Nature & Culture Tour: The Carpathians uncovered – Wild landscapes and living heritage
Covering vast stretches of Transylvania and Wallachia, the Făgăraș Mountains represent one of Europe’s most significant and biodiverse natural regions. These mountains are home to ancient forests, alpine meadows, and some of the continent’s last large carnivores, including brown bears, wolves, and lynx. This landscape is not only a refuge for wildlife but also a living cultural tapestry, where traditional villages and centuries-old practices persist.
Foundation Conservation Carpathia, Europe’s largest private conservation initiative, is leading efforts to protect and restore these critical habitats. Their vision includes the creation of a vast, fully protected national park to safeguard the Carpathians’ ecological integrity. By joining this journey, you will not only explore breathtaking landscapes and vibrant local culture but also actively contribute to the conservation of one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas.
This tour offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, and engage with communities striving to live in harmony with nature.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at the airport, your guide welcomes you before embarking on a scenic drive into the hills of Transylvania. Your first night is spent in the charming traditional village of Cobor, home to the Cobor Biodiversity Farm. After checking in and taking a moment to freshen up, you can explore the grounds with your guide, soaking up the tranquil surroundings. Our chef will prepare a delicious meal using local products served to you on an oak pasture as the sun sets and casts a warm glow over the surroundings.
Day 2: Slow living at the farm
In the early hours of the morning, you can join a guided nature walk to discover the hidden gems of the countryside in the quiet of the morning before the hustle and bustle of farm life begins. After breakfast, horse-drawn carts will be waiting to take you on a tour of the farm, where you’ll learn the story of how Cobor Farm came to be, hike along the fearless but loving Carpathian Shepherd dogs and the charismatic Transylvanian Grey cattle. Return to the guesthouse for a light lunch in the garden.
Driving Distance
From Bucharest approx. 230 km. (approx. 4 h)
Accomodation
Guesthouse Cobor Biodiversity Farm** (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
Dinner
In the afternoon you can try your hand at baking traditional bread or weaving wicker baskets under the guidance of locals eager to share their craft. To accompany the bread you’ve made, you can enjoy a traditional goulash dish paired with local organic wines for dinner.
Driving Distance
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Accomodation
Guesthouse Cobor Biodiversity Farm** (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
short walking distances in the surroundings of the farm
Day 3: Fortified church and brown bears
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to Viscri, a traditional Saxon village that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the village street, surrounded by colourful houses, you’ll reach the fortified church at the top of the hill and learn about this imposing structure, a testament to the region’s tumultuous history. Visit the house of King Charles and discover how this former saxon village lives on. Enjoy lunch prepared to you by locals before continuing through the rural villages of southern Transylvania, where time seems to stand still amidst ancient traditions and rustic beauty. After arrival take some time to check in at Equus Silvania guesthouse. The afternoon brings you closer to nature with a visit to a local bear hide. Return to the guesthouse for a delicious dinner.
Day 4: Sheepfold experiences
Today you start the day with a hike in one of Europe’s last primeval forests (UNESCO world heritage site). Discover the untamed beauty and importance of an intact forest ecosystem and visit the tallest measured fir tree in Europe. Afterwards, you drive towards the mountains. At the entrance to Dâmbovița Valley at the southern end of the Făgăraș Mountains, you’ll enjoy lunch in a local home, where you’ll be greeted with generosity and warm hospitality.
After arrival take some time to check in at Equus Silvania guesthouse. The afternoon brings you closer to nature with a visit to a local bear hide. Return to the guesthouse for a delicious dinner.
Driving Distance
Cobor – Viscri (42 km – approx. 50 min), Viscri – Equus Silvania (70 km – approx. 1 h), Equus Silvania – bear hide– Equus Silvania (10 km – approx. 20 min one-way).
Accomodation
Equus Silvania Guesthouse*** (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
–
After lunch, you’ll change vehicles and head off-road towards Lake Pecineagu, entering the cool of the forest. Following a short drive, you can stretch your legs on the way to Poiana Tămaș Wilderness Camp by hiking towards the tented camp situated at the end of the Făgăraș Mountains ridge. The ridge spans over 100 km in length and is home to the largest undisturbed wilderness area of Romania. With a refurbished traditional shepherd’s hut and glamping style tents overlooking three mountain ranges, the camp offers a comfortable retreat away from the noisy and hectic rhythm of city life. A warm campfire paired with local organic wines, or a fresh beverage, accompany the last hours of the day.
Driving Distance
Equus Silvania – primeval forest (approx. 20 km, approx. 40min one-way); primeval forest – Lunch spot (approx. 65km, approx. 1.5-2h); Lunch spot – Hike starting point (approx. 22km, approx. 1h, 50% off-road).
Accomodation
Poiana Tămaș Wilderness Camp Glamping style tents 2.5 m high, 4-5 m diameter, beds and bedding provided, shared facilities, poor signal, no electricity. (Two people per tent, single tents available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
Primeval forest hike – 3 km, 200 m ascent, 200 m descent, about 2 h, Hike starting point (980 m) – Poiana Tămaș (1420 m), 5 km, approx. 500 m ascent, 20 m descent, wide forest path,mainly through forest with occasional viewpoints over the mountains.
Day 5: Local communities of Wallachia
After breakfast in the refurbished shepherd’s hut of the camp, you descend through an old-growth beech forest following the tracks of wild animals. At the end of the hike, you will continue travelling on to the region of Nucșoara, a picturesque village nestled in the mountain slopes, part of historic Wallachia.
Day 6: Forest of Immortal Sories
Today you explore the surrounding area through the lens of the Forest of Immortal Stories, a forest of centuries-old beech trees that tell stories that would otherwise be lost to time. They were the hiding place of anti-communist resistance groups and became a refuge for the belief in a better future. Nucșoara was a key site of anti-communist resistance, where the spirit of defiance against oppression remains a powerful narrative in the local culture. This day offers a glimpse into Romanian history, as well as the current way of life and challenges tied to the region’s natural heritage.
On the way, we’ll enjoy lunch prepared by locals, who are also the producers of local products such as ‘zacusca’, a spread made of grilled peppers and aubergines, typical of the winter months, as well as numerous jams and pickles. Steeped in natural and cultural heritage, Nucșoara offers visitors an insight into traditional crafts still preserved by the local people, such as sculpting or sowing ‘Ii’ – traditional handmade blouses. This afternoon we will indulge in the stories and crafts of a local artist, followed by dinner at our local guesthouse for the next two nights.
Driving Distance
Richita –Nucșoara (approx. 70 km, approx. 3h)
Accomodation
Local Guesthouses Conacul Doamnei & Casa cu Cerdac (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
Poiana Tămaș (1420 m) – forest road (910 m): 5.5 km, approx. 100 m ascent, 650 m descent, approx. 2.5 h, mainly on forest paths with occasional views over the mountains.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the coolness of the forest. The afternoon is yours to experience the spirit of the village at your leisure. Overlooking the vast region of mountain slopes covered in endless forests, we enjoy sunset on the peak of Strunga. Enjoy a final evening with your new friends over delicious local food and drink.
Driving Distance
–
Accomodation
Local Guesthouses Conacul Doamnei & Casa cu Cerdac (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
Forest of Immortal Stories – Strunga Peak: 4.8 km, approx. 400 m ascent, 0 m descent, approx. 2h
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Bucharest airport after breakfast.
This day offers a glimpse into Romanian history, as well as the current way of life and challenges tied to the region’s natural heritage. Overlooking the vast region of mountain slopes covered in endless forests, we enjoy a picnic lunch on the peak of Strunga. The afternoon is yours to experience the spirit of the village at your leisure. Enjoy a final evening with your new friends over delicious local food and drink.
Driving Distance
—
Accomodation
Local Guesthouses 2** (single rooms available upon request and availability).
Meal plan
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hikes
Forest of Immortal Stories – Strunga Peak: 4.8 km, approx. 400 m ascent, 400 m descent, approx. 2h
2135€ / person (out of which 570€ advance payment*)
285€ Single room supplement/tour
Minimum 2 participants – Maximum 8 participants.
*The rest of the amount can be paid two weeks prior to the start of the trip.
Please arrive before 15:00 on the first day, so that we can proceed with the programme as planned. The exact pick-up time at the airport will be communicated to you prior to arrival based on the collective arrival times. Please book your flights no earlier than 15:00 on departure day, as otherwise due to traffic conditions departure to the airport will have to be very early in the morning. Transfers outside of collective option are available upon request and an additional cost. Maximum participant number for this trip is 8 people.
13th to 20th June
4th to 11th July
23rd to 30th August
Important information
Please arrive before 15:00 on the first day, so that we can proceed with the programme as planned. The exact pick-up time at the airport will be communicated to you prior to arrival based on the collective arrival times. Please book your flights no earlier than 15:00 on departure day, as otherwise due to traffic conditions departure to the airport will have to be very early in the morning. Transfers outside of collective option are available upon request and an additional cost. Maximum participant number for this trip is 8 people.
Tour leader specialised in nature & wildlife, English speaking.
All meals and drinks according to the itinerary outlined above. *
Transport to and from the airport, as well as between locations.
Accommodation.
Main luggage transfer in between locations.
Wildlife watching.
Guided trekking activities in wilderness areas.
Workshops of local crafts.
Entry fees.
Visits to UNESCO world heritage sites.
* Dietary restrictions of any kind can be catered for upon prior request. Table wine and beer are included, while our special wine selection and other beverages from the bar are available at an additional cost.
Flights
Travel Insurance
Transfers outside of collective transfer options
Mountain weather is always variable, with cloud and rain always a possibility, especially in the afternoons. However, during summertime the weather should be becoming settled, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC (depending on altitude), and plenty of clear sunny weather. However, at high altitudes, overcast conditions can rapidly reduce temperatures, and here waterproofs and a warm jacket should always be carried. We will provide you with a full equipment list necessary for this tour prior to your arrival.
* We reserve the right to change the programme in case of bad weather conditions, as long as it doesn’t change the character of the trip.
This tour requires a low to medium fitness level, as there are some hiking distances with max. 500m altitude difference. Not suitable for guests with low or very limited mobility.
You will be accompanied by a certified mountain and wildlife guide throughout your journey, who is equipped with bear spray in case of wildlife encounters in the wild. However, such encounters are very rare, as truly wild animals are shy creatures who creep away from human presence. The tented camp is surrounded by an electric fence.