Carpathian Walking & Bears

8 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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Small Group Tour
History and geography conspired to make Transylvania in central Romania one of the most wild and fascinating regions in Europe. For centuries, the local people have existed in harmony with a variety of wildlife, including the highest concentration of wolves, lynx and bears on the continent – almost half the European population of brown bears is recorded in th...
$2,430
From$1,800
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the wilds of central Romania, home to brown bears, Saxon villages and the Carpathian Mountains
    • Visit the largest brown bear sanctuary in Europe and opt to join a bear-watching evening with a forester
    • Hike through the spectacular landscape: meadows, forests and mountain trails
    • Visit Vlad the Impaler’s Bran Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula
    • Enjoy an authentic Carpathian welcome at Villa Hermani in the remote village of Magura

What's this trip about?

    History and geography conspired to make Transylvania in central Romania one of the most wild and fascinating regions in Europe. For centuries, the local people have existed in harmony with a variety of wildlife, including the highest concentration of wolves, lynx and bears on the continent – almost half the European population of brown bears is recorded in the Carpathian Mountains. Meanwhile, dense forests have remained largely untouched. Our days are spent on walks through spectacular canyons, virgin forests and Saxon villages. We go in search of brown bears and explore the medieval town of Brasov as well as Bran Castle, best known as the residence of Dracula.Hike through the majestic mountains and rustic villages of central Romania while searching for wild brown bears

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBucharest Airport
End CityBucharest Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks

Destinations

Attractions

  • Brasov
  • Bucharest
  • Romania
  • Transylvania

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, five packed lunches and six dinners
    • All accommodation
    • Free group arrival and departure transfers available

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Bucharest; transfer to Magura

Our family-run guesthouse, and home for the week, is in the quaint village of Magura within Piatra Craiului National Park. It is approximately 105mi (170km) from Bucharest Airport and takes around 3hr 30min to reach by road. Therefore, we highly recommend you join the group minibus transfer. Due to the late arrival of the group transfer, dinner tonight is a light snack.

Day 2 Walk to visit Kalibash villages

After breakfast, we spend the day exploring the area surrounding the unique Kalibash villages of Magura and Pestera, where the houses are built along mountain ridges with deep ravines and valleys in between. We learn about the history of the settlements, which were built against the medieval invasions of Mongols, Tartars and Turks.

Day 3 Horse-drawn cart ride and hike in Barza Valley; evening brown bear watching

Today, after a walk into the Barza Valley, we travel the traditional way as horse-drawn carts take us on a journey. As we slowly make our way, we enjoy a spectacular view to Piatra Craiului Mountain and the dispersed settlement of Poiana Marului. We then leave the car...

Day 4 Visit Dracula's Castle

In the morning, we start from the guesthouse and hike uphill across the flower meadows. Here we have splendid views over the wide landscape of small hamlets and mountains. We stay on the ridge and walk slowly downhill through beech forests to busy Bran. Bran Castle w...

Day 5 Take a train to Brasov, city tour

Today we hang up our hiking boots and take a combination of train and electric buses to Brasov (approximately one hour), the cultural and economic heart of the region. This medieval town has been a mix of nations ever since it was founded in the 12th century. We have ...

Day 6 Hike through alpine pastures to Curmatura Cabin

The first highlight this morning is a hike through Zarnesti Gorge, which was formed 3m years ago by water cutting through the limestone massif of Piatra Craiului. We hike up to Curmatura Cabin at 4,820ft (1,470m), right under the walls of Piatra Craiului, which is ope...

Day 7 Visit brown bear sanctuary; hike to Vulcan

We head down to the valley and visit LiBearty, the largest brown bear sanctuary in Europe. Set in oak and hazel forests, it is home to more than 100 rescued bears, many of whom suffered years in captivity as dancing bears or in circuses. From the sanctuary, we go on ...

Day 8 To Bucharest Airport; end

The adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Bid a fond farewell to the guesthouse, which may feel like a second home by now, and begin your return journey home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,800
Price per day$225
Last Updated: 5/22/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
26 Apr 2025
03 May 2025
$2,175
$2,475
10 May 2025
17 May 2025
$2,175
$2,475
31 May 2025
07 Jun 2025
$2,175
$2,475
14 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$2,175
$2,475
05 Jul 2025
12 Jul 2025
$2,175
$2,475
19 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$2,175
$2,475
16 Aug 2025
23 Aug 2025
$2,175
$2,475
06 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025
$2,175
$2,475
20 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025
$2,175
$2,475
27 Sep 2025
04 Oct 2025
$2,175
$2,475

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,502
Great
3,265
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
190
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Great walking holiday

Really enjoyed this trip. Many activities, so many that I had to have a day off. Saw bears. Lots. Bears. Bran Castle. Walking around mountain top in the fog. He w...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Picturesque places, lush landscape and beautiful bears.

A great way to spend the week, walking in the countryside, seeing many sites with fantastic architecture and cute bears doing their thing in the wild. Watching the ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Carpathian Mountains a revelation

This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. I was not expecting the Carpathian mountains to be so beautiful or there to be such an abundance of wild flowers. The accommo...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Transylvanian experience and hospitality at its finest

I booked this trip primarily to see the bears and enjoy some leisurely walks through the meadows and forests. It exceeded my expectations, mainly due to our guide ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

What does this mean?

This was a very well thought out holiday with an excellent mixture of walks and visits designed to give us an insight into the local way of life that fell exactly ...

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Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews

S

Sheila Bissell

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Excellent service

Excellent service

R

Roger hil

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Roger

They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable

G

Gill Barber

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Visas and vaccinations
    • Single supplement

Accommodation

7 nights in a comfortable guesthouse with twin and single rooms. Most rooms are en suite but some have shared facilities (max two rooms per bathroom). Travel by minibus and horse and cart Good fitness required for walks All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners included
We 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 free wifi at the guesthouse. Our friendly hosts, German couple Hermann and Katharina Kurmes, possess a wealth of knowledge on Transylvania, wildlife conservation and serve delicious homemade food. 
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, five packed lunches and six dinners are included. Meals are a mixture of fresh local produce and Romanian/Transylvanian specialities. Transylvanian cuisine is influenced by several traditions and cultures (German, Hungarian and Romanian cuisine) but maintains a distinct character with a love for homemade cooking. Soups are a staple, main meals tend to be hearty with a strong focus on local produce, while desserts are varied and plentiful. Breakfasts are usually 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 usually be self-made sandwiches; you can choose your own fillings from the morning buffets. Each evening there is a choice between a meat or vegetarian dish. Dinner on the first evening is typically a light snack (cold platters with local food and bread) due to the late arrival of the group. On one evening, we enjoy dinner in a typical Romanian restaurant in Brasov. This meal is not included, allow approximately 120 Romanian lei (US$25) – without drinks – for this. Vegetarian and special diets can be catered for, but options can be limited throughout Romania – please inform the office of any specific requirements upon booking.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-WVR

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