Transylvanian highlands – cycling over the horizon
Overview
A truly PREMIUM tour in which you need absolutely nothing but enthusiasm, a bike and a desire to explore.
Our program starts one afternoon in the village of Cobor.
There will be three full days in which to pedal easily, to enjoy the landscape and the cultural and historical heritage that the area offers us. We have flora and fauna, visits to unknown and surprising objectives, programs and surprises. Let yourself be carried to the rhythm of a holiday in the saddle of the bicycle.
Group size: Min. 2 – Max. 6 people
Due to the dynamic rate, the cost is higher for private groups. For this reason, if other participants are added after the registration, the first two entrants will receive back the tariff difference.
Profile and terrain in brief
Day 1
Light heating, adjustment and checking of bicycles for the next few days – 12 km, asphalt, low car traffic
Day 2
28.9 km / +461 m / -461 m (asphalt, macadam) very low car traffic
Optional 1: another 21 km with +180 m Gherdeal – Cârța on a forested road in the first part and panoramic in the second part.
Optional 2: Descent on Transfăgărășan to Bâlea Lac by bicycle. Up to the lake we reach the support car.
Day 3
41 km / +596 m / -542 m (asphalt, macadam, forest road) very low car traffic
Day 4
36 km / +435 m / -397 m (asphalt, macadam, agricultural road) very low car traffic
INCLUDED in the tour:
Accommodation at ….., in twin rooms with a 2-room bathroom;
The 3 meals of the day, as detailed in the Essential Information;
Passionate cycling guide and good connoisseur of the history and legends of the place;
All entrances to the sights on the route;
Water at your discretion;
Snacks along the way (bars, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, etc.);
Coffee and refreshment breaks, as detailed in the Itinerary;
Some alcoholic beverages, as detailed in the itinerary;
Bicycle parking and cleaning every day;
Support car with driver and bicycle trailer;
Entry to all objectives included in the tour;
Digital map, GPS track;
Instructions for using outdoor mobile applications;
Instructions on how to create an itinerary and how to interpret the different types of maps (we will go deeper if necessary);
Description and application of best practices to help you ride safely on roads with car traffic.
NOT INCLUDED in the tour:
Transport to Cobor on the first day and from Cobor at the end of the tour;
Personal daily expenses (fluff, juices, beer, etc.);
Extra expenses at accomodation house in addition to what is included in the menu, if applicable;
Optional road to Bâlea Lac, from day 2;
Bicycle, helmet and personal equipment;
Insurance.
Bicycle rental service: 170 lei / bicycle / day (will be calculated 4 days)
Itinerary
- We meet in Brasov at 12 mid day
- Welcoming hosts and good friends will introduce us to their village, and we will get to know each other better.
- We cycle about 12 kilometers on a panoramic road, as an introduction in the following days.
- Technical meeting for the presentation of the itinerary, planning and verification of bicycles;
Dinner and accommodation in Șoarș.
9 am: after breakfast we leave for Gherdeal, a former abandoned village, today brought to life by some lovers of peace. We will cover 29 km with a few easy climbs. We pass one by one through panoramic places that offer us an incredible view over the Făgăraș massif, then through dense forests and meadows;
At Gherdeal we enjoy a well-deserved break in a place you would not expect to find in an abandoned village. Our 5 * surprise;
From here we get on the bikes on the support car trailer and head towards Cârța;
Optional: for those who feel able, we can cross the 22 km road to Cârța by bicycle;
Lunch is waiting for us at Cârța, probably around 14:00;
We visit the ruins of the Cistercian monastery from Cârța – the only one preserved on the Romanian territory;
Dinner and accommodation in Șoarș;
Optional: If you still have energy we can make a descent on Transfăgărășan to Bâlea Lac by bicycle. Up to the lake we reach the support car. This option will incur additional costs and is not included in the original rate.
UNFORGETTABLE:
The semi-abandoned village of Gherdeal + a 5 * surprise;
Pedaling on roads without traffic, through dense and wild forests and pastoral landscape;
The ruins of the Cistercian monastery from Cârța;
The descent of Transfăgărășan / the most beautiful road in the world (acc. to TOP GEAR) on bicycles.
09:00: After breakfast transfer by support car to Apold, where we will admire the glimes – earth formations in the shape of a pyramid
We continue by bike to Bradeni, a non-tourist village (unfortunately) where we will visit one of the most interesting fortified churches in Transylvania. The stone structure, with well-preserved paintings and interior decorations, hides in the attic the most authentic Saxon museum you can find in our country. You will discover an impressive collection of crates and chests dating from the 16th century, in which food, clothes and valuables of the old inhabitants of Bradeni were kept. You will learn many other things from your guide, Tudor Georgescu, leader of bicycle tours in Transylvania;
Also in Bradeni we will take a break at the Bradeni Ponds, which can boast 15% of the total species of birds known nationally. This is the favorite nesting place of migratory birds that come to the area – the chain of natural lakes in the heart of the destination regularly hosts over 20,000 migratory waterfowl;
Our route takes us back to Șoarș on very poorly traveled roads. Today we also have a part with a forest road;
We take a break from juice and puff pastry at Bărcuț, at the village pub, then we climb a little towards Seliștat, the village-foundation where we will have lunch in the whole fortified church;
We visit the Erich Lukas Museum – the most important private museum in Transylvania;
We return to the asphalt to climb once more to Șoarș;
Dinner and accommodation in Șoarș.
UNFORGETTABLE:
The glimpses of Apold
The box museum in the attic of the Bradet church;
Brădet ponds and biodiversity here;
Seliștat foundation village and the Seliștat fortified church ensemble;
Visit to the Erich Lukas Museum.
9 o’clock: After breakfast we leave for Viscri. The fairly smooth road, with only three short climbs, takes us quickly into the fields of the village of Dacia;
Shortly after halfway we take a coffee / tea break and snacks;
The traditional lunch in Viscri awaits us;
We visit the whole of the Fortified church from Viscri;
We board the support car and return to Șoarș;
Before departure we drink coffee or tea with the hosts in the garden;
We shake hands with each other after 4 days together.
UNFORGETTABLE:
The ensemble of the fortified church Viscri;
The wild road to Jibert and the coffee break at the edge of the oak forest.
Gallery
Essential info
IMPORTANT: Please read carefully the Tourist Services Agreement and the rules for participating in our tours. When purchasing any Mandala Journeys tourist program, you declare that you have read, understood and agree to the contractual clauses and the participation regulations.
Essential equipment
Normal daily wear (for after shift / evening);
Cycling shorts with base (mandatory in this tour);
Cycling gloves;
Cycling jersey (from the one with pockets. The materials are very good in any weather);
Cycling helmet (mandatory on this tour);
A few body blouses and a body fleece;
Sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat (required);
Shoes with rigid soles, suitable for cycling. Avoid sneakers or soft sandals;
Raincoats and long cycling pants.
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for anyone taking part in any cycling tour organized by MANDALA Journeys. Although there are rental options, we recommend that you buy a helmet suitable for the size and shape of your head – it is an investment in your comfort and safety.
Cycling also has its risks and sometimes accidents can happen. Please make sure you are properly prepared (physically and mentally) for the tour you are about to sign up for.
Optional equipment
In case you want a bicycle to rent from us, you may want to bring your own pedals and your own saddle (except for the seatpost). We encourage you to bring them because we can mount them on our bikes. We just ask you not to forget them at the end.
We have MTB Hard-Tail bikes for rent suitable for this tour. The cost of renting a bicycle is 100 lei / person / day (4 days / tour will be calculated).
For rent please inform us at least 72 hours before the tour at 0730 492 341 – Tudor
Accommodation: Casa Andrada from Șoarș, is our welcoming host. The price shown is for a place in a twin room (two beds), shared with someone you know or with someone of the same sex group. Given that households in rural areas are small and have a special charm, only two rooms have their own bathroom, and one has a bathroom that is shared with another room, namely that of the guides.
Given that these family houses were not built for tourist purposes, places are limited and the “single” option as well. The single supplement costs 500 lei / person.
Tables:
Breakfast (on days 2, e and 4) and Dinner (on days 1, 2 and 3) will be served for all group participants at Casa Andrada, indoors or in the yard, depending on the weather.
Breakfast will be buffet style, with various traditional products (butter, jam, zacusca, eggs, etc.) or less traditional (milk cereals);
Dinner includes: appetizers or soup / soup, main course, dessert, refreshments, 1 glass of traditional strength / wine per person;
Lunches will be organized in different places as follows:
Day 2: Traditional lunch in Cârța. Lunch includes: appetizers or soup / soup, main course, dessert, soft drinks, tea / coffee;
Day 3: Picnic lunch in the whole Seliștat fortified church. Lunch will include: traditional appetizers and snacks, dessert, refreshments, tea / coffee;
Day 4: Traditional lunch at Viscri: Lunch includes: appetizers or soup / soup, main course, dessert, refreshments, 1 glass of traditional strength / wine per person + tea / coffee;
The menus will be in carnivorous and vegetarian versions. Please announce at the time of registration the option you opt for (carnivorous / vegetarian).
Coffee breaks: They are picnic in panoramic or authentic places and contain: bars, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, tea / coffee and soft drinks.
Transport:
For groups of 1-3 people the support car will be a car with bicycle support
For groups of 4-6 people the support car will be an 8 + 1 seater minibus with bicycle trailer
Is this the tour for you?
You accept that this tour is designed for a beginner to intermediate level and that everyone is welcome. We understand that we each have our own level of experience on the bike;
Are you aware that the groups are a maximum of 6 cyclists + 1 guide;
Accept that you will be part of a group, in which the participants’ experience may be different;
You agree to respect the team of guides and their decisions for the safety of all and the smooth running of the trip;
You are aware that we do not cancel a program just because it is raining.
You had a muscle fever and you are aware that you will have another time. And you have no problem with that.
Do you have a signal on the phone or not, you are happy.
You want to know other aspects related to cycling (traveling) besides landscapes: place names, history of routes, shepherding – life in the sheepfold and dogs, wild animals and how to see or get away from them unseen, and so on
If your answer to the above is YES,
