SCHEDULE MADE BY
RADU ZOTA

Area: Apuseni Mountains, the western part of Romanian Capathians
Level rate: Moderate
Dates of departure: May - October, on demand
Nr. of team members: 2 - 12 + tour guides
Trip duration (days): 8 (7 nights)
Required gear: Backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, spot light, good mountain boots, waterproof and warm changing clothes, water can, sweets, first-aid kit.
Accommodation: tents, *** guest house

Summary : this adventure tour is presenting some of the caves of the more than 10 000 caves and natural cavities present in Romanian Mountains. Caving is one of the main activities but you'll also encounter traditional life, amazing lanscapes and a pristine nature.

1^ST DAY SATURDAY

Transfer by bus to Apuseni Mountains (500 km / 310 mi )

Schedule of the day :

Transfer by coach to Apuseni Mts. (500 km/310 ml)

Bucharest - Sibiu - Alba Iulia - Pietroasa

20:00 8 PM Pitching tents near by Pietroasa village

Highlights of the day: The city of Sibiu, medieval city in the middle of Transylvania.

Alba Iulia , romanian historical city, where the first union of the romanian states has been proclamed.

2^ND DAY SUNDAY

Easy hiking in Carpathians

8:00 AM Having Breakfast
9:00 AM Leaving the camp ground
Easy hike to La Grajduri 3-4 hours
14:00 2 PM Pitching tents
19:00 7 PM Dinner

Highlights of the day:

La grajduri area

3^RD DAY MONDAY

Hiking Apuseni Mountains - Bihor Mts

• Level Rating: Moderate hike
• Height difference: 250 m
• Sightseeing objectives: Focul Viu Glacier, Cetatile Ponorului
• Schedule of the day:

  8:00 AM Breakfast

  9:00 AM Easy hike to Focul Viu Glacier and Cetatile Ponorului the largest limestone complex in SE Europe .

  Focul Viu (The Living Fire) is the finest cave glacier in Romania . The name came from the unique phenomena produced by a sun light ray that create a rainbow from the ice evaporation. The cave has 2 rooms, the first is a large one that hosts the glacier. The first room has a natural window on the top in the roof that allows the natural light to enter. By noon, on a sunny day the evaporating water can be seen rising from the glacier creating a unique phenomena, called "living fire". The second room is smaller and has not natural light. In order to visit the second room you have to descend a few feet.
  The limestone complex Catatile Ponorului (Ponor's Castles) is situated in Bihor Mts. in the heart of Apuseni Mts. ( Western Carpathians ).

  Cetatile Ponorului is the largest limestone complex in Carpathians, being formed of three big holes, in a great geological depression of 300 m/1000 ft. deep cover in fir trees, the upper part having a diameter of over 1000 m/3000 ft. The path starts from a forestry road descending along Valea Cetatilor (Castle's Valley) in the first hole. The western wall is over 150 m/490 ft. tall and hosts a great portal of over 70 m/230 ft.

  The path take us through all the 3 holes the are connected by some natural tunnels, caves and arches. The holes 2 and 3 can be seen from 4 balconies situated on the ridge.

  19:00 7 PM Dinner

5^TH DAY WEDNESDAY

Hiking & Caving in Apuseni Mountains

• Easy to moderate hike
• Hiking time : 4-6 hours
• Sightseeing objectives:

  8:00 AM Breakfast

  9:00AM Leaving for Lumea Pierduta (The Lost World) complex.

  Lumea Pierduta complex is hosting the largest system of caves, holes, tunnels and other interesting features carved in limestone.

• 19:00 7 PM Dinner

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