Transylvania Adventures, Romania
Horses
Type of horses:
Mainly Romanian Sports horses, a descendent from Anglo-Arabian's and a few local breeds.
Nature of horses:
Very calm, obedient horses to ride, but with a high energy potential, perfect for galloping.
Height of horses:
15.2hh to 16hh
Weight limit:
100 kg
Tack type:
Trail Saddles, and English or Western by request
Weather
Current Conditions:
Clear, -6 C
Forecast:
Thu - Partly Cloudy. High: -3 Low: -14
Fri - Partly Cloudy. High: -2 Low: -9
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
The Valley Stationary programme
Price is based on double room accommodation and does not include transfers.
£119 per person, per day for one full day's riding, with a guide and including a picnic and half board accommodation
£14 per night for single supplement
Return Transfer
Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu £104 (car 2-3 guests) £144 (van 4-8 guests)
Tg.Mures £54 (car) £72 (van)
Return Transer
Calimani Mountain Trail
Prices include transfers (from stated airports), accommodation, food, drinks with meals and riding. Priced according to group sizes:
2 - 4: £894 per person
5 - 6: £860 per person
7 - 8: £833 per person
The Saxon Trail
The price includes transfers, accommodation, food, drinks with meal and riding. Priced according to group size:
2 - 4: £939 per person
5 - 6: £784 per person
7 - 8: £710 per person
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This ride is dedicated to horse riding enthusiasts and to those wanting to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Transylvanian mountains.
The hosts started their own horse riding adventure by building a small horse breeding ranch in the heart of the Calimani mountains. The geographic location of the ranch puts them in a very unique position in Transylvania.
Over the past few years, they have managed to develop a strong logistic foundation, owning more than seventeen beautiful horses, that have been well trained and schooled by their own, experienced trainers. They now also have a beautiful and extremely comfortable lodge, located right next to the horse ranch and equipped with modern facilities.
The horse riding trips are the perfect choice for those who love nature and animals, by providing them with the opportunity to observe the rich flora and fauna, typical of this region.
For those of you who want to enjoy watching the wild life in the forests, these trips are most recommended during springtime and early summer, when mother nature's power of revival is most impressive.
Depending on weather conditions and client's requirements, the horse riding trips will consist of adventurous 15 to 30 km riding distance rides on mountain paths daily, having picnics in the forest, campfire dinners and enjoying traditional meals in local homes or picturesque lodges.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
This horse-riding centre is located in a beautiful Valley, right outside the mountain village of Lunca Bradului.The forest road takes you to the lodge, which continues up into the mountains, all the way to the hiking area of the Calimani Mts. with Pietrosul peak at 2100 m altitude.
The lodge was first built as a family vacation home, but in time, it was adapted to the guests’ needs, with en-suite bathrooms and central heating.
It can accommodate a total of twenty two guests as follows:
Ground floor - 1 twin room and 1 room, with two bunk beds.
First floor - 1 twin room and 2 triple rooms (1 double bed + 1 single bed).
Second floor - 1 room with 6 beds, sharing the bathroom.
Next to the lodge is the stables, where they are building a top floor with four double rooms. Two of them will be ready for this season! Also, on the same floor, there will be a conference room with a capacity of thirty five persons and room for entertaining with a pool table and a bar.
Here the guests are welcome to taste the rich and organic foods of the region, made with local products, with milk and dairy products coming from their own cows!
The meals are usually based on local meat, eggs and vegetables, most of them coming from the local village. Vegetarians can be catered for as well as guests with other dietary requests.
During the riding trails, food will be provided and prepared by the guide and will consist of picnics, sandwiches and open-fire dinners.
Activities
As well as horse riding there are cultural and day tours, offering perfect opportunities for hikers and bikers and visits to castle and monasteries.
Bucovina has beautiful painted monasteriest. Sighisoara (Schassburg, Segesvár) has one of the best preserved Saxon citadels in Transylvania, with lovely hotels and restaurants restored in the old buildings inside the citadel.
Biertan (Bierthalm, Berethalom) has the most important fortified churches in this region of Transylvania, surrounded by vast vines scattered on the nearby hills.
Due to major renovations, Sibiu (Hermannstadt, Nagyszeben) now has lots to offer, including hotels, lots of charming restaurants and terraces and of course an abundance of cultural activities and attractions.
Prejmer (Tartlau, Prázsmár) is possibly one of the most impressive Saxon fortifications, it is the strongest fortified church, with a very interesting interior wall.
Transylvania's most popular castle - Bran Castle , presently known as “Dracula’s Castle”stands proudly on the top of a rock with a very dramatic and imposing look and is most definitely worth a visit.
Peles Castle is considered by most tourists as the highlight of their trip to Romania, Peles is one of the most beautiful castles in Eastern Europe. One can admire the interior with impressive rooms, each decorated and furnished to reflect a different country with exotic materials like alabaster, gilded linden wood, mother of pearl, Turkish silk etc. Apart from being built in a breath-taking landscape, in the middle of a beautiful park, Peles Castle is also the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity!
Come visit the untamed, wild landscape of the last unspoilt region in Europe, the Carpathian Mountains which offers rich adventures for hikers, wild animal trekkers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, or even regular tourists who simply like to see old villages and step back in time to experience traditions that have been kept alive for more centuries.
Bicaz Gorges, with its breath-taking views in the narrow gorges with 300 m high rock faces is the hiker's paradise, with well marked trails and magnificent views.
Carpathian Mountains is home to the largest carnivores living in Europe, the vegetation is lush and the forests roar with wild animals. Romania is home for the largest population of bear, wolf and lynx in Europe.
St. Anna Lake is the only volcanic lake in Romania, with the purest tested water in Europe! It is situated in the volcanic cone of Ciumani Mt. in the eastern Carpathians.
Further Details
Languages: English and French
Health requirements: No special health requirements
Age limit: 14 and above if accompanied by an adult and with good riding skills
Tuition: No
Included: Accommodation (including guesthouses), food, drinks with meals and transfers from Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu and Tg. Mures
Not included: Flights, Transfers from Bucharest or transfers on the Valley stationary programme
Travel Information
Transfers are included in the price for the Calimani Mountain trail and the Saxon trail, from Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu and Tg. Mures. An alternative airport is Bucharest, transfers can be arranged at an additional cost from this airport.
If taking part in the stationary trail, transfers are not included in the price but are to be paid locally, prices are as follows:
By a small car (two to three people) from, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu: 160 euros
Small car from Tg. Mures: 60 euros
By a van (four to eight people) from, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu: 115 euros
A van from Tg. Mures: 80 euros
These transfer prices are per car and each way.
Airport: Cluj-Napoca
Alternative Airport: Bucharest
Programmes
The Valley Stationary programme
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This trip consists of several shorter routes and is designed more for short stay/long weekends in the valley where the centre is situated and is also perfect for long weekend programmes for the nature loving riders. The schedule involves about six to eight hours of riding per day, along star shaped trails, beginning and ending at the lodge in Lunca Bradului. Every day will offer you a different experience and the trails will uncover the stunning beauty of the surrounding nature, each day at a different level. The routes provided, offer the opportunity to visit several sheepfolds, hunting observatories and the former Arpad defence line built by the Germans during World War II. There are some additional options that can be included including visits by car to Bicaz Gorges, Lacul Rosu (Red Lake) and the Toplita monastery, which has much historical interest. Please note this ride is suitable for single travellers, if other guests are booked in for the same dates, please check with the office for confirmation. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to advanced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 5 to 6 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | This programme runs from May to September and through to October, if the Autumn is mild |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Calimani Mountain Trail
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This is a one week horse riding trip through the Calimani mountains. You will experience high mountain trails of aproximately 1600m - 2000m altitude, which overlook the impressive landscape and wildlife. Romanian mountains still hide one of the best preserved fauna and flora in Europe! You will meet shepherds and taste their freshly made cottage cheese and other products, you will ride in open fields with no fences or boundaries to limit you and you will find yourself overwhelmed by the welcoming attitude of the locals! Day 1 You will transfer from the airport to the lodge. Your first night will be spent in the comfort of the Lodge in the Valley. Day 2 After breakfast you will be welcomed to the riding centre and will receive an introduction of the riding centre, its horses and given a short history of the centre. Before setting off on the trail, the tack and harness is checked over and chosen for the occasion. The ride starts by heading down to the nearest village of Lunca Bradului, the route then continues up into the mountains of Calimani, part of the Eastern Carpathian mountains, before entering the Fintinele basin. After a delicious picnic lunch you will continue riding through meadows and finally arrive at the camping site. Overnight is spent camping in the Capatina Meadow, relaxing with an open fire dinner. Day 3 You leave in the morning after breakfast to Rastolita Basin, crossing a mixed area of forest and meadows, with great landscape looking over the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. After a relaxing ride, enjoying the view and lunch, you descend on quite a difficult road which takes you to the Rastolita Valley. Again overnight is spent camping in Rastolita Valley, near the forest road. Day 4 After breakfast you set off on yet another beautiful riding day, starting with a light downhill ride into the Rastolita Valley until you reach the junction with the River Secu. From there you continue on a dirt road until you reach the River Scurtu. From here, the route takes you along the last valley, up to Poiana Lunga mountain Pass. At 1300m altitude, this is the highest point of this day and you will continue downhill to Lake Colibita. On the way you visit a little pond called “The Fairies’ Pond”. A relaxed night is spent camping next to the tranquil setting of Lake Colibita. Day 5 After breakfast you set off to Izvorul Lung Valley to reach Terha Pass. Enjoying a picnic lunch on the way. In the afternoon you descend along Dorna Valley to get to your camping site,which is set up on the riverside of Dorna. Day 6 After breakfast your ride starts from Dorna Valley, along a picturesque stream, taking you up to Maieris Peak, at 1880m to experience magnificent views. Lunch will be enjoyed in this wonderful countryside. From here you descend to Neagra Sarului Valley to find the next camping site, which is set up on the riverside, at the border of the Calimani National Park. Day 7 Today starts by riding towards the volcanic cone of the Calimani Mountain, the biggest volcanic cone in Europe, of around 10 km in diameter. You then cross a former sulphur mining site and small mountain village, which was abandoned 15 years ago, but is now undergoing an ecological process and returning to nature. You continue riding up to the volcanic plateau, at around 2000m to experience the panoramic views around. From here you descend back to base in the Valley, riding along the forest road which will takes you all the way back to the Lodge. Overnight is spent in the comfort of the Lodge. Day 8 In the morning you get ready to go on a trip to the Lipizzaner stud Farm in Sambata and the last stop is the charming Saxon town of Sighisoara, a UNESCO protected site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Visits to the citadel are in the afternoon. Tonight's accommodation is in a 3* hotel in the citadel. Day 9 Today is departure day where you will be wished a fond farewell. After breakfast you will have the chance to say goodbye to your hosts, guides and other guests before being transfered back to the airport. * ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORSEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES |
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| Accommodation: | Five nights spent camping, two nights in the valley lodge and one night spent in Hotel accommodation |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 6 days riding, plus an excursion |
| Departure dates: | 30 May-7 June, 13-21 June,11-19 July, 8-16 August, 22-30 August, 19-27 September |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
The Saxon Trail
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The following trip is a one week itenerary based on guesthouse accommodation and ending in one of Transylvania's most precious gems, a Saxon fortified town called Sighisoara, which is a UNESCO protected site located in the heart of Transylvania! The day-trips, take riders to fascinating places,allowing them to experience beautiful, untainted Transylvanian landscape and even taste a little bit of the Dracula myth, on the lines of Jonathan Harker, the main character in Bram Stoker's book. Day 1 You will be transferred from the airport to the centre's lodge in near Mt. Calimani. You will receive a warm welcome and an introduction of the riding centre, the lodge and a bit about its history. The first night is spent in the comfort of the lodge. Day 2 In the morning, after breakfast you will depart from the lodge to the nearby village of Lunca Bradului. You continue to the Fintinele Valley riding through a mixed landscape of meadows and forest scattered with trenches from WWII (there were battles between the Germans and the Russian Red army in this area )before finally descending to the village of Rastolita in the Mures Valley. You will be transferred by car to the lodge, enjoying a tasty dinner and a relaxing night. Day 3 The ride today will start in the morning, heading to Lake Colibita, in the North, riding on an old path used by shepherds to take their flocks to the higher mountain pastures. On the way you will experience the incredible landscape and diverse terrain and arrive at the lake in the evening, where you will eat your evening meal and spend the night in the guesthouse accommodation. Day 4 Ride along the river which feeds the lake and then you will continue up the Terha Pass and along the ridge to reach Borgo Pass at the end of the day. Borgo Pass is famous from Bram Stoker's book "Dracula" being the starting point of Jonathan Harker's exciting experience in Transylvania. Tonight will be spent at the Hotel Dracula 3* which offer magnificent views of the nearby mountains. Day 5 In the morning you will head towards the Dorna Valley until you reach Vorova Valley. Take this road up to Tamau Peak (1862m) and continue on the ridge passing by a beautiful rock formation called "The Red Stones"/ Picnic in the meadow nearby and descend to the edge of the National Park of Calimani. Accommodation in a guesthouse at the border of the National Park at the end of the village Neagra Sarului. Day 6 After breakfast you head back to the Lodge passing through the National Park of Calimanai Mts, first crossing a deserted sulphur mine which is undergoing a very complex process of reintegration in nature by a German company. You will see the miner's houses and a unique scenery of surface mining surrounded by beautiful mountains. Continue on forestry roads through the mountain until you reach Ilva Valley and the Lodge where you will enjoy another delicious dinner and spend the night. Day 7: After breakfast you will depart from the equestrian centre on a 2.5 hours drive to visit the charming town of Soghisoara with its imposing medieval citdel overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. You will overnight at a 3* hotel in the citadel. Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to the airport. . Day 7 You will depart in the morning on a cultural extension to visit a famous UNESCO protected site, the charming town of Sighisoara, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. You will visit the citadel in the afternoon. Accommodation and your evening meal is in a 3* hotel within the citadel. Day 8 Today is departure day. After breakfast you will say your goodbyes, be wished a fond farewell and transfer back to the airport. Please note: ** ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORSEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES *** Please note that this itinerary may operate in the reverse direction. |
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| Accommodation: | Spent in the lodge and a variety of guesthouse accommodation |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to advanced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Five days riding. |
| Departure dates: | 15-22 May, 26 June-3 July, 24-31 July, 4-11 September, 2-9 October |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |