Transylvania 2027

Romania

2390 €

Deep in the mountains, beyond the forests, lies a beautiful land called Transylvania. We will explore it on horseback, cantering through hills and valleys and visiting old Saxon villages. Expect long hours in the saddle, beautiful views of the Făgăraș Mountains, nights in traditional guesthouses and places where an old way of life is still part of everyday life. This is a comfortable trail that combines horse riding with discovering the history, nature and culture of Transylvania. It is also a great way to experience the region while travelling according to the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Days overall

8 days

Days in saddle

6 days
Group size

8

Available

check
Standard

for the picky (comfy acommodation and delicious food)

Luggage

no limit kg

Food

local cuisine, vegetarian and vegan available
Skills

walk, trot, canter

Transylvania is a land made for horse riding. There is no better way to explore its endless hills, meadows, forests and medieval villages than from horseback. We set off from Șinca Nouă, on the south-eastern edge of the region, and follow a loop of almost 200 kilometres. Along the way, we will discover some of the most traditional parts of Transylvania. We will pass old Saxon villages and fortified churches, some of them up to 800 years old. On the hills, you can still see flocks of sheep grazing in the traditional way, while the area is also home to many species of birds, including lesser spotted eagles, bee-eaters and hoopoes.

We will spend around five hours in the saddle each day, plus breaks. We mainly ride Arabian horses, Shagya Anglo-Arabs, Kisberi horses and Hungarian half-breeds (Furioso). They are energetic and happy to move forward, while at the same time being well-trained and responsive to subtle signals from their riders.

This is an active trail for experienced riders who are in good physical shape. The lay of the land also means some steep and long descents. Several times during the ride, we will dismount and walk for up to 20-30 minutes.

After a day in the saddle, we can enjoy some traditional comfort. We stay in agritourism guesthouses, often located in historic rural properties. We have access to Wi-Fi, electricity and hot water, while meals are based on regional cuisine and organic products, mostly from the hosts’ own farms or trusted local producers.

The trail follows the principles of responsible tourism – we support local hosts and the region while discovering its nature without disturbing its natural rhythm.

Tour difficulty and required riding skills
The ride is designed for experienced horse riders. By this, we mean being comfortable and confident in all gaits, including longer canters and gallops in a group of horses and riders over varied and changing terrain. Previous experience of group trail riding is required, along with the skills and fitness needed to spend several hours in the saddle a day at a varied pace and possibly changing weather conditions.

Due to transfer time between Bucharest and the riding center in Șinca Nouă please plan you arrivals not later than 16:00 and departures not earlier than at 15:00.

For horse welfare reasons riders’ weight limit is set to 85 kg.

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Horse with full tack and equipment
Accommodation in guesthouses and farmhouses
All meals (we use organic products, mostly home-grown or from trusted local farms)
Transport from Bucharest Airport to Șinca Nouă and back
English-speaking guides
Entry tickets to tourists attractions
Tourist insurance covering high-risk sports

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Flight tickets to and from Bucharest or travel by your own car
Optional: tips for guides and tour team (e.g. 20 euro)
Optional: 40 euro donation to the Foundation Conservation Carpathia (nature restoration in the Southern Carpathians)
Optional: single room supplement (25 euro per night where available, covered on the spot)
Minor personal expenses (souvenirs, additional snacks, admission tickets, etc.)

Day 1 Arrival in Romania

Participants arrive in Bucharest by plane or travel to Șinca Nouă by car. If you are flying, please plan your arrival no later than 16:00. The driver will pick up the participants at the airport, and we will then travel by minibus to Șinca Nouă. The journey takes about four hours. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a drink. After settling into the guesthouse, we will have dinner together with the guides and the rest of the team.
Day 2 Carpathian Foothills

After breakfast, we will meet our horses, saddle up and set off on our adventure! We have 29 kilometres and around six hours of riding ahead of us. We leave Șinca Nouă and head through the valleys and foothills of the Carpathians towards the plains of the Olt River valley. Along the way, we will pass several Romanian villages, with the first opportunities for some long canters across the open countryside. Just before reaching our destination, we will cross the Olt River and arrive in Hălmeag on the other side. We will spend the night staying with local families and enjoying their hospitality.
Day 3 The Hills of Transylvania

Another day in the saddle awaits us, and today the landscape starts to change. We saddle up and ride out from Hălmeag, following the Olt River towards the hills of Transylvania. We have 26 kilometres and around 5 hours in the saddle ahead of us. From the village of Șona, we leave the river behind and enter the hills. The trail follows their ridges, offering beautiful views of the Făgăraș Mountains. In the afternoon, we reach Cobor, an old Hungarian village surrounded by areas traditionally inhabited by the Transylvanian Saxons. This is where our hosts run a project to protect the village and restore its traditional character. They also run an organic farm with a strong focus on protecting biodiversity, while some of the abandoned houses are being restored using traditional methods. We will stay in Cobor for two nights. During our stay, we will also learn more about the projects focused on wildlife conservation and restoring the village.
Day 4 The land of the Transylvanian Saxons

Today we will explore the area around Cobor on horseback, with 36 kilometres and around 6 hours in the saddle ahead of us. The route offers beautiful views, plenty of opportunities for fast canters and an impressive variety of birdlife. The area is home to many bird species, including bee-eaters, hoopoes, European stonechats, great grey shrikes and lesser spotted eagles. If the weather is good and the ground is dry, we will make the most of it and enjoy some fast canters along local paths and dirt roads. In the late afternoon, we will return to Cobor and take a tour of the farm. Afterwards, you can relax in the old stables or visit the rather unusual bar located… in the cellar. We stay in Cobor for a second night.
Day 5 Viscri

Today we ride through the hills to Viscri, one of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania. We will cover 38 kilometres, which will take almost 7 hours in the saddle. Viscri was founded in the 12th century, and its historic buildings have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The village has been restored while keeping its traditional character, with the impressive and well-preserved fortified church as its main landmark. For the night, we will stay in old farm buildings that have been converted into small guesthouses. We will enjoy traditional Saxon cuisine, and in the evening there will be some time to take a walk and explore the area.
Day 6 Fortified church and a wooden lodge

In the morning, we will visit the fortified church in Viscri, which offers beautiful views of the village and the surrounding area. After the visit, we will have lunch and then saddle up and ride out. Today we have a short but fairly fast day in the saddle – we will cover 22 kilometres in around 3–3.5 hours. The route will take us through scenic hills, forests and meadows, with plenty of opportunities for canters along the way. In the afternoon, we will reach a wooden lodge on a large meadow in the forest near Jibert, where we will spend the night. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner and a peaceful evening in the atmosphere of the Transylvanian countryside.
Day 7 Back in Olt Valley

This is the last day of our ride in Transylvania. We have 34 kilometres and around 6 hours in the saddle ahead of us, with plenty of opportunities for canters and gallops through the hills and forests. Along the way, we will ride through picturesque old oak pastures before reaching the Olt River valley. From there, we will descend through the forests towards Hălmeag, where our ride comes to an end. We will have some time to rest and enjoy a snack before heading back to Șinca Nouă. Our horses will travel back to the centre by car, while we will return by minibus. Once back at the centre, we can freshen up and get ready for our surprise farewell dinner.
Day 8 Time to go home

It’s time to say goodbye to Transylvania. After breakfast, we will pack our luggage and take a minibus back to Bucharest Airport. Due to the travel time from Șinca Nouă, please plan your departure flight no earlier than 15:00

The guide may modify the day-by-day plan and particular daily routes according to weather conditions, the group’s riding skills and unforeseen events or circumstances.

The Transylvania Trail is a ride with a good but varied standard of accommodation. We stay in agritourism guesthouses located in historic rural buildings, as well as in the homes of local hosts. Some places are very simple and give you a chance to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Transylvanian village, while others offer a higher standard and more comfort. This variety is part of the experience – our main goal is to get to know the region, its people and their way of life as well as possible.Rooms are mainly twin and triple rooms. In some places, a single room can be arranged upon prior request for an additional €25 per night. We have access to Wi-Fi, electricity and hot water. Bed linen and towels are provided.

The cuisine is based on traditional Romanian flavours. Kitchen teams combine regional recipes with the principles of healthy eating and use almost exclusively organic ingredients, mainly grown and produced at the centre’s own land and sourced from trusted local farms. You can taste homemade cold meats, fresh vegetables and fruit from the centre’s own garden, as well as good-quality olive oil. For those who enjoy a drink, organic wines, beers from local breweries and homemade liqueurs are available.

The whole trip is organised according to the principles of responsible tourism. We support local people and the region, and when choosing accommodation and planning the trail, our priority is to experience Transylvania, its people and its traditional way of life as authentically as possible.

Equipment

In Transylvania we use versatile English saddles and endurance type saddles, suitable for long-distance riding. The stirrups are wide and allow for stable leg support. We sometimes use breast collars and tail docks. Pads are equipped with saddle bags or pouches, but it is a good idea to keep valuables (documents, money, phone) in a waist bag or pouch.

Bridles are typical, we use bits.

Please note that a riding helmet is obligatory for this tour. You can bring your own helmet or use the ones available on site.

What should you take with you?

During the tour in Transylvania a car will assist the group and transport all your luggage between subsequent locations. For the daily rides we take only what we need for that particular day.

passport or personal ID
cash, in RON or EUR
electronic devices, e.g. camera
sunscreen
insect repellent
your personal riding equipment (helmet, clothes, chaps, gloves, etc.)
trekking shoes (or similar ankle-high footwear)
raincoat / waterproof jacket
flip-flops for showering

Videos

Zew wyprawy w Transylwanii

Photos

Date	Trip Status	Price	Spots
24 April 2027 - 1 May 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
8 May 2027 - 15 May 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
22 May 2027 - 29 May 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
5 June 2027 - 12 June 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
19 June 2027 - 26 June 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
3 July 2027 - 10 July 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
17 July 2027 - 24 July 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
31 July 2027 - 7 August 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
14 August 2027 - 21 August 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
28 August 2027 - 4 September 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
25 September 2027 - 2 October 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
9 October 2027 - 16 October 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up
23 October 2027 - 30 October 2027	Available, English-speaking pilot/guide	2390 €	8	Sign up