Transylvanian Castles Walk
Experience Overview
'Every known superstition in the world is gathered into the Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool.' So says the narrator of Dracula, the late 19th century English novel of Victorian superstitions that used this area of Romania to represent something on the edge of civilisation.
A trip to this part of the world is to enter a maelstrom of natural sensation. There is everywhere a bewildering mass of flora and fauna. Profusions of trees and flowers and grasses are barely touched by agricultural exploitation. Be alert, however, for roe deer and chamois and hedgehogs and rodents, plus the sight and sound of the area's 190 bird species. Transylvania is a region full of beauty of every kind, sometimes little towns or castles on the top of steep hills.
This trek rises daily through Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of forests and woods, with here steep hills crowned with clumps of trees, and there villages newly built in a riot of colour and style. Smile and say Boo Naa (Hello) and you'll meet open-faced strangers who say all the country people show 'hospitality, flexibility, honesty'. The message is that tourists are welcome.
Profile
— Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of *** and **** hotels — All breakfasts and 5 dinners — Luggage transfers between hotels — Headwater Navigation App
At a Glance
— Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of *** and **** hotels — All breakfasts and 5 dinners — Luggage transfers between hotels — Headwater Navigation App
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local agent is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the trip to go through the routes and point out particular places of interest.
Transportation
Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you.
Joining Instructions
The tour normally begins at the start hotel in BRASOV.
Highlights
— Visit historic old towns with many intriguing castles, including Dracula`s Castle itself — Walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the solid limestone — Rise through the Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of mysterious woodlands
Trip Details
Product Code: 30382
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: for you.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: W07RM
Starts: Brasov, Romania
Finishes: Brasov, Romania
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of *** and **** hotels — All breakfasts and 5 dinners — Luggage transfers between hotels — Headwater Navigation AppAccommodation
HotelsCURTEA BRASOVEANA, BRASOV Located in the oldest part of Brasov “Scheii Brasovului”, Curtea Brasoveana is classified by the Ministry of Tourism as a 4* boarding house. Curtea Brasoveana combines modernity with tradition. Rooms are comfortable and very well appointed with a TV, Telephone, WIFI and hairdryer. They also have a fitness centre, sauna and laundry facilities. PENSIUNEA CASA RASNOVEANA, RASNOV This small country inn is classified locally as a 3* resort, however it only has 6 rooms, and is a long way from the sea. You will however be assured of an excellent welcome from the owners who are very proud of their hotel. The rooms are simple but clean with showers rather than baths. Dinner is taken in the small restaurant just 300m from the guesthouse, and you will be assured of a hearty traditional Romanian dinner. There is a small garden to relax in with views of the Rasnov Citadel. The hotel will provide a picnic lunch if booked the night before. All rooms have private bathroom with WC, shower and hairdryer. PENSIUNEA CASA DIN BRAN INN CUISINE, BRAN Located just 5 mins from the World Famous ‘Draculas’ Castle, Pensuinea Casa Din Bran Inn Cuisine provides lovely bright rooms with wooden floors and private balconies where you can enjoy the mountain air. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, television, and private bathroom with WC, shower/bath and hairdryer. PENSIUNEA VLAHIA INN, MOIECIU DE SUS Located in the heart of the mountains, this small, modern hotel was built by a local family. Each room is stylishly decorated and some have a balcony. Dinner is taken in the restaurant and will feature local specialities. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone and private bathroom with WC, shower and hairdryer. PENSIUNEA HODAITA, MAGURA With sustainability as its core value, Pensiunea Hodaita is in the village of Magura, idyllically located at the top of a hill, at the foot of the Pietrei Craiului mountains. The rooms are well equipped with simple but elegant furnishings, and outside they have a lovely picnic area and sun terrace where you can enjoy your beautiful mountain surroundings. They provide an excellent dinner and breakfast. PENSIUNEA HORA CU BRAZI, ZARNESTI Located near the entrance of Piatra Craiului National Park, this is a traditional Pension where you will receive a friendly welcome. There is a garden and most rooms have a balcony. Traditional meals are freshly prepared from local produce and can be enjoyed on the terrace if the weather is good. Rooms are comfortable, airy and spacious, each with a seating area, flat screen TV, and en suite bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer provided.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,625 ($203 /day)
Itinerary
After your flight to Bucharest or Sibiu you will be transferred to your first hotel in Brasov (2hr 20 min from either airport). This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own. Spend the rest of the day exploring this rich city, with its own castle, famous Black Church, historic old town and viewpoints over the city.
If you didn't have time when you arrived, it is worth spending a while exploring Brasov before commencing your walk. Leaving the streets of Brasov behind, you enter the forest and ascend up to a more open area of pastures. This provides a nice contrast to the first section of the walk. Easy walking takes you to the high point for the day where you re-enter the forest for a winding descent to Rasnov. The route is generally well way-marked. There is a chance to visit Rasnov castle when you arrive.
Known locally as Calea Haiducilor, which translates as Path of the Outlaws, you follow a forested track all the way to the village of Sohodol. Gradually climbing through pine forest until you reach a clearing with views over the surrounding mountains and villages. You are getting increasingly close to the mighty Carpathian Mountains. From Sohodol you descend to the small town of Bran, with its magnificent castle.
Leaving Bran, you walk towards the mountains until well within the forest. From there, you have a climb through forest until you are rewarded with alpine views down to your destination and a magnificent panorama of mountains. Thereafter you descend steeply through pastures straight down to Moieciu de Sus
Another varied day - and the longest walk of the trek. Apart from fairly short sections in the forest, much of the time you will be walking past farms and through villages, but with the impressive Carpathians often in view.
There are two circular routes today, which can be undertaken as a single, figure-of-eight route, passing your accommodation part way through the day. The first route provides ample opportunity to see rural life and farming practices whilst enjoying magnificent views of the mountains. You pass caves in limestone cliffs which are home to several bat species. It is essential to take a torch if you wish to go in. OR The second option is relatively short but involves a very steep ascent and quite a steep descent, followed by an easy walk back to Magura. You go up and behind the rocky summits visible from your accommodation and it feels quite remote up there. The views are great - you will see your routes to the south and over to Zarnesti to the north and across to Rasnov, as well as the huge ranges of the Craiului and Bucegi mountains.
This is a spectacular day to complete the trek, walking in the Piatra Craiului National Park. After a steep descent from Magura, you walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the limestone. A lengthy ascent then follows up to the trek's high point with superb views. A descent through forest and pasture land takes you down to the valley and an easy walk to your accommodation.
You are transferred to Bucharest or Sibiu airport (2hrs 30 mins), in time for your flight home. This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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