CULTURE AND HIKING IN ROMANIA

1^ST DAY SATURDAY

Transfer to Piatra Caiului Mountains

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

Easy hike up to Curmatura Hut.

• Hiking time: 3 hours
• Altitude difference: +700 m
• Sightseeing objectives: The first view over Piatra Craiului ridge, from Curmatura Meadow.

Accommodation in Curmatura Mountain Hut (1470 m) – no running water or electricity.

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM This circuit offers a relaxing walk as well as the possibility to admire the surrounding massifs: Iezer mountains, Fagaraş, as well as the whole limestone of Piatra Craiului. Optional alternative: Plaiul Foii – Spirla Shelter – (The great Scree) – La Zaplaz – La Om Peak – Plaiul Foii (7-8 hours) Second alternative: leaving Plaiul Foii in the morning, hiking up to “The Hope’s Shelter” (1,5 h), then continue for another 2,5 hours on “Padina lui Calinetz” a wild, unmarked area, then reaching Ascutit Peak, descend on Braul Cioranga Mare and back to Plaiul Foii – total 8 hours of hiking. Descend from The Hope’s Shelter”also possible, with a shorter route of only 5-6 hours.

• Moderate hike
• Hiking time: 5-6 (five – six) hours
• Altitude difference : +900 m / -900 m
• Sightseeing objectives: the beautiful panorama from Tamasul Mare Peak.

Accommodation in Plaiul Foii Chalet.

Hiking on Fagaras Mountains

Leaving Balea Chalet in the morning, going up to Caltun Lake (Caltun Shelter nearby). From here, depending of weather conditions a hike up through Devil’s Saddle (Strunga Dracului) to reach Negoiu Peak (2535 m, the second highest peak in Romania) .

• Is a moderate hike;
• Hiking time: 5 – 6 (five to six) hours
• Altitude difference: + 500 m / -500 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Caltun Glacial Lake, view from Negoiu over the ridge of Fagaras Mountains.

Accommodation in *** Balea Lake Chalet

Hiking on Fagaras Mountains: Balea Lac going up to Vanatoarea lui Buteanu Peak, from where the most beautiful panorama over Fagaras is to be seen. Then going to Capra Peak (2400 m), descent to Capra Lake, Curmatura Bucurei and back to the chalet Balea Lac. (Possible descent directly in Transfagarasan road, for transfer to Sighisoara).

• Is a moderate hike;
• Hiking time: 4 (four) – 5 (five) hours;
• Altitude difference: +500 m / -500 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Balea Lake, panorama view from Vanatoarea lui Buteanu peak, Capra Lake.

Transfer by car to Sighisoara (2,5 hours). If time allows, we’ll stop to visit some of the medieval fortifications of Transylvania.

Accommodation in Sighisoara, *** guest-house.

Visit Sighişoara in the morning. Leaving for Maramureş, reaching Maramureş in about 4,5 hours. You’ll visit some of the 8 wooden churches included on world’s heritage list  by UNESCO.
Visit the wooden churches of Surdeşti and Plopiş.
The wooden church in Surdeşti has been built in 1767 from oak-tree. Its tower is 54 meters height, being surrounded by four other small towers. Total tower of the church is 72 meters. The ” Holy Archangels” church of Surdeşti is not only the tallest oak-tree building in Europe, but also a masterpiece of popular architectural genius.

• Traveling time: 4 (four) – 4,5 (four and a half) hours + stops;
• Sightseeing objectives: Sighisoara Medieval Town, Surdesti Church, Plopis Church .

Accommodation in Surdesti village. ** guest-house.

Visit Maramureş, Sapânţa merry cemetery and the wooden churches here.
Visit the wooden churches from Vadu Izei, Bârsana and Ieud, as well as Rozavlea.
The church in the monastery of Bârsana is the tallest wooden construction in world, with the tower reaching
. Travelling time: 4 (four) – 4,5 (four and a half) hours + stops.
. Sightseeing objectives: Sighisoara Medieval Town, Surdesti Church, Plopis Church .

Accommodation in Borsa, *** guest-house.

Hiking in Rodnei Mountains

Climb to Ineu peak (2303 m) and back to Borşa resort.

• Moderate to demanding hike;
• Hiking time: 6 (six) – 8 (eight) hours;
• Sightseeing objectives: Rodna Mountains, Ineu peak natural reservation, nice view over Maramureş depression, Maramureş mountains.

Accommodation in Borsa, the same *** guest-house..

Visit the painted monasteries of Moldova.

Leaving Borsa heading for the painted monateries. The first to visit will be Moldovita (1532) then we’ll head for Sucevita and then to Gura Humorului

Moldoviţa is a fortified monastery built in 16th century, the dominant color is red
The masters who painted its interior and exterior walls have decorated them with scenes from 16th century Moldavian daily life. But the most interesting painting is the Siege of Constantinople on the south façade, relating to the Romanians’ fights against foreign invasions, especially Turks. The painting combines scenes of the siege of Constantinople from 1453 with others referring to a previous such attempt made by the Persians, in 1626.

Suceviţa monastery was built in 16th century has the dominant color blue. The monastery in fortified with thick walls guarded by towers.
Paintings at Sucevita were best preserved both on the outside and on the inside.
Frescoes are painted in purple red and blue against an emerald green background. There is plenty of gold too, taken from the art of miniature.

Accommodation in Gura Humorului, ** guest -house

Visit the painted monasteries of Moldova

Heading for Putna monastery – Patrauti – Dragomirna – Suceva city (with it’s rich historical heritage) – Voronet Monastery (famous for it’s blue color, it has been surnamed the Sistine Chapel of the east) – Humor.

Situated in a valley 5 km north of Gura Humorului, Humor church was built in 1530 by Petru Rares and his High Chancellor Teodor Bubuiog, on the site of a monastic complex built before 1415. The church, consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin, is smaller than other churches of the painted monasteries and does not have any cupolas. Humor Monastery was among the first churches to be painted. Its frescoes are due to Toma of Suceava and were performed in 1535, the dominant color is yellow.

A convent consecrated to St. George, Voronet lies at walking distance from the Gura Humorului town. An old Romanian chronicle written by Ion Neculce records that Stephen the Great founded Voronet Monastery in 1488 to fulfill a pledge to the hermit Daniil who had encouraged the ruling prince of Moldavia to chase the Turks from Wallachia. After having won the battle against the Turks, Stephen erected Voronet in three months and 21 days, on the very spot Daniil had his small wooden hermitage.
Its interior and exterior paintings were made later on, between 1534-1535, during prince Petru Rares’ rule. The dominant color is the world famous Voronet blue.

Putna monastery is the resting place of Stephan the Great, one of the greatest moldavian king, a defender of Christianity in the 15 the century.

Patrauti monastery was built by Stephan the Great after one of the 45 battles he won against the Turks.

Dragomirna is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Bucovina. It is a small fort with high walls and a great stone carving on the spire.

Suceava is the capital city of Suceava county. The former capital of Moldavia, a strong castle that has never been conquered, was the capital of the Moldavian state ruled by Stephan for almost 50 years.

Accommodation in Gura Humorului, ** guest -house.

Visit the monasteries of Agapia and Varatec, Neamt fortress, (XVth century) – Neamt Monastery – Bicaz Lake – Bicaz Gorges – Red Lake – Tusnad spa – Predeal

Transfer by car to Predeal resort.

Departure Day, schedule according to the flight’s departure.
If time allows, in the morning, leave Predeal heading for Râşnov fortress, XIVth century stronghold. According to your preferences, also visit Bran Castle or an easy walk in Postavaru mountains. Having lunch in Bran.

Transfer by bus to Otopeni airport.

WHITE
SLOPES
CIRCUIT

Maps

Level rate: Demanding

Dates of departure: June – October 2010, on demand.

Nr. of team members: 2 – 10

Trip duration (days): 8

Required gear: Backpack, sleeping bag, food, spot light, good mountain boots, waterproof and warm changing clothes, water can, sweets, first-aid kit.

We provide: tents, the sleeping mats,hiking poles upon request.

Transfer by bus: Bucharest Intl. Airport Otopeni – Mountain chalet ‘Plaiul Foii’ (190 Km / 120 miles)
Pitching the tents in the ‘Plaiul Foii’ area. Stay over night (alt. 850 m)
Optional accommodation in the chalet available, on your own expense.

Hiking trail in the ‘Piatra Craiului’ (The King’s Stone) massif: Plaiul Foii – N. Anghelide and back to the tents at Plaiul Foii (alt. 850 m). Stay over night.

• Very difficult hike – basic climbing skills are required.
• Hiking time – 6 (six) hours
• Altitude difference: 800 m
• Sightseeing objectives: the beautiful wild limestone area: Poarta (The Gate), Turnul de la Poarta (The Gate’s Tower), Canionul (The Canyon).

Unpitching the tents and leaving the campsite.
Hiking: Plaiul Foii – Briul de jos (Lower ring) – Marele Grohotis (The Great Scree) – Mountain Hut Garofita Pietrii Craiului at 1.100 m (The Piatra Craiului Pink) / accommodation.

• Medium-easy hike
• Hiking time – 5 (five) hours
• Altitude difference: 500 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Marele Grohotis (The Great Scree) – riveron limestone basement aprox. 1 Km wide
  • Optional: Padina Lancii – Poiana Inchisa which is a very difficult trail of 3.5 – 4 hrs. (climbing skills required).

Hiking: Garofita Pietrii Craiului hut – Saua Funduri (Funduri saddle) – Brusturet hut at 1.000 m (accommodation)

• Medium-difficult hike
• Hiking time – 8.5 hours
• Altitude difference: 850 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Marele Grohotis; Ceardacul Stanciului; Peştera Stanciului (Stanciu’s Cave); Funduri saddle .




• Optional:Saua Funduri – Virful Piatra (The Piatra Peak – 2.100 m). A medium-difficult 1.5 hrs hike

Hiking: Cabana Brusturet (Brusturet hut) – Cheile Dâmbovicioarei (The Dimbovicioara’s Gorge) – Podul Dâmboviţei (The Dimbovita’s bridge) – Cheile Cheii (The Keys Gorge)

• It’s a rather easy hike
• Hiking time – 6 (six) hours
• Altitude difference: 200 m
• Sightseeing objetives: The Brusturet Gorge, The Dimbovicioara Gorge and Cave, The Cheile Gorge

Pitching the tents in the Cheile Cheii area (alt. 800 m). Stay over night.

Hiking: Cheile Cheii – Fundatica – Moeciu de Sus – Valea Bingaleasa (reaching the Bucegi massif)

• It’s an easy hike
• Hiking time – 5 (five) hours
• Altitude difference: 300 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Cheile Cheii (The Keys Gorge), Cheile Crovului (The Crovu’s Gorge), The Emilian Cristea Cave

Pitching the tents in the Bingaleasa Valley (alt.900 m). Stay over night.

Hiking in the Bucegi Mountains: Valea Bingaleasa – Saua Batrina (The Batrina Saddle) – Virfu Gutanu (The Gutanu peak) – Valea Gaura (The Gaura Valley) – back to the Bingaleasa Valley.

• Difficult hike
• Hiking time : 10 (ten) hours
• Altitude differenece : 1.400 m
• Sightseeing objetcives: Beautiful panorama view over the Bucegi massifs, The Leaota Mountains, The Gaura Valley, The Gaura Cave (The Gaura Valley is the most beautiful valley of the Bucegi massif)

Stay over night in the Bingaleasa Valley (alt. 900 m).

Unpitching the tents and leaving the campsite.
Reaching Moeciu de Sus.
Transfer by car: Moeciu de Sus – Bucharest Airport ‘Otopeni’. (200 Km)