Bram Stoker’s Transylvania 2021
An expanse of rolling hills and valleys dotted with wild flowers, patches of forest and small villages with the towering Carpathian Mountains as a backdrop. This is probably the last European paradise for horse trekking. Transylvania is always remembered for the mythical Count Dracula, but these lands were also the scene of the dramatic history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We invite you to discover its medieval villages, good local wine and the atmosphere that seems to have stopped in the 1800s, where horses were actually used for transport. We will retrace the ancient roads connecting villages through hills and forests starting from Miklósvár, a remote village, with its ancient manor from the 1500s, located at the foot of the Carpathian mountains, to continue to discover Transylvania.
Departure dates minimum 1 person departing from Italy
Additional departure dates on request with a minimum of 4 people.
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 8
Transfer from the airport to Miklósvár, a medieval village with its hunting manor formerly owned by the Kálnoky family and now a museum. This area was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and became part of the Romanian territory during the First World War. Most of the original houses in the village have been restored, thus giving the town a special charm. Dinner and overnight in a guest house, where your host will welcome you and introduce you to the horses for the start of the tour.
After having breakfast, transfer of about 40 minutes by car to the equestrian center in Valea Crisului. The trek will begin in a northerly direction, climbing towards the pastures that offer an incredible view of the Carpathian peaks. We will see the villages of Kálnok and Zalán from above, we will pass through valleys and forests to reach Malnas Bai in the late afternoon, where we will spend the night in a local hunters' house (shared services). You will have the opportunity to go to the spa, with its beautiful local architecture (by reservation, for a fee), open exclusively for the knights. Dinner and overnight in Malnas Bai.
We will descend into the forests of the Hatod region, where we will see bear tracks. We will ride around the crater of the inactive volcano called “Murgò”, and then descend towards the village of Batanii where we will be guests of a local family who will be happy to welcome you and show you their old still working water mill.
Breakfast and departure to the north-east, at the top of the Szép Arca hill, from which we will have a view over the valleys of Barót and Olt. Picnic lunch near a lovely lake, the result of an old abandoned mine. From here we will continue along the river Olt until we reach the Miklosvar estate in the afternoon. Time available to visit the castle and its museum. Dinner and overnight in a guest house.
Breakfast and departure to the east, passing through Szárazajta to climb to the summit overlooking the valley, from which you can see the Carpathian mountains. We will then descend south-east to the village of Zalánpatak, formerly the territory of the Kálnoky family and today the private residence of the Prince of Wales that we will be able to visit while walking around the estate. Dinner and overnight in recently restored traditional houses.
On the saddle to bring the horses back to Kőröspatak ,along a track that was very well traveled by the Kálnoky family who needed to move between the two villages. Beautiful views of the green pastures up to the return to the stables. Transfer by public transport to Zalánpatak for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Bucharest Otopeni International Airport. Possibility to extend the stay in Miklosvar (on request).
Tariff per person, starting from:
Departure | Double |
---|---|
From 4 April 2021 to 24 April 2021 | € 1,420 |
From 2 May 2021 to 26 June 2021 | € 1,700 |
From 4 July 2021 to 30 October 2021 | € 1,420 |
Notes
(B / L / D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
Departure dates minimum 1 person departing from Italy:
Single supplement per night (if available) – to be paid locally | € 30 |
Return transfer from Bucharest airport per person – to be paid locally | € 170 |
Return transfer from Brasov train station – per person – to be paid locally | € 60 |
Return transfer from the center of Bucharest – per person – to be paid locally | € 200 |
* prices are intended for a minimum of 2 people (to be paid locally)
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: guest house and traditional houses
EQUIPMENT: ENGLISH SADDLE with pockets
HORSES: Shagya-Arab, Gidran and Lipizzan crossed with the Hutzuls, the ponies originating from the Carpathian mountains. With a bright but also docile and sensitive temperament, they are perfect for the proposed terrains.
GAIT: 3 TO 6 HOURS PER DAY ON THE SADDLE. You proceed to the pass in the mountain paths but you can trot and gallop in the valleys. It requires the ability to know how to control the horse in open spaces at the three gaits.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT : Kg 90 TYPE : itinerant trekking with overnight stay in guest house / traditional houses
ACCOMMODATION:
The overnight stays during this itinerary will be quite diversified. You will experience the pleasure of experiencing traditional life in the home of local families, but you will also experience the charm of delightful cottages steeped in history: in Miklosvar at Count Kalnoky’s, or in Zalanpatak at The Prince of Wales’s.
The breakfast and dinner of tasty traditional dishes will always be served where you stay, while the lunches will be simpler than picnics.
Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. It is possible to have the same itinerary with only 3 days on horseback (dates B and D).
The tariff includes
The tariff does not include
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