Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the wonderful scenery, the view from the hill just climbed just made the hard work so worthwhile!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very knowledgeable though he did have a thing about 'red breasted shrikes'  and other avian treasures, our minbus braking unexpectedly to point out this wonder or that. And we were lucky that we did see a good number of interesting things. But not only did he know his local area but also his local history which was shared with us and made it all so much more meaningful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Grab every opportunity offered, you will enjoy it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the bears in the sanctuary was incredible, the stories of their rescue and how they are now thriving was very moving.  However seeing wild bears was also amazing.In addition the beautiful Carpathian landscape especially when high up in the sheep pastures and pine forests was lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin Dan was excellent, very knowledgeable, very patient and looked after us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need much extra spending money on this trip, the bear hide and the visit to Bran and Brasov allow some opportunity and you can spend money at the guesthouse on excellent local beers and wines, but generally everything is provided.  Good waterproofs (essential for the week we were there) and perhaps boot cleaning kit is a good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wow our hostess Katerina was a pretty inspirational woman, speaks 3 languages, runs a guest house in a national park, and has been at the forefront of animal (particularly European Brown Bear) protection and conservation in the Carpathian region.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin Dan was a great leader, with imense knowledge and love for his surroundings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will be going up and down Mountains, so definately a reasonable level of fitness needed however Cosmin was very good at breaking often and making sure everyone caught up. If I did this trip again I would take just Romanian Lei with me and not bother with ATMs or taking Euro's as you dont need an awful lot money, unless you are a serial souvenier hunter!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Romania is a beautiful country and we will definitely be returning to explore more of its countryside and cultures.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was a very knowledgable and enthusiastic leader, keen to share his his knowledge of Romanian wildlife. He also interacted well with the group and was interested to learn from us as well as the other way around. Katarina's tour of Libearty was very interesting and touching - her personal involvement in the project made the trip special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good quality binoculars for the bear hide trip and river trip. Take duct tape to mask the red light on your camera as the red light disturbs the bears at the hide. The bears also dislike bright colours - so dark clothing is required.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the most inspirational moment was the first mornig.  We had arrived in Magura(our host village) in the middle of the night in total darkness.  In the light of morning I could see the beauty of the surrounding mountains, and the quaint little farms on the slopes all around us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was very good.  He had a true love of his culture and enjoyed shareing it with us.  He spoke very good english.  Cosmine was also confident enough to be patient with the slower walkers in the group, yet willing to let the stronger ones forge ahead.  Cosmine was also well organized.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You should go with a reasonable level of fitness.  The hikes are not hard, yet you are in mountainous terrain.  Also, if you have favorite trail snacks you should bring them because some of the selections for the lunches are a little limited  and repetative.  Like it says in the trip notes, don't change money at the airport.  The exchange rates are poor, and we didn't need any cash for the first couple of days in the trip anyway.

Most Inspirational Moment

When a mother bear and three cubs appeared at the bear hide and happily started eating and playing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was great. He retained an air of quiet confidence throughout the week, whilst working hard to ensure our trip ran smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Please note that about half the week is walking. Some of us had failed to spot this and had chosen the trip due to the focus on wildlife. However this said, the scenary on the walks was fantastic and the exercise did us all good!I didn't need as much money as I thought I would, but then the optional forest walk and bird watching trip didn't even get a mention. There was opportunity to change money on a couple of occasions during the trip when needed.Don't drink too much schnaps, it goes to your head really quickly!  The guest house is everything you could want. Clean rooms, delicious dinners and great hospitality. Be prepared for plenty of cheese sandwiches for packed lunches though!

Most Inspirational Moment

To me meeting the Bears in the WSPA sanctuary was incredibly emotional as a supporter of the charity this part of the trip was very special to me and having the oppotunity to see 7 Bears in the wild including 3 cubs was outstanding and a moment i will never forget!!! Nature is always a source of inspriation to me where ever i go and Romania was no different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin the guide is very knowledgeable, polite and truly passionate about Romania and its incredible wildlife, with good reason. He must be so proud to show people his country and all it has to offer. I learnt a lot from him during my time there and he was able to answer all my questions. Thank You Cosmin :) I would like to mention Katarina & Herman who run the guest house also, what remarkable people thank goodness there are people out there who care so much about the natural world, and who do all they can to protect it. Well Done and what a beautiful, well run guest house.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As a huge animal lover i find it hard to understand anyone who doesnt like Dogs but if you have a fear of dogs be warned there are dogs everywhere!!  although all the dogs are all very very friendly, well looked after and love to be in your company, i enjoyed this. I went at the begining of September and the weather was hot and sunny - Take sun cream.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking was great, especially as we were really lucky with the weather (7 days of sunshine!). Wonderful views throughout and a nice mix of woodland and mountain pastures. The two main walking days were certainly my highlight.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was great, one of the best Exodus leaders I have had. Extremely knowledgable and it was really nice to have a local guide who grew up in the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try to read Bram Stocker's Dracula before you go and stock up on tasteful Dracula souvenirs at Bran Castle!

Most Inspirational Moment

"If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise" - Well we certanly had a surprise.  We saw close-up in their natural habitat, a Mother bear and her three cubs and then a Male bear appeared, all this watched  in a hide.In the bear conservation sanctuary we also saw a number of rescued bears including one from Tibet-all had a story to tell. We also witnesed a altercation between a pack of wolves.  So experiencing closeup bears, wolves, birds and the ocassional dragon fly(to keep David happy!) was the highlights for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The experience was made all the better by Cosmin, our guide, who was very enthusiastic and compassionate about animal conservation.  He was able to share his knowledge with us.  Just wish he wouldn't keep stopping for every bloody bird he met (feathered kind I mean)Katrina, was our accomodating host at the guest house.  She equally shared Cosmin's passion for wildlife and always around if we had any questions.  Katrina gave us a guided tour around the bear conservation sanctuary.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was the opportunity to go to the bear hide, that was wonderful to see such majestic creatures in their own environment; one of the last wildernesses in Europe!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was incredibly knowledgeable, although did not push too much information onto us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware, and prepared, it can RAIN!!!! We got soaked one day!