Transylvania Traverse

Day 3: Magura (Biking)

Today we switch gears and spend the day on mountain bikes, pedaling along quiet, hilly roads that wind along a gorgeous mountain ridge. The views over the edge are dramatic, with the rugged mountain chain of Piatra Craiului and grassy meadows. The terrain today is rugged and fun. We'll ride through remote hilly villages, alpine pastures and across rural fields. There will be steep ascents, thrilling descents and a few shallow water crossings, too. Along the way we'll visit an ancient monastic shrine built into a cave. The final descent to the Plaiul Foii valley is one of our favourite downhill sections in this region. We overnight in the same accommodation in Magura tonight. (Distance, 48 km with altitude gains of 950 meters). (B,L,D)

Day 4: Magura - Viscri (Hiking)

Today we set off on foot, hiking between mountain villages. We'll spend 6 hours traversing through Moeciu de Sus, Fundata, Sirnea, Pestera, Magura and Zarnesti. These villages will take you back into time and we're sure to have lots of cultural encounters along the way. It's very common to meet locals in their horse-drawn carriages, agricultural farmers mowing their crops or making cheese, and dairy cattle grazing in the fertile fields. We'll have a picnic for lunch and then drive to Viscri, in the heart of Transylvania, in a remote hidden valley. One of the main landmarks of Viscri is a beautiful white fortified church. It's been restored by Mihai Eminescu Trust, an English-Romanian foundation and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Prince Charles, owns a house in this beautifully preserved village. We'll check into an 18th century house for the night, and then head to the village pub to watch the cow parade. At dusk, all the cattle and horses will be set free from the fields and will all return home waiting for their gates to open. It's quite an interesting site. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Viscri - Sighisoara (Hiking)

We'll start the day with a very typical and organic breakfast of homemade cheeses, sausages, bread and eggs, right from the chickens. Afterwards we'll bid farewell to our hosts and hike between some of the Saxon villages. We'll eventually reach a remote village where tourists and cars are a rarity. Here we'll hop on a local train where we'll have authentic cultural encounters with the local people. We'll end in Sighisoara, considered to be one the most intact and medieval architectural citadel's in Romania. The medieval citadel is perched on a hilltop and is fortified with a 14th century wall and towers. Tonight we'll overnight in a comfortable 3 star hotel right in the center of the fortress. (B,L)

Day 6: Sighisoara (Biking)

We're back on bikes today, meandering through traditional Saxon villages in the peaceful countryside. We'll pedal along hilly paved roads today, gaining about 1000 feet in altitude. We'll pass fortified churches in each of the towns and we'll make stops in some of the local grocery stores to buy a few snacks along the way. Cycling through the Romanian countryside is the perfect mode of transport to really experience the authentic way of life here. Lunch is a picnic. We'll return to the same hotel in Sighisoara. (B,L)

Day 7: Sighisoara - Malancrav (Horseback Riding)

We have a change of pace this morning. We'll head to a nearby ranch where we'll meet our Romanian horses. We'll saddle up, get some instructional riding tips and then set off for a few hours of riding. We'll meander through the countryside, exploring the lush and flowery meadows while observing the daily authentic way of life of the Saxons. We'll stop for a typical lunch in one of the villages along the way. We end in Malancrav, and overnight in a very traditional Saxon village house. Dinner is a feast of organic and home-cooked food, produced on the farm. Many of these villages homes throughout Transylvania have been restored and are run by a Romanian-English foundation called The Mihai Eminescu Trust. Overnight in Malancrav. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Malancrav - Biertran - Sibiu (Hiking)

After a hearty breakfast, we'll leave our village house on foot, for a 6 hour hike. We'll tramp along a beautiful landscape of verdant mountains, multi-coloured wildflowers and cows and sheep that graze on the hills. If we're lucky, we'll encounter some bee keepers who might offer us a taste of the honeycombs right from the hive. All the homes have a traditional look and are adorned with flower boxes of scarlet geraniums in the window sills. We'll visit a fortified church set in an apple orchard and finally we'll end in Biertran, a small village that has a the largest UNESCO Heritage fortress. We'll meet our driver and van in Biertran and drive about two hours to Sibiu, where we'll overnight in a cozy hotel. (B,L)

Day 9: Sibiu - Bucharest (City Tour)

We leave Transylvania this morning by vehicle and head to Bucharest, Romania's bustling metropolis capital city. We have a few hours in the van today, but the drive is beautiful. Once we arrive into Bucharest, we'll check into our 3-star hotel in the centre of town and then have time to explore the city on foot. Bucharest is laden with history, and is known for its wide, tree-lined streets, neoclassical buildings and fashionable parks. We'll enjoy a farewell dinner together this evening. (B,D)

Day 10: Bucharest - Departure

Transfer to the airport for international flights home. (B)

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