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meadows, mountains and bears

Exploration of one of the last remaining areas in Europe where traditional management of hay meadows is still practised on a large scale and the local wildlife includes iconic species such as bear, wolf and lynx.
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Dates

May/June 2025

Leaders 

To be confirmed

Price

To be confirmed

Included

Return flight London Heathrow to Bucharest. Local transport as specified in itinerary. Seven nights accommodation, full board.

Not included

Refreshments. Gratuities. Travel insurance. Covid tests and associated costs.

Group size

Minimum 4, maximum 14.

We have designed this tour based on our previous trips to the Transylvanian Plateau and Carpathians over many years. It has been adapted to combine the hay meadows, pastures and wood pastures around the ‘Saxon’ villages of Viscri and Crit with the limestone gorge and valleys of Piatra Crailui National Park and the high altitude alpine meadows of the Bucegi Massif in the Carpathians.

Staying in two centres you will have the chance to explore the natural history in the company of local ecologists who can help you understand the history and culture of the local area and its effects on the management of the habitats and see some of the characteristic species of the area. The holiday will include time for botanising and birdwatching, as well as the opportunity to look for other animals including butterflies and other insects, amphibians and reptiles.

A highlight of the trip should be an evening visit to a bear hide where Brown Bears can be seen as they emerge from the forest at dusk (and where Wolves are not usually expected but are also possible, as in our visit in 2013). The area has a rich cultural heritage including Saxon architecture such as fortified buildings reflecting this Germanic influence. The village of Viscri is one of several to be awarded World Heritage status.

Please note that holidays change, although sometimes only slightly, from year to year and previous trip reports may not reflect the planned itinerary, or other holiday details, for the current trip. Please ask us if you would like to know of any significant differences.

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