheeses, boiled eggs, vegetables, spreads, bread, yoghurt, cereals,
jam, juice, herbal teas and coffee.
Lunches included on this trip will include the following -a picnic lunch
provided by a local farmer on one day, traditional soups, and self-made
sandwiches that you can choose your own fillings from the buffet in the
mornings.
Each evening there is a choice of a meat dish or vegetarian option.
If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements please let us know
at the time of booking.
One night we will have dinner in a traditional Romanian restaurant in Brasov,
this meal is not included and you should allow approx. €20 (without drinks)
for this.
* 7 nights at the comfortable Villa Hermani guesthouse with twin and single
rooms; most rooms are en suite
* 6 days guided snowshoeing and winter walking
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* Travel by private minibus
* Sightseeing visits to castles and villages
*This trip is graded 3, moderate. *
Snow conditions dictate whether we will hike with snowshoes or hiking boots
along with the duration of walks. Exact walks will be selected by the leader
at the time to best fit current weather conditions and safety requirements.
The walks will vary from 2 to 7hrs, with most being around 4-5hrs long.
Temperatures are generally quite cold, averaging 0°C in the valleys, though
blue skies are common in winter, especially in the mountains. In the valleys,
mornings tend to be a little foggier and nicer in the afternoon. Snow can
fall at any time between December and April.
Walking distances and hours stated within the itinerary are given as a guide
only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on
the pace of your group.
*Please note: *The leader has the right to adapt the route and length of the
walks according to the weather conditions and the physical condition of the
group. Our local partner uses various types of snowshoes, all types are
easily adjustable to shoe sizes - snowshoe designs do not vary a great deal -
and are recommended for the type of terrain around Magura.
Guesthouse
We will spend 7 nights in the comfortable private guesthouse, Villa Hermani
that offers twin and single rooms.
Villa Hermani is situated in the remote and beautiful village of Magura at
the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, located within the boundaries of the
Piatra Craiului National Park. Our friendly hosts at the Villa Hermani
possess a wealth of knowledge on Transylvania, wildlife conservation and
serve delicious homemade food.
Almost all rooms have private facilities but some do have shared bathrooms.
In such cases, however, there are never more than two rooms sharing one
bathroom.
There is Wi-Fi available at the guesthouse, however, due to the weak internet
lines in this remote location and the need to go via satellite which is
provided by an external provider, the hosts of the guesthouse kindly request
guests to pay a small fee of €5 for 750MB which should be enough for a week
with checking emails.
Single supplements are available on request.
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners are included during our stay.
Meals are a mixture of local produce and Romanian/Transylvanian specialties.
Breakfasts usually consist of a small buffet including an egg dish, cold
cuts, cheeses, boiled eggs, vegetables, spreads, bread, yoghurt, cereals,
jam, juice, herbal teas and coffee.
Lunches included on this trip will include the following -a picnic lunch
provided by a local farmer on one day, traditional soups, and self-made
sandwiches that you can choose your own fillings from the buffet in the
mornings.
Each evening there is a choice of a meat dish or vegetarian option.
If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements please let us know
at the time of booking.
One night we will have dinner in a traditional Romanian restaurant in Brasov,
this meal is not included and you should allow approx. €20 (without drinks)
for this.
Transfers between the airport in Bucharest and the Villa Hermani Guesthouse
will normally be by Mercedes Sprinter bus. Local transport will be by private
minibus.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of TAROM Romanian Airlines (depending
on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we
recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to
confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed
until approximately two weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Magura*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Magura in the evening of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
You can pre‐book private arrival and departure transfers through Exodus if
you wish (payable in advance). Please ensure that you provide us with all
relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure.
The Villa Hermani guesthouse is approximately 165km from the airport and
will take around 3‐ 3.5 hours to reach by road. As such, we
highly recommend you wait for the group at the airport and join the group
transfer or organise a private transfer. It is possible to reach the start
hotel by taxi, but it will cost around 130 Euros.
If you decide to make your own way, on arrival at the Villa Hermani
guesthouse please make the reception staff aware that you are part of the
Exodus group. Please contact Exodus as soon as possible to discuss your
arrangements to meet the group.
Romania enjoys a continental weather pattern. Winter is normally cold but
crisp with clear skies, though heavy snowfalls are common. Skies tend to be
clearer in the mountains whilst in valleys and cities it may take a little
longer, usually until lunch time, for the fog to clear. Generally, as long
you dress for cold weather, winter is a nice time to visit the region.
* Walking boots: 3 or 3-4 season waterproof walking boots with semi-rigid
soles, and good ankle support
* Good quality waterproof jacket
* Waterproof trousers and gaiters
* Warm fleece
* Warm hat and gloves
* T-shirts, lightweight trousers and light fleeces (occasionally we
experience unseasonably warm days)
* Medium sized daypack: (approx 30 litres), on occasions you should expect
to carry your snowshoes strapped onto the outside of your pack. Packs with
a lid or adjustable side straps are well suited for this.
* Refillable water bottle (large capacity)
* Thermos flask for tea/ container to carry lunches
* Sunglasses and lip protection
* Blister kit (some people find they are more prone to blisters with
snowshoes)
* Sit-mat (or small square of karrimat) for taking lunches in the snow
* Sunscreen
* Yaktrax- a lightweight and easy to use ice-traction device. They provides
greater stability while walking on snow or ice.
* Trainers/comfortable shoes for the evenings
* Head torch/torch/flash light for the bat cave visit
* Your normal daily clothes
Drinks with meals are not included. Snacks are not included and you may wish
to buy souvenirs. Please note that prices are constantly changing in
Romania. Please allow €20 for the dinner in Brasov (without drinks).
Prices for drinks can vary depending on what you choose and where you eat
and drink. A beer for example is 8‐10 Leu ( €2‐3), and a glass of wine
is 10‐20 Leu (€3‐ 5). A bottle of wine is from 60 Leu (€10).
Tipping is of course entirely at your discretion, but it is customary in
Romania. Our Romanian leader will offer guidelines on appropriate tipping. In
restaurants it is usual to tip 10% of the bill.
Although optional, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is greatly
appreciated. As a guideline we recommend a contribution of between €15 to
€20 per client. It is also customary to leave a tip for the driver and the
local staff at the guesthouse. This can be handed in to your leader at the
end of the trip. For the local staff we recommend to budget approx. €10-15
per person.
* Travel insurance
* Visas & vaccinations
* Single supplement
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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