This 1-week trip takes us to the historic region of Transylvania for a wonderful variety of habitats and birds, and a chance to see some of Europe’s largest mammalian predators including brown bear, chamois, Eurasian lynx and wolf.
We begin in Zărnești, situated near the picturesque Piatra Craiului Mountains, to explore its stunning forests and limestone gorges. We spend an afternoon in the Stramba Valley, where we go bear watching, and also visit Bran Castle - a traditional Romanian fortress dubiously claimed to have been the home of the infamous Count Dracula. Birding highlights include Alpine swift, crag martin, serin, crossbill, black woodpecker and numerous passerines.
Surrounded by the spectacular Carpathian Mountains, we drive right into the heart of Transylvania, stopping in Rimetea and Saschiz, to enjoy the wild, mountainous and historical landscapes. Here we look for lesser spotted eagle, Ural owl, corncrake, red-breasted flycathcer and black woodpecker. During our exploration around Saschiz, we will also visit the fortified church of Rupea and the Sessile Oak of Mercheasa in addition to our wildlife excursions.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Bucharest, transfer to Zarnesti
We fly to Bucharest and drive northwards to Zarnesti, a journey of around three hours, which takes us gradually into the forested Carpathian Mountains. On arrival at our accommodation, we have time to relax and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Zarnesti, 3-nights on full board basis
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Day 2:
Explore the Zarnesti Gorges & Piatra Craiului Mountains; bear watching
After breakfast, we visit the spectacular Zarnesti Gorges, situated within the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Cutting through the lower slopes, the Gorges are home to a wide variety of birdlife. In the dramatic limestone valley we hope to see wallcreeper, treecreeper, crag martin, alpine swift, both black and white-backed woodpeckers, and honey buzzard.
Later, we visit one of the number of bear hides found in the Stramba Valley and spend the rest of our afternoon into the evening looking for these endearing mammals. After an enjoyable day birding and watching for bears in this picturesque mountain setting, we head back to our accommodation for dinner.
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Day 3:
Visit Bran Castle & bear watching in the Stramba Valley
This morning we visit Bran Castle, which was once the home of Vlad the Impaler and the castle on which Bram Stoker’s Dracula stories are based.
We continue to the ancient Christian site of Coltul Chiliilor, where we walk along the edge of the forest and in meadows in search of Ural owl, nutcracker, three-toed and black woodpeckers, plus an array of passerines.
In the afternoon, we drive to the Stramba Valley to visit a different bear hide from yesterday and have another opportunity to observe brown bears before returning to our accommodation in Zărnești.
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Day 4:
Drive to Turda & visit Dumbravita Lakes
Today we travel to further into the centre of Romania and visit Dumbravita Lakes, also known as the Ramsar Dumbravita Fishpond Complex. This reservoir is surrounded by a mixture of crops, meadows, dense vegetation, reedbeds, marshes and wetlands that support diverse flora. Dumbravita Lakes are an important breeding site for over 30 species of waterbird, and a staging area for more than 100 bird species,
After a stop for lunch, we visit the medieval town of Sibiu, which was designated the European Capital of Culture back in 2007, before continuing to Rimetea.
Accommodation: Rimetea, 2-nights on full board basis
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Day 5:
Explore Rimetea
After breakfast, we go hiking in Rimetea to the Piatra Secuiului – a huge limestone rock divided into two parts by a ravine - to look for wildlife, and enjoy the stunning panoramic views.
After lunch, we visit the scenic Turda Gorge, which is situated among limestone crags. This complex area protects a range of flora and fauna, and has many interesting geological and archaeological features. At Turda Gorge, edelweiss appears at the lowest altitude in Romania, and we can hopefully see an array of colourful alpine flowers. Birding highlights here might include golden eagle, alpine swift, Syrian and grey-headed woodpecker, dipper, rock thrush, barred warbler and rock bunting.
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Day 6:
Transfer to Saschiz
After some time for birding and breakfast this morning, we depart Rimetea and transfer to Saschiz. On the way, we stop at the historic town of Sighisoara for lunch before visiting the town's impressive citadel, which dates back to the 12th century. Incredibly well-preserved, the citadel and surrounding cobbled streets still have signs of the original medieval architecture, and it certainly feels like we've stepped back in time.
Later, we continue to the small town of Saschiz, where we check in at our charming guesthouse for a two-night stay and in time to freshen up before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Saschiz, 2-nights on full board basis
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Day 7:
Explore Saschiz & surrounding habitats
Today, we have the full day to explore Saschiz and the surrounding habitats in search of this region's excellent birdlife. From verdant forests to blooming wildflower meadows, we visit several habitats and scenic landscapes in the company of our expert naturalist leader. A few of the species we could observe on this day of the itinerary include white-backed and black woodpecker, Ural owl, red-breasted flycatcher, corncrake and lesser spotted eagle.
Whilst we explore the area, there may also be time to see the historical fortified citadel in Rupea and the Sessile Oak of Mercheasa in addition to our birdwatching walks.
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Day 8:
Drive to Bucharest, fly back to the UK
If time permits, we have a short birding walk before heading to Bucharest to catch a flight back to London.
Please note: Leader subject to minimum numbers (otherwise will be led by local guide only).
