WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?
Track one of Europe's most aloof and mysterious creatures, the grey wolf, in the stunning Carpathian forests of Transylvania.
Wildlife
Traveling into the forests of the Carpathian Mountains offers you the possibility of seeing not only wolfs but also other species of wildlife such as: European Lynx, Mountain Roosters, Brown Bears an others.
Brasov
Nestled between the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is a gem. From the old town to the hiking trails around, there's plenty to do here.Transylvanian countryside a veritable paradise of beauty and wildlife.
Dracula's Castle
Perched up tall and ominous, with narrow corridors and hidden staircases, the Bran Castle certainly fits as home to the legend of Dracula. If you've not visited try and make time in your schedule to add it.
Libearty Bear Sanctuary
The bear sanctuary was set up in 1998 and is now home to over 70 rescued bears. Its beautiful, tranquil setting allows the bears to live out the rest of their lives in comfort and safety.
"Cosmin, the guide, is just the nicest, most enthusiastic lover of nature you will ever meet. Once met never forgotten."
Graham S. - Guest
YOUR EXPERIENCE
A walk on the wild side for the wildlife enthusiasts. Starting off in the charming Saxon town of Brasov, you will then venture deep into the forests of Transylvania in search of the elusive wolf. Using a basic, but cozy, wooden cabin as your base, you will explore the great outdoors, tracking the great Grey Wolf. You will have plenty of chances of spotting it during the experience, so be patient! You will also have the opportunity to opt for visits the Libearty Bear Sanctuary and Bran Castle if your flight is late enough in the day.
YOUR EXPERTS
NEED TO KNOW
| DESTINATION | Romania |
| DURATION | 4 nights |
| GROUP SIZE | 6 people |
| ASSISTANCE | Hands on |
| AIRPORT(S) | Bucharest |
| FLIGHTS | For more information on flights from the UK please refer to the Trip Details section. |
| VISA | UK, EU & US not required |
| VACCINATIONS | No |
After arriving at the airport you will be transferred through the stunning mountains towards Transylvania to the charming old town of Brasov.
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Early morning transfer to the forests of the Carpathians, where you will embark on your adventure, tracking the elusive grey wolf. You'll arrive at your wooden cabin for lunch, a small rest and warm up before heading out again for the sun goes down. Once you've finished for the day you'll enjoy a hearty dinner around the fire.
INCLUDED
Your day starts bright and early with a cup of hot coffee before heading out into the snow and track the elusive Grey Wolf. You'll return to your wooden cabin for lunch, a small rest and warm up before heading out again for the sun goes down. Once you've finished for the day you'll enjoy a hearty dinner around the fire.
INCLUDED
One last try of observing wildlife and hopefully the grey wolf before you head back to the old town of Brasov, just in time to enjoy a nice dinner at one of the town's many lovely restaurants.
INCLUDED
You will have the morning at your leisure in Brasov before it's time for your transfer back to the airport. If your flight is later in the afternoon, you may also opt for a visit to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary or Bran Castle, or why not both?
INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.
Brasov
Romania
All our hotels are located a stone's throw from Brasov's Old Town Square so you'll easily be able to explore Brasov's quaint, cobbled streets.
Typical Accommodation: Bella Muzica, Casa Wagner or similar
Carpathian Forest
Romania
During your adventure tracking and observing wolves, you will stay in remote basic, but warm, wooden cabins with a fire place.
Typical Accommodation: Wooden cabins
WHERE YOU'RE GOING
Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Romania and you’re likely to hear something along the lines of Dracula, vampires and gypsies. Yes, the spooky castles pitched on rocky hilltops are certainly vampire-worthy but the only real fangs you’re likely to be exposed to here are those belonging to the wild bears, wolves and lynx that roam the Carpathian Mountains. Once you place the stereotypes aside for a moment, you’ll soon understand how misunderstood, overlooked and vastly underestimated this country is.
FAST FACTS
| CAPITAL | Bucharest |
| POPULATION | 19.29 million |
| CURRENCY | Romanian leu |
| TIME DIFFERENCE | UTC+02:00 |
"This is perfect for a real wildlife enthusiast, with the opportunity to really be at one with nature but you'll need patience and a reasonable level of fitness"
Marius M - Untravelled Paths
Clothing
Thermals, a fleece, warm hat, scarf to cover your nose, gloves and thick socks will keep you nice and warm. You will also need to consider waterproof clothes as you will tracking through heavy snow
Binoculars
Not essential but is likely to enhance your experience so do bring binoculars if you or any of your friends have them! Alternatively, if you have one your camera zoom may help.
Consider an extra night
With so much to discover in Bucharest you may wish to consider an extra night so you can fit it all in. It's worth noting that a visit to the Palace of the Parliament takes about half a day.
Buy the Book
The Libearity Bear Sanctuary has a book you can purchase v via Amazon online for £9.99. It makes for a fabulous souvenir or gift and naturally the proceeds go to the sanctuary.
As a tour operator we are not able to offer inclusive flights as part of our experiences however we are more than happy to help you find the most appropriate incoming and outgoing flights for you. All the listed airports fly directly in and out of Bucharest with multiple different airlines to choose from. We highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
INSURANCE
In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.
EXTRA NIGHTS
If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.
Book your trip in a few easy steps.
Although Romania is a member of the European Union, it does not use the euro (€) but has its own currency - the RON / Leu. The official currency is most commonly referred to as the plural ‘lei’ although some banks and exchange offices list it as the RON. One leu divides into 100 bani with banknotes coming in various denominations normally 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei, 50 lei and 100 lei and less commonly, 200 and 500 lei notes. Coins come in 50 bani and 10 bani pieces, which can be useful for small tips or donations.
The easiest option is to head to a cash machine once you’ve checked into your hotel in Bucharest to withdraw funds. There are plenty of ATMs around so it’s quick and convenient to get hold of your holiday cash.
If you want to come prepared beforehand, the Bureau de Change in M&S is, strangely one of the only places that dispenses the local currency. You can also purchase currency online and collect it from your local post office or even have it delivered straight to your door. Ordering currency online with the Post Office is commission-free and available for next day delivery. Obviously the more you buy the better rate you’ll receive.
However you choose to get hold of your spending money, just make sure you either spend or convert your RON before you leave.
Most major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted throughout Romania’s main towns and cities. While you should have no problem using your card to pay for drinks or dinner in major towns and cities using your card, some establishments accept cash only so it’s worth checking before you get settled in. It is also a good idea to carry some cash with you for smaller purchases and activities and while you're traveling in remote locations. It is always advisable to inform your bank that you’re travelling abroad in order to avoid the frustration of having your card blocked.
As a general rule, you’ll be able to have a good lunch for around £10 a head and will pay around £15 a head for a nice evening meal. Naturally, the type of establishment you choose to eat in and what you order will dictate the cost of your meals. Be aware that ordering imported wines can cause your bill to sky-rocket so drinking local wines is advisable. We reckon around £70 for lunch, dinner and drinks for two people is plenty per day. Please note that these are rough estimates and you can always choose to spend more or less depending on your budget and preferences.
The average temperature during the winter hovers around -3 degrees although temperatures in rural areas and up in the mountains can drop well below -15 degrees so it’s best to prepare for the worst. That said, it’s not unusual to find yourself enjoying a coffee outside in a Transylvanian town’s café with the sun beating down with surprising strength onto both your face and the snow-covered streets. So wrap up warm but don’t forget sun cream!
You can always contact the UTP team on +44 207 101 4061 or info@untravelledpaths.com. Before you travel, you will also receive a personalised itinerary with the contact details of the local manager in Romania should there be any problems. Your guide will be on hand throughout the trip as well, so you're in safe hands.
Our digital booklet, which you will receive before travel, contains all the information you need about optional activities. Simply drop us an email letting us know what you'd like to do during your trip, and we'll take care of the rest. Please note that the payment for the optional activities will be taken locally in cash.
Brasov is not generally as cold as people might imagine but we do believe that it’s safer to prepare for very cold temperatures, as it is not uncommon for the temperatures outside to hit -10 - 15 degrees. We would recommend bringing some good waterproof shoes, a warm hat and some gloves to keep yourself warm. Some clients prefer to wear waterproof trousers or a ski suit to protect them from the snow and ice; however aside from technical wear, layering your clothes is just as effective.
Very. With an experienced local tracker that is professionally trained in tracking and dealing with wild animals, you’re in safe hands for all of the bear tracking excursions. Typically, your tracker will carry an electric rod and/or a can of mace spray in the unlikely event that you should run into any problems. During the mating season it is common for trackers to carry a gun with them so please do not be alarmed.
Yes, of course. Although there are certain rules you’ll need to follow if you’d like to capture the experience on film. The use of flash, automatic focusing functions, continuous modes or settings that detect red eye are not permitted as the bears will be alerted by your presence and may react or vacate the area. If you are unsure about which camera settings you should use, ask your tracker. If you're planning to use your phone to take pictures, please ensure the settings comply with the regulations and that you put it on silent.
