DESTINATIONS - Romania (Winter in Transylvania)

Located in Transylvania, the home of Bram Stoker’s mythical Dracula, the Calimani and the Apuseni Mountains are a part of the Carpathian chain. Among the last natural and unspoiled regions of Europe, the Calimanis and the Apusenis, with their spectacular gorges, rivers and caves, provide an ideal year round setting for sports and senior adventure travel. Elder Expeditions is pleased to offer an exhilarating winter experience in a  part of the world where cultures and traditions blend against a spectacular backdrop of natural beauty.

Minimum participants: 1 | Maximum participants: 15

Languages: Romanian, English, Hungarian

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
The group will be met by the Elder Expeditions' local host at the Cluj- Napoca Airport in Romania at a time to be determined based on participants' times of arrival. Transfer to Base Lodging 1 in the Calimani Mountains of Transylvania. (Approximately 3 hours.)
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1

Day 2: (Hiking and Archery)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 1. We will then hike to the tree trunk caves at Rastolita, a distance of approximately 6 km. A tree trunk cave, a natural phenomenon, is formed after volcanic lava flows over fallen trees. With the passage of time, the lava hardens around the decomposing trees, creating a cave, the sides of which bear a negative imprint of the trees.
Noon: Lunch at Base Lodging 1.
Afternoon: Archery at Base Lodging 1.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1.

Day 3: (Horseback Ride and Hiking)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 1. Depart for 2 to 3 hour horseback in the Llva Valley of the Calimani Mountains, riding towards the main ridge of the mountains.
Noon: Lunch at Base Lodging 1.
Afternoon: Hiking to the Falcons Rock in Salard, enjoing the view of the whole Mures gorge, visiting a World War II Bunker (distance 6 kilometers).
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1.

Day 4: (Snowshoeing and Horseback Riding)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 1. Snow shoe tour (distance 8 kilometers), Bear and wolf tracking, weather permitting in the Calimani Mountains.
Noon: Picnic lunch while snowshoeing or lunch at Base Lodging 1.
Afternoon: 2-3 hour long horseback trip in the Llisoara Valley of the Calimani Mountains, again riding towards the main ridge of the Calimani Mountains.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1.

Day 5: (Horse drawn Sleigh or sledge Journey)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 1. Horse-drawn sleigh journey in the Ilva valley, Calimani Mountains.
Noon: Picnic lunch around an open fire.
Afternoon: Resume journey by sleigh in the Ilva valley, returning late in the day to Base Lodging 1.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1.

Day 6: (Gorge and Cave visits)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 1. Depart for 80 km bus journey to Bicaz gorge in the Hasmasu Mountains where we will visit the Red Lake and Bicaz Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular limestone gorges in Romania. The Red Lake was formed by a landslide that cut off the flow of the Bicaz stream. Logs from the former forest still stick out of the water, offering a view that is simultaneously interesting and eerie.
Noon: Lunch at the Bicaz gorge or Izvorul Oltului.
Afternoon: We will travel from Cheile Bicazului to Voslobeni (35 km) by bus. We will then proceed, either hiking or by horse-drawn sleigh, depending on the weather, 12 kilometers (round trip), from Voslobeni to Sugau limestone cave. Visit the cave with local guides. Return by bus from Voslobeni to Base Lodging 1.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 1.

Day 7: (Rimetea Village)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. Travel by bus to Base Lodging 2 (Szekelyko Mansion) at Coltesti, Apuseni Mountains. Visit Rimetea village (UNESCO world heritage site).
Noon: lunch at Base Lodging 2.
Afternoon: Hike 4 kilometers to the Toroczkay Castle, built in the 13th century to assure protection against Tatar invaders.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 2.

Day 8: (Mountain Hiking)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 2. Hiking trip to Piatra Secuiului Peak, 1129 m above sea level (distance 10 kilometers).
Noon: Picnic Lunch
Afternoon: Hike back to Base Lodging 2 in Coltesti village.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging 2.

Day 9: (Ice Cave and Lime Stone Cave)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 2. Travel by bus from Coltesti to Scarisoara (80 km). Visiti the Scarioara cave the second biggest ice cave in Europe.
Noon: Lunch at Albac.
Afternoon: Visiting Belioara nature reserve or Poarta Zmeilor or Huda lui Papara lime stone caves. Travel back to Base Lodging 2.
Evening: Dinner & farewell party at Base Lodging 2.

Day 10: (Departure Day)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging 2. Transfer to Cluj-Napoca Airport. Farewell to Romanian hosts.

2013 DATES
February 22 to March 3, 2013 - Available

A single supplement of $290 applies unless a solo Participant agrees to share lodging and Elder Expeditions is able to arrange shared lodging.

The stated price includes all transportation from the meeting point at the Clu-Napoca Airport on Day 1 to the return to the Cluj-Napoca Airport on Day 10, all lodging, all meals), horses, snow shoes and safety equipment.

The stated price does not include gratruities, alcoholic beverages or items of a purely personal nature.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable forty days prior to Day1 of this expedition.

BASE LODGING

Base Lodging 1 will be in the Calimani Mountains at the horse-riding centre which is located right outside the mountain village of Lunca Bradului, on the Ilva valley. The rustic building has rooms with two bed, each with its own bathroom. Meals will generally be prepared with locally produced meat, eggs and vegetables as well as the rich and organic milk and other dairy products, from the nearby villages.

Base Lodging 2 will be in Coltesti in the Apuseni Mountains. The Szekelyko Mansion rooms are decorated by hand made embroideries and painted furniture reminiscent of the region’s richness. Guest rooms have two beds and a private bath. The tasty and richly flavored food and drinks served here are specific to this part of Transylvania.

The local Transylvanian hosts are a trio of young and dynamic ethnic Hungarians who serve as expert guides as well as gracious hosts.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. As our hosts can accommodate different equestrian abilities, an experienced rider as well as a beginner will be wholly at ease. There is a weight limit of 260 pounds (120 kilo) for the equestrian activity.

Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 8 miles (13 kilometers).

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than Romania are advised to check with the Romanian embassy (or a Romanian consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Romania, unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.