RankHigher SEO Tools

HOME

Hiking

Cycling

Culture

Photo gallery

Links

Guest book

About Us

Contact Us

Cycling in Romania and Bulgaria: Danube Cycling Tour

The most beautiful part of the Danube river is situated on the place where it divides Carpathian (on the left side) and Balkan (on the right side) Mountains. It is really a fantastic region! We cycle along the Danube through  Kasanklamm and reach the "Iron gate" in Romania. We bike in Bulgaria between Vraza and Vidin through hilly region in the most western parts of the Balkan mountains. We visit during our tour good preserved  monasteries, which are the vertebral column of the orthodox religion.

---

            Requirements
The tourists will bike along asphalt-covered roads. Tourists should be able to bike for 4 to 5 hours a day (max 90 km) along asphalt roads.

            Route
Day 1: Arrival to Timisoara:
We recommend you the following travel opportunities:
A. Flight: with Carpatair, Tarom or Lufthansa tot Timisoara
B. Train: from Budapest tot Timisoara or from Bucharest tot Timisoara
Meeting with the English talking guide at the airport, train station or bus station, depending on the arrival time and transfer to the hotel in Timisoara. Dinner and presentation of the trip theme. Over night staying in Timisoara.
Day 2: Timisoara – Resita – Oravita –Sasca Romana (130 km with small bus/75 km with bike):
After breakfast we will visit Timisoara for about an hour. So, we will visit the biggest western Romanian city and the main objectives like Piata Revolutiei (Revolution Square), Piata Unirii (Union Square), the Serbian and Catholic Church , The Plague Column. Next we head south towards Resita. After a 2 hours transfer we get there. From here we will ride further on our bikes. For approximatelly 20 km we will travel through Romanian and Serbian villages like Lupac and many others. We will have a lunch break on our way. Next we head towards Oravita, a town with a baroque styled City Hall. In the evening we arrive in a small village where time stood still about one hundred years ago, here people still have time. Dinner and accomodation for two nights in Sasca Romana.
Day 3: Hiking in Nera Canyon + cycling trip (30 km):
Today we will take a short hiking trip in the spectacular Nera Keys. Passing over rope bridges and through tunnels we head towards the Nera Reservation. From here on we will ride our bikes. Our goal is to get to the waterfalls from the Valea Beusnita riding our bikes on forest tracks. After a break we will head back on our bikes to Sasca Romana.
Day 4: Sasca Romana – Bazias (50 km):
Today we head towards the Danube. First, we have to cross the Lovicei Mountains (549 m high). After a 12 km long climb we will enjoy a nice descent towards the Danube. We will have a lunch break on our way. After lunch we will pedal along the Danube shore through the Serbian villages Pojejena and Belobresca. Today our destination is Bazias, the place where the Danube touches the Romanian ground. We will have dinner on the Danube shore. Acommodation in Bazias.
Day 5: Bazias – Berzasca (55 km):
This day is totally dedicated to the Danube. Through Moldova Noua (The New Moldavia) we head towards Brezasca where we will stay over night in a hunting lodge on the shore of the Danube river. For the whole distance we travel today the Danube and Serbia will be on our right side. During the day we will see monasteries, goat heards, deserted castles, Romanian, Chechian, Serbian and Hungarian villages. Dinner with fish specialties.
Day 6: Berzasca – Orsova (65 km):
After breakfast we go on further on The Danube course. Today we’ll reach the narrowest point in the Carpathian Mountains- Danube canyon, that is the Cazanele Mari (The Large Boilers)and the Cazanele Mici (The Small Boilers). Here the Danube is only 119 m wide. The river’s erosion  has formed beautiful caves and cliffs. If time allows it we will visit one of these caves.  In the early 90’s illegal commerce with Serbia took place there. Acommodation in Eselnita, 3 km before Orsova, on the Danubian shore.
Day 7: Orsova – Calafat (130 km/3 h bus transfer) + Ferry-boat to Vidin - Lom (55km, cycing):
Transfer with van from Orsova, passing by the Iron Gates and crossing the Romanian Field to Calafat.  Border crossing with the ferry-boat to Vidin, Bulgaria. You will visit in Vidin the "Babini Vidini Kuli" fortress. The cycling trip leads along the Danube river to the town of Lom (about 55 km). A visit of the Dobridolski monastery is possible (8 km more). Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 8: Lom - Kozloduy (45 km, cycling), Kozloduy - Vratsa (transfer - 90 km):
The next Danube stage leads us to the town of Kozloduy – you can see the Radezki ship (about 45 km). A bus transfer to the town of Vratsa follows. Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 9: Vratsa - Klissurski monastery (50km):
Cycling to the Klissurski monastery. You can enjoy in the mean time the wonderful nature (a visit of the Bistretski monastery is possible). Overnight at the Klissurski monastery.
Day 10: Klissurski monastery – Chiprovtsi town (50km):
Cycling to the town of Chiprovtsi. You can visit the house of the big Bulgarian poet Ivan Vazov in Berkovitsa and the Lopushna monastery. Overnight at private lodgings.
Day 11: Chiprovtsi - Belogradchik (56 km, cycling):
A visit of the Chiprovtsi monastery and of a small river gorge is possible (about 56 km). You reach the town of Belogradchik and see the wonderful Belogradchik rocks with the medieval fortress. Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 12: Belogradchik - Rabisha cave und back - (50 km, cycling):
You cycle to the Rabisha village. A visit of the Magura cave and of the Rabisha Lake follows. Then you cycle back to the town of Belogradchik. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 13: Belogradchik - Vidin (90km):
The day starts with a cycling to the Rakovitsa monastery. Then you cycle to the town of Vidin – 90 km. Overnight at a 2* hotel. (The visit of the Rakovitsa monastery makes the trip 10 km longer). Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 14: Ferry-boat to Calafat + train transfer to Timisoara:
Bike: you cycle 5 km to the Romanian border.
Ferry-boat: You cross the border at Vidin/ Calafat with the ferry-boat.
Train: Calafat (11:50)- Craiova(15:03)
          Craiova (15:40)-Timisoara (21:50)-
The bycicles and the luggage will be brought from Calafat to Timisoara by car. Acommodation in Timisoara.
Day 15: Flight home:
After breakfast free time in Timisoara. According to the departure hours, transfer to the bus station, train station or airport in Timisoara will be made. The Romanian team which will escort you throughout the trip will say goodbye.

Group size: min 8; max 15 Prices per person: In twin room - EUR 1370,- Single supplement - EUR 224,- Children(less then 12 years):10% discount Hired bike: from/till Timisoara: EUR 90,- REMARKS    - 14 overnights in country typical hotels, pensions and guest houses.        - full board;    - all transfers;    - Accompanying car from/ till Timisoara;    - English, Romanian and Bulgarian speaking guide from/ till Timisoara.

Send mail to info@luckytours.hypermart.net with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: October 12, 2009