Bear watching, bird watching and painted monasteries in Romania
Bear watching and over 300 species of birds in the Transylvanian Carpathians and the Danube Delta plus UNESCO world heritage in Romania.
Introduction The Carpathians are home to wolves, bears and lynx, as well as numerous bird species like Wallcreeper, Ural Owl, Nutcracker, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, woodpeckers and different songbirds (Goldcrest, Firecrest, Crossbill, Serin). Bucovina is famous worldwide for its painted monasteries, which cultural value included them on the UNESCO world heritage list. On the other hand, Danube Delta is Europe’s largest wetland reserve and one of the best places in Europe for birdwatching, covering 2,681 square kilometers (1,676 square miles), with a sprawling, watery wilderness accessible only by water. The delta is a natural stopover for migratory birds, with more than 300 species of migratory and permanent species of birds and more than 160 species of fish.
difficulty grade: A – click here for explanations
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Program Description
A perfect holiday for bear watching, bird watching and enjoying great landscapes, painted monasteries, hospitable hosts and great home grown food and drinks in three of the most beautiful areas of Romania: the Carpathians, Bucovina and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.
Today we are driven to the point where we start a guided hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park. The first part takes us through Zarnesti gorge, an impressive limestone canyon. With 40 – 80 m high walls, it gives us the chance to look for rare birds like Wallcreepers, Alpine swifts, Crag Martins and also to admire impressive Jurassic geological formations.
For those interested only in birds, you can stop here and enjoy the scenery. Those interested also in hiking will continue to Curmatura Cabin. On the way, we can see signs of wildlife, rare or endemic species of flora and insects, as well as shepherd camps. If the weather allows us, we can see the entire limestone ridge (22 km long) which was declared scientific reserve due to the presence of rare and endemic species of flora and insects.
Difficulty: easy (stop down in the gorge)/medium-hard.
After breakfast we leave by car to go to the Narcissus Forest, a 400ha protected oak forest, to observe wildlife, especially butterflies, insects and birds (app. 1 h drive). We’ll also walk in the area to discover the tracks larger animals leave on the ground. We stop at theedge of the forest for lunch (picnic) and relaxation. You will have some time for walking on your own on this amazing forest and enjoy the numerous species of birds, insects and plants. Today is very feasible to see Ural Owls, Tawny Owls, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, White-backed Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Corncrake, Great Grey Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Fieldfare and few other rare birds, as well as numerous species of butterflies and insects.
In the afternoon we’ll have dinner in Sinca Noua village at one of the local entrepreneurs then head to a local bear hide for a chance to see bears (a facility where bears are attracted with food for observations- chances to see the bears: 99%). Late in the evening we drive back to our guesthouse in Zarnesti, to prepare for the next day.
Difficulty: easy
Transfer to Bucovina
As the distance is appreciable, we take a full day to get to our next destination: Bucovina. On the way we stop to stretch our legs with a half an hour break at the Bicaz Gorge and lunch (sandwiches prepared from Zarnesti). In the afternoon we arrive in Gura Humorului. You’ll be accommodated in rustic and comfortable double rooms with private toilet and hot shower.
We take the next two days to visit 5 of the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina: Moldovita, Sucevita, Putna, Humor and Voronet.
As the distance is appreciable, we take a full day to get to our next destination: the Danube Delta. In the afternoon we arrive in Murighiol, from where we take a private boat to our 2* guesthouse in Crisan, a small fishermen village located right in the centre of the Danube Delta. You’ll be accommodated in basic but comfortable twin rooms with private toilet and hot shower.
We’ll be driven by small boats through a chain of beautiful lakes and channels where we’ll see a great variety of birds like White Pelicans, Dalmatian Pelicans, Glossy Ibis or Pigmy Cormorants, to mention just some of the rarest species you have the chance to see in great numbers.
Profile
Minimum level of fitness required.
Accommodation in a local 3* guesthouse in Zarnesti/hotel in the medieval town of Brasov (different cost!), 2* guesthouse in the Danube Delta, 4* guesthouse in Bucovina, in double rooms with en suite facilities.
Meal basis: full board starting with dinner on the first evening.
Travel is by minibus/car and boat.
Costs
Cost: 1850 euro/person for groups of minimum 2 persons
Single room supplement: 200 euro
Included: transport from/to the airport, full board accommodation throughout, English speaking guide, local transportation in Romania for the included activities (by minibus/car and boats), one evening at the bear hide, entrance fees to the painted monasteries in Bucovina (Moldovita, Sucevita, Putna, Humor and Voronet), photo fee included for bear watching, bird watching.
Thank you for choosing us for your trip in Romania focused on painted monasteries, bird watching and bear watching!