Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable multi-day tour through the heart of Transylvania, Romania. This adventure combines scenic cycling routes, historical explorations, and cultural immersions. From the bustling streets of Bucharest to the serene landscapes of rural villages, each day offers unique experiences. Discover ancient monasteries, fortified churches, and medieval citadels, all while enjoying the hospitality of charming guesthouses. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or cycling aficionado, this tour promises a rich and diverse journey through one of Europe's most enchanting regions.
Included
All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners are included in the price of the trip.
Romanian cuisine has strong influences from the surrounding countries including Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.
We will try fantastic home-cooked meals on this trip as we spend most nights staying with local families and in guesthouses.
Breakfasts will consist of homemade bread and cheeses plus a selection of locally sourced meats, salad, and tea or coffee.
There are five picnic lunches, two at a local family home and three enjoyed al fresco. They are made by the staff at our guesthouses and will usually be sandwiches, salad, fruit and more of their homemade cheese. Some days we will have a traditional vegetable soup for lunch with homemade crème fraiche and bread.
Dinners are usually centred around pork or beef. Lots of guesthouses will prepare sarmale cu mamaliguta, a traditional Romanian dish of minced pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and served with polenta and a chilli.
It’s not all about the food though; every household makes their own tuica (pronounced tsweeka), a spirit usually made from plums and flavoured with herbs from their garden or the surrounding area. This is usually drunk while being welcomed into the house and after dinner.
vegetarian, vegan, meat
All transfers are on a private bus.
All transport and listed activities
Local bike hire
For most of the tour, we stay in guesthouses and family-owned B&Bs. All the buildings are very well kept, clean and one-off places to stay. These old buildings were never designed to be hotels, this means that a very limited number of single rooms are available and only on some nights. In some locations, bathrooms will be shared between a maximum of two rooms. Our hotel in Bucharest is a modern building with good facilities in the city centre.
Worth knowing
Single supplement is only available on five nights (days 1, 2, 5, 7, 8; limited availability). For all the other nights’ accommodation is on room-share basis.
Usually between four and 14 people plus cycling leader and support driver.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Bucharest to Vulcan
- Bucharest - Arrival day
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Upon arrival in Bucharest, you will be warmly welcomed by our Exodus leader. We then embark on a scenic transfer to the quaint town of Vulcan in Brasov County, Transylvania. This journey, approximately three hours, includes a brief stop to stretch and take in the surroundings.
Day 2 – Day 2: Vulcan to Bucium
Day 2: Vulcan to Bucium
- Transfăgărășan tunel
- Brebu Monastery
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After a hearty breakfast, we set up our bikes and begin our first cycling adventure. We ascend into serene pine-covered hills, pausing to admire the snow-capped Bucegi Mountains. Our journey includes a 7km dirt road, offering a glimpse into rural Romanian life. We visit the oldest flour mill in Fagaras County, powered by a neighboring river, and learn about its survival through the Communist era. Weather permitting, we may detour to a historic cave used for worship by the Dacians.
Day 3 – Day 3: Bucium to Carta
- Cârțișoara
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- Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery
- Izvorul Părintelui Arsenie Boca
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We cycle towards the village of Lisa, with the majestic Fagaras Mountains as our backdrop. Here, we visit a traditional wool mill, where century-old machinery is still in use. Our journey continues to Cartisoara and then to Carta, where we explore the historic Cistercian monastery. Depending on the schedule, we may stay in Cartisoara and visit the monastery the following day.
Day 4 – Day 4: Carta to Biertan
- Biertan
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- The Fortified Church of Biertan
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Today's ride begins with a river crossing and continues along tranquil country roads. We pass the fortified church of Richis en route to Biertan, where we tour a UNESCO-listed fortified church. This late-Gothic marvel, built in 1486, stands out with its concentric ringed walls and towering bastions, offering a glimpse into the area's rich history.
Day 5 – Day 5: Biertan to Sighisoara
- Sighișoara
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- Status Quo Synagogue
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We embark on a picturesque ride through the Transylvanian countryside, following the Tarnava Mare River. Our destination is Sighisoara, one of Europe's few fully inhabited medieval citadels and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the well-preserved streets and historic sites, including the birthplace of Vlad Dracul.
Day 6 – Day 6: Sighisoara to Cobor
- Sighișoara
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- Fortified Church
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Today's ride takes us through the charming villages of Apold and Bradeni. We stop to explore an old church and enjoy a snack before continuing through small farming towns and pastures. Our day ends in Cobor, where we learn about the transformation of an abandoned house into a farm and guesthouse, complete with organic gardens and animal protection projects.
Day 7 – Day 7: Cobor to Viscri
- Viscri
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- Fortified Church
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After breakfast, we ride out of Cobor, starting with a short climb through the forest. We then cycle through several small towns before reaching Viscri. Here, we explore the renowned fortified church and meet the artisans who helped restore it. A horse-drawn cart tour provides a unique way to experience this picturesque town.
Day 8 – Day 8: Viscri to Bucharest via Brasov
- Bucharest
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- Peleș Castle
- Bran Castle
- Black Church
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We take a long private transfer to Bucharest, stopping in the medieval town of Brasov. Here, we climb the old fort towers for panoramic views and visit the 14th-century Black Church. Continuing our journey, we stop at Peles Castle to explore its stunning gardens before arriving in Bucharest by day's end.
Day 9 – Day 9: Explore Bucharest
- Bucharest - Departure day
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After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Bucharest. Wander the historic streets, shop for souvenirs, or visit some of the city's fascinating museums and palaces. Your tour concludes here, but you may choose to extend your stay in this captivating city.
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