Ride Transylvania
10 days - Cluj-Napoca to Cluj-Napoca
This camping trail takes you through the Calimani mountains. You will experience high mountain passes, impressive landscape and magnificent wildlife. The Romanian mountains still hide some of the best preserved fauna and flora in Europe! You will meet shepherds and taste their freshly made cottage cheese and other products, you will ride in open fields, with no fences to limit you and you will find yourself overwhelmed by the hospitality of the locals!
Transylvania's beautiful mountain scenery offers fabulous riding in a region where horses still outnumber vehicles. You will take a step back in time and witness a land rich in history, culture and wildlife. Workhorses are used daily on the many small farm holdings, ploughing the fields, pulling carts full of hay and dragging the logs from the surrounding forests. Wolves, bears, lynx, boar and deer as well as a multitude of birdlife inhabit the region. Old Roman roads and medieval trails, ruined fortresses and relics of the Hapsburg era, and the areas folklore and traditional music can all be experienced during your stay.
The trip culminates with a visit to the famous Lippizzaner Stud Farm at Sambata.
- Day 1(D)
- Transfer from Cluj-Napoca Airport to the lodge in the Ilva Valley for 2 nights accommodation.
- Day 2 (B,L,D)
- At leisure.
- Day 3 (B,L,D)
- Before leaving the centre there is a thorough introduction to the horses and the equipment. Ride down to the nearest village, Lunca Bradului and riding through it head up into the mountains of Calimani, part of the Eastern Carpathian mountains. The ride continues into the Fintinele basin, then crosses a few meadows and finally arrives at the camping site. Overnight - camping in Capatina Meadow, at 900m altitude.
- Day 4 (B,L,D)
- After breakfast mount up and head towards Rastolita Basin, crossing a mixed area of forest and meadows with fabulous views looking over to the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. After a relaxing ride enjoying the view, you'll decend a faiirly difficult track to the Rastolita Valley. Overnight - camping in Rastolita Valley, near a forest road.
- Day 5 (B,L,D)
- After breakfast set off on another beautiful day's riding, starting with a light downhill in the Rastolita Valley until reaching the junction with the River Secu. From there, continue along a dirt road to the River Scurtu. From here, the route takes you along another valley up to Poiana Lunga Mountain Pass, which at 1300m is the highest point of the day. Continue downhill to Lake Colibita. On the way visit a little pond called The Fairies' Pond. Overnight - camping next to Lake Colibita.
- Day 6 (B,L,D)
- After breakfast ride through the Izvorul Lung Valley to reach Terha Pass, at 1470m altitude. From here descend along the Dorna Valley the next camp site. Overnight - camping by the riverside at Dorna.
- Day 7 (B,L,D)
- After breakfast ride along a stream to Maieris Peak, 1880m. From here descend to Neagra Sarului Valley and the next camp site. Overnight - camping by the riverside, at the border of the Calimani National Park
- Day 8 (B,L,D)
- Ride towards Calimani Mountain, the biggest volcanic cone in Europe. Then cross a former sulfur mining site, a small mountain village, which was abandoned 15 years ago but which is undergoing an ecological process of reintegration to nature. Continue riding up to the volcanic plateau and then descend to Ilva Valley. Continue along a forest road to the lodge for a further nights' accommodation.
- Day 9 (B)
- After breakfast depart by vehicle on a tour to the famous castle in Bran, known as Dracula's castle, which was built as a defense citadel in the 14th century. Continue to the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Sambata and then to the charming Saxon town of Sighisoara, a UNESCO site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Overnight in a hotel in the citadel.
- Day 10 (B)
- After breakfast transfer back to the airport at Cluj-Napoca.
- Cost per Person:
- Ride Only: £975
- Includes: Return transfers, accommodation and meals as indicated and all riding.
- Single Supplement: None if prepared to share. If unwilling to share or if there is no one else with whom you can share a fee of £65 is payable.
-
Departure Dates: 13 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 08 Aug, 05 Sep.
- The Accommodation: The lodge, where the first 2 nights and the penultimate night are spent, is located right outside the mountain village of Lunca Bradului, in the Ilva valley. The lodge was originally built as a holiday home, but over time, it has been adapted to suit the guests' needs with en-suite bathrooms and central heating. Once on the trail accommodation is under canvas. Facilities whilst camping are basic, although sleeping bags and matresses are provided. There is always a stream for washing and whilst water can be heated over the fire, this is a time consuming excercise and you would need to heat your own water. Toilet facilities are limited to a bush. The final night's accommodation is in a 3 star hotel in twin rooms with en-suite facilities.
- Food & Drink: Food in this rural area is mostly organic and locally grown with numerous regional specialities. Breakfast can include eggs, cheese, cold meat, bread, butter, jam, milk, tea, and coffee. Lunch is generally a picnic during the ride, with sandwiches, biscuits, and fruit. Dinner whilst camping is a one-course meal cooked over an open fire. Romania has a strong home tradition of vegetarian and vegan cookery so vegetarians are well catered for, although it is essential that we are told at the time of booking.
- Laundry: Is not available.
- Children: This ride is suitable for children aged approximately 12 years and upwards, provide that they are experienced riders and have sufficient personal maturity. Romania is a very child-friendly country, and makes an interesting visit for young people as well as adults. All children below 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is an experienced rider, and who takes personal responsibility for the conduct of children in his or her charge at all times.
- Non-Riders: Are welcome and can travel in the support vehicle following the group's itinerary.