The Heritage of Transylvania cycling tour - 8 days

Description The Heritage of Transylvania cycling tour - 8 days

Discover the highlights of Transylvania on two wheels.

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Rates:

• 1139 euro/person for a group of 10
• 1299 euro/person for a group of 8
• 1399 euro/person for a group of 6
• 1799 euro/person for a group of 4

The package includes:

• transfers to/from airport (Bucharest), transportation
• accommodation - 7 nights (3* hotels or boarding houses)
• breakfast
• licensed guide
• bike&helmet

Not included:

• lunches and dinners (can be provided at the places of accommodation)
• entrance fees
• flight tickets, drinks, personal expenses, tips

Introduction:
Transylvania is not just Romania's most renowned region due to the captivating legend of Dracula; it stands out as the most romantic and inspiring province in the country. Perched on a plateau that rises between 305 and 600 meters and nestled within the stunning Carpathian Mountains, which soar above 2000 meters in height, Transylvania is one of Romania's most progressive areas. This enchanting region invites you to explore medieval towns rich in history, such as Brașov, Sighișoara, and Sibiu, each dating back to the vibrant 14th century. Picture high-roofed wooden churches, majestic citadels, and iconic castles steeped in intriguing tales. The splendid mountain scenery, with its dramatic alpine peaks and picturesque villages, adds to the region’s irresistible charm. The crowning jewel of your journey will be the breathtaking Transfăgărășan road, which ascends to 2000 meters and meanders through Romania's highest mountains. No visit to Transylvania is complete without a glimpse of Bran Castle, famously linked to the enigmatic Count Dracula. This remarkable castle, with its dramatic architecture, perfectly embodies the allure and mystery of the region. Come and discover the magic of Transylvania!

Tour highlights:

Sinaia –  is a famous mountain ski resort and is well known as "The Carpathians Pearl". Situated on 780 m a.s.l. along Prahova river valley, into the Bucegi massive of the Carpathian Mountains, Sinaia is a great destination for both summer and winter holidays
Peles Castle - is one of Romania's most important museums since it was a residence for several Romanian monarchs. The castle was built in Neo - Renaissance style and comprises more than 160 rooms.
Brasov - Brasov is everything that Bucharest is not: a placid, gentle, civilized city of 300,000 people nestled in the Carpathian mountains. At present 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 - 15-th centuries), the largest Gothic church in Romania and within the territory between Vienna and Istanbul.
Bran - The Dracula's Castle in Bran 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
Sighisoara - A European treasure, Sighisoara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the Tarnava Mare River, the town was built by Saxons between the 12-th and 17-th centuries. Eleven towers guard Sighisoara's walls, among them Tailors' Tower and Shoemakers' Tower
Biertan - The village is known for its fortified church, built in the 14th century. It is a Unesco World Heritage site.
Sibiu – Declared for Cultural capital of Europe Sibiu was once the king of the Transylvanian Saxon towns, serving as capital and dominating cultural activity. Sibiu is home to the first hospital in Romania (1292), the first pharmacy (1494) and the oldest museum in Romania, the Brukenthal Museum, opened in 1817
Astra open air village museum - the second largest open-air museum in Europe (250 acres) is located in the middle of a dense forest and surrounded by a beautiful lake. It features more than 300 buildings as well as watermills and windmills, and other structures representing village architectural styles from many parts of Romania.
Transfagarasan road - built as a strategic military route, it is the highest (2042m) and most dramatic paved road in Romania. It runs North to South across the highest sections of the Carpathian Mountains. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.
Fagaras mountains – the highest mountains of Romania and the Carpathian range with highest peak Moldoveanu -2544m.
Balea Lac is a natural glacier lake at 2040m, 360 meters long, 240 meters wide and 11 meters deep
Balea Waterfall with its 60 meters height it is one of the most famous waterfalls in Romania
Bucharest – the capital of Romania and the biggest city in Romania is a city of great contrast and lots of sights to be explored.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Sinaia
Arrival at Otopeni Airport in Bucharest and transfer to Sinaia for overnight..

Day 2. Bran - Poiana Brasov resort - Brasov

After a visit of the magnificent Peles Castle in Sinaia we are transferred to Paraul rece. You cycle down on mountain road to Bran castle where we stop for a visit and lunch. Later we drive to the Rasnov  and start biking through Postavarul mountains to Poiana Brasov ski resort (1030m). A pleasant descend by meadows and great views to Brasov awaits you. We stay overnight in Brasov. Cycling distance: 40 km

Day 3. Rasnov fortress - Brancoveanu Monastery

In the morning we visit the imposing Rasnov fortress from 13 c. Transfer to Zarnesti town. You start  biking at the end of Zarnesti with a climb to a 770m pass through nice forested area among small mountain villages and pastures followed by a downhill ride in a nice valley. You reach the foothills of the majestic Fagaras mountains and continue cycling through many small villages and farmlands on a flat terrain with great views to the numerous valleys and ridges of the mountains. You finish cycling at Statiunea Sambata mountain resort where we stay overnight. Nearby is Brancoveanu Monastery dating back from 17 century. Cycling distance: 70 km

Day 4 . Iacobeni fortified church - Sighisoara

Today we start exploring the hilly area of Sibiu – Sighisoara region famous for its Saxon fortified churches. You will pass by numerous small villages and the fortified churches of Cincu, Dealu Frumus, Agnita, Iacobeni, Bradeni and Apold. We end up in Sighisoara which old town is considered to be one of the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadels in Europe (Unesco World heritage site). Cycling distance: 90 km

Day 5. Biertan fortified church - Sibiu

After breakfast we continue exploring the hilly region with fortified churches west of Sighisoara. The cycling starts 25 kilometers from Sighisoara on a small peaceful road passing through agricultural lands, small villages and 4 fortified churches – Biertan (Unesco World heritage site), Rechis, Altana and Hosman dating back from 14 – 16 century. Today you finish cycling in the beautiful city of Sibiu (European capital of culture 2007). Free time for walks in the old town. Cycling distance: 77 km

Day 6. Astra open air Musem - Transfagarasan road - Balea lac

In the morning we make a short walk in the second biggest open air village museum in Europe near Sibiu (Astra open air museum). Short transfer to Cartisoara village brings us at the foothills of Fagaras mountains where we start biking on the spectacular Transfagarasan road. First we climb through nice coniferous forests, reach the cabin lift station where we can have lunch in a small restaurant. Once you reach the tree line at about 1600 m the alpine landscapes of Fagaras mountains will reveal its beauty to you. You will pass nearby the cascade waterfalls Balea and continue cycling on the numerous serpentines climbing gradually in the valley until you reach the picturesque region of Balea Lake at 2030m where you stay overnight. Free time for afternoon hikes around the lake. Cycling distance: 35 km

Day 7. Vidraru dam  - Poienari fortress - Bucharest

After breakfast and a short transfer through a tunnel passing through the mountains we start biking downhill exploring the Southern slopes of Fagaras mountains. After we leave the alpine landscapes we enter the green gorge of Arges river and reach the spectacular Vidraru dam (165m high dam wall) Nearby is the Poienari Fortress (former residence of Vlad Tepes also known as Dracula). Finish cycling before Curtea de Arges. Transfer to Bucharest for overnight. Cycling distance: 70 km

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.

Details about biking tour:
- optimal time: July - October
- number of participants: minimum 4, maximum 14.
- transportation will be chosen according to the number of participants.
- biking tour requires a good physical shape, with resistance to low effort but for long duration. 
- licensed mountain guide during the entire biking tour.

 

Required equipment for cycling

 

Difficulty	Average high	Average kilometer/day

 See Classification of the biking tours

Map of visited POI's:

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