Where The Bears Go

After breakfast, the group takes a tour of the center. In addition to the stables and pastures we get to see the organic farm. Vegetables and fruit are grown and animals are raised there making the centre almost self-sufficient and the food healthy and very tasty. Next, we meet the horses and go for a ride. The trail leads through meadows and forests growing at the foothills of the mountains. We will admire the landscape and the variety of wild flora and fauna. You may be able to track down the first prints of wild boars and bears. There are a couple of good spots to trot and canter. Lunch is planned mid-ride, in the nature. At the end of the day, we return to the center where dinner will be already awaiting us. The evening can be spent outside by the fire or in the cosy lounge, and the hosts will be happy to tell you about the ecological projects related to the wildlife of the Southern Carpathians that the resort is a part of.

Once again, we set out to penetrate the foothills of the Southern Carpathians. We will gallop through blooming meadows and track wild animals in the surrounding forests. We will have lunch surrounded by nature, enjoying the magnificent mountain panorama. In the afternoon we will return to the center, and in the evening an optional trip to a forest hide is possible for those who would like to. The chance of seeing bears in their natural habitat is quite high there. Occasionally, wolves also make an appearance.

On this day, the horses rest and the group set off on a car tour of Transylvania. The road will take about 2 hours, we will travel along local roads leading through sleepy Romanian villages. Our first destination is Sighișoara, a fairytale town from the Transylvanian Saxon era. Today it is home to one of the best-preserved medieval town complexes, and one of the main attractions is the home of the (in)famous Count Dracula. We then continue our journey to the Viscri, one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Transylvania. We will visit the legendary fortified church from the 12th century, and have lunch. In the evening, we return to Șinca Nouă.

After breakfast, we leave Șinca Nouă and head into the wilderness of the mountains on horseback. In addition to abundant forests and flowered glades, we will encunter nearly forgotten mountain villages. We will also have the opportunity of peeping into the life of the local people, which has changed little over the last centuries. We’ll have lunch on the way and in the evening we will arrive at a campsite near traditional local farms. We will spend the evening and a part of the night sitting around a campfire and admiring the stars above. We will sleep in tents, but a transfer to the guest house for the night can be arranged upon request (you will have to walk to reach the car road, which will take about 20 minutes).

After a night in nature, we saddle up the horses and continue on our way. The majestic Southern Carpathian Mountains are all around us, with the Transylvanian Highlands at their heart. In many places the trail passes through viewpoints where we will be able to enjoy panoramas and the beauty of this parts of the Carpathian mountains.  Gradually, the trail will lead towards Șinca Nouă and we will reach the our center in the afternoon.

This is the last day of horse riding. There will be lots of cantering through meadows and mountain glades. In the middle of the day we will return to the center, say goodbyes to our horses and have a delicious lunch. Then we set off by car to the Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s castle! As you will find out during the tour, the legend doesn’t quite coincide with the historical facts, but a legend is a legend 🙂 In the late afternoon we will return to the center and hold a farewell dinner together.

After breakfast a minibus will pick up all participants and head to Bucharest, to the airport.