Area: Bucovina, Rarau, Calimani, Suhard mountains, Painted Monasteries
Difficulty: Moderate – Demanding
Departure dates: June – September
Participants: 4 – 12
Trip duration: 10 days
Required gear: Backpack, sleeping bag, headlamp , good hiking boots, waterproof and warm change of clothes, water bottle, first-aid kit
Schedule
Day 1: Welcoming at Suceava / Iasi Airport
- Transfer to Vatra Dornei by car / train, according to your preferences
- Accommodation in Vatra Dornei.
Vatra Dornei is situated in the middle of the Eastern Carpathians where Dorna river flows into Bistrita river. Famous both as a spa (mineral waters) and ski resort during the winter (snow lasts here for almost 8 months) Vatra Dornei has a lot to offer, being surrounded by mountains. Hiking trails, mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, horse riding. The world famous painted monasteries of Bucovina are nearby and can be seen on a day trip.
Day 2: Hiking in Calimani Mountains
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:00 – 5-6 hour moderate hike in Calimani mountains
- 15:00 – picnic lunch
- 19:00 – dinner in Vatra Dornei (on your own)
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 3: Rock climbing day
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:00 – transfer to Rarau mountains (30 kilometers)
Rarau mountains offer breathtaking views over the surrounding area (Giumalau, Calimani). Its bizarre shaped rocks called Pietrele Doamnei, can be climbed by rock climbing enthusiasts.
- 15:00 – picnic lunch
- 18:00 – return to Vatra Dornei
- 19:00 – dinner in Vatra Dornei (on your own)
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 4: River rafting on Bistrita River
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:00 – transfer to Bistrita river
- River rafting on Bistrita river (3-25 kilometers)
Bistrita is the largest river in the Romanian Carpathians, having the longest mountain course in Romania. In the first half of the 20th century logs where transported on water as rafts, all the way to Galati at the Danube river. The best sector for rafting is in the narrow path called Zugreni at 35 Km south of Vatra Dornei. Here, large rocks make the river perfect for rafting enthusiasts.
- 15:00 – picnic lunch
- 18:00 – return to Vatra Dornei
- 19:00 – dinner in Vatra Dornei (on your own)
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 5: Horse Riding
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 9:30 – transfer to Calimani National Park
Calimani National Park is a protected area in Calimani mountains, famous in Romania for its well kept volcanic traces. Bizarre volcanic shapes, traces of old craters, the largest volcanic caldera in Carpathians are the main geological attractions that are part of what we call the Europe’s Best Kept Secrets . Numerous species of flowers, as well as the rich wildlife (over 180 species of birds) make this trip to Calimani mountains an unforgettable experience.
- at the beginning of the day, get to know the horses
- horse riding to Pietrele Rosii, together with a horse-riding guide
- 15:00 – picnic lunch at 12 Apostles
- horse riding to Tamau
- 18:30 – camping at Maieris
- 19:00 – camp dinner
Day 6: Horse Riding
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:25 – horse riding to Gruiu
- 14:00 – picnic lunch
- 18:00 – transfer to Vatra Dornei
- 20:00 – dinner on your own
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 7: Visit the painted monasteries of Bucovina (300 Km drive)
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:00 – departure
The painted monasteries in Bucovina are famous worldwide for their remarkable external paintings that were made to spread the divine message to people. A real history of the religion is concentrated on the walls of the late middle age churches.
Moldoviţa is a fortified monastery built in the 16th century, the dominant color being red.
The masters who painted its interior and exterior walls have decorated them with scenes from the 16th century Moldavian daily life. But the most interesting painting is the Siege of Constantinople on the south facade, relating to the Romanians’ fights against foreign invaders, especially Turks. The painting combines scenes of the siege of Constantinople from 1453 with others referring to a previous attempt made by the Persians, in 626.
Suceviţa Monastery, built in the 16th century, has the dominant color blue. The monastery in fortified with thick walls guarded by towers.
Paintings at Sucevita were best preserved both on the outside and on the inside.
Frescoes are painted in purple, red and blue against an emerald green background. There is plenty of gold too, taken from the art of miniature.
Situated in a valley 50 km north of Gura Humorului, Humor church was built in 1530 by Petru Rares and his high chancellor Teodor Bubuiog, on the site of a monastic complex built before 1415. The church, consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin, is smaller than other churches of the painted monasteries and does not have any cupolas. Humor Monastery was among the first churches to be painted. Its frescoes are due to Toma of Suceava and were made in 1535, the dominant color being yellow.
With a church dedicated to St.George, Voroneţ Monastery lies at walking distance from Gura Humorului town. An old Romanian chronicle written by Ion Neculce records that Stephen the Great founded Voroneţ Monastery in 1488 to fulfill a pledge to the hermit Daniil who had encouraged the ruling prince of Moldavia to chase the Turks from Wallachia. After having won the battle against the Turks, Stephen erected Voroneţ in three months and 21 days, on the very spot Daniil had his small wooden hermitage.
Its interior and exterior paintings were made later on, between 1534-1535, during prince Petru Rares’ rule. The dominant color is the world famous Voronet blue.
- dinner in Vatra Dornei (on your own)
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 8: Mountain Biking
- 9:00 – breakfast
- 10:00 – mountain bike tour
- 15:00 – picnic lunch
- 19:00 – dinner in Vatra Dornei (on your own)
Accommodation in Vatra Dornei
Day 9: Transfer to Suceava / Iasi, depending on your departure airport
- 9:00 – breakfast
- leaving Vatra Dornei according to train schedule / transfer
- 18:00 – arriving in Suceava / Iasi
- 20:00 – dinner (on your own)
Accommodation in a 3* hotel