Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe
Experience Overview
Transylvania – the name alone conjures images of craggy mountains, gothic castles, horse-drawn carts and forests filled with hibernating bears. The reality is not that far off. Crisp winters add an extra dimension to this small corner of Europe as snow blankets the pastures, farmsteads and woodlands. Spend a week exploring this region, hiking or snowshoeing to small villages, into gorges, through valleys and up mountains as we also take time to visit a local bear sanctuary and, of course, one of the most famous castles in the world, Bran Castle, the fictional home of Dracula.
From our guesthouse in the small village of Magura, we head out to uncover the region’s treasures on foot. Snow conditions will dictate whether we hike or snowshoe; either way, we get into the wilderness. On our travels, we meet local people who still live a traditional lifestyle, learn about the regional folklore and history, enjoy the mountain scenery and, with a bit of luck, see traces of the local wildlife including wolf or bear prints in the snow.
Profile
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (Villa Hermani) — Six days guided snowshoeing and winter walking — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private minibus — Sightseeing visits to castles and villages — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (Villa Hermani) — Six days guided snowshoeing and winter walking — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private minibus — Sightseeing visits to castles and villages — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Snow conditions dictate the duration of walks and whether we hike with snowshoes or hiking boots. Exact walks will be selected by the leader at the time to best fit weather conditions and safety requirements. The walks will vary from two to seven hours, with most around four to five hours.
Temperatures are generally quite cold, averaging freezing point 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.
If necessary the leader will adapt the route and length of the walks according to weather conditions and 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.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, six lunches and six 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 approximately 100 Romanian lei (€20) – without drinks – for this.
Transportation
Transfers between the airport in Bucharest and Villa Hermani will normally be by Mercedes Sprinter bus. Local transport will be by private minibus.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Guesthouse: Villa Hermani, Sat Magura 130, Măgura 507133
Phone: +40 740 022 384
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Bucharest Airport (OTP)
Getting to Villa Hermani
The guesthouse is approximately 3hr 30min drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
The guesthouse is approximately 100mi (165km) from the airport. Therefore, we highly recommend you join the group transfer or organise a private transfer. It is possible to reach the start hotel by taxi, but it will cost around €200. If you decide to make your own way, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of the Exodus group on arrival at the guesthouse. Please contact Exodus as soon as possible to discuss your arrangements to meet the group.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Romania has 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 while 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.
Spending Money
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. Allow 100 Romanian lei (€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 lei (€2‐€3), and a glass of wine is 10‐20 lei (€3‐€5). A bottle of wine is from 60 lei (€10).
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion, but is customary in Romania. Our Romanian leader will offer guidelines on appropriate tipping. In restaurants it is usual to tip 10 percent 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 75-100 lei (€15-€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 to your leader at the end of the trip. For the local staff we recommend to budget approximately 50-75 lei (€10-15) per person.
Highlights
— Experience the serene beauty of the Carpathian Mountains in winter — Look for wolf and bear tracks in the snow — Visit Bran Castle, Dracula's home — Enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people — Walk through the Prapastiile Zarnestilor Canyon, formed during the Jurassic period
Trip Details
Product Code: 4333
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: minibus.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: CVE
Starts: Bran
Finishes: Bran
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners — All accommodation — Snowshoes and poles provided — Free group arrival and departure transfers availableAccommodation
Villa Hermani, a private guesthouse in MaguraWe spend seven nights in Villa Hermani, a private guesthouse in the remote village of Magura. It’s ideally situated for our adventure, sitting at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and within Piatra Craiului National Park. The property has twin and single rooms in a range of sizes and styles, almost all of which have private facilities (there are two rooms that share one bathroom). There is also wifi at the guesthouse; however, due to the weak internet lines in this remote location and the need to go via satellite, the hosts kindly request guests pay €5 for 750MB, which should be enough for a week of checking emails. Or you may prefer to just disconnect and enjoy the mountainous scenery from the garden or balconies. Our friendly hosts, German couple Hermann and Katharina Kurmes, possess a wealth of knowledge on Transylvania, wildlife conservation and serve delicious homemade food.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,565 ($321 /day)
Itinerary
The trip starts in the village of Magura at about 3,410ft (1,040m), within the boundaries of Piatra Craiului National Park in Transylvania. However, as the guesthouse is 103mi (165km) from Bucharest Airport, we strongly recommend you join the group transfer (3hr 30min), which will take you to the guesthouse from the airport. Dinner on arrival will consist of a cheese and continental meat platter with bread. Our hosts at our guesthouse, Villa Hermani, are very hospitable and enjoy stopping to chat over a glass of local plum brandy. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Heading out on foot, 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 (flashlight) with you for the visit. We then continue 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. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
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 at our guesthouse, we hike up to Dealul Magurice (4,265ft/1,300m) where we may spot wolf, lynx and bear prints in the forest snow. Later, as we make our way back to Magura, we stop by a farm to share a hot tuica (homemade plum brandy) with the farmer. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
This morning, we walk up to a high plateau between Piatra Craiului and Bucegi mountains. In winter, this plateau is 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, we return to the guesthouse. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Driving down into the valley, we make our way to the largest rescue facility for brown bears in Europe: Libearty. Founded in 2005, the rescue centre is home to nearly 100 bears, most of which suffered years in captivity as dancing bears or in circuses. The walk around the bear sanctuary will last approximately one hour. We drive 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 with warm coffee and traditional cake in the yard of the fortified church. From Vulcan, we drive to Brasov for a tour around town and free time to explore. We then take our evening meal in a traditional Romanian restaurant and later return to Magura by minibus. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
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 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, Stoker saw an image of the castle and thought it the perfect setting for his dark tale. After, we stop by Dracula’s market where we can pick up vampire-inspired souvenirs. Later, we meet the minibus and return to Magura. Accommodation: Villa Hermani
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 655ft (200m), then hike up 2,300ft (700m) to Cabana Curmatura, walk down again 2,300ft (700m), and hike up to Magura 655ft (200m). Accommodation: Villa Hermani
Our adventure comes to an end today. Bid farewell to Villa Hermani and start your return journey home. Clients booked on the group transfer will be transported (3hr 30min) back to Bucharest Airport.
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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
Reviews
Maureen Pinder - Traveled, February 2020
A great week, despite very little snow. I’m just back from this trip, and had a great time. The trip was full, with 16 people, and everyone was lovely. Villa Hermani is a great small hotel, and the food is excellent. Katharine and Herman are lovely hosts, and their Romanian cook is excellent. Our walk leader was Leo, their son, and he was good fun and a very capable guide. He had to make some difficult decisions because of the dodgy and changeable weather, and the varying abilities in the group,which he handled very well. It was great to have Rares (Alex) along as a second guide, and we really needed him at times. Magura – like most of Europe – has had a strange winter, so there was only a dusting of snow when we arrived. But, with that and a couple of further dumps of snow during the week, we managed 2 walks with snowshoes and 1 with yaktrax, as well as ordinary walking in hiking boots. I liked the mix of walking and cultural visits – bears, Saxon history, Bran Castle. And I stayed for 2 days in Bucharest at the end to see a bit more of Romania. It was so different it seemed like a totally different country! Most Inspirational Moment Lunch at the Curmatura Cabin - it snowed heavily while we were inside, and the whole world had changed when we came out. Thoughts on Group Leader Leo was excellent. He was very capable in the outdoors, and very sensible in his approach to problems. He was very aware of our health and safety - helping us up and down difficult bits, cutting side branches off fallen trees etc. Advice for Potential Travellers Have at least a modicum of fitness. It's not terribly strenuous, but neither is it leisurely. Most people hadn't snowshoed before, and that was fine. And definitiely bring yaktrax or equivalent - you'd be lost without them if you have ice like we did. And this is not a holiday for people scared of dogs - farm dogs run free everywhere, and are completely unavoidable. Suggestions I probably spent a bit more than I expected, mainly on alcohol...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2020
Murielle Evers - Traveled, January 2020
The most beautiful views I have ever seen... … and I’ve been to Canada, so that says a lot. Our group was extremely lucky with the weather. You basically walk up and down mountains every day, nothing interesting about that. It is the weather that controls what the views look like. I regret nothing. Most Inspirational Moment When I look back at my pictures, there are two moments that stand out. At the end of our visit to Brasov, we stopped at a viewpoint on our way to the restaurant. That view was epic. It was nightfall, the lights in the city were on and behind it, you could see the mountain, it was breathtaking. The walk to Bran was the most beautiful. I can not put it into words. I enjoyed every second of that walk. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas, the group leader was perfect. He knows the area really well and has a lot of experience guiding groups. Advice for Potential Travellers Read the trip notes. For some bizarre reason, I hadn't done that and I didn't have the right gear. Luckily I was able to borrow it, but still. I felt uncomfortable doing that, knowing I could break or lose something.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/17/2020
Eleanor Freckleton - Traveled, February 2019
Snowshoeing in Transylvania This was my first snowshoeing holiday and despite being a bit apprehensive beforehand I absolutely loved it. Everything combined to make it a fantastic holiday – a get away location in the middle of the national park, a very homely hotel with superb food and hospitality, stunning scenery on each walk and a very interesting daytrip to some of the local places of interest. Add to that a really friendly group of fellow travellers and it truly was a week to remember. Most Inspirational Moment It was a week full of experiences, but for me the last two walks were the best. The walk to Bran Castle took us through some beautiful countryside, and the castle itself was very interesting (our guide also advised that this was the best time of year to visit as you may have to queue for up to two hours in the summer to get into the castle). Our last walk through the gorge to the Piatra Craiului mountains was also stunning. It was quite a slog up to the mountain hut, but well worth it for the views, as well as the soup and mulled wine we enjoyed inside the hut. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was a star - I liked his relaxed style and his bad jokes! We had a full group of sixteen people, so he had to work hard to make sure that everyone was coping okay with the terrain. He made sure that we had all the vital information for each day's itinerary and generally went above and beyond to make our holiday as enjoyable as possible. Advice for Potential Travellers The hotel is quite isolated in the national park - no other bars or restaurants around. I loved the week away from it all but don't pick this holiday if you want a busier nightlife. Linked to this, take plenty of supplies with you, e.g. toiletries and snacks for the walks, as it is the middle of the holiday before you get a chance to stock up on such items. Be aware that there are a lot of working dogs in the neighbourhood. I was never woken up by them howling, but I know that some of the others in the group did find it a bit of a problem some nights. Also, make sure that you have a good level of fitness. I am a keen hill-walker so did not find it a problem, but on balance I felt that this Grade 3 holiday was more difficult than a Grade 3 summer walking holiday with Exodus. Suggestions If you want to try something a bit different, then I would highly recommend this holiday. Indeed, I have already stated looking at the various options for another snowshoeing holiday with Exodus next year.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2019
Conor Carr - Traveled, November 2018
A great intro to snow-shoeing in a really beautiful place A great intro to snow-shoeing in a really beautiful place, with ‘warm up days’ to learn how to do it. Most Inspirational Moment The beautiful scenery and lots of snow was definitely a highlight of the trip for me, helped by a nice, friendly group of people, great leader and hospitable, generous hosts at the Vila. Thoughts on Group Leader Very good! Thomas is a great leader, he looked after everyone well, and knows a lot about the area and history and has good humour too. Advice for Potential Travellers Don't forget your yaktrax, gaiters and lots of layers of clothing! You will be cold at the beginning of the treks but warm up quickly so it's good to have the option of taking layers off. Although the breakfast and evening meal are substantial (plenty for everyone), I advise taking extra snacks for lunch and a thermos flask for hot tea. Suggestions A great trip for those wanting an intro to snowshoeing. This is a beautiful area, full of history.. I'd also suggest a day or two in Bucharest to visit the parliament building and museums (history museum was interesting)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/25/2019
Simon Barber - Traveled, February 2018
A very fine and scenic trip! A good week in the foothills of the Carpathians. The hotel, the Vila Hermani, was excellent. Even included 3 friendly hounds, one or two of which followed us most days as “free agents.” Not the most challenging snowshoe trip I’ve been on, it’d be good for a newcomer to the sport. Wonderful scenery, good snow, very remote + unspoiled territory. Our guide, Thomas, really knew every path on the mountain! Most Inspirational Moment High points - 1:visiting Bram Castle, a very fine piece of architecture. 2. The final day, up to a mountain hut in the snows. Helping un-ditch the snowmobile a mile down the trail that got stuck carrying the resupply sledge. 3. 2 days up a very major gorge, 400' cliffs on either side! In England that'd be festooned with climbers - there, there's so much of it nobody even notices! Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas really does know every trail on the mountain. Advice for Potential Travellers Be fit. It's not the most strenuous snowshoe I've done, but deep, soft snow and steep slopes are arduous. Suggestions It's excellent value, in the Villa Hermani the beer is only £1 a bottle, and the local plum brandy (Tuica) you really have to try!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2018
ANDREW GRUN - Traveled, February 2018
TRANSYLVANIA WINTER WALK & SNOWSHOE Wonderful snowy scenery in the forests. Expert guide (Thomas Oyntzen) with great historical knowledge of the area. Great historical buildings built to resist invasion from the Turkish empire. Very pretty mountain farming villages built on very steep grazing land, which is very hard to farm. Great wildlife to view. Very comfortable hotel with lovely food. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the wildlife: bears, chamoix, bats and the steep rocky mountain scenery. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas Oyntzen. Very helpful generally, particularly with snowshoeing and knowledgeable about the local history and local routes to explore. Spoke very good English and gave very detailed explanations of local history and the peoples involved. Had obviously studied history to an academic level. There was a lot to explain in this area, where there was often conflict between the Austrian and Turkish empires and buildings like churches were often fortified to resist invasion. There was a lot of interesting historical facts to learn about a country, which was very different to Britain. Advice for Potential Travellers Come prepared for real deep snow and cold weather. A real Winter experience in a completely different landscape to Britain. Suggestions Very interesting holiday offering good exercise in deep snow. Great natural scenery.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2018
Leanne & Michiel Nijemeisland - Traveled, February 2018
Winter Wanderings We had never snowshoed before so were a bit apprehensive before the trip, but our nerves quickly dissolved when we arrived. Villa Hermani was excellent, with a strong focus on good quality local dishes and a wholesome experience. The owners Hermann and Katharina are very hospitable and welcoming. We had loads of fresh snow so the conditions for this snowshoeing trip couldn’t have been better. The trip was more tiring than regular hiking, though still was very enjoyable, and the mountain scenery was stunning. Snowshoes and poles are provided; you just need to take a day pack for extra layers, yak traks, lunch, snacks and a thermos of herbal tea. Most Inspirational Moment Bran castle was one of the selling points of the trip, and was great to see. We also enjoyed the walks through the forest areas and the peace and tranquility. We took one of the villa's dogs with us on every trip and it was a joy to watch them having so much fun in the snow. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was a great group leader. He changed the itinerary to suit the weather conditions and was very attune to safety. He let the group spread out during the walks, depending on personal pace, but would stop regularly to regather and check in on everyone. He shared his wealth of local knowledge and experience and was informative and interesting. I’d be very pleased if every tour leader was as engaged as Thomas – he is definitely one of the good ones. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you keep fit in the lead up to the trip and don’t worry about the distances for the longer walks, they are all achievable and the longer walks tend to be less steep. For people who are not great with heights some of the steep sections are nerve-racking but achievable. Don't bother taking a water bladder the pipe just freezes over no mater how well insulated. Suggestions A great winter holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2018
Jo Kent - Traveled, February 2018
Stunning scenery We took part in this group tour in February 2018. It was the first time we had visited Romania and it was fascinating to learn about its history and experience its wild beauty. Pros: Very well organised from start to finish; we felt well looked after. Food at the hotel was delicious, and we were well catered for as veggies. Good variety of walking with stunning scenery. The area is very unspoilt and most days we did not see another person once we got into the mountains. The country has reasonable prices for food and drink. Our guide, Holger, plus the staff at the hotel made sure we all got where we needed to go safely. We were lucky to be in a good group of fellow travellers who we got on very well with. Flights and transfers were very good. Cons: Although the food was delicious be prepared that there is no choice for dinner options (as if often the case in chalet accommodation). At breakfast there is no juice, and the buffet choice is not huge. Be warned that there are lots of dogs living outside of the houses in the village, and sometimes they bark all night. If you’re a light sleeper, take ear plugs. In room 6 we also had a creaky bed and ended up putting the mattresses on the floor to get a good night’s sleep. The trip is rated as moderate. I am pretty fit and have completed two Moonwalks (walking marathons), and I found the two longer walks quite challenging. Ice under foot plus the elevation gain made these walks tough, so you’ll need to be fairly fit or a regular walker, not a novice. The yak traks recommended in the packing list are really essential when there is ice under foot. Most Inspirational Moment Stunning mountain views in the middle of nowhere. Thoughts on Group Leader Holger was very friendly and obviously very knowledgable. He looked after us well. Holger is quite laid back - I don’t think anyone would mind if he was stricter with us about staying together in a group, telling us when and where we need to meet, etc. Advice for Potential Travellers Take ear plugs and the best yak traks you can afford.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2018
John Marsh - Traveled, February 2018
dventure in the snow First time I have done this type of holiday and had never done snowshoeing. the accommodation was in a stunning area. with views of hills and mountains all round. the hosts/owners were very friendly and helpful. the hotel was very good. the walks were varied, but because of the weather involved lots of snow. day one was a short walk of about 14km but involved snowshoeing in places which were vital in place. day 2 was a long walk, it snow most of the time as we walked through Gorges and over hills( the gorge was used in the filming of Movie Cold mountain) Day 3 and 4 both were both short walk but hard walks Day 5 was a day of from walking. visit to bear sanctuary, walled church and town of Brasov, were we had free time. and then a meal in a restuarant as a group day 6 was a long hard walk, which i did not do due a little niggling muscle injury. the whole holiday was a great time tough but fun with stunning views. our walking Guide Holger was every you want, he was imformative, helpful, funny at times and above all you felt safe on the walks, he always made sure the group was not strung out to far. i would recommend the hoilday to anyone who wants a walking work out but also stunning landscapes, although snow cannot be gauranteed , we were lucky. Most Inspirational Moment completing the 22-24km walk and still be laughing at the end of it although tired. Thoughts on Group Leader Holger was a first class leader as I said earlier, he was everything you want in a leader. Advice for Potential Travellers you need to be relatively fit, and be prepared for tough terrain, depending on weather. Suggestions great holiday !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/27/2018
Kathleen Ramsey - Traveled, November 2017
Snowshoeing in Transylvania This trip provides a varied programme of walking/snowshoeing in beautiful scenery, with visits to a bat cave, a bear sanctuary, Bran Castle, a fortified church and the medieval town of Brasov. Physically, two of the longer days were quite demanding, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. We stayed in a very comfortable and remote guesthouse in the mountains; the food was excellent and plentiful, special diets were accommodated and our hosts were friendly and spoke excellent English. We were part of a very sociable and well-travelled group, and came back with plenty of ideas for other trips. Romania has a fascinating if troubled history and our guide, Holger, was very knowledgeable and provided a good insight into both ancient and more recent periods. Most Inspirational Moment We were lucky to have plenty of snow, so the snowshoeing was a delight, especially on the clear bright days. The scenery was beautiful, although we did have one day when in snowed throughout and so views were minimal. Thoughts on Group Leader Our leader, Holger, was capable and considerate, with a good dry sense of humour. He took a while to get used to the group, but became more sociable as the week went on. Advice for Potential Travellers If you haven't snowshoed before, make sure that you are confident that your showshoes fit correctly and have no defects before you set off. Although plenty of bread and a variety of fillings are provided for packed lunches, there are no snacks, so I would recommend that you take some, as we definitely needed extra calories between meals, especially on the two longer days. A travel kettle could be useful too. The temperatures were well below freezing, and the roads around the guesthouse and in the towns were very icy. We found our instep crampons very useful; other members of the group used Yaktrax or similar. Suggestions We travelled to Bucharest before the holiday started, and spent a couple of days exploring the city before joining the rest of the group. There was plenty to see; we especially enjoyed the Village Museum and a tour of the Palace of Parliament.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/21/2018
John Gorton - Traveled, January 2024
xx A really interesting week’s snowshoeing in beautiful mountians in an unspoilt part of the world Most Inspirational Moment Several - the last day's walking in idyllic mountains, bear sanctuary visit. In fact each day was stunning and different. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was excellent. Not only was he very knowledgable and enthusiastic but he looked after the group well. Advice for Potential Travellers Go on this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/13/2024
M B - Traveled, November 2017
Transylvania Winter Walk & Snowshoe Definitely a moderate trip ( in winter ) . Some challenges with packed ice / deep snow so a reasonable level of fitness would be helpful. Most Inspirational Moment getting through a couple of very steep , snow and ice packed sections of a couple of the walks Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was full of historical info and local knowledge which he was more than happy to share. good sense of humour and encouragement when he thought it was needed. Advice for Potential Travellers use clothing layer system, plus gaiters . Weather can be sunny / cold / rainy / snowy . There are times when you dont snow shoe but may need to walk in deeper snow as its safer than an icy path. Alternatively it could be muddy and gaiters do help keep you clean. Definitely take some shoe grippers that can fit onto your boots i.e. Yaktrax or those rubber /spiky things sold in many shops. Some paths are sheet packed ice and the grips give you that extra safety feature , but you will be putting on and taking off multiple times during a walk so make sure you are familiar with them. The paths vary depending on if they are in open / forest / gorge etc. If you can , carry an old hiking trousers belt / webbing/ bit of string . Its useful to help tie down the snow shoes onto your rucksack ( if you dont have side straps on the rucksack ) . The guesthouse is cosy and warm , plenty of hot water. No TV in rooms . You make your lunch sandwich at the breakfast table in mornings and carry it with you. Might be worth carrying your own trail bars / jelly babies etc if you like to snack en route . A flask to carry your own tea ( the guest house will fill with hot water or fruit tea ) may also be useful in cold weather. You really only need a bit of spending money as one night in a restaurant in Brasov ( I had 2 beers plus main plus starter and it was 60 Lei or 12 pounds total . Roughly 5 Lei to the pound ) . The guest house runs a tab that you settle on final night. You just help yourself to beers ( one beer is 5 or 6 lei depending on brand , teas in afternoon 4 lei ) from fridge , mark it on your list and settle at end . The guest house is in middle of nowhere , really isolated . So no town or shops to walk to etc.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/21/2018
Gillian Helme - Traveled, January 2017
Snowshoeing in Romania A really good, interesting holiday. Rather more moderate than leisurely but very enjoyable. The group had a good age range and we all got along very well. The weather was glorious for all but one day and the guest house was lovely. The food was very good and the staff were all very friendly. Most Inspirational Moment Definitely the bear sanctuary was the highlight but the whole trip was quite something. The scenery is breathtaking and the mix of ancient and modern is really interesting. Thoughts on Group Leader Traian was very engaged with the group, friendly and entertaining. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Romania and was a good guide on the visit to Brasov. Advice for Potential Travellers I think we all agreed that this was a more moderate than leisurely trip. We didn't always need the snowshoes and YakTraks were very useful. You do need a decent torch for the bat cave.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/15/2017
Dave Butterworth - Traveled, February 2016
Stunningly beautiful From start to finish the trip was great. Overnighted at a hotel just outside Heathrow. British Airways flight from Terminal 5 couldn’t have been better. BA really efficient and comfortable; Terminal 5 speedy, efficient and without hassle. Thomas, the group leader met us in Bucharest airport and the first clue about what was to come came when he announced we transfer from the mini coach to two 4×4 minibuses to ascend to the hotel. Katharine, the owner/manager of the hotel was superb. All staff were very friendly, serving excellent food and the accommodation was nice and cosily comfortable. The snowshoeing was lovely, we were blessed with good weather and in the first part of the week temperatures of about -10C/-15C which meant light fluffy snow. The walking was at times quite demanding and having undertaken the Finland trip previously (moderate) I felt Transylvania was a good moderate. I’d never visited Romania before nor the Carpathian mountains. Romania was unspoiled, “untouristy” and the mountains were beautiful. I’d happily return to the area in the Spring or Autumn to see another season. There were some serious climbers in our group, a number of whom were eager to come back and “do” some of the peaks/ridges. The whole group, which had quite an age range, got on well together with no awkward moments. Most Inspirational Moment More than one: The bear and wolf sanctuary. The ice stalagmites inside a cave. The overall "wow factor". Seeing a wall creeper which I understand is rare. Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was very knowledgable about wildlife and local history. He was the sort of person one could rely upon in a crisis. His estimates of difficulty and distance/time seemed a trifle optimistic sometimes! Advice for Potential Travellers Go for it - you'll be glad you did. The Romanian currency is the Leu with an exchange rate of a little less than 6 to the UK pound, but Euros are also accepted in some places. Consider getting yourself a pair of Yaktrax (Pro preferably) before you go. Suggestions Some of the equipment could have been better
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/23/2016
Elizabeth Jeffery - Traveled, January 2016
Snowshoeing Transylvania I thought this was generally an excellent holiday. I loved Transylvania, the countryside, and mountain views and being able to walk and snowshoe in such a beautiful area. The hotel was excellent and Katharina was a very generous and involved hostess. The food was always wonderful. We were also lucky to have such a friendly and happy group. Everyone got on well and there was no-one left out and no awkward moments. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the bears and wolves in the sanctuary and Dracula's castle at Bran - but I also loved the walking and snow shoeing - and in fact everything! Thoughts on Group Leader Thomas was OK as a group leader but if I have any criticism at all about the holiday, it was that he didn't always seem very engaged with or interested in the group - and on occasion we could have done with more information about the activity. He was very well-informed about local history however. Advice for Potential Travellers No. Just go. You will love it! Suggestions No
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/23/2016
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