Hiking Tour in the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains (Romania & Bulgaria) - 15 Days

Requirements: 
The participants must be healthy and in good shape. We will walk at heights over 2000 m. The daily walking time is between 5 and 7 hours (sometimes even more). 
 
Itinerary: 
Day 1: Arrival in OTP - transfer 100 km (2h driving time) 
Arrival in Bucharest (OPT) and meeting with the English speaking guide at the airport. Transfer to Sinaia or Busteni. Our trip begins in Prahova Valley. Dinner and a short introduction in the theme of our trip. Overnight  in a nice Pension in Prahova Valley. 
  
Day 2: Bucegi Plateau- the "Babele" and "Sphinx" rocks (4 hours walking time) 
Today we climb up to 2300 m. First we will go with the cable car up to the Bucegi Plateau, where we visit the famous "Babele" and "Sphinx" rocks, two natural wonders.  Here the powerful wind and the rain have carved in millions of years the profile of a male head that has an enigmatic smile. Then, in order to enjoy the most beautiful views over the Prahova Valley we go to Ialomicioara peak. Afterwards we visit the "Pestera" monastery- this will last for about 2 hours. Dinner and accommodation at the monastery 
  
Day 3: The Bucegi Mountains (5 hours walking time) 
Breakfast at the monastery. Today you will get familiar with the Bucegi Mountains, the tallest in the South Carpathian Mountains. Our destination is  Bran/ Törzburg, where we'll find the so called Dracula Castle. Dinner and overnight in a Pension close to the castle. 
  
Day 4: The Dracula Castle and Brasov - 60 km (2 hours drive) 
Today we make a one day trip to Brasov/ Kronstadt. Our first highlight is the Dracula Castle in Bran. Afterwards we drive to Brasov. We will visit the most important cultural points such as the Black Church, the Weaver Bastion, the White and the Black Tower, the First Romanian School, the Town Hall Square. Free afternoon in the beautiful city of the Carpathian Arch. We return to the pension. 
  
Day 5: The Romanian Villages in the Carpathian Arch (4 hours walking time) 
Today you'll get the chance to see the simple and natural life of peasants living in the villages of the Carpathian Arch. Our journey includes the visit of scattered villages such as Pestera and Magura. In this area you will have the feeling that time had stopped 100 years ago. The people live here in total harmony with the nature. We are invited for lunch at one of the local families. On our way back we can explore some caves populated with bats. Accommodation at the pension. 
  
Day 6 & Day 7: The Natural Reservation Piatra Craiului- (5 h walking time) 
After breakfast we head to the Natural Reservation Piatra Craiului. On our way we pass through the spectacular "Zarnesti" gorge(500 m). In the reservation there are kingfishers as well as rare plants- the living marks of the Ice Age. Another important feature of this reservation is the fact that it has the largest number of brown bears in Romania .  "The Large Carnivores Project"- a study about bears, wolves and lynxes in the Carpathians still takes place here (this project was sponsored by the EU until a few of years ago). Next we go to the hidden "Curmatura" cabin (1.470 m). On our way you can visit a sheep farm where the secrets of how to make cheese  will be revealed to you. Cheese tasting at the farm. Overnight in a rustic Pension. 
Optional: In the evening -Bear watching in the Reservation from a tall stand. 
  
Day 8: Transfer to Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo (in Bulgaria) - 400 km (6 hours drive) 
After breakfast follows the city tour of Bucharest`s main touristic attractions: Press House, the Kisselef boulevard, the Arch of Triumph, Victory Square, the Victory’s Boulevard, Revolution Square, the Cotroceni Palace, the Palace of Parliament and of course the old streets like the Lipscani Street.  
In the afternoon we drive towards Bulgaria to Veliko Tarnovo, the first capital of Bulgaria and UNESCO Heritage. Accommodation in Veliko Tarnovo. 
  
Day 9: Pamporovo - Schiroka Laka (5,5h): 
In the morning we drive to Plovdiv. Here we will visit the city: the Roman Theatre and houses in the Old City. Next we take the bus and head towards the Batschkovo Monastery. After visiting the second largest monastery in Bulgaria we drive towards Pamporovo health resort (1450 m) - 95 km. We hike on the mountain ridge towards the "Metscho grobe" region (1500 m).Afterwards we will descend towards the Village-Museum Schiroka laka (1100 m). Overnight accommodation in hotel. 
  
Day 10: Schiroka Laka - Mugla (7-8h) 
We visit the Church and the Museum in a spectacular village with old architecture. We will take a walk from Schiroka laka to Hütte Lednizata (1720 m). Afterwards we head towards Sattel Odabaschijza (1850 m) and descend to Mugla Village (1400 m). Overnight in private houses. 
  
Day 11: Mugla - Trigrad (8h) 
We walk through the Tschamla Village (1650 m) all the way to Trigrad Village (1250 m). We visit the "Devil's Throat" cave. Overnight in private houses. 
  
Day 12: Trigrad - Teshel (7h) 
We will climb up to the "Steneto" (1693 m) and descend to the "Jagodinska" cave (1000 m). After visiting the cave we go to the "Orpheus" Hotel (700m) where we have accommodation. 
  
Day 13: Teshel - Devin (8h) 
We walk from Teschel to the Orpheus cabin (1190 m) all the way to Devin (700 m). On our way see the natural reservation "Kastrakli". Accommodation in private Hotel. 
  
Day 14: Devin - Sofia (210km) 
We take the bus to Sofia. We visit the Bulgarian capital - the Alexander-Nevski Cathedral and the "Hl. Georgi" Church (4.Jh.). We go to Bucharest, Romania (19:30 h - 06:07 h) by train (direct route). 
  
Day 15:  Sofia - Bucharest: 
Arrival in Bucharest at 06:07 h. We visit the Romanian Capital with all its highlights: The Parliament Palace, The Romanian Atheneum, The Revolution Square, The King's Palace- the main quarter of the Comunist Party, the Lipscani Street etc.  Transfer to the railway station, airport or bus station. Here you say good-bye to the guide. 
 
 
Included services: 
English speaking guide to/from Bucharest. 
Transfers in modern mini van or local public transportation 
13 x accommodation in very good Hotels/ Guest Houses (in shared DBl—roms and 1x bunk beds) 
1 x overnight accommodation in sleeping wagon; 
Half board: 14 x breakfast and 14 x dinner; 
Horse wagon ride 
A visit at a sheep farm  
Cable car ticket in the second day 
Entrances according to the program planning. 
Train ticket Sofia - Bucharest  
maps with information about the program 
 
Prices:  
EUR 1590 / person in shared DBL-room 
Single room supplement (limited): EUR 350 
 
 
Please Note:  
* The tour will be operated starting with 4 participants 
* Maximum number of participants is 12 people 
* Other dates are possible for small groups of 4 or more participants