Carpathian History & Nature Ride Transylvania Romania The Carpathian Mountains represent the largest area of pristine nature in Central and Eastern Europe. More than one third of all wolves, bears, and lynx west of Russia roam this impressive mountain range. At the foot of the Carpathians is the village of Sinca Noua or “New Shinca”, a small and picturesque village of some 2,000 inhabitants. Time stands still here, the shepherds still take their flocks into the mountains as they did for centuries and in the evenings, the cows and water buffalo are brought back from the pastures to the village. There is little noise except the buzzing of insects and the twittering of various sparrows and swallows. The crowned Hoopoes, colorful Bee-eaters, Black Storks and even the Lesser Spotted Eagles are commonly sighted in this area of incredible richness with its plentiful flowers in all colors. The village has seen the signs of the times and proudly wants to keep this place a treasure: it has declared itself the first “ecological village” of Romania! The home base for your ride is a lovely and newly built riding center that combines many local traditions with the growing Western standard. The center has a new, tasteful and modern guesthouse with private bathrooms and offers mainly organic food from its own gardens or from the neighboring farms in the surrounding areas. Winter riding weeks are also available. Riding Clinic Center-based ride Meeting: Bucharest Airport: Bucharest Transfer: Bucharest Riders: Min 3 riders Max 6 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Rates Note:

Commonly a tip of around 40 Euro is donated to the Conservation fund.
Single room supplement waived if willing to share (only a limited number of single rooms available)

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP). Pick-up is scheduled for around 4:00pm on Day 1 of the trip. On the last day, drop off will be at around 12:00- 1:00pm. Please book flights departing after 2:00pm.

Sample Itinerary: Forest and Bears - subject to changes

This center-based one week riding program includes 5 riding days and one 2-day trip with an overnight stay in tents. The trails lead us through meadows and forests of the Carpathian Mountains and their foothills between 500 and 1,400 m altitude. We ride mainly on grass-covered paths and trails, or on forest roads. Sometimes, we come across tracks or markings of bears, occasionally even of wolves.
To protect our horse's joints, we dismount and lead the horses on steep descents.
We cover between 20 and 30 km daily which takes us between 6-7 hours, including our lunch break. The rides are a good mix of walking, trotting, and cantering.
If rain would not allow a full day of riding, we can offer alternatives to riding.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival  
Fly to Bucharest airport (please be sure to arrive by 4:15pm), where you will be picked up and transferred through the spectacular Carpathian mountains to our guesthouse in Sinca Noua (ca. 3 hours). Receive a welcome drink upon arrival, a great dinner and spend the evening with the staff to prepare the week.

Day 2 (Sunday): Half-day ride & virgin forest visit
After breakfast you will be shown around the farm and introduced to the horses. Soon we take off for the first ride (about 3 hours) along meadows and through forests. You will have time to get used to the horses, the equipment and the terrain. The hills offer a fantastic view over the area and the meadows invite for some first trot or canter.
Upon return, after a short lunch, we will drive up a forest road to the famous virgin forest of Stramba Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site). We will do a 2-hour hike to see century old giant beech and fir trees (amongst them the tallest known tree of Romania), and learn about the ecosystem of the mixed mountain forests of the Carpathians.  

Day 3 (Monday): Over the hills and into the mountains
Today we head off for a full day-ride along the meadows and through the forests at the foot of the mountains. We will have stunning views and lots of possibilities for canters over the meadows. You will be stunned by the variety of wild flowers and we might come across tracks of bears or wild boar.
We do our lunch break on beautiful meadows with spectacular views and return in the afternoon back to the stable.

Day 4 (Tuesday): History of Transylvania (no riding)
Today we give the horses a rest and experience the true history of Transylvania. We leave Sinca Noua and drive north for about 2 hours through sleepy villages, until we reach the medieval town of Sighisoara, one of the cultural centres of the Transylvanian Saxons.
Thereafter, we continue to the village of Viscri with its famous fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) from the times of the invasion of Turks. A gravel road gets us the last 10 kilometers to Viscri, a settlement of the German minority, founded 900 years ago. In 1990, most of the villagers left for Germany, but a small number of people stayed to continue their traditional life. Prince Charles, who visited the village many times, is a great admirer of the village.
We will be served a traditional Saxon meal with food from their own gardens and home-made wine and plum brandy: Atfter a relaxing lunch, we visit the fortified church, stroll through the village and return back to Sinca Noua for the evening. Your local Romanian guide is passionate about the history of Transylvania and once you have spent the day there with him, you will be as well.

Day 5 & 6 (Wednesday & Thursday): Round trip through the Transylvania forests
A 50 km roundtrip leads us through the endless forests of Transylvania, home of the large carnivores. We pass through forests and cross beautiful mountain meadows where you will have the possibility for some long canters. In the afternoon you will arrive to an area where people’s life has changed little since the Middle Ages. Their little mountain farms are still being worked with oxen or horses, while people even still lack facilities such as running water or electricity. Camp is set for us atop a ridge on a farm with fantastic views all around. We will enjoy a rustic dinner cooked on the campfire and have a long evening around the fire to tell stories enjoying some beverages.
If you don’t fancy camping out in tents, we are happy to pick you up after dinner (20 min walk is necessary) and drive you to the guesthouse for the night and back again the next morning.
The next morning we pack our stuff and ride along forest trails and roads through the wild forests of Transylvania. We enjoy the spectacular view over the Carpathian Mountains meanwhile tracks of wolves and bears are commonly found along the trails. In the afternoon, we arrive back at the guesthouse.

Note: The two-day trip with overnight stay depends on the weather conditions. In case of bad weather forecast we reserve the right to change the two-day trip into two single day trips with overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 7 (Friday): A ride through time and a visit to Dracula's castle
On our last ride for the week, we ride for about 3 hours in a large loop around Sinca Noua through wild forests, beautiful meadows, enjoy canters and great scenery. We are back for a late lunch and continue the afternoon to the nearby Bran castle, commonly known as Dracula's castle. However you will learn that the history is much more exciting than the legend...
One evening, you will have the possibility to visit a hide in the forest not far from the stables, where the chance to see wild brown bears is very high.

Day 8 (Saturday): Time to say good-bye
After breakfast we pack our luggage and are being brought back to Bucharest. Please book flights departing after 2:00pm.



Sample Itinerary: Winter ride - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival  
Fly to Bucharest airport (please be sure to arrive by 4:15pm), where you will be picked up and transferred through the spectacular Carpathian mountains to our guesthouse in Sinca Noua (approx. 3 hours). Receive a welcome drink upon arrival, a great dinner and spend the evening with the staff to prepare the week.

Day 2 & 3 (Sunday & Monday): Riding in the Snow
For the first two days you ride 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. In between, return to the guesthouse for a warm lunch and relax in front of the fireplace. Cantering through the snow is one of the most beautiful experiences on earth. (Although snow cannot be guaranteed, it is still very likely that there will be nice powder snow all throughout January and February)
In the evenings there is time to relax with a home-made liqueur or brandy in front of the open fire, have a drink at our bar, or watch video presentations about the research and conservation projects of your hosts.

Day 4 (Tuesday): History of Transylvania (no riding)
Today is a break from riding for the horses and yourselves so you can experience the history of Transylvania. The group decides as a whole, whether to visit Bran Castle (the so-called Dracula Castle, but you will experience the true history of the place) and the old town of Brasov, or Sibiu (European Cultural Capital in 2007) - or some of the smaller medieval villages of Transylvania.

Day 5, 6, & 7 (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday): Winter Rides
Again, head out for a morning and an afternoon ride through the hills, forests, and meadows of the surroundings of Sinca Noua. It is very likely we come across tracks of wolves, lynx or red deer and with some luck, you may also see some of the forest inhabitants of the Carpathians. Evenings are spent in the cozy guesthouse. If you wish, we have the possibility of organizing a trip with a horse-drawn sledge.

Day 8 (Saturday): Time to say good-bye
After breakfast we pack our luggage and are being brought back to Bucharest. Please book flights departing after 2:00pm.



Sample Itinerary: Special Weeks for Novice Riders - subject to changes

This program is not offered in 2023!

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
We pick you up from Bucharest airport, and transfer you through the spectacular mountains to our guesthouse in Sinca Noua (ca. 3 hours). You will receive a welcome drink, a local dinner and will spend the evening with the Team to prepare the week.

Day 2 & 3 (Sunday & Monday): Riding lessons
After breakfast you will be shown around the farm and get an introduction into horses. Throughout the next days, we will explain you all about equipment, horse care, saddling and whatever you want to know about horses. For the first two days, you will get two riding lessons each day to learn some basic skills of riding. The rest of the day there is plenty of time for walks through the nature or to hang out on the veranda and read a book.
On Monday evening, you have to possibility to visit a hide in the forest not far from the center, where the chance to see wild brown bears is very high.

Day 4 & 5 (Tuesday & Wednesday): Riding lessons and half-day trips
On these two days you will continue to learn. Each day, you have one riding lesson in the morning and after lunch you will be taken to some of the interesting spots in the surrounding area.
One day we go by minibus to the famous Dracula Castle, learn about the true history of the place. Then, we visit the farmer’s castle in Rasnov, which is less famous, but also very interesting.
We can also go for a hike into the Zarnesti canyon in the nearby Piatra Craiului National Park. Stunning rock-walls are along this hike, which will take us for about 2.5 hours through one of the most amazing geological highlights of the Carpathians.

Day 6 & 7 (Thursday & Friday): Riding lessons and first trips on horseback into the country side
Again, you will get a riding lesson each morning and in the afternoons you will go on a your first trail ride (about 1.5 hours) through the stunning nature.
On one of the days, we will drive into nearby Strîmbisoara Valley and visit the virgin forests there. Here you find huge, hundreds of years old beech, fir, and spruce trees, fallen giants make way for the next generation. An impressing nature!

Day 8 (Saturday): Time to say good-bye
After breakfast we pack our luggage and are being brought back to Bucharest.



Important Notes:
-- Due to weather conditions, the order of the program might change.
-- We reserve to change the program, as long as it doesn’t change the character of the trip.
-- Guests are kindly asked to contribute with a 40 € donation to our conservation project.
-- The bear hide is a service from the local wildlife management organization (extra cost) and so we cannot guarantee the visit 100%. However, all our guests over the last 3 years have actually seen wild bears.


Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback. 

                                                Brașov area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	32	37	48	59	67	72	77	77	69	58	45	34
Average Low Temperature (°F)	19	21	29	37	46	52	55	54	47	38	29	21
Average High Temperature (°C)	0	3	9	15	19	22	25	25	20	15	7	1
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-7	-6	-2	3	8	11	13	12	8	3	-2	-6

Source: NOAA

 
Seasons

Spring (April to May)
Spring is usually short but is one of the best times to visit as temperatures are relatively mild and the landscape is covered in wildflowers.

Summer (June to August)
This is peak season. It can get quite hot around this time, so we usually leave earlier in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat. The occasional thunder storm is likely during summer.

Autumn (September to November)
This time of year is pleasant, with September and October being the driest months. Temperatures usually drop again but remain warm until November. The fall colors on the October trails are incredible and it is our favorite time of the year.

Winter (December to March)
Winters tend to be long and snowy, which is why we don’t offer our tours during this time.

We recommend you bring your own helmet if possible for this ride as they are mandatory.  If not, there are a limited few around to borrow, but they are not property of the outfitter (they are forgotten helmets of past riders at the riding centre) and will not assume risk for their use.
All camping gear for your one camping overnight is provided, including plates, knives, forks, spoons and cups and glasses ... sleeping Bags are available for rent (please let Hidden Trails know if you need to rent one in advance) or bring your own. Bottled water is provided, along with water bottles and saddle bags for the horses. $USD or Euro will be fine; no need to change money into RON.

Essentials

• Comfortable riding trousers
• Riding boots (well broken in) or ankle-high multi-purpose ride/walk boots which work well when worn with half-chaps and can comfortably be worn for walking too
• Hiking boots for the virgin forest hike (can also be used for riding)
• T-shirts (bring many during summer)
• Long sleeved shirts (cotton polo necks are good for layering)
• Hat – You need to bring your own hard hat, they are obligatory!
• Comfortable footwear for general walking and travelling (well broken-in)
• Torch with spare batteries (Maglite or similar)
• Gloves - Your hands will be particularly exposed to the elements for long periods
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water bottle (we provide 0.5 l plastic bottles)
• Casual clothes for the evening
• Camera
• Washbag - A nail brush will be particularly useful after a day in the saddle
• Any medication you regularly take (if you take any unusual medicine it is advisable to carry a doctors certificate confirming)
• Travel insurance documents (including the emergency number of your insurance company)
• Jumper, fleece or similar jacket
• Rainproofs – jacket and possible trousers (should not flap around while riding)

Saddle bags are provided for carrying the essentials you need during the day. Some people find that a small bum-bag is useful for having a small camera or sun-screen readily to hand.


Other Useful items

• Swiss army knife
• ‘Wet-ones’ or similar travel wipes, tissues
• Tracksuit pants or comfortable walking trousers for optional hikes and relaxing at the centre and for the day off
• Reading material

  

Average ratings from 6 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date seija juselius 5/12/2019 seija juselius 4/23/2019 mary lavender 9/21/2009 gretchen robb 9/20/2009 christopher lucy 5/6/2009 annikka olsen 11/26/2008

 

Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
The guesthouse has 9 double rooms, each with a bathroom. Downstairs, there is a nice dining room and there is a large veranda outside where guests can sit in the summertime. An extensive living room with open fireplace and bar is inviting for relaxing evenings. We heat our guesthouse with a modern wood central heater and treat our sewage with a reed bed for biological cleaning. There is now good cell phone coverage and wireless internet access at the farm. It is possible to do your laundry for a small fee.

 

The two-day trip with overnight camping depends on the weather conditions. In case of bad weather forecast we reserve the right to change the two-day trip into two single day trips with overnight at the guesthouse.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee does not apply.



Meals
All meals are included with this trip and wine is served with dinner.

We use mainly locally produced food in our kitchen. People in Sinca Noua generally don't use pesticides or artificial fertilisers, and the livestock is still kept the old way, that is, outside on the pastures. Our own vegetable garden delivers fresh onions, salad, zucchini etc. Other food such as milk, potatoes, lamb, and veal is bought from the farmers in the neighbourhood. We support the village on their way certifying their whole agriculture as being organic.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advance notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Shagya Arabs, Arabs, Kisberi, Gidran, other Hungarian cross breds, local breeds
Pace:		Good mix of walking, trotting, and cantering. 6-7 hours per day (20-30km a day). | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:			Max 70
Weight:		Max 200 lbs / 90 kg
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 6 riders

Riding Experience
This ride is tailored to strong intermediate riders and above. Participants have to be competent in all speeds and able to fully control a horse at a canter. Every day, we will have opportunities to canter and even gallop! At times, there are some steep slopes where you need to lead your horse.
We ride mainly on grass-covered trails and across pastures, and occasionally come through oak and hornbeam forests.

Pace
Over the course of the week, you will have 3 day-rides in the saddle, returning to the guesthouse each evening, as well as a 2 day trek with an overnight stay in tents.
The rides are a good mix of walking, trotting, and cantering.
We cover around 20-30km a day and spend approx. 6 to 7 hours in the saddle per day (incl. lunch break).

Horses
With an assortment of horses to choose from there is a suitable horse for everybody, from calm horses for the lesser experienced, to fast and fiery horses for the demanding rider. All horses have stamina, are fit and are used to the mountains.
Our stock of over 40 horses is a good mixture of pure and half-bred horses, mainly breeds of Hungarian origin such as Shagya-Arabian, Kisberi, and Gidran. All these breeds are characterized by an outstanding willingness, endurance, beauty and good nature and proof their qualities again and again on all our rides.
Our horses live in two groups in open stables with sand paddocks, that allow them to move freely and complies with their need for social interactions with members of the same species. In addition, they are regularly turned out on large pastures.
The upper stables cover approximately 300 m2 and hosts about half of the horses (as well as our donkey Maja), which have the possibility of moving around freely. The horses have an open stable with two large boxes (50 m2 and 35 m2) and approximately 1,000 m2 of paddock. Furthermore, we have a separate box (18 m2) for horses that we want to temporarily separate from the herd (e.g. for fowling), and a box for a stallion with 16 m2. The lower stables also consist of an open stable for the remaining horses and the other animals.

Hard Hat
A HARD HAT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL RIDERS, NO EXCEPTIONS! We have a few hats that other guests have left, and that can be used, but we do not know the history/size or fit of these hats and therefore cannot guarantee them.

Guides
You will be accompanied by 2 guides.

Your Hosts
The owners of the riding centre, Barbara and Christoph Promberger, have been leading the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project over the last ten years, the largest research and conservation project on large carnivores in Central and Eastern Europe. During this time, they have gained a great deal of experience about large carnivores and are happy to tell their stories about wolves, bears, and lynx. They are now again involved in a large conservation programme in and around Sinca Noua, which intends to develop the area into a large conservation area with certified organic agriculture around the village and unspoiled and protected forests in the hills and mountains around Sinca.

Conservation Contribution
We ask all our visitors for a donation of 40 Euro per week for our regional conservation and development fund, which supports sustainable projects in and around Sinca Noua. Furthermore, we are personally involved in a number of conservation projects.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for a three-month period (those intending to stay for a longer period than three months must apply for a registration certificate issued by the Romanian Authority for Aliens); 
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for touristic stays of up to three months.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
 

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.