We have the next 2 full days to explore the mountains, gorges and valleys of Transylvania. Our exact itinerary will depend on the weather conditions and advice of our local guide, but we will be focusing our efforts on the spectacular Piatra Craiului National Park (Rock-of-the-King).

This dramatic park is dominated by a 25 kilometer jagged limestone ridge, widely regarded as one of Romania’s most beautiful sights, which reaches a height of 2,244 meters. Brown Bears, Wolf and even Lynx still roam the forests whilst, to date, 110 species of bird and 1,100 species of higher plant have been recorded, including 2 endemics. There are many spectacular and wildlife rich areas to explore. The lower slopes are cut by a series of dramatic limestone gorges, such as the Zarnesti Gorge, home to Wallcreepers (can be secretive in the summer), Dippers, Grey Wagtails and Black Redstarts, whilst the surrounding forests are also the haunt of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Goshawk, Sombre Tit, Black, Middlespotted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, plus the majestic, but very elusive, Ural Owl. There is also much to keep the botanist and lepidopterist interested including a colourful variety of butterflies such as Swallowtail, Freyer’s Purple Emperor, Camberwell Beauty, Berger’s Clouded Yellow and Meadow Fritillary.

We are also sure to pass Castle Bran during our time in the Carpathians, the much disputed residence of ‘Vlad the Impaler’ on whom the legend of Count Dracula is based.

Then, as the sun lowers, we will  visit a specially constructed bear watching hide deep in the forests to look for Brown Bears (approximately 1 hour from Vulcan). Wolves and Lynx are rarely seen, but the Brown Bears frequently descend from the hills in the evening and, whilst nothing is certain in the world of wildlife watching, we have a good chance of finding one or more of these magnificent creatures. Indeed, Romania still holds the largest population of Brown Bears on the continent and whilst they are not faring so well in other regions of Europe, in the Carpathians they are flourishing!

Today we travel back to Burcharest Airport. The journey will take 3 hours. This bear-watching tour will end here but for those that wish to prolong their stay we offer other options. Please check our other tours for more info.