Transylvanian Fortifications Route
Transylvanian Fortifications Route
Transylvanian Fortifications Route
7 Days Starting in Bucharest and ending in Sibiu
Visiting: Bucharest, Peleș Castle, Brașov, Tălișoara, Micloșoara, Fortified Church Viscri, Vulcanul Racoș, Rupea Citadel, Sighișoara, Saschiz, Viscri, Cârța, Iacobeni, Sibiu
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 12
Age range:
6-99
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Meat, Vegetarians, Gluten free
Tour operated in:
English , FrenchTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, History, Photography, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
We are looking forward to guiding you in a unique journey through the Transylvanian wilderness, showing you the hidden treasures we want to keep only for our guests. Our tour includes visits to local crafts, culinary experiences, as well as spectacular landscapes and rides through endless forests — 6 days — ~250 Km by bike along the “Transylvanian Mediaeval Heritage” — Visit the most important fortified churches and cities — Experience local gastronomy, traditional crafts and local wines
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Meeting Day
Location: Bucharest, Peleș Castle, Brașov
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Our first day is the “get together” day in Bucharest and transfer to Brasov. On the way we will have a short stop in Sinaia for lunch and visit the historical Peles Castle — the former royal summer residence.
Time to check our bikes, visit the city of Brasov, meet the local cuisine
Overnight in Brasov or Sanpetru.
Meals: lunch on the way, dinner in Brasov.
Day 2 : From Brasov To The Manors Area
Location: Brașov, Tălișoara, Micloșoara
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we are leaving Brasov by bike, following a quiet road along the villages. We will have picnic lunch on the way, then continue the route to Varghis area, where few manors and historical houses which survived the communist era are renovated and transformed into guesthouses with high level of comfort. We will accommodate one of them and visit few historical places and a local blacksmith – an artisan which is still using traditional methods for creating unique pieces of art from iron.
Overnight in a historical manor or traditional guesthouse.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
Total bike distance: ~60 km on asphalt and gravel road. Rolling hills.
Day 3 : Ride Along Olt River
Location: Fortified Church Viscri, Tălișoara, Vulcanul Racoș, Rupea Citadel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After our breakfast we will leave our hosts for a wild route along Olt River. After 24 km on gravel road we will visit the most recent volcano in Romania — Racos. Here we can still see the remains of the volcano, the “emerald lake” and the basalt columns made from the lava of volcano. We are continuing our route and have lunch at the base of a former military fortress during the middle age in Rupea. In the afternoon we will reach Viscri — the success story of Transylvania, a village who managed to survive the communism era and not is totally transformed into a touristic site. The whole site and the fortified church are included in the UNESCO World Heritage, and Prince Charles of Wales is the owner of a house in this village. The locals are promoting the traditional crafts, the local cuisine and the natural landscape of the place — as it is one of the last European areas where the traditions are still maintained. We will accommodate the local houses, visit the bricklayer and the fortified church, and then have a well-deserved dinner in the yard of a local house.
Overnight in one of the local guesthouses in the village.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
Total bike distance: 70 km on gravel, then asphalted road. Rolling hills.
Day 4 : From Viscri To Sighisoara
Location: Sighișoara, Saschiz, Viscri
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We will start in the morning our ride following the “Transylvanian hills cycling route”. Keen cyclists can do the whole route from Viscri to Sighisoara (60 km on single trail), but we can also perform a second option — from Viscri to Bunesti, then Crit, Cloasterf and Saschiz (30 km on single trail and forestry roads). From Saschiz we will be transferred to Sighisoara by car.
Depending on our arrival in Sighisoara we can have a short visit in the citadel before dinner
Overnight in Sighisoara, in the old city centre.
Dinner on your own.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Total cycling distance: 40 km on single trail, then transfer by car to Sighisoara
Day 5 : From Sighisoara To Carta
Location: Cârța, Iacobeni, Sighișoara
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we are experiencing two different emotions: a new project in a small village, where foreign students are trying to bring back to life the village of Movile; then, experience a middle age fortified city which is still inhabited, one of our architectural jewel — Sighisoara, part of UNESCO World Heritage.
On our way we will cross “the centre of the country”, close to Dealu Frumos village.
The total ride is 75 km, out of which 10 km off-road, just before Movile village.
In Movile we will have lunch organised by the locals. After lunch, we can visit the curious landscape around the village of Movile (100 hills).
In the afternoon we will arrive in Carta — once an important place due its Cistercian Monastery — currently in ruin, but still to be visited. We are accommodating the old parish house, near Olt River.
Overnight in Carta, near the old monastery. Dinner organised by our hosts.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6 : From Carta To Sibiu - Final Destination
Location: Sibiu, Cârța
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Carta to Sibiu we have 45 km along Olt River. Our route is parallel with Fagaras Mountains, a spectacular view of this beautiful mountain chain. The climb from Olt River to Cornatel village is also spectacular, offering the chance to admire the river from above. Then we are descending to Sibiu, the former European Cultural Capital, back in 2007. We will visit this beautiful city and have a memorable farewell dinner in the city centre.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Overnight in Sibiu. Farewell dinner.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7 : Departure Day
Location: Sibiu
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye.
Optional — Transfer by car from Sibiu to Bucharest.
Meals: breakfast
What's Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Water, fruits and snacks available on the route
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Accommodation
Full board accommodation
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
Transfer by car, where necessary, along the route
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Entrance Fees
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Full Board
Except one diner in Sighisoara - on your own
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Assistance car
Assistance car on the way
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Luggage transfer
Daily luggage transfer included in the price
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Available on request
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Country Entry Visas
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
10-12%
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Bike rental
90 EUR/pers/trip
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Alcohol drinks
The alcoholic drinks are not included in the price, except what is offered by the hosts
Accommodation
3* and 4* authentic guesthouses and hotels
Mode of Transport
Transfer to the starting point (Brasov) and from the ending point (Sibiu).
By bicycle for the rest of the trip
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes. Children and non-cyclists are allowed in our tour, and they have a different sightseeing tour with options to visit
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers are not included in our tours, but we can organise transfers for you based on your request
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No
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What is the tipping policy?
10% is the general tip in Romania. 12% if you are extremely happy with the services
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Entry visas are not included in our tours
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, in the first and last day
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4* equivalent
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
You can book the tour for another date, you can choose another tour, or you can ask for a customized tour
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Medium to high
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
We have assistance car for the entire tour
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes. We have English and French-speaking guides
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
12 participants
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
No, we do not have a limit to luggage
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Is the tour allowed for non-cyclists?
Non-cyclists and kids are welcome to our tours. They will have a separate program.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
EUR, USD, CHF
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Company Instant Book
Yes
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Each participant is receiving a welcome pack, including route details (lenght, ascending, descending, type of surface, etc), tourist sites, accommodation details, guides' contact details. Before the tour, each participant will sign the tour agreement.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
We are a licensed tour operator in Romania, so we have to align with all mandatory regulations. In addition, we are part of the Romanian Eco-tourism Association, and we are a Travelife partner.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Yes, we have two charity projects: 1. Velo Popas is a cycling friendly certification for hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions 2. We are owning two little forests, that we want to take care and protect
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We started in 2007, initially as a hobby project. Our aim is to include Romania as a cycling destination on the list of each international tour operators.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Bike In Time allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Bike In Time allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bike in time, 50 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Bike In Time requires a minimum deposit of 200 EUR per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bike in time charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.