Climb Romania’s three highest peaks in this winter adventure in the Carpathian mountains: Moldoveanu 2544m, Negoiu 2535m and Vistea Mare 2527m.
Day 1: Meeting in Bucharest airport with your guide, depart to Brasov
After arriving in Bucharest at Henri Coanda international airport, you will meet your guide and be transferred three hours to Brasov, to your accommodation. After checking in, we will inspect together the mountain gear then we will take a short tour in Brasov’s city center. Depending on available time we will see some of the highlights in the medieval center, including the Black Church, the fortified walls and the bastions. In the evening, together with the guide, we will have dinner or relax in a pub and discuss the plan for the following days.
Accommodation in hotel / guesthouse in Brasov
Day 2: Depart to Fagaras mountains
After breakfast, meet with your guide, check the gear, make the final preparations and embark in our private van. We will go through the villages situated at the foothills of the majestic Fagaras mountains. At 1000 m of altitude we start by foot to Negoiu chalet, situated at 1546m where will arrive in 2-3 hours. If heavy snow covers the access roads we will start from a lower point, so our hike to the chalet will take longer, but we will have time to admire the forests and maybe have the chance to spot a brown bear.
We can serve lunch at the chalet and in the afternoon we will go and see Serbota waterfall, most probably frozen at the time.
In the evening we will prepare for next day’s climb to Negoiu peak. We will choose together the best way to ascend, depending on weather, snow layer, fitness level.
Dinner can be served, accommodation at Negoiu chalet.
Day 3: Climb to Negoiu peak – 2535m, the second in Romania
After an early breakfast, we will start our hike to Negoiu peak on Drumul zmeilor –“ The dragon’s way”, then Piatra pranzului – “Lunch stone”, Acul Cleopatrei – “Cleopatra’s needle”, finally after 4-7 hours arriving on the top of Negoiu at 2535m. For a long period of time Negoiu peak was considered to be the highest in Romania. After taking the necessary photos on the peak, we will get back on the same route.
Back to Negoiu chalet after 8-12 hours of hiking.
Dinner can be served, accommodation at Negoiu chalet.
Day 4: Descending from Negoiu chalet, transfer to Brasov
After breakfast we descend to our private van which will take us to our hotel in Brasov.
In the afternoon we will go shopping for supplies, then prepare our gear for the next days. This time we will bring with us bivouac winter equipment: sleeping bag (at least -15ºC comfort temperature), sleeping mattress, stove, gas, cooking / camping pots.
In the evening we will relax in one of Brasov’s restaurants or in a pub.
Accommodation in hotel / guesthouse in Brasov.
Day 5: Preparations and departure to Fagaras mountains
After breakfast, meet with your guide, check the gear, make the final preparations and embark in our private van which will take us to the foothills of Fagaras mountains, at an altitude of approximately 600m. From here, we will start our hike to Turnuri chalet, situated at 1546m, where we will arrive in 4-6 hours.
Dinner can be served, accommodation in Turnuri chalet.
Day 6: Continue our climb to the main ridge of Fagaras mountains
After breakfast, we will continue our climb towards Podragu chalet, situated at 2136m. During winter time the chalet is closed but we will set our camp in an annex in winter bivouac conditions. Here, we will prepare our dinner and tea and equipment for tomorrow.
Accommodation in annex near Podragu chalet, in winter bivouac conditions.
Day 7: Moldoveanu peak – 2544m, highest in Romania
We will wake up early in the morning and after breakfast we will make the final preparations, some tea and begin our climb to Moldoveanu peak. We start towards the main ridge, then pass near or over several peaks – Podu Giurgului, Corabia, Ucisoara, Ucea Mare until Orzanele saddle, then up 300m to Vistea Mare peak, at 2527m, which is the 3rd highest peak in Fagaras mountains and Romania. We are now on the well known trail between Vistea and Moldoveanu! In summer time it takes 20 min from one peak to the other but in winter time this task could take over 1 hour. Usually here, the cornices are small and stable but depending on snow thickness, wind direction, if cornices are present, unstable and dangerous it is possible to avoid going to Moldoveanu peak. Overall, February is the best period to reach Moldoveanu during winter. Reaching the summit takes about 5-6 hours.
We are now on Moldoveanu summit, at 2544m, the highest peak of Fagaras mountains and Romania! After the necessary photos, we return on the same route back to Podragu chalet, where we will arrive after a total time of 9-12 hours.
If we are strong enough and the weather conditions allow it, we can descend at Turnuri chalet at 1546m and enjoy hot tea, dinner and warm beds, but if the descend is not possible, we spend another night at the annex at Podragu chalet – but this could be really fun!
Accommodation in annex near Podragu chalet in bivouac conditions or Turnuri chalet.
Day 8: Descending from Fagaras mountains. Transfer to Brasov
After breakfast, we leave our mountain camp, descend for 3-7 hours, then we will be transferred to Brasov and check-in at the hotel.
In the evening we will meet in a restaurant for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation in hotel / guesthouse in Brasov.
Day 9: Transfer to Bucharest
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bucharest for your flight home or for an extra day in Romania.
Included:
Accommodation 8 nights as follows:
- accommodation 3 nights hotel 3* with breakfast.
- accommodation 3(4) nights in mountain chalet with breakfast.
- accommodation 2(1) nights in annex shelter near Podragu chalet in bivouac conditions.
- transfers.
- professional mountain guide services, member of AGMR (Romanian Mountain Guides Association). 1-4 guests – 1 guide, 5+ guests – 2 guides.
- technical equipment: harnesses, helmets, ropes.
Not included:
- meals not specified.
Important!
- the guide has the right to change the itinerary and even the daily schedule because of safety conditions, in accordance with weather conditions, fitness level of tourists.
- for safety reasons, the guide has the right to cancel a day trip in case of bad weather
- in case of severe deterioration of weather or if we are forced to cancel a part of our schedule, we will descend from Fagaras mountains, return in Brasov and offer other options to climb in mountains from Brasov area: Piatra Craiului, Bucegi, Iezer, Ciucas, Piatra Mare. In this situation the same services are included except: the transport from Brasov to the bottom of the mountains and meals: lunch box and dinner, which are not included.
Necessary gear:
- ice ax
- gaiters
- crampons
- gloves
- sleeping bag
- big backpack
- small backpack for day tour
- winter clothing
For further details about this tour, please contact us.