Brochure 2016 - Wild Carpathia Adventure Romania

WILD

CARPATHIA ADVENTURE 2016

WWW.WILDCARPATHIAADVENTURE.RO

CONTENT About us Wildlife watching tours One week in Bear Land Destination.

LONDON A weekend with bears

On the tracks of large carnivores Butterflies, birds and flowers

LIFE.

Adventure tours Survival Skils in Wild Carpathians

Urban life.

Cultural tours Traditional life in the Carpathians: Shepherding Saxon villages with fortified churches from Transylvania Tailor - made tours Tours information Map of Romania

LEGEND

Wildlife watching Birdwatching Photo tours Hiking -Trekking Culture Food

ABOUT US: RESPONSIBLE

Wild Carpathia Adventure was born from the desire of conservationists from the Association for Biological Diversity Conservation (www.biodiversitate.ro), in order to promote and support quality tourism. We offer to our tourists authentic experiences, tourism products that integrates and promotes the values and local resources, and who show responsibility towards nature and traditional values of Romania.

CONSERVATION One of our main goals is the conservation and biodiversity research, therefore a large part of the funds earned through tourism activities, will be invested in biodiversity conservation . We have experience in implementing large carnivores conservation projects through the European Commission's LIFE program since 2002 (www.carnivoremari.ro), thereby forming in our team a core of specialists in large carnivores. In addition we are among the most important managers of protected areas in Romania.

We chose to preserve nature today, for future generations!

COMMUNITIES The overall objective of our tour operator agency, is to support the balanced and sustainable development of the communities through a responsible tourism that contributes to the economic development of the area by integrating local resources. This type of tourism offers to visitor an authentic experience, centered on nature and traditions of the place, with the flavor, the naturalness, the charm and the tranquility specific for life in the Carpathians.

We invite you to discover Romania with WILD CARPATHIA ADVENTURE Your tailor-made wildlife holiday partner in Romania!

We unfold cultural, adventure and wildlife watching activities all year round, with highlight on nature and large carnivores (bear, wolf, lynx).

Our tours are adapted to our guests: physical condition and maximising the chances for observe the target species. The tours are organised for small groups, the rythm is flexible, the guides adapt to the dynamics of each group.

Our tours vary between half a day and 14 days, and prices start from 30 Euros/person.

3

WILDLIFE - WATCHING TOURS

One week in Bear Land

Romania is the most important destination to observe the brown bears. With approximately 6,000 bears, Romania has the largest population of bears in Europe. From spring to late autumn, Romanian Carpathians offer excellent opportunities to observe and photograph the brown bear (Ursus arctos). You will observe the brown bear from one of our wooden observatories, with comfortable chairs, windows, camera viewfinders and beds, located in Carpathians. This is a unique experience, offering often the most rewarding results, being closer than you think, just 3 hours from Bucharest.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea & Covasna county Tour Dates: 1 May – 15 October Duration: 7 days Tour Difficulty: Costs: Price: 1000 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

EXAMPLE OF TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Bucharest - Lepșa Observatory Day 2: Lepșa - Tișița Gorges Nature Reserve - Observatory Day 3: Observatory - Lepșa village - Hide Day 4: Lepșa - The center for monitoring and rehabilitation of large carnivores - Hide Day 5: Lepșa - Bear dens Observatory Day 6: Lepșa - Putna Vrancea Natural Park trekking - Hide Day 7: Lepșa - bear tracking Bucharest

Local expert guides Walking through virgin forests See Europes mega fauna Rare birds from Europe You have access to protected areas with local experts Experience the Romanian cuisine Observe wildlife from observatory Tracking bears

4

WILDLIFE - WATCHING TOURS

On the tracks of large carnivores

Romanian Carpathians is the last bastion of large carnivores populations in Europe.

Intact forest habitats and the low degree of anthropogenic fragmentation from the areas inhabited by large carnivores, made possible the coexistence in the Carpathians of 2,750 wolves, 6,000 brown bears and 1,800 lynx. From spring to late autumn, Romanian Carpathians offering excellent opportunities to observe and photograph large carnivores.

The team that will guide you in this tour, is working since 2002 in research projects and conservation of large carnivores, so the success of a unique experience is guaranteed.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea & Covasna county Tour Dates: 1 January – 24 December Duration: 7 days Tour Difficulty: Costs: Price: 1000 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

EXAMPLE OF TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Bucharest - Lepșa Observatory Day 2: Lepșa - Tișița Gorges Nature Reserve - Observatory Day 3: Lepșa village - snow/mud tracking - Hide Day 4: Lepșa - The center for monitoring and rehabilitation of large carnivores - Hide Day 5: Lepșa - carnivores dens - Observatory Day 6: Lepșa - Hide - Offroad Carnivores nightwatch Day 7: Lepșa - Natural Park trekking - Bucharest

Local expert guides Walking through virgin forests See Europes mega fauna Rare birds from Europe You have access to protected areas with local experts Experience the Romanian cuisine Observe wildlife from observatory Tracking the large 5 carnivores

WILDLIFE - WATCHING TOURS

A weekend with bears

Romania is the main destination to observe the brown bears in Europe. because it has the largest population of bears in Europe. From spring to late autumn we, offer you excellent opportunities to observe and photograph the brown bear (Ursus arctos). You will observe the bear from one of our wooden observatories,or from our 4x4 car. The team that will guide you in this tour, is implementing since 2002, conservation projects for Carpathian brown bear, so the success of a unique experience is guaranteed. This is a unique experience, offering often the most rewarding results, being closer than you think, just 3 hours from Bucharest.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea & Covasna county Tour Dates: 1 May – 15 October Duration: 4 days Tour Difficulty: Costs: Price: 600 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

EXAMPLE OF TOUR Day 1: Bucharest - Lepșa Observatory Day 2: Lepșa - Tișița Gorges Nature Reserve - Observatory Day 3: Lepșa - Hide - Offroad Carnivores nightwatch Day 4: Lepșa - Natural Park trekking - Bucharest of large carnivores - Hide

HIGHLIGHTS

Local expert guides See Europes mega fauna Rare birds from Europe You have access to protected areas Romanian cuisine Observe wildlife from observatory

6

WILDLIFE - WATCHING TOURS

Butterflies, birds and flowers

Romania is recognized throughout Europe for its natural riches, it is also one of Europe’s top destinations for birdwatching, but this beautiful country located on the edge of the continent, it is not known for its wild treasures, such as butterflies. Because there are still many areas where agriculture is traditionally like a hundred years ago, using environmentally friendly techniques and wildlife, butterflies thrive in this region. Vivid colored butterflies flying from flower to flower, are still a common presence on mountain pastures, meadows and forest steppe grasslands of Romania. At least 200 species of butterflies have been identified in Romania.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea & Covasna county Tour Dates: 1 May – 15 October Duration: 1 day Tour Difficulty:

EXAMPLE OF TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Lepșa - Tișița Gorges Nature Reserve

Local expert guides See Europes mega fauna Rare birds from Europe Rare butterflies in Europe Rare flowers in Europe Access to protected areas with local experts

Costs: Price: 30 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

7

ADVENTURE TOURS

Survival Skils in Wild Carpathians

Romania is known for its wild mountains and virgin forests of the Carpathians. These mountains shelter a large number of wild animals: bears, wolves and lynxes, is probably the last great wilderness area in Europe. Once you get in these mountains you turn from predator to prey, and in order to survive you must learn survival techniques. The locals living in the Carpathians know how to live with predators, you can learn through this adventurous tour, that is closer that you think, just 3 hours from Bucharest.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea county Tour Dates: 15 May – 15 October Duration: 5 days Tour Difficulty: Costs: Price: 500 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

EXAMPLE OF TOUR Day 1: Bucharest - Lepșa Day 2: Lepșa - Tișița Gorges - Cristianul Stream Day 3: Cristian Stream Geamăna Saddle - Coza Sheepfold Day 4: Coza Sheepfold Zmeuriș Hill - Coza village Lepșa village Day 5: Lepșa - Bucharest

HIGHLIGHTS Local expert guides Walking through virgin forests See Europes mega fauna Rare birds from Europe Access to protected areas with local experts Hiking in the Carpathians Learn basic survival skills Orientation skills Tracking the large 8

CULTURAL TOURS

Traditional life in the Carpathians: Sheepherding

In an area of particularly beautiful, sunny glades how often are in the Carpathians, the tradition of sheep breeding is kept sacred by hardworking people with big hearts.

Sheepherding is a basic occupation among locals for hundreds of years, it is an activity where the real work, toil and difficulties are compensated by contentment and satisfaction given by this ancient profession. Livestock farming is an activity that prevails in the Carpathians, people also raise cattle in this area in so-called “odăi” (small isolated farms), that are temporary settlements used during the warm season. For a period of seven days you can enjoy this ancient, simple and quiet lifestyle, participating in the special tour organized by our agency.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Vrancea county Tour Dates: 15 May – 15 October Duration: 7 days Tour Difficulty: Costs: Price: 600 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

EXAMPLE OF TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Bucharest - Bârsești Chirilă family Sheepfold Day 2: Sheepfold - Şura hill Carriage ride - Night fire Day 3: Sheepfold - 4x4 Offroad - temporary Sheepfold - Story Day 4: Sheepfold - Soveja farm of Bălbăru family Day 5: Farm - Orjoaga hill bear observatory Day 6: Farm - Horse riding/ mountain bike - traditional dances and party Day 7: Farm - trekking Bucharest

See Europes mega fauna Access to protected areas with local experts Experience traditional culture and cuisine Observe wildlife from observatory

9

CULTURAL TOURS

Saxon villages with fortified churches from Transylvania

Romania's significant German (Saxon) heritage is obvious in Southern Transylvania, home to hundreds of well-preserved Saxon towns and villages. Saxons came to Transylvania during the mid 1100s from the Rhine and Moselle Rivers regions. Highly respected for their skill and talent the Saxons succeeded in gaining administrative autonomy, almost unmatched in the entire feudal Europe of absolute monarchies.

The result of almost nine centuries of existence of the Saxon (German) community in Southern Transylvania is a cultural and architectural heritage, unique in Europe. Transylvania is home to hundreds of towns and fortified churches built between the 13th and 15th centuries by Saxons.

Itinerary details: Destination: Romania, Brașov & Mureș county Tour Dates: 1 January – 24 December Duration: 3 days Tour Difficulty:

EXAMPLE OF TOUR Day 1: Bucharest – Brașov – Hărman - Prejmer Day 2: Brașov – Feldioara – Rupea – Saschiz - Viscri Day 3: Viscri – Brașov Bucharest

HIGHLIGHTS

UNESCO World Heritage Fortified church Rural culture History Access to protected areas with local experts Experience traditional culture and cuisine

Costs: Price: 300 Euros/person Passengers: minimum 2 persons

10

TAILOR -MADE TOURS

Everywhere in Romania - Your journey starts here...

Our philosophy is a simple one. To offer you the best travel experience possible. We believe the only way to achieve this is to have genuine experts for each and every destination, we call them specialists. They'll design a trip around you, to match your interests, tastes and budget, and created with an absolute commitment to quality. Our team provides consulting services in a friendly, flexible and professional way.

The guides who will accompany you are certified, they are locals that have a working experience of more than 10 years in research and conservation of large carnivores in Carpathians. They are very passionate and interested in nature, tradition, culture and travel. They speak at least two foreign languages fluently.

According to your personal interests and hobbies, you may choose: - Wildlife - Watching tours: bear, wolf, lynx, otter, beaver, chamoix, deer, other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and insects. Snowtracking, tracks and signs of animals.

- Adventure tours: hiking, trekking, survival, camping, snowshoe tours, - Cultural tours: rural culture, traditional crafts, traditional cuisine, traditional dances, history - Events - Programs - Trainings: scouts camps, study visits, internship in conservation, voluntary in conservation, socio-educational animation Our guides are dedicated fans of wildlife and nature lovers just like you!

11

TOURS INFORMATION: What’s included?

Everything is included in our tours. All meals and drinks, accommodation, local guides, airport transfer, local transport, sightseeing fees.

Additional costs Almost everything is included in our tours. The only things not included are international flights, travel insurance , any food bought outside the three main meals, drinks outside of anything offered at meals and bottled water provided throughout the day and any items of a personal nature such as souvenirs.

Equipment • Included equipment Available to you will be made all the necessary equipment for this tour: binoculars, compass, map, camping equipment, sleeping bag, hammock, and more. You will also receive small field guides, a representative list of wildlife in the area and a DVD with an image gallery and documentation in this area. You will also have access during your stay to our travel agency library you will find many books that will interest you and will answer your questions.

• Personal equipment We recommend that you bring your own binoculars. The clothing must be warm, including long pants, fleeces, thermal underwear and socks, scarves, wool hats, gloves and impermeable clothing. Although the weather is particularly chilly, the sun may shine strong, so we recommend you bring sunglasses and cream with high UV protection factor. Obviously, a pair of comfortable and waterproof boots are a must. Do not forget any other items of a personal nature, such as medicines. Do not forget to bring many memory cards for your camera.

Visa and Health If you are a citizen of one of the EU countries you do not need a visa to enter Romania. The citizens of other members states, other than those of the European Union we kindly ask to contact the embassy to find out if there are visa restrictions.

There are no health restrictions or recommendations to visit Romania, but please consult your local doctor for more information.

12

MAP OF ROMANIA: WHERE WE WORK!

13

WILD CARPATHIA ADVENTURE SRL Office: str. Principală (DN2D), Postal Code: 627369 Lepșa village, Tulnici, Vrancea County Registered office: Str. Ion Creangă No. 12,Postal Code: 620083, Focșani Town, Vrancea County +40 337 109 662 +40 721 229 188 office@wildcarpathiaadventure.ro www.wildcarpathiaadventure.ro