Village life in Transylvanian Carpathian mountains - 8 days

Transfer Otopeni Airport - Brasov (the most important touristic city of Romania) approx. 3 hours or Brasov Airport - Brasov (20-30 minutes). Accommodation at a 3* guesthouse/hotel located nearby the old city center. Depending on the flight time we can have an evening Brasov walking tour. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films.

We visit Bran Castle (on Mondays it opens at 12:00) also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ — a hilltop estate that conjures up visions of howling wolves and bats fluttering in the moonlight. Wander the castle’s Gothic chambers and learn about its ties to Bram Stoker’s undead antihero.

Than we start from Bran our first day of walking in Piatra Craiului National Park toward Magura village - an authentic and cozy mountain village. The path is the route which links Bucegi Mountains to the Piatra Craiului National Park. The route is easy to medium, through forest and meadows, with great views to both mountains and to the Bran area with its mountain villages (4-6 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 400 m/400 m).

Breakfast. Today we do we trek in the heart of Piatra Craiului National Park crossing the epic Zarnesti Gorges up to Curmatura hut at 1470 m. Info about the hike: 5 - 6 hours, medium, uphill/downhill walk 700 m, 14 km. Picnic lunch. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Our 4th day of walking tour. Today we trek crossing the most authentic and beautiful mountain villages from the bottom of the Piatra Craiului National Park and Bucegi Natural Park - Magura - Pestera - Sirnea (the first touristic village of Romania) – Ciocanu - Fundata, meeting the locals (5-6 hours; easy to medium, uphill/ downhill walk: 639 m/ 445 m).

to medium, uphill/downhill walk: 300 m/300 m). Lunch pack and home made dinner. Surrounded by the Bucegi Mountains and the Piatra Craiului Mountains, Fundata's altitude of 1360 m makes it the highest commune in Romania. In August 1916, when troops from the Romanian Old Kingdom entered Austria-Hungary, the first village they took was Fundata, also capturing their first prisoners there and suffering their first battle death.

Short transfer to Simon village (about 40 minutes). Full day hiking trip in Bucegi Natural Park. We hike on the northern part of the mountain which is wilder and no so touristic. During the hike discover the Devil's Mill Waterfall and a local sheep farm (from middle of June to middle of September). Transfer back at the guesthouse. Info about the hike: 5-6 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 800 m/ 800 m, 14 km.

Breakfast. Transfer about 1 1/2 hour to the starting point for "7 Ladders Canyon" from Piatra Mare mountain. The canyon has been carved in Jurassic limestone and is composed by seven waterfalls, the tallest being 15 meters high. The trail within the canyon is arranged with metal stairs and platforms. Duration: 4-5 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 400 m, 8 km. Lunch pack. Transfer to Brasov (about 30 minutes). Accommodation at a 3* guesthouse/hotel located nearby the old city center and farewell dinner.

Breakfast. Transfer to the Bucharest airport (about 3 hours) or to the Brasov airport (about 20-30 minutes). OPTIONAL: 1 extra night in Bucharest, with 4-hour Bucharest Panoramic Tour included - from 140 euro/person (minimum 2 people). More details about it at the time of the booking.