Penguin Travel

Explore 3 mountains in 7 days in the magnificent Carpathian mountains range!

Tour highlights:
♦  Piatra Craiului mountauins and National park - with its narrow and saw-like ridge the mountains are considered to be one of the most beautiful in Carpathian mountains range
♦  Brasov is everything that Bucharest is not: a placid, gentle, civilised city of 300,000 people nestled in the Carpathian mountains. At present the 2-nd industrial centre after Bucharest and one of the main university, historic and tourist cities in Romania. Places of interest include remnants of a citadel built in 1553, The Black Church (14-th - l5-th centuries), the largest Gothic church in Romania and within the territory between Vienna and Istanbul.
♦ Bran castle is no doubt one of the milestones when travelling in Transylvania. Towers, narrow corridors, hidden premises - the castle offers many interesting facts and stories, mysterious enough to incite the legend lovers.

Day 1. Arrival
Transfer airport Bucharest – Brasov. Accommodation in Brasov to 3* pension.

Day 2. Piatra mare mountains - 7 Ladders canyon
After a short transfer you start the first trekking day in the nearby Piatra Mare (Big stone) mountains. You hike to Piatre Mare chalet (1628m) and after a short rest climb to the highest peak of the mountain – mount Piatre mare (1843m). You go down through the stunning “7 ladders canyon” with numerous waterfalls and high rock walls. Transfer back to Brasov. Hiking time: 5-6 hours, uphill/downhill walk: 800 m/800 m.

Day 3. Piatra Craiului Nmountains - Peshtera village
Today you start exploring the Piatra Craiului National Park. Transfer from Brasov to Bran town (30 km). You walk from Bran to Pestera village on nice trails and dirt roads among beautiful forests, meadows and idyllic countryside passing by Magura village en route. Accommodation in a village guesthouse with a small eco farm in Pestera Village. Hiking time: 4-5 hours, uphill/downhill walk: 400 m/400 m.

Day 4. La table - Curmatura hut
Today you trek in the heart of Piatra Craiului National Park - from Pestera Village to Curmatura hut (1470 m). The route climbs up to “La table” cross point where 8 different paths meet and continues on big meadows and nice coniferous forests to Curmatura hut (1470m) where you stay overnight.  Hiking time: 5-6 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 500m/100 m.

Day 5. Main ridge of Piatra Craiului mountains - Plaiul Foii chalet
Today’s trek will test your abilities on the mountain as the route follows the main rocky ridge of Piatra Craiului climbing up to 2238 m. The ridge is regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in the Carpathians. You start with a climb up to the ridge and "Varful Ascutit" refuge (Spike peak – 2150m). From there you follow the narrow “saw – like” ridge and get to the highest point of the mountain – La om peak (2238m). After that you start descending going trough steep rocky sections and canyons equipped with steel cables to help hikers walk safely. Soon you reach a wide path that will lead you to Plaiul Foii Chalet (859 m) where you stay overnight. Hiking time: 8-9 hours, uphill/downhill walk: 700 m/1.300 m.

Day 6. Rest day - Bran castle - Rasnov fortress - Brasov
Today you will have more time for a deserved rest and leisure and optional short hike. We visit Bran Castle (famous as the Dracula castle it was built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order between 1211 – 1225) and Rasnov Fortress (the Fortress was built in stone and brick around the year 1215 by the Teutonic Knights). Accommodation in Brasov. Optional hike on the Tampa mountain (960 m) right next to Brasov. The view from the summit is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of the city. Optional Brasov walking tour by night with guide.
Hiking time: 2-3 hours, uphil/downhill walking: 400/400m

Day 7. Poaian Brasov resort - Postavaru mountains
Transfer to Poiana Brasov resort (1200m) – the main ski resort in Romania (12 km). Trekking to the top of Postavaru Mountains – 1799 m and down to the resort. The route follows easy forests paths with nice meadows and great panoramic views. Transfer back to Brasov. Hiking time: 4-5 hours, uphill/downhill walk: 700 m/700 m.

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to Bucharest for departure.

Included in the price: ►accommodation in 3 star pension with private facilities (day 1,2, 6,7), 2-8 bedded room in a village guesthouse with shared facilities (day 3), dormitory in hut with basic facilities outside (day 4), dormitory in a hut with shared facilities inside the hut all on BB (breakfast included)►maps and route notes ►luggage transfer►all transfers per itinerary including airport transfers to/back Bucharest or Sibiu

Not included: ►lunches and dinners (can be provided at the places of accommodation)► entrance fees►flight tickets►luggage transfer on day 4►drinks►personal expenses► tips

Other expenses: single room supplement: 80 euro

Good to know:
♦ How the tour runs: You will be met at the airport by our local supporting agent and transferred to Brasov. After accommodation you will have an info meeting for discussing all details regarding the trek and receiving your maps and route notes. On each day except day 4 and 5 you will be transferred to the starting point of the trek and met at the final point and transferred to your accommodation
♦ Routes and waymarks: You follow very well marked routes on clear paths that are part of the Carpathian hiking network. Most common waymark symbols are colored stripes, triangles, circles, etc
♦ Terrain: You follow mainly forest and meadows paths and dirt roads with gradual gaining of elevation. An exception is day 5 when you walk on the rugged narrow ridge of Piatra Craiului mountains on more difficult terrain including steep descends and ascends, lot of rocky sections and canyons supported with steel ropes for safety. The “7 ladders canyon” (day 2) includes walking on steel ladders and bridges in a very narrow and spectacular gorge and might seem difficult or dangerous for some hikers and can be skipped.
♦ Luggage transport: There is organized transport of the luggage for each of the days, except day 4. On days 4 and 5 you will need to carry essential items and changing clothes in your daypack. Your main luggage will be transferred from Peshtera village to Plaiul Foii hut (day 5).

How to get there: Wizz Air ; Easy Jet ; Germanwings; Airberlin;  

We reccommend trip in the period: June - October

Necessary equipment: daypack (20-30l), hiking shoes, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, headlamp or torch, sun glasses, etc.