TRIP DOSSIER The Alps of Transylvania - Walks …€¦ · TRIP DOSSIER The Alps of Transylvania ROMANIA ... At the end of the trek a night is spent in the bohemian, Saxon city of

www.walksworldwide.co.uk 01962 302 085 Date of issue: 06 April 2017

TRIP DOSSIER

The Alps of Transylvania

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• Climb Moldoveanu – Romania’s highest peak

• Do the best ridge walking in the Carpathians

• Trek to “Castle Dracula” at Bran

• Medieval Brasov

Guided Group & Private Guided Departures Walking Grade: B/C – Moderate/Demanding

Trip Code: TAPT

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www.walksworldwide.com 01962 302 085 Date of issue: 06 April 2017

Introduction

Traversing the mighty Fagaras in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains must surely rank amongst Europe’s best and intoxicating ridge walks. The Fagaras Mountains are often referred to as the “Alps of Transylvania” and are arguably the most impressive of the Carpathian Mountain range in Romania. Once the high ridge of the Fagaras is acquired, along this committed route you are able to remain high in the Transylvanian Alps by staying in remote, atmospheric mountain huts. With stunning views along the way this immense ridge is revealed in all its glory, culminating with an ascent of Moldoveanu (2544m), the highest peak in Romania. Two days are also spent trekking in the equally stunning Piatra Craiului National Park that the Wolf, Bear and Lynx call home. A trek beneath the precipitous, knife-edge ridge of Piatra Craiului affords incredible views across the swathes of Transylvanian forest, with a final day of “fangtastic” trekking through rural Transylvania to visit “Castle Dracula” at Bran.

At the end of the trek a night is spent in the bohemian, Saxon city of medieval Brasov, where you can sample Romanian café culture, or even dance the night away to celebrate.

Group Departures & Private-Guided Departures

This tour offers small group departures are for walkers

whether travelling solo, with family and friends a

sociable way to explore the world on foot. Alternatively

for two or more walkers if you are unable to travel on

the set group departure dates or prefer a more

individual experience we can arrange a privately –

guided departure; with your own guide and porters. All

need to do is choose the best dates and enjoy the

journey.

The area you visit From the plains the mighty Carpathian Mountains rise abruptly and dramatically, effectively slicing Romania in half as they cut scythe like across the country and onwards through Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia. Here in this part of Transylvania the landscape is at its most spectacular. The Fagaras Mountains are the highest and most impressive range in Romania rising to 2544m at the summit of Varful Moldoveanu. The Piatra Craiului National Park is dominated by the almost sheer knife edge ridge of Piatra Craiului which rises above the valleys and forests below to over 2000m.

Your Holiday

Life on trek During the trekking days in the Fagaras you’ll leave your mountain accommodation early after breakfast and regain the higher points of the Fagaras ridge. You’ll walk for 4-5 hours in the morning and then stop en route for a picnic lunch, which you will carry in your backpack from the mountain hut. In the afternoon you’ll walk for a further 4-5 hours to the next mountain hut, where you will take your evening meal. For the days trekking in Piatra Craiului, the walking days are shorter and you’ll walk for 2-3 hrs in the morning, halting for a scenic picnic lunch along the way, with a further 3-4 hours walking in the afternoon returning for dinner at a friendly Pension in Zarnesti.

Walking conditions The walking is mostly along well defined waymarked trails, although the terrain is quite rugged, conditions underfoot are usually good. There are a few short sections where the trail is rougher or indistinct. Whilst in the Fagaras and traversing the summits and the ridges there is very little in the way of exposure, although any brief, challenging sections are cable protected. Late lying snow is always a possibility in sheltered gullies. Attaining the summits will also involve short sections of reasonably steep, but quite straightforward scrambling, not unlike many of the Scottish Munro’s. Although the walking commences at 2000m, reaching a maximum of

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The Alps of Transylvania 3


2500m, the trail ascends and descends throughout. Although these are rarely sustained, the traverse of the Fagaras still presents a genuine challenge for the regular and experienced hillwalker and you’ll need a good level of fitness. With the exception of Balea Lac, the other two mountain huts where you stay overnight in the Fagaras are inaccessible by road and you will need to carry minimal overnight gear in your backpack for these nights. In reality this adds little in the way of extra weight as sleeping bags are not required. The two days walking in Piatra Craiului are much less challenging, straightforward lower level walks.

A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Bucharest and transfer to Zarnesti Rendezvous at Bucharest Otopeni Airport arrivals hall. A single timed group transfer will be provided from the airport to the group hotel in Zarnesti. (See How to join and depart this trip section later in this trip dossier.)

Pension (dinner)

Day 2 Circuit trek in the Piatra Craiului NP From Zarnesti, the 2000m high knife-edge ridge of Piatra Craiului will not have escaped your notice and today you’ll enjoy a circuit walk beneath the “wilder” side of this most impressive mountainscape. Following a bumpy dirt road you travel into the Piatra Craiului National Park. Its natural ‘C.V.’ is impressive. Wolf, Bear and Lynx live in the park. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded, 17 species of bats, as well as 270 species of butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. From the valley floor the massive rock walls rise sheer and abruptly above the Transylvanian pine forests. This limestone ridge extends to 2238m at its high point of Varful La Om and continues in saw like fashion for some 25km and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in the entire Carpathians.

Reaching the trailhead the ridge will appear even more severe and seemingly impenetrable. Initially you’ll follow a gentle trail alongside a small stream, until you reach a forested spur leading off the main ridge. The trail then ascends steadily for approx. 90 minutes to reach a clearing where there is an igloo style shelter. Now higher and closer to the sheer stone walls looming above, you’ll be able to fully appreciate why Piatra Craiului translates as “The King’s Rock”.

Heading into the now thinning forest you continue to ascend until you come out above the tree line. Here you can appreciate spectacular views down and across the forests below. You’ll then begin to traverse beneath the ridge to reach an interesting rock formation known as “La Zaplaz”, traversing onwards to another forested spur. Here you’ll descend sharply to the valley floor and back to your starting point.

Walking duration: 6-7 hours /11.2km

Ascent 1102m / descent 1093m

Max altitude 1707m / min altitude 889m

Pension (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 3 Transfer to Balea waterfalls and trek to Balea lake After breakfast you’ll travel overland to the mighty Fagaras Mountain range. Your main baggage will remain in Zarnesti and be moved to Brasov for the duration of the trekking in the Fagaras and you’ll need to include your overnight gear into your daypack for the three nights you spend in the Fagaras. In reality this should be quite minimal as sleeping bags are not required. Leaving Zarnesti the Fagaras will come into view across the plains and you’ll see the impressive ridges that you’ll be traversing over the course of the next few days stretched out before you. The road then starts to climb ever higher into the Fagaras becoming the notorious Trans-Fagarasan Highway constructed during the time of the Ceausescu regime. Around 2 hours travelling time from Zarnesti the Balea waterfalls (1234m) are reached. Here the trek begins as you follow a trail that contours the flanks of a spur of the main Fagaras to ascend to the very scenic Balea Mountain Lake at 2000m.

Walking duration: 5 hours / 8.2km


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Mountain lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner) – no access to main luggage – please pack a small rucksack for 3 nights in the mountains

Day 4 Trek along the Fagaras Ridge to Podragu Today your traverse of the ridges and summits of the mighty Fagaras begins in earnest. You begin by ascending steadily to acquire the main ridge past the ‘Dragon’s Window’ and Goat Lake. Once on the ridge, you’ll see for the first time just how spectacular the Fagaras Mountains are, with a continuous sharp ridge extending some 75km in total, soaring dramatically above the plains below. A stimulating trail leads along the Albota-Arpasel ridge, in dramatic fashion. Sometimes you’re on the ridge itself, other times you’re traversing just below the ridge in classic ‘up, down’ fashion. This wonderful, prolonged period is ridge walking at its very best. Arriving at a small col not much below Mircii (2467m), you then begin to descend as the trail zig zags its way down to Cabana Podragu (2135m), where you spend the night.

Walking duration: 8-9 hours / 10km



Mountain hut (breakfast, lunch and dinner) – no access to main luggage

Day 5 Ascend Moldoveanu then descend to Sambata Hut Staying high in the mountains often pays dividends. Firstly, it doesn’t mean a long ascent to get back up onto the ridge, and secondly the dawn light high up in this wild mountain landscape can be truly enchanting.

After breakfast you leave Podragu behind and climb to Saua Podraglui (2305m). Back on the main ridge once more you continue to Tarata. Walking on and off the ridge for a further hour leads to Saua Orzanelei and from here you will ascend to the summit of Varful Moldoveanu.

The route to the summit is quite steep and involves a small amount of easy scrambling, but once on the summit of the highest mountain in Romania, a clear

weather day will reward your efforts with a truly sublime 360º panorama of the entire jagged Fagaras Mountains, as well as over to the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului ranges, the plains below and across to the Transylvanian Saxon city of Sibiu. After the obligatory photo’s it’s time to descend back down to Vistea Mare. The trail then descends more sharply towards the ‘Bears Den’, before easing off (with the odd sharp ascent thrown in) as you walk steadily down into the Sambata Valley. Reaching the Cabana Sambata (1390m), the bulk of the hard work is over, so perhaps a small celebration is in order tonight in the Sambata Hut. The local’s favourite is ‘Tuica’, a plum brandy, usually homemade.

Walking duration: 9-10 hours / 15 km



Mountain hut (breakfast, lunch and dinner) – no access to main luggage

Day 6 Trek out of Fagaras to Sambata Village and transfer to Brasov It’s now time to head down and out of the Fagaras Mountains. It’s a steady descent of around 4 hours to Sambata. Here you have the option of visiting what is one of the wealthiest monasteries in Romania, the sumptuous 17

th Century Brancoveanu Monastery,

which was destroyed by the Hapsburgs and then fully restored during the 20

th Century. In the village of

Sambata a vehicle will be waiting to drive you the 90 minute journey to Brasov, where you will be reunited with your main luggage.

Walking duration 7.5 km 2 hrs



Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7 Rural walk to “Castle Dracula” Although today’s final walk is the easiest of the entire holiday it is exceptional in its own right as you discover rural Transylvania. A delightful walk through a bucolic landscape ultimately leads to “Castle Dracula” at Bran.

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Initially heading out of Zarnesti the same way as you did on day 2, you now head left ascending steadily to reach the charming village of Magura.

This small village stretches out along a broad ridge, with fine views of Piatra Craiului and the even higher Bucegi Mountains on the far horizon. You’ll then continue to ascend steadily from Magura, rising above a rocky limestone outcrop, where the views get even better looking over a broad valley, better known as the “Rucar-Bran corridor” to Omu, the highest point in the Bucegi at just over 2500m. The walk then undulates until you begin to descend to Bran, passing remote, isolated farmsteads along the way. Reaching Bran it’s time to visit “Castle Dracula”. This fortress is perched impressively atop a hill some 200m above Bran itself and was of great importance as it is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Of course Bram Stoker’s vampire was fictional, and it was never the home of the ‘real’ Dracula, Vlad Tepes “The Impaler” either, but it is the closest real life thing in Romania to the Hollywood ideal of what Dracula’s Castle should be.

The name “Castle Dracula” has stuck and as this is Transylvania, land of myths and legends, Bran Castle has become one of the most famous and visited landmarks in Romania as a result. This afternoon we celebrate the end of the tour with a late afternoon BBQ, enjoy the beautiful views and reminisce over the tales of the past weeks adventures. Returning to Brasov where you can celebrate a week of outstanding treks in several of the trendy bars to be found here.

Walking duration: 6 hours / 15.5km


Ascent 700 m / Descent 888m

Hotel (breakfast and late BBQ lunch)

Day 8 Transfer to Bucharest Depart Bucharest. A single timed group transfer will be provided from Brasov to Bucharest Otopeni Airport.

Journey time to airport – 3 hours

(breakfast)

Practical Information

How to join and depart this trip

The joining point for this trip is Bucharest International Airport arrivals hall on day 1 of the Trip Itinerary above. This transfer is included because your first night in Zarnesti is 160km from Bucharest. If your flight times do not coincide with this, our consultants can arrange a transfer for you on request – please contact us for prices.

The departure point for this trip is Bucharest International Airport on day 8 of the trip. A single group timed transfer from Brasov will be provided. If your flight times do not coincide with this, our consultants can arrange a departure transfer for you on request - please contact us for prices. Alternatively, a licensed, metered taxi or local, public transport may be arranged from the hotel to take you to the airport.

Flight Inclusive We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights through Walks Worldwide guarantees you peace of mind and provides 100% financial protection under our CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will manage these flight arrangements both before and during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on our website), as well as the option of regional departures too.

Land Only If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights. Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or

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consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this Trip Dossier.

Local transport Airport and all land transfers will be by private vehicle with a driver.

Travel by Train If you would prefer to travel by train, www.raileurope.co.uk provides an online booking service for European rail services, including Eurostar. You should not book your International rail tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run.

Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis at Pension Elena in Zarnesti and hotel in Brasov unless you have already requested a single room at extra cost. For the nights in mountain huts, and at the Balea Lake Mountain Chalet accommodation is in small dormitories. Please note single rooms are not available for these nights. Both Podragu and Sambata Mountain Huts are remote and inaccessible by road and as such offer simple and basic but very atmospheric, rustic accommodation and facilities. Toilet and washing facilities are particularly rudimentary. However, both huts afford the opportunity to stay high up in the mountains and subsequently make this wonderful ridge journey possible and are great way of enjoying the company of fellow trekkers who will mostly be Romanian.

Food All meals are included in the land only trip price from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, except dinner in Brasov on day 7, where you will have a late afternoon BBQ. Whilst in the mountains breakfast and dinner will be taken at the mountain huts, which offer simple, yet hearty Romanian cooking (soup, stews, potatoes etc) and light continental style breakfasts. Usually the huts also have snacks available for purchase. Dinner at Pension Elena will be a 3-course home-cooked meal, prepared from fresh, locally sourced produce. Lunches will be picnic style, provided by the mountain huts, which you will carry in your backpack each day. Please note that vegetarian options will be very limited.

Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather

periods for walking. Romania enjoys warm summers where temperatures range from 15ºC to 25ºC at lower levels, followed by very cold winters. Mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised weather conditions, so you should always be prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate statistics visit www.worldweather.org Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude.

Altitude This holiday reaches only moderate altitudes and you should not anticipate any problems.

Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage. Please note you will not have access to your main baggage from the morning of day 3 when you depart Zarnesti, until day 6 when you stay in Brasov. Pease pack a small rucksack, which you are to carry for 3 nights in the mountains.

Vaccinations & health We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check-up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Romania and health problems here are quite rare. A useful travel health online resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office – you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor.

First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium).

Security

Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don’t wear jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/

http://www.worldweather.org/

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/

http://www.dh.gov.uk/

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Currency

The Romanian currency is the Lei (Ron) Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates.

ATM machines are common in Romanian towns and cities. There is an ATM in the arrivals hall of Bucharest Airport and ATM’s are widespread in the city. There is also an ATM in Zarnesti and many in Brasov. If you are exchanging cash on arrival, you should be aware that the rates offered by Bureaux de Change at Bucharest Airport are pretty abysmal. IMPORTANT- You are strongly advised to inform your credit/debit card service provider that you are travelling to Romania and intending to use your card in advance of travelling.

Language The national language of Romania is Romanian. Your guide will speak very good English, as do many younger generation Romanians. Your guide will of course help you communicate with the locals, but it’s also a good idea to take along a phrasebook and try to learn a few phrases in the local language. The locals will certainly appreciate this, and although Romanian can seem like a bit of a tongue twister, your guide will also help you with your pronunciations.

Tipping Tipping is not mandatory and should rightly be at your discretion. However, if you have received good service from your guide (and we are certain you will) then a tip is the accepted form of saying ‘thank you’. As a guideline we recommend £25 per person to be sufficient.

Maps We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk.

Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on 01962 302 085 for a quotation.

Passports & Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa for stays up to three months (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity).

You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: http://www.walksworldwide.com/information/visa.html

Staff on your trip Each day you will be accompanied by a professional, English-speaking, qualified local mountain guide. Romanians are very friendly, light hearted people as a rule, and your guide will be no exception. As well as being a constant source of information about the mountains, through your guide you will be able to learn more about the fascinating history, culture, traditions, flora and fauna of Romania. As you will encounter many friendly locals, either fellow trekkers in the mountain huts or shepherds with their flocks who may not speak English, your guide is a valuable asset in being able to communicate with Transylvanians in the mountains.

Budgeting for your trip Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.

Important Note Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. Before booking you should read our “Types of Trip” and “Essential and Useful information” sections on www.walksworldwide.com including our ‘Important Warning’.

Clothing & Equipment

Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc. but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip.

Please note whilst staying in the mountain huts, from day 3 you do not have access to your main luggage. Therefore, please pack a small rucksack which you carry for your three nights in the mountains. You will be reunited with your main luggage on day 6.

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http://www.stanfords.co.uk/

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TRIP DOSSIER The Alps of Transylvania - Walks …€¦ · TRIP DOSSIER The Alps of Transylvania ROMANIA ... At the end of the trek a night is spent in the bohemian, Saxon city of