Transylvanian Dreams Tourism Agency

Trekking in the Calimani Mountains (2100m)

Destination: Calimani Mountains

Duration: 6 days

Price: €399

Available: Spring- Fall/according to the weather

Minimum of participants: 4

Pick up/Drop off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: Trekking

Difficulty: Medium

Equipment: Hiking boots (water resistant if possible), gaiters (even in summer for protection), backpack, rain poncho, compass, proper clothes (obligatory), and water container (min. 2l.)

If you are an outdoor person, hiker or just like nature this package is definitely for you! Explore and discover largest volcanic complex of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the Calimani Mountains. It covers an area about 2000 square km; it forms the largest inactive crater in all Europe, about 10 km in diameter. The visited place has two protected areas: Calimani National Park and the Mures Gorge National Park. In this trekking package you will see virgin forests, cross beautiful clearings with rare wildflowers, if lucky, see wild animals, breathe taking panoramas from the top of the Calimani Mountains, geocaching and a lot more awaits discovery. Accommodation in a meteorological stations refuge.

*Due to limited space at the meterological station the accommodation you will be sharing the rooms with other hikers from your group.

Package Nr.1 (ONLY in Favorable weather condition)

Schedule:

Day 1

Arrival and transferred to the accommodation.

Day 2

Breakfast and drive to the Mures River’s Superior Valley, then to the Zebrac Valley on a forest road at Stanceni village. The luggages will be taken up the mountain on a different route by a 4×4 and we will hike up to the Retitis Peak (2020m) with a light backpack (take1-2 sandwiches and 2 l water). Towards the end of the Valley a forest road deviates to the right and climb through the forest until reaching the Zebreac clearing.Crossing the clearings we head up north, to the Retetis Peak (2020m), on the way we can see a lot of rare wild flowers and if we are lucky wild animals ( squirrels, birds, eagles, deers, lynxes andcarnivores: bears, wolves). This will take about 5-6 hours of walking through valleys, clearings and mountains (altitude difference will be about 1300m and 10km of alpine/grass fields). The accommodation will be in the meteorological station refuge, dinner and free time.

Day 3

Breakfast, we pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and go up to the Pietrosu Peak (2100m). This hike is about 7 km long on the mountain ridge, a not so difficult terrain, with high alpine grass and rocks; the track: Retitis Peak (2020)-Negoiu-Negoui Peak-Pietrosul Peak (2010m). From the Pietrosu Peak we have amazing view towards: W- Bistrita Mountains, West Calimani region, God’s Chair; S- Mures Valley, Gurghiu Mountans; E- Ceahlau Mountains, N- Rodnei Mountains. Return to the meteorological station refuge, dinner and a presentation of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Calimani Mountains. Activity: geocaching.

Day 4

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and we will go to the Calimanul Cerbului Peak (7km/high grass and rocks), return to the refuge, dinner and a ecotourism presentation.

Day 5

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and we will go to the Iezer Lake, a protected area of national interest including the Călimani National Park. The Nature Reserve covers an area of 322ha, and is natural dam lake with rarespeciesof flora and fauna: mammals,birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians specific Carpathians. Activity: presentation of survival techniques (navigation techniques, fire-making, constructing shelter, locating wild edibles and finding water). Return to the refuge, dinner and free time.

Day 6

Breakfast and descend to south in the Big Ilva Valley meet up with the minibus and drive to Targu Mures.

Package Nr.2 (In case of BAD weather condition)

Day 1

At arrival the tourists will be transferred to the accommodation and have dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and drive to the Mures River’s Superior Valley, than to Lunca Bradului village and accommodation. At noon we will go to Salard Village, climb up to the Saracini Cliffs, see tree trunk caves and on the way up we can see World War II trench and machine gun nest remains. Return back to Lunca Bradului, dinner and presentation about the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Calimani Mountains.

Day 3

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water, hike up to the Zespesel Peak (1278 m), the trail climbs steeply up from the Swartz Clearing which follows up to the Zespesel Peak. Here we have a superb view of the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. Return to the accommodation, lunch and an ecotourism presentation, followed by free time.

Day 4

Breakfast, hike up to the God’s Chair Peak, (1381 m) the track is about 5-6 hours, 850m elevation gain, the trail begins to climb grassland, we pass near impressive rocks and a beautiful view back towards the Mureş River. After a series of climbs we arrive to a beautiful clearing, from here we have about 3 km; we traverse a forest area and arrive to the Gods Chair. The view from above fully repays the effort. Return to accommodation, lunch and a big campfire.

Day 5

After having breakfast we will go in the woods and learn some basic surviving skills, navigation techniques, fire-making, constructing shelter, locating wild edibles and finding water. Return to the accommodation, lunch and bounding in front the campfire.

Day 6

Breakfast and drive back to Targu Mures, accommodation.