This cycling trip by “hotel boat” meanders through the stunning beauty of Europe’s last natural paradise - the Danube Delta to mile "0", where the mighty Danube River empties into the Black Sea. The tour takes you through Romania’s Delta, the second largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas. You will travel along canals with floating reed islands, lagoons and lakes. The landscape alternates between gently rolling hills and swamp and prairie land and amazes with its diversity and beauty. You will enjoy the tranquil life in the small fishing villages. Under expert guidance you will discover the fauna and flora of this landscape, which is also rich in history. Enjoy Romanian hospitality and cuisine on board your floating hotel and in the cosy guesthouses.
Highlights:
♦ Biosphere reserve Danube Delta
♦ Orthodox monasteries of Celic Dere and Saon
♦ The medieval fortress of Enisala
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival
Individual arrival to Bucharest/Airport; At 02:00 p.m into the Danube Delta to the town of Tulcea into the Danube Delta (ca. 4 hours); Afterwards we are getting on the comfortable floating hotel and starting our tour. Dinner and overnight on the boat.-/-/D
Day 2. Nufaru - Sfantu Gheorge (approx. 31 km)
Along the most southern Danube arm through the nature reserve Bestepe Hills. A wonderful view deep down into the Delta will make you forget some ascents. At the small fishing village Murighiol we enter into a maze of channels, floating islands, dense forests and a pure wilderness experience by boat. Overnight on hotel boat. B/L/D
Day 3. The journey to mile “0” (approx. 25 km)
A bumpy gravel path – on the right the open range of the Black Sea, on the left side the lush green reeds and marsh land. In the loneliness of the Danube Delta Cormorants and Great White Egrets are our permanent companions. Kilometer “0” at Sulina: the Danube has reached its final destination at the lighthouse and starts to merge with the salt of the sea. Overnight on hotel boat. B/L/D
Day 4. Gulf of Musura - Crisan (approx. 23 km)
Along the bird’s paradise Musura-Bay the path leads you to the picturesque village Letea. It seems as if time stands still here. The houses are made of reed and loam, lovely painted in blue and all surrounded by contemplative silence. Close to the village, located on a sandbank, a special wonder of nature can be observed – a tropical forest with climbing plants and lianas. We will reach the fishing village Crisan by boat. Overnight on hotel boat. B/L/D
Day 5. The Fauna & Flora of the Danube Delta (day off)
During the cruise through a labyrinth of narrow waterways we pass by small fishing villages and again experience the incredible diversity of the Fauna and Flora of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta. In the afternoon we return from a surreal dream world to the vibrant city life of Tulcea. Overnight on hotel boat. B/L/D
Day 6. The monasteries of the Dobrogea (approx. 26 km)
Round trip through a gently undulating landscape to the orthodox monastery Celic Dere, the biggest convent of the Dobrogea territory. The beautiful monastery of Saon with its distinctive windmill is located amidst vineyards right on the bank of the Danube. From a ridge you have a fantastic view over the extensive and green floodplain directly on the border to the Ukraine. Transfer back to Tulcea. Overnight at Tulcea guesthouse 4*. B/L/D
Day 7. Lagoon - tour to the cape Dolosman (approx. 42 km)
By bus we travel to the old town Ceamurlia de Jos. The nature reserve of Cape Dolosman with the Greek-Roman excavations of Argamum separates the Delta-lakes Golovita and Razim. By bike you reach the medieval fortress of Enisala, which is located high above the Danube. Let us enjoy a breath-taking view over the Lagoon Razim! Overnight at Tulcea guesthouse 4*. B/L/D
Day 8. Disembarkation - Transfer Tulcea-Bucharest
After breakfast bus transfer back to the Romanian capital Bucharest; arrival at the airport approx. 2 p.m. Please do not book any flights before 4 p.m.; possibility of
additional nights in Tulcea or Bucharest. B/-/-
Good to know:
► Guides: With our experienced local wildlife and bike-guides you will learn to recognize birds with their noise or in flight, discover rare plants and animals, about the life of the Delta residents and the incredible eventful past of this region, which already fascinated the Romans, Greeks and Dacians.
► Accommodation and meals: You will be accommodated, caring looked after, on a modern floating hotel and in a family run, comfortable guesthouse. The meals are traditionally with a lot of fish, meat and vegetable, for lunch picnic’s or lunch packs will be offered.
► Roads and conditions: You will bike in groups of 12-20 persons, you bring already some experience in bike-tours. Sand- and gravel roads require a bit of physical condition, but should be succeed by everybody as the daily stretches are quite short. If possible longer routes to choose. Some stretches will be done by boat or bus. Itinerary is subject to change - in case of high forces (water level, through no fault of one’s own engine- or drive-breakdown) Before and after your bike-tour you also have the possibility to book extra nights in Tulcea or Bucharest.
Gallery
Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.
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