Romania’s Danube Delta & the Carpathians – a Wildlife Paradise
Holiday Highlights
- Stunning wilderness scenery
- Abundance of birds and wildlife
- Remote villages with a traditional way of life
- Homestay accommodation, full of character yet with all necessary facilities
- Bear sanctuary near Zărneşti
- Many meals from locally sourced organic produce
- 10 days from £3,265pp
Tour Dates:
Thursday 15 May to Saturday 24 May 2025
UK’s Leading Specialist Operator to Romania
Discover some of the last true wilderness areas in Europe, teeming with wildlife. We search for rare wading birds in the Delta, visit a bear sanctuary in the mountains in the company of experts and encounter a rural life that makes Romania so appealing.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Flight to Bucharest
Afternoon flight from London to Bucharest, arriving mid-evening.
Day 2 – From Bucharest to the Danube Delta
Travel by train to Tulcea, railhead for the Delta, and then transfer by boat to our guest house in the tiny village of Mila23. This village is accessible only by boat.
Days 3 to 5 – Exploring the Delta
We are joined by an English speaking specialist for three days of bird watching, mostly by boat. Likely sightings amongst those too numerous to mention are bittern, squacco heron, egret, glossy ibis, white tailed eagle and, most famously, both white and Dalmatian pelican. There is absolutely no requirement for prior knowledge of ornithology – just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful unspoilt delta scenery.
Day 6 – Vrancea Region
Transfer to Tulcea by boat and travel by road via Brăila to reach the Vrancea region, known for its vineyards. Wine tasting and accommodation for one night at a winery in Panciu.
Day 7 – Tişita Gorge & Braşov
Driving into the mountains, we visit the annual shepherds’ festival in a small village before a short walk upstream through the Tişita Gorge. The footpath here is actually the track-bed of an old forestry railway. We rejoin our bus for a scenic journey over the pass into Transylvania and our next destination, Braşov. Here our small hotel is in the centre of this Medieval town which was built by the Saxons.
Day 8 – Bear Sanctuary & Bran Castle
Brown bears are common in this area although spotting them in the wild is very hit and miss. This morning we visit the bear sanctuary near Zărneşti, run by an animal welfare charity and housing about 80 bears which have been rescued from zoos and other places of captivity. Here they roam in their natural habitat and are well cared for. We continue to Bran with its archetypical Transylvanian castle – turrets and all! Return to Braşov for an overnight stay.
Day 9 – Across the Carpathians by Rail
After a leisurely morning in Braşov, we catch the main line train to Bucharest. Our scenic route takes us across the mountains through the ski resorts of Predeal and Sinaia.
Day 10 – Bucharest to London
Lunchtime flight from Bucharest to London arriving mid-afternoon.
Due to the limited number of rooms in homestay accommodation, this tour will be limited to 12 persons.
Tour Route
Selected Hotels
My Continental Hotel, Bucharest
Casa Pescarului, Mila 23
Domeniile Panciu, Panciu
Bella Musika Hotel, Braşov
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
- Rail travel as specified
- Other travel by private mini-coach
- Hotel accommodation in Bucharest
- Other accommodation in boutique hotel or good quality guest house with en-suite facilities
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 evening meals
- Airport and other transfers
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour, local professional Romanian guide plus specialist guides where required
Price per person
| Escorted holiday: | £3,265 |
| Single room supplement: | £470 |
| Deposit for this holiday: | £300 |
