Area: Fagaras Mountains / Piatra Craiului Mountains
Level rate: Moderate
Date of departure: August, 3rd, 2010
Nr. of team members: 2-10
Trip duration (days): 12
Required gear: sleeping bag, backpack, boots, waterproof and warm changing cloths,
front-light and sweets.
Accommodation: tents & chalets

Day 1 – From the city to the wild
Transfer by minibus to the mountains

Road to Poienari Fortress

- pick-up at Bucharest international Henry Coanda Airport and transfer to Fagaras mountains
- depending on your arrival, on the way, if time allows it, we will visit Poienari Fortress and Vidraru Dam.
- picnic dinner (included)
Accommodation in tents (alt 1200m)
Poienari was erected around the beginning of the 13th century by the first Romanian rulers in the South region of Romania, known as Wallachia. In the 15th century, realizing the potential for a castle perched
high on a steep precipice of rock, Vlad III the Impaler, known also as Vlad Dracula, repaired and consolidated the structure, making it one of his main fortresses.
Although the castle was used for many years after Vlad’s death in 1476, it eventually was abandoned again in the first half of the 16th century and was in ruins by the 17th century. Due to its size and location, control
of the castle was difficult to take, even by natural forces. However, in 1888, a landslide brought down a portion of the castle which crashed into the river far below. Nonetheless, the castle was slightly repaired and
the walls and its towers still stand today. To reach the castle, visitors need to climb up from the valley 1500 steps.

Day 2 – Capra Lake (2505m)
Piscu Negru – Călţun Lake – Capra Lake

• Level rating: medium difficulty, about 8 hours of trekking
• Highlights: Călţun glacial lake, just under the Călţun Wall, the tallest north-face in Romania, trekking on the main ridge of Făgăras and Capra glacial lake.
• Accommodation: in tents near Capra Lake
• Short description:
- 07:00 Breakfast (included);
- 07:30 We leave our camping site and head up Paltinul stream towards CălŃun Lake;
- 11:00 Arrvial at CălţunLake, where we take a short rest before continuing;
- 13:00 Picnic lunch (included);
- 14:00 Arrival at Paltinul Saddle from which we continue for another hour to Capra Lake;
- 15:00 We arrive at lake Capra and after a rest we could do an optional hike up to Vânătoarea lui Buteanu peak for a wonderful panorama;
- 19:00 Dinner (included).

Day 3 – Approaching Podragu- the base for summiting Moldoveanu peak the next day
Capra Glacial Lake – Podragu Hut

Podragu Lake

• Level rating: medium difficulty, about 7 hours of trekking
• Highlights: Trekking on one of the most steep and difficult zones Făgăras has to offer, arriving
at Podragu hut where we will plan the next day’s ascent on Moldoveanu.
• Accommodation: in tents near Podragu Chalet
• Short description:
- 08:00 Breakfast (included);
- 08:30 We leave our camping site and start hiking towards Fereastra Zmeilor Shelter;
- 10:30 Arrival at Fereastra Zmeilor Shelter;
- 13:00 Picnic lunch (included);
- 15:00 Arrival at Podragu Hut , where we could do an optional hike to Podrăgel Lake;
- 19:00 Dinner (included).

Day 4 – Romania’s Roof – Moldoveanu Peak and down again
Podragu – Moldoveanu Peak (2545) – Fereastra
Sâmbetei
• Level rating: medium difficulty, about 8 hours of trekking
• Highlights: Reaching Moldoveanu Peak (2545)
– highest in Romania.
• Accommodation: in tents near Fereastra Zmeilor Saddle
• Short description:
- 07:00 Breakfast (included);
- 07:30 We leave Podragu and start hiking towards Viştea Mare peak;
- 11:00 Taking our final steps before reaching Moldoveanu peak;
- 11:30 Going down and starting the trail towards Fereastra Mare;
- 13:00 Picnic lunch;
- 14:30 Arrival at Fereastra Mare a Sambetei saddle
From this point, we could continue on with the trek and camp further on the
ridge if you are not to tired, otherwise we camp in Fereastra Mare saddle;
- 19:00 Dinner (included).

Day 5 – Entering Piatra Craiului Through Rudăriţa Canton
Fereastra Mare a Sâmbetei – Curmătura Zârnei – Vârful Comisu – Chaleta Rudăriţa
• Level rating: medium difficulty, about 8-9 hours of trekking (mostly descending)
• Highlights: Superb views over the massif, trekking through one of the wilder zones of Făgăras and our first view over Piatra Craiului Mountains.
• Accommodation: in tents near Rudărita Canton
• Short description:
- 07:00 Breakfast (included);
- 07:30 We leave our camping site and start the hike towards Rudăriţa Canton, the gate to Piatra Craiului;
- 10:00 Stop for a break at Curmătura Zârnei Canton;
- 13:00 Picnic lunch;
- 16:00 Arrival at Rudăriţa Canton ;
Here we have the option to go further (another 10 km) and camp near Plaiu Foii Chalet
- 19:00 Dinner (included).

Day 6 – Resting at Plaiu Foii Chalet
• Level rating: easy difficulty, about 2 hours of trekking (on a forest road)
• Highlights: Relaxing while admiring the west-walls of Piatra Craiului.
• Accommodation: Plaiu Foii Chalet
• Short description:
- 07:00 Breakfast (included);
- 07:30 We leave Rudăriţa Canton and follow the road to Plaiul Foii;
- 09:00 arrival at Plaiu Foii;
- 13:00 Lunch at Plaiu Foii Chalet(not included);
There is no program for the rest of the day, the guide will go to town for some
fresh supplies, while you enjoy the the time off, or join him on his way to Zărnesti
- 19:00 Dinner at Plaiu Foii Chalet(not included)

Day 7 – First Day of Wildlife Observation
Plaiu Foii – Spirla shelter – Zăplaz
• Level rating: medium difficulty, about 4-5
hours of trekking.
• Highlights: Spirla Shelter, Zăplaz, Wildlife
observation.
• Accommodation: Tents near Plaiu Foii Area
• Short description:
- 08:30 Breakfast (included);
- 09:00 Leaving our camping spot for Spirla
Shelter.
- 11:00 We arrive at Spirla shelter, place where an anti-aircraft cannon was placed in
World War II;
- 12:00 We visit the peculiar rock formation of Zaplaz;
- 14:00 We are back at our camping place and we serve a picnic lunch ;
- 17:00 We meet up with the park rangers who will take us for our first encounter with Piatra Craiului’s wildlife (EUR 25,- photo tax for personal use or EUR50,- photo tax for
commercial use are not included );
- 20:00-21:00 Picnic Dinner at our camping place.

Day 8 – Second Day of Wildlife Observation
Plaiu Foii – Spirla shelter – Zăplaz

Rupicapra Rupicapra

• Level rating: medium to difficult, 5-6 hours.
• Highlights: Diana Shelter, Colţii Chiliilor Monastery, second day wildlife observation.
• Accommodation: Tents near Plaiu Foii Area
• Short description:
- 08:00 Breakfast (included);
- 09:00 Leaving our camping spot for Diana Shelter.
- 11:00 We arrive at Diana shelter, one of the first shelters in Piatra Craiului was built here, but it’s been replaced with the new one we will visit.
- 12:00 We visit Colţii Chiliilor Monastery
- 14:00 We are back at our camping place and we serve a picnic lunch
- 17:00 We meet up with the park rangers that will take us for another encounter with Piatra Craiului’s wildlife.
- 20:00-21:00 Picnic Dinner at our camping place

Day 9 – Exploring the south ridge of mount Piatra Craiului
Plaiu Foii – Spirla shelter – Zăplaz – La Om – Saua Funduri – marele Grohotis – Plaiu Foii
• Level rating: medium to difficult, 10-11 hours.
• Highlights: La Lanțuri route, one of the most spectacular marked trails in Romania,
Piscu Baciului peak, the highest in Piatra
Craiului, the South ridge, offering a wonderful
opportunity to spot black mountain goats
climbing the rocky faces of Piatra Craiului .
• Accommodation: Tents near Plaiu Foii Area
• Short description:
- 07:00 Breakfast (included);
- 08:00 Leaving our camping spot and passing by Spirla shelter
- 12:00 We arrive at Grind II shelter, up on the
ridge and up to Piscu Baciului Peak.
- 12:30 We are back at Grind II and we will have a picnic lunch.
- 13:00 We head on the South ridge until we reach Funduri Saddle
- 16:00 From Funduri Saddle we return to Plaiu Foii on a route that goes beneath the
west faces of Piatra Craiului
- 19:00-20:00 Picnic Dinner at our camping place

Day 10 – Relaxation and the 3rd day of wildlife observation
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights Third day of wildlife observation
Accommodation: Tents near Plaiu Foii Area
• Short description:
- 09:00 Breakfast (included);
- 10:00 Today we relax, but we can find lots of
trails to walk around for those who wish to.
- 14:00 Lunch (included)
- 17:00 The rangers will come to pick us up for
our third evening of wildlife exploration
- 21:00 Picnic dinner at our camping place
DAY 11 – Popasul Craiului- “Hopes’ Shelter” – Wildlife observation
• Level rating: Medium
• Highlights An unmarked trail that will lead us to “Hopes’ Shelter”, placed in the heart
of the mountain, our last evening of wildlife observation
• Short description:
- 08:00 Breakfast (included);
- 9:00 We will head off into the mountain to find the Hopes’ Shelter, a spot where in the
early 50’s the cream of the romanian alpine community gathered and set up bases for the
exploration of the massif
- 14:00 Picnic lunch (included)
- 17:00 We will be accompanied by the park rangers into the forest for the last evening
of wildlife observation.
- 21:00 Picnic dinner at our camping place

DAY 12 – Going to Bucharest
09:00 Breakfast (included);
10:00 Start hiking back to Zărnesti – 12 km of forest
road;
12:00 Taking the public bus to Brasov;
13:00 Exploring Brasov or taking the first mini-bus to
Bucharest.

1ST DAY – Meeting in Brasov
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights: – Visit of Bran Castle, visiting the traditional villages of Măgura and Pestera, first view over Piatra Craiului mountains ridge.
• Accommodation: We will check in at “Casa Folea” chalet, one of the first agro-touristical pensions in Romania.
• Short program: – After meeting up in Brasov we go to the Bus station to Bran and wait for a bus there;
- We visit Bran Castle if time permits and then start hiking up towards Pestera village.
- this day’s breakfast, lunch and dinner are not included.
2ND DAY – Trekking around Piatra Craiului
• Level rating: easy to medium, 6 hours.
• Highlights: trekking through a sheep herding area and visiting (if possible at the time) a traditional shepard’s lodge, Piatra Mică chalet.
• Accommodation: Curmătura Chalet.
• Program schedule:
- 8:30 Breakfast (included);
- 09:30 Leaving our guesthouse and heading towards Table area;
- 12:00 We arrive at Table area, and stop for a talk with the local shepherds and even visit a traditional shepard’s hut;
- 13:00 Picnic lunch (included);
- 14:00 We arrive at Curmătura Chalet, a beautiful, old chalet guarded by two friendly St. Bernards;
- 16:00 After having a rest we will climb Piatra Mică peak a very specacular thin ridge that will give you an ideea about what’s about to come the next day on the main ridge;
- 19:00 We are back at the chalet and we serve dinner (not included)

3rd DAY – Hiking the main ridge of Piatra Craiului and it’s west face
• Level rating: medium to difficult, 6-7 hours.
• Highlights: Reaching the main ridge of Piatra Craiului, one of the most spectacular mountains in Romania, sunset over the west face of Piatra Craiului viewed.
• Accommodation: Plaiul Foii Chalet.
• Short program:
- 8:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 09:00 Leaving Curmătura Caban and going up the ridge through
from AscuŃit to La om peak
- 13:00 We stop for picnic lunch (included)
- 15:00 We arrive at La om peak, the highest point of the ridge at 2238.
- 18:00 We are at the Spirla shelter and not far from tonight’s
accommodation, the Plaiul Foii Chalet.
- 19:00 Serving dinner (not included)at Plaiu Foii Chalet

4th DAY – Wildlife observation
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights: An evening wildlife observation
• Accommodation: Plaiu foii chalet.
• Short program:
- 9:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 10:00 Today we relax a bit
in the first half but we can
find lots of trails to walk
around if you want to.
- 14:00 Lunch (not included)
- 18:00 The park rangers will come to pick us up for going to the
wildlife exploration post.
- 20:00 We will serve dinner (not included) at our Chalet

5TH DAY – Exploring Brasov
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights: Exploring Brasov old city centre
• Accommodation: Guest house in Brasov
• Short program:
- 9:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 10:00 We start the hike back to Zărnesti on the forest road.
- 12:00 We arrive at Zărnesti and take the bus to Brasov

- 13:00 Lunch (not included) in Brasov after we checked in at our guesthouse
- 14:00 Free time to explore Brasov
- 20:00 We will serve dinner (not included)

6th DAY – Back on the mountains – Piatra Mare
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights: The 7 Ladders Canion, carved in limestone.
• Accommodation: Piatra Mare chalet.
• Schedule:
- 8:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 9:00 We follow the national road towards the entrance of Piatra Mare
- 11:00 We will arrive at the 7 Ladder Canyon
- 13:00 Check in at Piatra Mare chalet and picnic lunch
(included)
- 14:00 We head off to trek up Piatra Mare peak and if weather
conditions will be good we will have a great view of the area

- 20:00 We will serve dinner (not included)

7th DAY – Visiting Sinaia
• Level rating: easy
• Highlights: Tamina Waterfall, Peles and Pelisor Castles and the Sinaia Monastery.
• Accommodation: a pension in Busteni
• Short program:
- 8:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 9:00 We traverse the Piatra Mare plateau and descent towards Tamina Waterfall
- 11:00 We are passing by the Tamina Waterfall
- 12:00 Go to the railroad station and wait for the train (this station is rather small so not many trains pass through it)
- 15:00 We visit Peles Palace and the Sinaia Monastery after having lunch (not included).
- 19:00 Transfer by public transportation to Busteni where we check in.
8th DAY – Going up on the Bucegi Plateau

• Level rating: easy – moderate
• Highlights: Going up the Bucegi mountains, the natural rock  formation that resembles the Sphinx.
• Accommodation: pension in Bucegi.
• Short program:
- 8:00 Breakfast (not included)
- 9:00 We start our way up the mountain either on an unmarked trail like “Valea Albă” (white valley), or on a touristic path that will lead us to the Bucegi Plateau.
- 13:00 We visit the peculiar rock formations around Babele chalet

- 14:00 We stop for a picnic lunch (included)
- 15:00 Starting our descent on a different path, or by cable car (not included)
- 18:00 We are back in Busteni and we serve dinner(not included)

9th DAY – “La revedere” – Good Bye!

After breakfast we will say good bye, wishing you all the best !
Prices:

Transfer to Piatra Caiului Mountains

Welcoming you at the Otopeni Int. Airport , transfer thru the mountains: Sinaia – Predeal – Zarnesti

Accommodation at a mountain lodge, in the middle of the forest

2^ND DAY SUNDAY

Deep into the forest, looking for wildlife.

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM visit the Carpathians’ brown bear habitat. Romania is known for sheltering more than a half of Europeans’ big wildlife population. Watching the brown bear in freedom is definitely a spectacle. Special program with the National Forest Service.

A forester will join the group for the day.

Optional: visit the spruce and firs forest. The forest is a natural reservation, one of the three reservations in Romanian Mountains, the trees being not only old but also having impressing sizes. A two hours walk will take us to this magnificent fir-trees forest.

7:00 PM Dinner

Accommodation at Gura Bârsei lodge

• Easy – Moderate hike.
• Hiking time – ~ 5 hours
• Sightseeing objectives: the brown bear, the spruce forest in the reservation

3^RD DAY MONDAY

Watching wild life (chamois)

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM 4-6 hours medium hike

For this day’s program we’ll have to climb the steep slopes of Piatra Craiului. Near the ridge a local guide from the forest service will show us the places where the chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ) lives. The chances of seeing chamois in their natural habitat are quite big.

7 PM Having dinner

Accommodation at Gura Bârsei mountain lodge

4^TH DAY TUESDAY

Moderate to difficult hike on the Piatra Craiului Mts Ridge (8 -10 hours)

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM 8 -10 hours hike. The path fallows Spirla Valley, climbing few hundreds meters on a narrow foot-path in the forest, in light ascend, then on the wide path in moderate ascend. The path leaves Spirla Valley to the right ascending steadily in the near by a spring and in windings it comes out of the forest in the glade with Spirla Refuge. The path turns to the East – South- East, towards the steep slope and gently passes through several glades. In short time the path turns left, comes out of the forest and, across an area with scree, ascends steadily to “La Zaplaz”, at the foot of the rocky steep slope. Crossing to the left, ascends a step and then continues to the right through a narrow path endowed with chains. After that we reach a calm place at the level of several holes carved in the limestone rock. Farther upwards the route continues through a wide ravine with several rocky steep steps, endowed with chains, this part is called “La Lanturi” (The Chains); then the path crosses Braul de Mijloc and reaches the main ridge in Saua Grindului (Grind Saddle).

Not far from here there is the highest peak on the massif: La Om or Piscul Baciului 2238m / 7234ft

8 PM Dinner

Accommodation at Gura Bârsei lodge

5^TH DAY WEDNESDAY

Transfer to Sighişoara medieval town

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:30 AM Visit Bran castle

12:00 Pm Visit Râşnov castle.

2 PM Visit Brasov old City (Council square, Black Church – the largest Gothic building in SE Europe, Rope street – the narrowest in Romania)

On the way to Sighisoara the road is passing by nice Transylvanian villages with tall walls, hiding large yards and house keeps. Also we pass by fortified churches and small castles, Rupea ruins and Feldioara being the most spectacular.

7PM: Dinner in the house where Dracula was born.

Accommodation in 3*guest house in the old town.

6^TH DAY THURSDAY

Transfer to Răşinari Village

9:00 AM Breakfast

On the way to Sibiu the road crosses Transylvania from East to West, many villages with typical houses with tall walls and large gates that are closing the yard almost like a citadel. In the town of Medias Vlad Dracul (Dracula) was kept prisoner for a short time. At Slimnic can be seen a stronghold from the defensive system of Sibiu .

City of Sibiu is one of the largest in Transylvania and the largest medieval city in Romania . Visit city of Sibiu ( Main Square , The Small Square, City hall’s tower, Lairs Bridge )

7 PM Dinner

Accommodation in *** guest house in Răşinari

7^TH DAY FRIDAY

Transfer to Bucharest

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM visit Răşinari village.

Răşinari is a typical Romanian village in Transylvania , with influences of the German style. The streets are narrow; the houses have tall walls, hiding the yard and the house. Large gates allow the wagons and still running horse-driven carriages to enter inside, and nearby there is a small door for people. Rasinari is the village where two of the greatest Romanian writers where born: Octavian Goga and Eugen Ionescu, the last being the founder of the absurd theatre. He lived the last part of his life in France , at Paris , being adopted by the French culture under the name Eugen Ionesco.

The road fallows Olt River to the South by its narrow path cut into the Carpathians, dividing Southern Carpathians: at East Făgăraş Massif and Cozia Mountains and at West Parâng Goup (Lotru and Capatânii Mountains.).

At the end of the narrow path on the right side of Olt river there can be seen the ruins of a Roman military camp. A few miles down there is Cozia Monastery erected in 1386 by Mircea the Great. The church has on top a golden cross. During World War II the soviet army tried to steal it but they could not.

South of Cozia the road takes us through some famous spas in Romania : Caciulata, Calimanesti. The spas are famous for them mineral waters; tourists from allover Europe c o me here every year for different medical treatments. Calimanesti hosts a palace that was built by Napoleon the 3 rd , the king of France as a summer residence. Nowadays the palace hosts Central Hotel.

Râmnicu Vâlcea is the capital City of Valcea County. The city is a typical small one having few objectives to see.

Pre Carpathian Hills are a region famous for the fruit trees, being covered by huge orchards.

Pitesti is the capital city of Arges county, also called The city of Tulips is a trade center situated on the banks of Arges river, being at the contact of Pre Carpathian Hills and Romanian Plain, two reach regions.

Bucharest city tour.

Accommodation at 3* Hotel in Bucharest


8^TH DAY SATURDAY
Breakfast

Transfer to Bucharest International Airport .

Planning upon flight schedule.

1^ST DAY, SATURDAY

Welcoming the guests at the international Airport Bucharest Otopeni. Check -out, introduction and leaving the airport, heading directly to the Danube Delta.Transfer by minibus towards Macin Mountains National Park : Bucharest Airport OTOPENI – Braila – Smardan– Luncavita – Valea Fagilor Natural Rezerve.

Pitching the tents. Stay over night (height: 100 m)

• A stop for buying the food

2^ND DAY, SUNDAY

Hiking Macin Mountains

• Hiking through the European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) forest towards the Tutuiatu Peak (467 m) highest altitude of Dobrogea and Ioanesu Peak .Camping area at 5 min from Ioanesu Peak.• Medium hike.• Hiking time – 6 (six) hours• Height difference: 367 m

3^TH DAY, TUESDAY

Hiking on Macin Mountains

Hiking toward Greci village and Pricopan Ridge . Pitching the tents in the Piatra Raioasa Peak area (height: 200 m). Stay over night.

• Medium hike

• Hiking time – 6 (six) hours

• Visiting Greci Village (a large community of ex stone workers community), the Sulucu Mare Peak (370 m) and Pricopan Summit, the Dinosaurus and the sleeping girl (granite rock formations).

Walking, canoeing and birdwatching in Danube Delta

Macin – Tulcea – Danube Delta

Unpitching the tents and leaving the campsite for the Town of Macin.Transfer to Tulcea by minibus and to Crisan(a tipcal delta village) by boat. A canoe training ,a little practicing and canoeing for Caraorman chanel sleeping spot(south from Crisan).

• Easy hike towards Macin, then heading to the Danube Delta.

Danube Delta holds a third place in the world as bio-diversity, after The Big Reef Barrier and Galapagos Islands. Meantime here there are the biggest reef areas worldwide.

• Transfer with a catamaran boat 47km

• Easy canoeing

• Camping on a sandy beach on the side of Caraorman Chanel in the hart of the delta

• Birdwatching

Canoeing and birdwatching in Danube Delta

Caraorman Chanel – Suez Chanel – Perivolovca Chanel – Litcov Chanel – Cuibul cu Lebede Lake (Nest of Swans Lake).

• Easy canoeing
• Canoeing close to the Caraorman sand dunes
• Birdwatching on the Lakes in Danube Delta

Birdwatching in Danube Delta

Litcov Chanel – Lung Chanel – short visit to Obretin Lake – Sulina arm – Dunarea Veche

• Easy canoeing in places that can only be reached with the canoe

• Short visit to Obretin Lake

• Visit to Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration Information point in Crisan (if it’s open)

• Birdwatching

• Camping close to the old Danube path (Dunarea Veche)

• Or if you decide in the last night we could accommodate in a pension house in Crisan Village

Exploring Dobrodgea County, transfer by car to Bucharest

A) Dunarea Veche – Crisan –Tulcea – Bucharest

We wake up early in the morning, raise the camp and leave for Crisan (45 min of canoeing).Transfer by ferry to Tulcea at 8:00 . Transfer from Tulcea to Bucharest by minibus and arrival in Bucharest around 17:00 ( 270 km).

.

B) Crisan – Tulcea – Bucharest

Transfer by ferry to Tulcea at 8:00 . Transfer from Tulcea to Bucharest by minibus and arrival in Bucharest around 17:00 ( 270 km).