Transylvania Explorer Ride

Perfect for all of our fox hunters, eventers and endurance riders, this ride starts at our eco lodge at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and leads you across the Olt Valley into the Transylvania hills. You'll ride mainly on grass-covered trails... 

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Advanced
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April to October
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8 Days
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Bucharest
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Romania
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8 Members
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Guesthouses

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All meals included

Overview

  • Trip Details

    Perfect for all of our fox hunters, eventers and endurance riders, this ride starts at our eco lodge at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and leads you across the Olt Valley into the Transylvania hills. You’ll ride mainly on grass-covered trails and across pastures, and occasionally come through oak and hornbeam forests. On the way, you’ll see and experience an abundant birdlife – lesser spotted eagles, bee-eaters, hoopoes, and golden oriole, just to name a few.


    Without roads, power lines, or antennas, it sometimes is hard to tell in which century you’re riding, and the horse-carriages and shepherds that you’ll see daily convey a feeling of ancientness, as do the many remains of the old Saxon culture with its 800 years old fortified churches.


    You’ll stay overnight with local families in small villages, in over 300 year old renovated rectories, in beautiful wooden manors or in private guesthouses. You’re always welcomed with cordial hospitality and will enjoy a deep insight into rural Transylvanian life.


    Daily riding is between 25 and 38km (15-24 miles) daily which takes four to seven hours, including a short lunch break on a scenic spot in between. The rides are rather fast with a good mix of walking, trotting, and cantering.


    2026 Dates: April 25-May 2, May 9-16, May 23-30, June 6-13, June 20-27, July 4-11, July 18-25, Aug. 1-8, Aug. 15-22, Sept. 26-Oct. 3, Oct. 10-17, Oct. 24-31

    2026 Rates: $2,835.00 USD or 2360€ per person in a shared room. Single Supplement: $210.00 USD or 175€.

    $1,255.00 USD or 1044€ per non rider sharing a room with a rider


    2027 Dates:  Apr. 24-May 1, May 8-15, May 22-29, June 5-12, June 19-26, July 3-10, July 17-24, July 31-Aug. 7, Aug. 14-21, Aug. 28-Sept. 4, Sept. 25-Oct. 2, Oct. 9-16, Oct. 23-30

    2027 Rates: $3,663.00 USD or 2,930€ per person in a shared room. Single Supplement $219.00 USD or 175€.

  • Itinerary

    Saturday: Arrival

    Arrival in Bucharest (please make sure you arrive before 16:00 [4pm] the latest), transfer by minibus from Bucharest to your well appointed guest house in Transylvania - about a 3 hour ride and we transfer as a group.


    Overnight at the guesthouse and lovely home cooked dinner and a discussion of the upcoming week of riding, and evening introduction into the ride.


    Sunday - 29k (18 miles)

    After being introduced to the horses, we will leave the guesthouse and ride along the valleys and over the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains towards the plains of the Olt River valley. We pass several Romanian Villages, have our first long canters through the fields and cross the Olt River just before we arrive after about 6 hours at our destination in Hălmeag, where we will stay in the houses of local people.


    Monday - 26k (16 miles)

    We will ride along the Olt River from Hălmeag to Șona, where we will enter into the hills of Transylvania. We ride along a beautiful ridge with marvellous views to the Fagaras Mountains and reach our goal of the day in Cobor, an old Hungarian village in the middle of the Saxon area.


    Today, we ride a total of ca. 5,5 h hours and will start to experience the beauty of this ancient land. In Cobor, our hosts run a conservation project, which includes the development of an organic farm with emphasis on biodiversity conservation In Cobor and the traditional restoration of some of the abandoned houses.


    We stay overnight in one of these new-old guesthouses for the next two days.


    Tuesday - 36k (22 miles)

    Full-day ride (6 h) around Cobor with stunning views, fast canters, and rich birdlife: We are likely to see bee-eaters, hoopoes, great grey shrikes, stone chats, or lesser spotted eagles.


    In the late afternoon we are back in Cobor and can chill out in the old stables or in the cellar bar.


    Wednesday - 38k (23 miles)

    Full-day ride ca. 7 hours over the hills to Viscri, our destination for the next night. Viscri is probably the most famous Saxon village in Transylvania with a stunning fortified church, and the UK based Mihai Eminescu Trust (under the patronage of Prince Charles) has restored the village in its original setting.


    We stay in the old farmhouses, which are transformed into little guesthouses, and enjoy the traditional Saxon cuisine.


    In the evening there is time to explore the village.


    Thursday - 22k (13 miles)

    In the morning we explore the fortified church in Viscri, enjoy the beautiful view over the village, and have a lunch before we head out on the horses.


    In the afternoon, we ride over the hills to a log-house on a big meadow in the forest near the village of Jibert. Stunning scenery and great canters all along the way. Today is a rather fast but shorter ride, ca. 3 – 3,5 hours.


    We get a great dinner and will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Transylvanian countryside.


    Friday - 34k (21 miles)

    Today is our last day (ca. 6 h), but there are again plenty of canters over the hills and through the forests. Eventually we arrive in the Olt Valley, have a beautiful ride along the ridge through ancient oak pastures and descend from there through the forests towards Halmeag, where our ride ends.


    Here we enjoy a snack and a bus takes us back to our guest house form the first night and also our horses get a transport back home.


    One last memorable dinner in the evening.


    Saturday - Departure

    After a last breakfast, the minibus takes us back to Bucharest - about 3 hours.


    Please do not book a flight before 16:00 [4pm] 


  • What's Included

    • 7 nights guesthouse accommodation
    • 6 days of guided trail riding
    • All meals
    • Horse and all tack
    • Guiding services on the trail rides
    • Transfer to/from Bucharest Airport at pre set time
    • Luggage Transfers
    • All Local Taxes

  • What's Not Included

    • Airfare
    • Travel Insurance
    • Alcoholic beverages outside of wine with meals
    • Gratuities for the team at the end of your stay
    • Guests are asked to contribute 40€ as a donation to the CARPATHIA conservation project (www.carpathia.org)

Reviews

From   $2,835  per person

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FAQ's

  • What is included in the tour price?

    Tour prices typically include accommodation, guided activities, transportation during the trip, and some meals. Exact inclusions may vary depending on the itinerary.

  • Can I customize my itinerary?

    Yes. Most of our trips can be tailored to match your interests, schedule, and travel style. Just let us know your preferences and we’ll help design the perfect adventure.

  • Do I need travel insurance?

    Yes, we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and adventure activities.

  • How many people are in a tour group?

    Group sizes are usually small to ensure a more personal and immersive experience. The exact number may vary depending on the expedition.