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
16th – 23rd May 2026
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.
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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.
Day 1 After arriving in Bucharest we transfer to our hotel in the hamlet of Magura, approximately three hours away, set amongst the majestic Piatra Cariului mountain range.
Day 2 A morning walk takes us along a nearby limestone gorge in search of local specialities including the colourful Wallcreeper. We should see many flowers and butterflies as we walk slowly along on an easy track. During the afternoon there will be time to explore the local meadows and pastures around Magura.
Day 3 We visit the mountain town of Sinaia and travel by cable car to the higher slopes of the Bucegi Mountains, up to 2,000m. Among the species we hope to see in the alpine meadows will be Primula halleri, Primula minima, Alpine Pasqueflower Pulsatilla alpina and Alpine Snow-bell Soldanella alpina. The Carpathian Alpenrose Rhododendron mytifolium should be just coming into flower on the slopes around us. Butterflies should include a variety of fritillaries and blues, with Alpine Accentor and Carpathian Chamois also possible. Back in Sinaia, we visit the grounds of the attractive royal palace, before heading to a hide in the forest where we wait for Europe’s largest predator, Brown Bears to emerge from the forest to feed. Wild Boar, Roe Deer and even Wolf have also been seen here on our previous visits – fingers crossed!
Day 4 We bid farewell to Magura and head westwards into Transylvania proper, where we stay in the village of Crit. Along the way we visit the wetlands of Dumbravita to spend some time enjoying the birding, with Squacco Heron, Ferruginous Duck, Whiskered Tern and Penduline Tit all likely.
Day 5 The landscape of Transylvania is rich in meadows, forest and wood pasture. The mosaic of habitats is a result of the history of the local peoples, with centuries of traditional management by the local Saxon population. We start our exploration by visiting an area of steppe vegetation near the village of Apold, home to some special plants including the impressive Siberian Bellflower Campanula sibirica, thistle-like Jurinea mollis and Nodding Sage Salvia nutans. Whinchat sing from the bushes, while we should keep our eyes peeled for soaring Lesser Spotted Eagles. In the afternoon, we move to the wood pasture at Breite, home to Stag Beetles and longhorn beetles!
Day 6 Transylvania is home to some of the finest ancient wood pastures and veteran trees in Europe. Today we visit one of the finest of the finest, at Marcheasa. Ancient oaks stand sentinel on the grassy hillside, Great Grey and Red-backed Shrikes hunt from the lower bushes, with grazing Water Buffalo wallowing in pools that are home to Yellow-bellied Toads and the rare Tadpole Shrimp. We spend the day exploring the area and learning about the history of these important habitats.
Day 7 We travel the short distance to the well-preserved Saxon village of Viscri, famous for its fortified church. White Stork nest in the village, while Black Redstarts sing from the rooftops. Nearby we will visit species rich meadows, including another outcrop of steppe vegetation where we will look for Clematis integrifolia, the Burning Bush Dictamnus albus and the tumbleweed-like Tatar Kale Crambe tataria. Back at Crit, we will have some time to explore the village itself and the flowery hay meadows on the nearby hillside.
Day 8 After breakfast we travel southwards once more, making a couple of stops along the way before we end up back at Bucharest airport and our flights home.
Please note that the itinerary may be changed to suit the weather or other practicalities at the discretion of the leaders.
For the first three nights the group will stay at Pension Mosorel in Magura. The last four nights will be in the Pension Casa cu Zorele in Crit. This village has many of the medieval buildings preserved and the accommodation is in restored Transylvanian houses. All rooms have private bathrooms.
Meals during the trip will include Romanian dishes, with an emphasis on local food. Picnics will be taken for lunch.
Transport during the trip will be by small coach/ minibus.
Group flights
Group flights are with British Airways from London Heathrow to Bucharest Otopeni.
Overland travel
You can reach Romania by train from the UK. From London you can reach Bucharest in one night, with sleeper trains available. Contact us to find out more, and to make your holiday flight-free.
Time zone
Romania is two hours ahead of UK time.
Entry requirements
If you hold a British passport you can travel to countries in the Schengen area (including Romania) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must be issued less than ten years before the date you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
Starting in 2026 British passport holders will need to apply for the ETIAS European Travel Authorisation to visit Schengen countries. This must be applied for online prior to travel, at a cost of €7 (free for over 70s). Once granted, your ETIAS will be valid for three years.
The weather should be pleasant, mostly warm, even hot, although rain is always possible, as is cooler weather, especially when we spend time up in the mountains. There can be strong sun especially on higher slopes and sun protection is needed.
On most days, we are out and about for much of the day, albeit walking a relatively slow pace and making several stops each day. It is necessary to walk on rougher ground and up some slopes, although none of the walking is strenuous. Access to the bear hides can involve steps and walking up small (steepish) banks and, therefore, may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.