Wildlife Encounters: Carpathian Culture And Wildlife of Romania

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 46 reviews.

Ian Jackson

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written July 2009
I was impressed by Romania and the plant/wildlife.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The fields of alpine flowers in full bloom is special. Much more intense than the Alps. Romania is excellent for wildlife and plant life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Good local guide who had an extensive knowledge of the history of Romania. The owners of the lodge were very helpful and went out their way to make things run smoothly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Give Romania a try. A cheaper and more interesting option to the Alps.
Susan Lancaster

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written July 2009
A wonderful opportunity to wonder through ancient forests, wild flower meadows and unspoiled villages. We loved the whole experience. Go before it changes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Opening the curtains on the first morning and taking in the view from our balcony. The snow capped mountains, green meadows, village church and houses. The sound of cow bells.
From the bear hide watching 2 young bears having a scrap! An adult bear climbing a tree and sitting there : did he/she know we were there ??
Enjoying a G & T or 2 in the lovely square in Brasov.
Visiting the shepherd camp----- way back in time !
What did you think of your group leader?
We had 2 and they were fantastic. Passionate about their country and so knowledgable about it`s history, nature, geography & politics. We had many good conversations during our walks/drives. Also lots of fun.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Not much money is needed. We did get some lei from the hole in the wall at Bucharest airport. Euros are a good stand by and can be used to pay your honesty bar bill at the guest house.
Take some biscuits/sweets to supplement your picnics.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The guest house is lovely, Exeeded all our expectations.
Katarina & Herman are excellent hosts and endeavour to make your visit a good one.
Sarah Stannard

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written July 2009
I'm glad we went, but am very disappointed with the wildlife element of the trip. We couldn't go to the bear hide and that is the only significant opportunity you have to see bears.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The walk to Bran Castle is lovely, especially when the alpine meadows are in flower, as they were for us. Brasov is a gorgeous town and well worth the visit.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be aware that although this trip is billed as Wildlife and Culture, the wildlife element can be very limited. The road to the bear hide that is used in the trip was washed out by a summer storm just before we arrived (18th July), so we couldn't go to the hide and so didn't see any wild bears. The only other animals in the wild opportunity is visiting the Beaver project. This is quite a quick visit and you are unlikely to see many beavers, especially if like us you are there when it's hot, as the beavers don't get active until around 10pm in the evening and we were there at around 6pm. We did visit Libearty, the bear sanctuary, and this is very interesting but it's not the same as seeing animals in the wild. The Large Carnivore Project connection was not mentioned much and unfortunately the two wolves mentioned on the website have died in the last year.
Romania in July (and I assume June/August) is hot - hotter than you'd expect from Exodus' temperature chart. On the plains (Brasov, Viscri) mid to high 30s. In the mountains into the 30s in the afternoons.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The area the guesthouse is in, is gorgeous. The way of life is very traditional and it's fascinating to see it, but it's obviously changing - if you want to see it go now, but be aware that this is really a walking and culture trip with a small element of wildlife.
Janice Hardy

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written October 2008
I really enjoyed this holiday. However, there was rather more walking and less wildlife than I expected
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The mountain scenery and insight into the way of life
What did you think of your group leader?
Katerina did all she could to ensure the smooth running of this trip. On a couple of occasions this wasn't enough. We didn't get the opportunity to go to the bear hide which was a big dissapointment
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The walks were at quite a fast pace. The packed lunches became boring after a few days so my supply of chocolate helped! I took euros but there was no opportunity to spend them, the few chances to spend required lei eg Bran castle, guesthouse beer and Brasov
claire taylor

CARPATHIAN CONSERVATION, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written June 2008
Beautiful scenery and as long as you like cheese for every meal you wont go far wrong!!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing all the bears and the wild beaver was amazing, a real treat for animal lovers.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was quite nice. The only down side was unless you moved like a mountain goat up the hills you were left a bit behind!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some biscuits from home for all important nourishement when you are just sick of cheese!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Stunning scenery and lovely accomidation, I personally found some of the walking tough going as I dont hike alot, so you definatly need to be fit or love a challenge! But I would recommend the trip as a good break from the western world.
Peter Underwood

CARPATHIAN CONSERVATION, CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written June 2008
This was a wonderful chance to wander through the unspoilt Romanian countryside and mountains, finding one beautiful view after another. It was fascinating to see how local people lived and also to catch the occasional glimpse of the larger wild animals in the area.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching the bears striding out of the forest towards the clearing where we were hiding (and then being chased out of the forest by one of the bigger ones!)
What did you think of your group leader?
Katharina was very knowledgeable and helpful although she did struggle a little to balance the walking pace between the quicker ones at the front and the slower members of the group who sometimes felt a little left behind.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would get all of your spending money in Romanian Lei as few local places appeared to take Euro. However, apart from the trip to the bear hide (worth every Euro), there was no real need for money apart from the occasional beer and tourist trinkets outside Bran Castle.

While the guesthouse does its best to cater for vegetarians, it is clearly not part of the local culture and so don’t expect a wide variety of options i.e. get used to having cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Try to fit in a visit to the lovely local bar – called the Chocolate Bar. Sitting on their terrace with a local beer and watching the sun go down is a good way to end the day.
Alexandra Seligman

The Five Bears!

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Would have to have been coming into contact with the local people going about their daily lives in this rural community in Romania much the same way as they have done for 100s of years despite the fact that there are bears and wolves on the prowl throughout the summer and in the case of the wolves, the winter months aswell - so completely alien to what we know back here in England (W Europe) and yet only a 3hr plane ride away.
To add to this, the 5 European brown bears that we saw from the safety of the bear hide!
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What did you think of your group leader?
Very good: very personable, knowledgeable and professional. Clearly he is doing (and has in the pipeline) great things for his community.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes.
Be aware that when you travel to Romania, the Euro is not in full circulation yet and won't be for a few years yet, and so the local currency still being used is the Lei. When you go to change your money at the bank, bring your passport as ID or they won't change any money for you!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for a great trip! I will be considering travelling with Exodus again, and fortunately, our group consisted of like-minded people.