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Natural Leaders in Western Palearctic



THE TRANSYLVANIAN ALPS OF ROMANIA

 Piatra Craului – Fogaras Mts. – Retyezat Mts. 

Transylvanian Basin – Bucegi Mts. 

The Carpathians are probably the least known of the great mountain ranges of Europe for the botanical traveller, starting on the Slovak/Polish border and passing through Ukraine, before entering Romania forming a huge curve that encompasses the plateau of Transylvania.  This wall of mountains has often been the boundary between warring powers – e.g. between the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires.  This was the natural border of Transylvania & Hungary for more than a thousand years. The Transylvanian Alps run east to west from the medieval city of Braşov to the Dacian stronghold of Sarmisegetuza and beyond.  They have been the home of Romanians, Hungarians, Saxons and numerous smaller ethnic groups, as well as the backdrop for some of the more romantic or notorious of Europe’s princes, such as Matthias Corvinus and Vlad Ţepeş (the Impaler).  The Carpathians also provide the habitat for the biggest European populations of large carnivores - Brown Bear, Wolf and Lynx - and support some 35% of all European plant species.  Though lower than the Alps and poorer in endemics, their location as the link between central Europe and the Balkans makes them a prime plant-hunting area and a corridor for the dispersal of plants and animals throughout Europe.

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Fact File

2-weeks-long itinerary, but we can tailor-make it according to your needs

fantastic variety of Eastern European endemics and rarities

superb scenery, butterflies, birds and other wildlife

start and finish in Bucharest, but possible to arrive and start from other cities in Transylvania

using one accommodation at each visited areas

Highlights

spending most of the time at subalpine and alpine areas

great photographic opportunities of wildflowers, butterflies & other wildlife

unique scenery, traditional hand-mown meadows, rural lifestyle

Accommodation

generally 3star pensions, inns, small hotels with wildflowery meadows around

Departure Dates

June-July

http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar


Price


Ask for the actual price.
Our price includes:

  • all travel as noted in the itinerary;
  • all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
  • 3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
  • services of the leader(s);
  • trip materials.


Not included:

  • flights to and from Budapest;
  • optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
  • airport and other departure taxes, tips;
  • food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
  • excess baggage charges;
  • telephone calls;
  • alcoholic beverages;
  • compulsory personal insurance.


If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level

  • Generally easy to moderate walks
  • Lots of onsite wildlife observing possibilities
  • Weather generally favourable


Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Bucharest and transfer to Piatra  Craiului area - 3nights close or at the alpine zone.

Days 2-3

Visiting Piatra Craului, Zarnesti Gorge, Rasnov Gorge

Optional bearwatching in one of the evenings from professional hides.

Days 4-6

Travelling to Fogaras Mts., staying at and discovering the alpine zone – 3nights

Days 7-10

Travelling to Retyezat Mts. and discovering the region – 4nights

If time permits we do a day trip to Domogled Area – Cerna Valley.

Days 11-12

Travel to the Transylvanian Basin, Sibiu/Sighisoara region – 2nights

Days 13-14

Travel to the Bucegi Mts. – 2nights at the alpine zone.

Visiting The Tatarului Gorge, Zanoaga Valley, Pestera region

Day 15

Travel to Bucharest airport and fly to home

For detailed itinerary please download the Word Doc file at the bottom of the page