Walking Romania - Transylvanian Alps Trek

Our trip begins at Bucharest Airport at 8.45pm, the latest your flight can arrive is 8.15pm. You will need to arrive by this time to join the airport transfer today. We will travel together as a group to our hotel in Sinaia which will take approximately 2 hours.

This is a beautiful mountainous region, at the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains in the Prahova Valley. Sinaia is one of the oldest and most famous mountain resorts, often referred to as 'The Pearl of the Carpathians'. Stay: Hotel Roberto (Comfortable)

After breakfast we visit in the Peles Castle (optional) which is considered by many as one of the most beautiful castles in all of Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914. Then we take a short cable car ride to the Bucegi Plateau. From here we start our walk through the Bucegi mountains which make up part of the southern Carpathians and walk for approximately 4 hours gaining about 500 metres/1,640 feet in elevation to the highest peak, Omu Peak 2,505 metres/8,218 feet. Wind and rain have turned some rocks in to spectacular figures such as the Sphinx.

We will finish the walk at the Omu Mountain Hut where we spend the night. The dorm rooms in the hut are communal with a stove in the centre, we are allocated two beds per person to allow for extra space. The simple toilets are located just outside of the main building, there is no running water and no washing facilities, although its possible to buy drinks. Although very basic the location at 2,505 metres/8,218 feet on top of Bucegi Mountains in the Carpathian Range makes it worth it for one night. Our main luggage is transferred by road and will not be with us so we have to carry what we need for the night.

Note that if early season snow makes overnighting in the Omu Hut impossible, we will stay at the lower elevation Padina hut. There will be less of an ascent today but more on day 3.

Today's Moderate grade 13 kilometre/8 mile trek is expected to take around four hours with 775 metres/2,542 feet of ascent and 320 metres/1,049 feet of descent. If we arrive early enough at Omu Hut there is the option to extend this walk with an additional one and a half hours trek to summit Bucsoiu a nearby peak (2,498 metres/8,195 feet). Stay: Omu Hut (Simple) (B/L/D)

We start our descent, including 50metres/164feet on a scree path, to the Bran Valley with some stunning views of the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Today we walk from the peak of the Bucegi range to Moieciu and on our way will see natural monuments, various alpine flora and fauna, which could include the edelweiss, mountain wild rose, capercaillie and chamois. This area is also home to the European brown bear but a sighting would be rare. The wild beauty of this area is truly special. Today we walk with some steep sections and rough terrain, good walking boots are essential. The last part of the trail leads us to the guest house through their orchard. Here after a long day we will be welcomed with hot delicious food, locally brewed alcohol and a well deserved hot shower.

Today's Challenging grade 20 kilometre/12.43 miles trek is expected to take around 6 hours with 350 metres/1148 feet of ascent and 2000 metres/6562 feet of descent. Stay: Casa Zada Guest House (Simple) (B/L/D)

Today we start our day with an optional trip to the castle at Bran. The truth behind 'Dracula's Castle' is even more fascinating than its myths! Earlier this century it was the home of the remarkable British born Queen Marie of Romania, grand daughter of Queen Victoria. Vlad the Impaler, the heroic 15th century ruler of Wallachia never lived here and there is no connection with the excellent novel by Bram Stoker - who never came near Transylvania. Perched on a crag in a valley between two high mountain ranges, it controlled an international trade route, but is now a rural back-water. From here we start our walk to the Piatra Craiului mountains. Piatra Craiului (The Royal Rock) is probably Romania's most loved mountain especially by hikers and nature lovers. The shining glow of this huge white limestone ridge can be seen from afar and it is probably the source of its unusual name. The mountain ridge has the biggest bio-diversity of the country. Not surprisingly, it is a national park. The wildlife is very diverse and there are still black chamois on the high cliffs and brown bear, wild boar, deer and stag, foxes, wolf and even lynx in the forests. The Piatra Craiului Mountains are further known for the abundance and diversity of flowers and plants. We walk today for between five and 7 hours and end at a mountain hut where we spend the next 2 nights.

The wooden Curmatura hut is located at 1,470 metres/4823 feet in Piatra Craiului national park. There is more space in this hut, with dorms rooms solely for the group and a large outdoor terrace. Washing facilities are limited as there is no running water, but a fresh water spring nearby, the toilet is located outside of the main building. For the 2 nights staying in Curmatura Hut the main luggage will be stored at the guesthouse in Moieciu, we have to carry what we need for theese two night in a smaller bag.

Today's Challenging grade 18 kilometre/11.18 miles trek is expected to take around 5 hours with 1,340 metres/4396 feet of ascent and 660 metres/2165 feet of descent. Stay: Curmatura Hut (Simple) (B/L/D)

Today we take a circular walk from our mountain hut to the Piatra Craiului's beautiful limestone ridge, which is about 25 kilometres/15.5 miles long, from where we have superb views over the surrounding country. The walk today is challenging in parts with the odd section where you may need to scramble over rocks or through dense forest. Once we are up on the ridge the views of the southern Carpathians are spectacular. After around 6 hours of walking we will return to our mountain hut for a well deserved hot meal and refreshments. Note: During the walk on the ridge there is a section approximately 2 metres/7 feet in length which will require holding on to a chain to cross. Vertigo sufferers may wish to opt out of this walk. There will also be a descent of 300 metres/984 feet on a scree path. Besides this, today's walk will not operate if it is raining or if there is a threat of rain. If this is the case an alternative walk in the area will be arranged.

Today's Challenging grade 7.5 kilometre/4.7 mile trek is expected to take around 4 hours with 800 metres/2,624 feet of ascent and descent. Stay: Curmatura Hut (Simple) (B/L/D)

Today we leave the mountain hut behind and walk to our guesthouse in Moeciu. Today's walk takes us through more beautiful countryside including the Zarnesti Gorge which has been used as a filming location for a number of movies including Cold Mountain.

Today's Moderate grade 18 kilometre/11.2 mile trek is expected to take around 5 hours with 470 metres/1,542 feet of ascent and 1,100 metres/3,609 feet of descent. Stay: Casa Zada Guest House (Simple) (B/L/D)

This morning we drive to Romania's capital, a remarkable blend of turn of the century elegance and communist excess. Situated on the Danube plain and set amid a series of lakes and spacious gardens, remnants of more gracious days still exist to charm the visitor. We visit many of the older parts of the city to see some of the buildings that have earned it the reputation as the Paris of Eastern Europe. After the city tour we have free time for shopping, relaxing or more sightseeing. Stay: Hotel Minerva (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Bucharest.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Bucharest at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) which is around 20 minutes' drive from the hotel. (B)