Bearfoot Among Carpathians | Trekking across Romania

Often overlooked but rich in history, wild nature and fairy tale charm, Romania is a traveller’s delight – where else can you visit Dracula’s castle, spot brown bears and explore imposing Soviet monuments, all in the same place? We’re all familiar with the lore of Vlad the Impaler, and the spooky, heavily forested region of Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. But Romania’s appeal is much more than Dracula’s legend.

Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, here we’ll find colorful, perfectly preserved medieval and Baroque towns, ancient churches, clifftop fortresses and castles out of a storybook. Romania is a land of unspoiled and untamed nature, a reminder of the wild beauty that once covered much of Europe. Here, bears and wolves roam through thick forest, skirting mountaintop villages which seem like something out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Bucharest, the country’s capital, is where the old and modern collide. Reminders of the communist era are around every corner, most notably in the world’s second largest government building: Palatul Parlamentului, built under the command infamous former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.

Escaping the city, the jagged peaks of the Carpathian Mountains dominate the land, stretching across the heart of the country. At their southern end lies Piatra Craiului National Park, where, set amid the incredible scenery, picturesque mountain villages offer a glimpse of a traditional way of life practiced by rural Romanians for centuries.
Seven Ladders Canyon is renowned for its rugged karst formations and cascading waterfalls. Carved in Jurassic limestone, the canyon was once a cave, but its roof collapsed over time, revealing the dramatic rock walls that now define the gorge. Its impressive system of bridges and ladders allow visitors to climb and scramble over its rock formations for incredible views and access to its seven waterfalls of varying heights – the highest being 35 metres (115 ft).

Ready to discover Romania’s wild side? Hold my bear, Let’s go!

Day 0 // AUG 05 // Departure

Meeting at AUH at 19:30 for a direct flight on Wizz at 21:20. Immigration clearance, overnight.

Day 1 // AUG 6 // Bucharest & Bears

We’ll start our day with a city tour of Bucharest, a capital which offers a fascinating blend of the old and new. Modern steel-and-glass buildings and lively cafes and restaurants sit among the city’s ancient monuments, palaces and museums of the Old Town, and grey, brutalist structures of the communist era.

After lunch we’ll head out of the city towards the dark forests of Transylvania, where in the late afternoon we’ll take a short nature trek and attempt to spot the famous Carpathian Brown Bear in its natural habitat. Other wildlife in the area includes wild boar, roe deer and red deer, wolves and various bird species.

Day 2 // AUG 7 // Transfăgărășan Highway & Poienari Fortress

This morning we hit the road for a thrilling and unforgettable experience: a journey along the famed Transfăgărășan Highway, often called "the Road to the Clouds" and "the Best Driving Road in the World". Built in the 1970s as a strategic military route, this remarkable feat of engineering is Romania’s second-highest paved road. With its sharp switchbacks, hairpin turns, and breathtaking panoramas, it has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the world’s most exhilarating drives.
As we wind our way up the highway, we’ll take in stunning views of towering peaks, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Upon arriving at Poienari Fortress, we’ll uncover the fascinating history of Vlad Țepeș and dive into Romania’s medieval past, while admiring the fortress’s dramatic location atop a sheer cliff.

Day 3 // AUG 08 // Piatra Craiului

Set out early as the morning mist slowly lifting to reveal one of the most spectacular ridges you’ve ever laid eyes on. The trail takes us through vast alpine meadows, then into the dramatic Zărnești Gorge, with sheer cliffs towering above. Passing through quiet villages that felt frozen in time, wooden carts creaking along dirt roads, smoke rising from chimneys, and locals still crafting cheese the old-fashioned way. Catch a selfie shepherd over a hunk of fresh cheese as you' re walking through a living postcard.

Day 4 // AUG 09 // Romania: Seven Ladders Canyon

Today we’ll stretch our legs and flex our muscles with a short hike and a climbing experience in Seven Ladders Canyon, famous for its rugged karst formations, impressive ladders and cascading waterfalls. The canyon was once a cave, but its roof collapsed over time, revealing the dramatic rock walls that now define the gorge.
A scenic walk through forest and meadows will bring us to the canyon, where we’ll navigate the metal bridges and near-vertical ladders that wind through the rock passage. As we climb, we’ll have incredible close-up views of the rushing waterfalls and towering cliffs surrounding us. In the afternoon return to Bucharest,

Day 5 // AUG 10 // Return

Free time at leisure, near noon time we’ll head back to the airport to catch our return flight to Abu Dhabi at 14:30. Bye, bye Romania x

Grade: Moderate, not for the faint of fur.
Activities: Trekking, immersion in mountain village life, wildlife encounter, sightseeing.
Accommodation & meals: 3 star hotels and gueshouses ( sharing rooms), meals excluded.

Cost: AED 5,300 excl. flights on Wizzair from ABU DHABI.
Cost valid until JULY 31st.

Specifically excluded: Any costs related to visas, meals, insurance.
Visas: Schengen visa. Support available only via third party agency.

See yah with bears x

Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238
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