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 48 reviews.

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.
Stephen Cox

Beaver? What beaver?

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Meeting like-minded travellers, the unspoilt landscape (apart from the decomissioned munitions factory!) and the enthusiasm of our guide(s) for their country and their countryside.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Extremely knowledgable, an effective communicator and very patient.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you take this trip, it is overall a very worthwhile experience. Get to Romania before the rest of the tourist world does though. The trip to attempt to see the beavers was interesting, but the trail on the riverbank was very difficult to negotiate in places, and quite frankly the chances of seeing a beaver were pretty small (if not negligible). Not the most rewarding part of the trip, and could probably do with a rethink. Like all wildlife observation trips, success depends on the skills of the guide (not in doubt here in our case) and a not inconsiderable slice of good fortune. Ask "mine host" for a bit of variety at breakfast at the beginning of the week - he is very accommodating, but needs to be asked!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Certainly a worthwhile experience overall
Penelope Pinn

Wolves, bears and wild flowers

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Learning at first hand about the wildlife and history of the area. Superb accommodation
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What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was knowledgable, had good English. I couldn't quite persuade him to tell some of his stories - he has been to England for storytelling events.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The journey from Bucharest to the guesthouse is 3 hours - that was not made clear in the brochure.
You don't need to take much money, there are very limited opportunities for shopping.
David Demain

The old and the new

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

The walk down the parpestile canyon and seeing the cliff creeper.
The fortified church at Vulcan
The guide calling to the wolves
The wildflower meadows
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What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was excellent both for his extensive wild life knowledge, and his enthusiasm. and his cultural knowledge. A very relaxed attitude and very easy to talk to.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Some of the walks can be stenuous, but always worth it.
Sharon Lewis

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Written June 2007
Fantastic scenery and wildlife. The guesthouse is a real gem, great food and friendly staff.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the bears and beavers in the wild will always be a great memory. We were lucky enough to see 2 mothers with cubs.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both of the guides we had were very knowledgeable and very keen to share their information about the local area.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Watch out for the walk back from Bran Castle quite an uphill!