Transylvania: Myth, History and Beautiful Nature - Piatra Craiului, Sibiu, Sighisoara Medieval Fortress, Parâng, Bucegi Mts


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TRANSYLVANIA: MYTH AND HISTORY
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	What to take		SCHEDULE MADE BY RADU CERNEA
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	My trip		Area: The Bucegi Mountains, - Parâng Mts., - Piatra Craiului Mountains, - Baiului Mts. - Transylvanian Medieval Castles Level rate: Easy - Medium Dates of departure: June 2007, 14 June 2007, 7 July 2007, 11 August 2007, 25 August 2007, 4 September 2007, 18 September 2007. Nr. of team members: 2 - 12 Trip duration (days):14 Required gear: Backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, spot light (preferably frontlamp), good mountain boots, waterproof and warm changing cloths, water can, sweets.
			1^ST DAY SATURDAY Welcoming you at the International Airport Bucuresti - Otopeni. Introduction, short presentation of the trip and leaving the airport at 15.30 Transfer by car from the Bucharest Otopeni airport to Sighisoara, the birth town of Prince Vlad Dracula. (~250 km). Have lunch on the way to Sighisoara. Arrive in Sighisoara at 8.30 p.m. Leave the car and luggages in a guest house in Sighisoara area. Accommodation in a guest house in Sighisoara. *Sightseeing objectives*: View over Bucegi Mts, Fagaras Mts, seen from away, then Sighisoara Citadel.
			2^ND DAY SUNDAY Visit Sighisoara 9.00 wake up, 9.30 breakfast 10.00 - 13.00 Walking in Sighisoara. (Sighisoara, first attested in documents from 1280, is the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe). Visit the clock tower, the wooden stair. View of the towers, the old church. 13.30 - having lunch in Sighisoara 14.30 - 20.00 Continuing our visit in Sighisoara, Vlad Dracul's birth place. 20.00: having dinner in Sighisoara 21.00: accommodation in touristic guest house in Sighisoara. *Sightseeing objectives*: Sighisoara medieval citadel, the only still inhabited medieval fortress in Europe.
			3^RD DAY MONDAY Transfer by car through Parâng Mountains. 8.00 wake up . 8.30 Breakfast at the guest house in Sighisoara. 9.00 Unpacking and leaving Sighisoara. Going to Petrosani passing by the medieval castles, then thru Obarsia Lotrului Pass (~250 km). Driving time: ~ 6 hours. 13.30: Stop for a lunch Transfer by car to Obarsia Lotrului and camping here. 20.30: having dinner from our own luggages. Sightseeing objectives: The First Ridges of Parâng Mts, Latorita Mts.
			4^TH DAY, TUESDAY Hiking: in Parang Mts (~9-10 hours) Level rate: It's an easy - medium hike Hiking time: ~ 8 (nine) hours Height difference: + 1200 m Sightseeing objectives: The Ridges of Parang. 7.30 wake up. 8.00 breakfast 8.30 leaving our camp, heading to Câlcescu lake, 13.30: having lunch on our way up to Calcescu. 16.30: arrive in Câlcescu lake area. Camping here. (1900 m.) Optional: short circuit to the other lakes in this area. 20.00 Having Dinner
			5^th DAY, WEDNESDAY Hiking in Parang Mts. Level rate: It's a rather medium hike. Hiking time:~ 7 hours Height difference: +600 m. *Sightseeing objectives: Beautiful view over Parang, Retezat, Latoritei Mts. The glacial lakes of Parang. 7.30: wake up 8.00: breakfast 8.30: packing and leaving our camp, heading to Parângu Mare Peak. 13.30: having lunch on our way up to Parângu Mare. 15.30: arrive at Parângu Mare. Descending to Lacul lung lake area. Camping here. Optional*:short circuit to the lakes here. 18.30 Preparing our dinner, arround the campfire. 20.00 Having Dinner
			6^th Day, THURSDAY, 31 July Hiking in Parang Mts. Level rate: It's a rather medium hike. Hiking time: ~ 7 hours. Sightseeing objectives: The Cârja Ridge; The glacial lakes of Parang, view over Parâng, Retezat, Latoritei Mts. 7.30: wake up 8.00: breakfast 8.30: packing and leaving our camp, heading to Petrosani. 13.30: having lunch on the Cârja Peak. 15.30: arrive at IEFS hut. Descend to Rusu hut and then transfer by car to Petrosani. 17.00 - 21.00 Transfer by car to Rasinari (Sibiu county) (270 km) 21.30 Having Dinner Accommodation in a touristy guest house here.
			7^TH DAY FRIDAY Walking in Sibiu area. 8.00 wake up; 8.30 having breakfast at the touristic guest house Visit the Dumbrava Museum (the biggest open-air museum in Europe). 14.00 having lunch in Sibiu 15.00: walking in Sibiu, medieval fortress (visit the clock tower.) 20.00: dinner at the touristic guest house next to Sibiu. Accommodation at the same tourist guest house in Rasinari.
			8^TH DAY SATURDAY Visit the medieval fortress in Sibiu County, (13 - 14 century), transfer by car to "Plaiul Foii" hut 8.00 wake up 8.30 breakfast at the guest house . Tranfer to Cisnadioara medieval Fortress. Visit of Cisnadioara 13th Century Citadel 14.30 Having lunch in Fagaras town. Transfer to Plaiul foii hut (230 Km), passing thru the Rasnov medieval fortress. 20.00 having dinner in the Plaiul Foii hut area 22.00 Accomodation in Plaiul Foii hut (900 m.)
			9^TH DAY SUNDAY Hiking in Piatra Craiului Mts. The South Ridge. Level rate: It's a medium - difficult hike. Hiking time: ~ 10 - 11 hours Height difference: +1400 m, -1400 m. *Sightseeing objectives:* the bizare rocks in "La Zaplaz" area, the white stones of the South Ridge, the entrance to the cave. 7.00 Wake-up 7.30 Breakfast. 8.00 Packing and leaving the base camp. Heading thru the "La zaplaz" area, hike up the main ridge. 12.30 We'll have lunch here, from our backpacks. Descend to Plaiul Foii hut (900 m.) Camping here or stay in the hut, depending on the weather condition. 20.00 having dinner arround the campfire;
			10^TH DAY MONDAY Hiking in Piatra Craiului Mts. The North Ridge. Level rate: It's a medium - difficult hike. Hiking time: ~ 9 - 10 hours Height difference: +1400 m, -700 m. *Sightseeing objectives*: Piatra Craiului limestone . 7.00 Wake-up 7.30 Breakfast. 8.00 Packing and leaving the base camp. Heading thru the "La zaplaz" area, hike up the "La Om" peak (2300 m.). 12.30 We'll have lunch here, from our backpacks. Descend to Curmatura Mountain hut (1600 m.) 18.00 arrive in Curmatura hut area. 19.00 preparing our dinner Camping here or stay in the hut, depending on the weather condition.
			11^TH DAY THURSDAY Hiking in Piatra Craiului Mts. Piatra Mica area. Level rate: It's an easy - medium hike. Hiking time: ~ 6 hours Height difference: +300 m. -900 m. 8.00 Wake up 8.30 Breakfast 9.30 Packing the tents and leaving to Piatra Mica. Hike up to Piatra Mica area. Hiking to Plaiul Foii Hut. 16.00 arriving to Plaiul Foii hut. Transfer by bus/car from Plaiul Foii to "Valea cu Struti" guest house in Sirnea. (60 km) 20.00 Dinner at the touristic guest house here. Accommodation in the turistic guest house.
			12^TH DAY Wednesday Visit Moeciu area, Bran Castle. 9.00 Wake up 9.30 breakfast at the guest house. 10.30 transfer to Bran. (~19 km) 11.00 - 13.20 visit Bran Castle and the Bran Open air Museum 13.45 - 15 having lunch in Brasov. 14.30 Visit Brasov City, the black church, 18.00 - 19.00 transfer by bus/car to Predeal.(~35 km) 19.30 Having dinner here in Susai hut. 22.00 Accomodation in Susai hut (1200 m) or pitching the tents here; depending on the weather conditions.
			13^TH DAY, Thursday, Mountain-Biking in Baiului Mts. Total time: 7- 8 hours. Hiking: 2 hours Riding the Bikes: 5-6 hours. 8.00: Wake up 8.30: breakfast at Susai hut; 9.00: leaving Susai hut 9.30 - 10.20: transfer by bus/car from Predeal to Azuga (800 m). Here the Mountain bikes wait for us. We'll hike up to Sorica (1500 m) Following the Baiului Ridge, we ride to Secaria. 18.00: arrive in Secaria. Optional, continuing by bike up to Comarnic (+1,5 hours on road) Transfer by bus/car from Secaria to Sinaia. 20.30: Having dinner in Sinaia Accomodation in a touristic guest house at Sinaia
			14^TH DAY, Friday, Mountain-Biking in Bucegi Mts. (southern part = the Gurguiatu Massif) Riding the Bikes: 5-6 hours. Level rate: It's a medium difficulty mountain biking tour. 8.00 Wake up 8.30 breakfast in Sinaia; 9.15 leaving Sinaia, heading thru "Cote 1000" touristic hut. On-road riding, 1.5 hours, passing "Cote 1000", and then riding up off-road in Gurguiatu Massif. We carry our lunch with us. (Stop for a longer break and have the lunch arround 13.30 h) 15.00 arrive in Breaza. 15.30- 16.00 Transfer by bus/car from Breaza to Sinaia. (30 km) 16.00 - 18.00 Visit of Peles Palace in Sinaia 18.00 - 20.00 Transfer by bus/car to Bucharest.
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