Choose a direct experience of way of life in Transylvania – enlarge your perspective about the history of making the living by its local population during ancient times, but also the life philosophy and daily practices in our days in the remote areas of the Eastern Carpathians. This is a peaceful, spectacular countryside where life goes on nonchalant, in simplicity and perfect harmony of undisturbed nature.
Delve deeper in the wilderness areas to sense these connections and be the one who discover the undisclosed legacy of the last patches of virgin forests with bears and wolves making the rules, right here, in the center of Europe.
Come and capture the wonders of this place and merge in depth of its treasures enriching your cultural horizon.

[See image gallery at www.maramuresgreenways.ro] 8 days trip, with tour starting in Cluj – Napoca

Price: will be calculated according with the group size, please contact the tour operator

Package includes:  7 nights of accommodation in double/twin rooms, full board meal services for 8 days, guide and transportation throughout the holiday period with takeover from Cluj – Napoca, visitation fees at the cultural objectives, contribution for the conservation work of WWF in the visited areas.

Day 1: Cluj – Napoca the heart of Transylvania
Spiritual and economic capital of Transylvania, Cluj – Napoca is an important academic centre, the heart of multiculturalism and diversity of the area. You will get to know the city by a quick visual tour of its historic center and savor its flavor – a five course welcoming dinner hauling on identity and local specifics.
Accommodation and dinner at Grand Hotel in Cluj – Napoca,

Day 2: The white gold of the Transylvanian Plateau
Deposit of salt formations of the Transylvanian Plateau created with 13 million years ago, will be revealed to you by the salt mine of Turda. The salt extracted in this area was considered as a white gold for centuries and used as currency to pay for services and goods. Today, the salt mine is one of the main therapeutic center and tourist attraction visited by people all over the world. At 120 m. deep you will discover salt stalactites, a salt cascade and the underground lake hidden in the cone shaped mine with recreational areas bathing in wonderful plays of light. Heading north, we will stop for a delicious homemade lunch at a traditional guesthouse in Răzoare and an easy walk afterwards along the gorges of Lăpuș River to glimpse locals working the fields as well as endemic plants and wildlife of the Eastern Carpathians.
In the evening we’ll reach Baia Mare, accommodation and dinner at Hotel Mara with free entrance in SPA area of the hotel.

Day 3: Baia Mare – gem on the golden belt of the Carpathians
Famous for the gold deposits veiled in the surrounding mountains, the city of Baia Mare was one of the most important gold extraction and main mint in Transylvania and Hungary in the medieval period. We will start to discover its treasures at the Mineralogy museum starting from the geological processes forming the precious minerals, continuing with thousands of gems and crystals samples of scientific and aesthetic importance. The historic center is revealing the medieval city boundaries and its important buildings. We will visit: the butcher’s bastion, Fortress Square, St, Marton Church, Stephen’s Tower, Museum of Art hosting the creative work of landscape painters of the Baia Mare Painting School established in 1896, the former Black Eagle Inn. In the second part of the day, a presentation of the conservation work of WWF in Maramureş, will introduce the area that we are going to visit the next day.
We will enjoy a grilled outdoor lunch – in the city park and a relaxed dinner – in the old center of Baia Mare.
Accommodation and free entrance in SPA at Hotel Mara in Baia Mare.

Day 4: Virgin forests – the undisclosed legacy of the Carpathians
A special day, when we will discover old growth forests in the Țibles Mountains hosting the last giants of Maramureș – trees of 300 years and more, embracing steep slopes and massive rocks in old forests like 1000 years ago, with species of plants and animals long lost in other places in Europe. These forests nominated to be included in the UNESCO heritage, are one of the WWF’s conservation areas securing bear habitats. In the afternoon, a visit to the wildlife observatory will give us a glance of their work in the region.
A tasty picnic lunch served near a mineral water spring will introduce us to the savor of local food dishes.
Dinner and accommodation will be secured at the end of day at Hotel Roata in Cavnic.

Day 5: Culture of wood in Maramureş
This day will introduce you to the culture of wood which gave the identity of Maramureş – massive carved wooden gates, UNESCO heritage wooden church built in 1643 in Budești, peasant hydraulic devices – witnessing the local wisdom (built in wood) in Sârbi. Direct experience of traditional lifestyle will be guaranteed by the visit at the Opriș family’s fruit distillery and “horinca” (fruit brandy) tasting and the hat-maker living next door.
An enjoyable walk and nature photography session on flower filled hay meadows between the villages will help us understand how the cultural landscape is shaped by traditional farming.
After a delicious home made lunch prepared by the Țiplea family in Ocna Șugatag, we’ll spend the afternoon at Bârsana Monastery, an iconic place for tranquility and traditional architecture.
Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Grădina Morii in Sighetu Marmației.

 
Day 6: Reflections of recollections of the past
We will start the day by travelling along the Tisa River on the border area with Ukraine to Săpânța to witness the uniqueness of the Merry Cemetery where grave markers celebrate life with beautiful images and gentle wit. It is believed that a cheerful attitude in front of death was a Dacian custom, who believed in life after death, death being just a gate into another world.
In our way back, we will stop at the Memorial of the Victims of Communism, the museum established in the former political prison in Sighetu Marmației.  After a tasty lunch served in a traditional restaurant, you will have the chance to discover the historical center and free time for searching souvenirs in Sighetu Marmației – the former capital of Maramureş.
Late afternoon we will be heading for Vişeu de Sus, the main entrance point in the Maramureș Mountains Nature Park.
Dinner and accommodation will be secured in Vișeu de Sus at Hotel Gabriela.

Day 7: With the Mocănița Steam Train on Vaser Valley
The Vaser River is 62 kilometers long, forming a spectacular canyon-like valley which is the most important tourist attraction in the Maramureş Mountain Nature Park. The access point to the Vaser Valley is the town of Vișeu de Sus, which is also the starting point for “Mocănița” – the narrow gauge steam train, the only means of transportation in the valley. Built between 1930-1932 with the purpose of transporting wood, the train is still used for the original purpose, attracting tourists from all over the world.
In 2010 Vaser Valley narrow gauge railways was declared historical monument, a unique example of our technical cultural heritage and probably the last real forestry railway still operating with steam locos in Europe. In the morning we will embark on one of these trains and start our discovery tour heading to the green heart of the mountains. After 22 km of slow rolling with plenty time for photographing the astonishing landscape, we’ll stop at the Paltinu station and serve our lunch in open air. For those who love tracking, a thematic trail is waiting, climbing on the steep slopes in the old growth forest to a sight seeing point toward the Vaser Valley. After our return to Vișeu de Sus, we’ll be heading to Cluj – Napoca.
Dinner and accommodation in Cluj – Napoca at Grand Hotel.

Day 8: Cluj – Napoca historical center
We’ll spend the day with deepening our perspective on the history of Cluj – Napoca and its architecture carrying the memories of the place: the Matthias Corvinus House, the greatest king of Hungary borne at this place (1458 – 1490), Unirii Square, the Statue of King Matthias Corvinus and St. Michael’s Church, the most imposing gothic edifice of Transylvania, the Hintz House, now the Pharmacy History Collection where natural ingredients and potions from the medieval period are revealed, the Franciscan Church famous for its acoustics.
Optional: the Banffy Palace and the Art Museum.
Lunch break: in a restaurant in the centre of Cluj, before departure to the airport.

We donate 10% of sales of this package for nature protection activities of
WWF Romania Association.

This tour will lead you to the wilderness areas of the Carpathian Mountains, revealing the undisclosed legacy of the last patches of virgin forests with bears and wolves making the rules.

But also it will open a window to the archaic life in the remote villages with local history, life philosophy, culture and traditions organically linked to the forests sheltering them.
We invite you to see and capture the unique assets of place and merge in depth of these treasures and expand your cultural horizon.

Group size: min. 6, max. 10 persons.

Price: will be calculated according with the group size, please contact the tour operator

Package includes: a day trip to the virgin forests in Ţibles Mountains and wildlife observation in the evening, a two day cycling tour along the Mara and Cosău rivers, 3 days of trekking in the Maramureş and Rodnei Mountains, guidance and interpretation in English, bicycle renting for 2 days, contribution for the WWF’s conservation activity in Maramureş.

 
 Virgin forests and wildlife observationA day of tracking – dedicated for discovery of the virgin forests hosting the last giants of Maramureş in Ţibles Mountains – trees of 300 years and more, embracing steep slopes and massive rocks in  old forests like 1000 years ago, with species of plants and animals long lost in other places in Europe.
The region is famous for hosting the biggest population of brown bears, a true reservoir of wildlife.  It is the perfect place to deepen your knowledge related to bears: habitat preferences, food habits and behavior.
The brown bear has always been the subject for fascination for everybody whilst its image has found a place in our traditional customs and in the stories of local people who, throughout time, have learned to live close to it and respect it.
During your trip you should move in silence, and pay attention to the signs of the wildlife presence: footprints in mud or snow stool. Your guide will teach you to “read” the species type and their diet from these signs.
To enrich the experiences of the day, bear watching is programmed at the Baiuţ observatory, assisted by our experienced wildlife guides.

 
Two day cycling tour along the Mara and Cosău rivers
Itinerary of day 1: Breb – Budeşti – Sârbi – Călinești – Ocna Şugatag – Handal – BrebThis day will reveal the cultural heritage of Maramureş settled in a beautiful landscape scenery.
Highlights of the day: UNESCO heritage wooden church in Budeşti; peasant technical devices in Sârbi. The whirlpool, the fulling mill, the threshing machine, the flour mill, and the distillery in this complex are driven by the waters of the river Cosău and are used by the locals to wash and thicken the woollen fabrics, separate and grind grains, and make the local brandy; historic monument wooden church and traditional crafts in Călineşti; salted lakes in Ocna Şuhatag.
Distance of cycling/day: 25 km. on asphalt and country roads
Difficulty: from medium to low

Itinerary of day 2: Breb – Budeşti – Valea Mare – Gura Râielor – Schitul Roşia – back on the same way.
After passing Budeşti village, the gorgeous valley of Mare stream will make your day unforgettable. Surrounded by volcanic mountains cheerful clearings and grazing areas are opening the view along the road ascending to Roşia Monastery, a monastic settlement  built of wood and stone in traditional style of Maramureş.
Distance of cycling/day : 27 km. on asphalt road
Difficulty: medium

Highest peaks and wildernessin the Maramureş Mountains and Rodnei Mountains 3 days of tracking in the Eastern Carpathians
Itinerary of day 1: Tomnatecu Peak (1618 m.) – Natural Reserve Daffodils Glade TOMNATEC – SEHLEANU – Certina Peak (1184 m.) – Repedea;
6-7 hours; 15 km. of walk
accommodation in Crasna Vişeului at local guesthouse

Itinerary of day 2: Prislop Pass  (Prislop Inn  1413 m. ) – Fântâna Stanchii (1700 m.) – Tarniţa Bălăsânii (faunistic reserve) – Cearcănu Peak (1847 m.) – Prislop Pass
7 hour; 15 km. of walk
accommodation in Borşa – at local guesthouse

Itinerary of day 3 :  Borşa  –  Ştiol (1611 m.) – Lake Izvorul Bistriţei  (1690 m.) – Gărgălău Peak (2158 m.)  –  Şaua Cailor (1825 m.)  – Cailor waterfall – Borşa  
8 hours; 18 km. of walk
accommodation in Borşa – at local guesthouse.

We donate 10% of sales of this package for nature protection activities of
WWF Romania Association.

5 days, 4 nights with accommodation

Price:   280 EURO / trip  /person in Ocna Șugatag, in the heart of historical Maramureș

The package includes:
-4 nights with accommodation at a 3 star guesthouse with local specific
-half board – breakfast and dinner (the wine is included)
-3 guided trips at the protected areas from the Gutai Mountains which last a day each
-cheese tasting at the sheepfold
-wildlife observation equipment – binoculars
-transportation and specialized guide granted during trips

The package does not include:
-transportation to the destination
-personal expenses
We invite you in the Gutâi Mountains of Maramureș – a special and enigmatic place, different from those of other mountains, with plateaus of lava, volcanic cones, steep rocky walls with bizarre shapes which offer a lot of opportunities of wildlife observation and nature photography, tracking tours or the adventure of climbing the rocky walls.

Offer description
The program includes 3 thematic day tours in the protected areas from the Gutai Mountain, granting a memorable holyday:
1. The Rooster’s Crest and Chendroaiei Lakes. We will travel by car until we reach the altitude of 1000 m at the Gutâi Pass, then continue our journey by walking along the marked path which leads to the Rooster’s Crest, one of the most spectacular protected area from the region. The magnificent andesitic formations, declared natural monument in our time, are part of a volcanic crater that erupted nine million years ago. The summit area is a perfect sightseeing point for the historical Maramureș from where you can watch the birds of prey flying above the meadows and beech forests in the deep valleys. From here we will descend to the Chendroaiei Lakes – priority conservation area situated at 1043 meters altitude, hosting carnivorous plants, relict species form the glacial era.

2.The Morărenilor Lake. A day tour for photographing the rural life integrated in nature – we will start our track from our lodging following the marked paths from the back side of the Gutâi Mountain. We will hike the narrow streets from Breb village, enjoying the archaic atmosphere of the households with beautiful orchards and carefully worked gardens. Leaving the village behind we’ll cross the perfumed sunny hayfields intercalated by clusters of hazel and alder trees, ascending to the higher wooded area which offers shelter to the abundant wildlife that resides here. At an altitude of 882 meters, hidden after a hill, the Morărenilor Lake awaits us, a lake at its early stage of development to mire. This is a rare habitat in Romania, conserved in natural conditions which shelters plants characteristic for wet areas.

3. Tătarului Gorges and Poiana Brazilor. The first part of the trip will be done by car, passing through the villages along the Mara river valley, climbing to its catchment area. Our first stop will be at the Tătarului Gorges Nature Reserve, which has a unique genesis in the whole country being shaped by the swift waters of the Brazilor River which crumble upon the andesitic volcanic stones. The spruce forest on the steep rocks hides a very rare species of luminescence moose Schistostega pennata. Because of the insufficient light the steep rocky walls are tapestries of green – yellow colour lichens, being the perfect nesting place for the rock thrush and kestrels, vulnerable bird species found in few places in Romania. Reaching the Igniș plateau we will continue our journey by foot with a brake at the sheepfold as our halting place. With renewed power after the cheese tasting we will leave to Poiana Brazilor following the easy path which crosses the sunny mountain meadows and shaded forest strips above 1000 m altitude. Declared Nature Monument, Poiana Brazior is a forested swamp situated in the upper catchments of Brazilor River. Here is the lowest altitude in Romania (970 m) where the juniper tree is present and this area is interpreted as a relict placement.

7 days trip

Price:  from  768 EURO  / trip / person (depending on group size)

Package includes: 6 nights of accommodation in 3 star (***) classified rural pensions, full meal services, visitor fees, lessons from craftsmen’s, meal at sheepfold, guide and transportation throughout the holiday period with the takeover from Baia Mare, photos / video of the vacation on DVD.

10% discount is given for children up to 12 years.

Package does not include: souvenirs, drinks and personal expenses.

Day 1 . Step back in time – from modern Baia Mare to the historical Maramureş. You will get to know the city of Baia Mare – important cultural, historic and mining center, with a history of over 700 years. Then you will pass the Gutâi Mountains towards historical Maramureş, experiencing a strange phenomenon, a fraction of road where the car goes up the hill with stopped engine, on the fracture line of the former volcano –mountain that now is declared a protected area of European interest.

Day 2 . History of Maramureș carved in wood. You will visit the Cosău River Valley that is one of the best preserved areas with traditional architecture. Households here keep both the wooden constructions as well as the usage of peasant technical tools made from the same material. The massive carved wooden gates are true architectural jewels of folk art and are considered a regional symbol of identity. In Budești, you will visit the UNESCO heritage wooden church, sheltering the mail shirt of Pintea the Brave. In the small settlement Mănăstirea, you will find one of the smallest wooden churches, built from a single oak wood.

Day 3 . Birds of prey and carnivorous plants on the dormant volcano. You will hike to the Rooster Crest Nature Reserve that is the most spectacular protected area in the region, declared natural monument as well. The andesitic rock formations, shaped like roosters crest is part of the volcanic cone that erupted with nine million years ago. It is the perfect sight-seeing point towards the historical Maramureș and to observe birds of prey flying over the mosaic landscape of meadows and beech forests. In the company of one of our guides you will discover the spectacular volcanic landscape, and learn about the geological processes that occurred 9 million years ago and observe current evolution that allows the survival of tiny carnivorous plants – the ice age relict species.

Day 4 . Salt baths and old forests. A day of relaxation: reinvigorating at Ocna Șugatag with salt baths and massages, followed by a refreshing walk in the nearby Crăiască forest reserve. You will get acquainted with local products from herbs and berries harvested from the ecologically clean regions. These natural handmade remedies are famous for increasing one’s life force, and for treatment of various diseases.

Day 5 . Taste of the freshly prepared cheese at the sheepfold. A wonderful opportunity to discover another face of Maramureș: the traditional activities that enriches and modeling the landscape. You will have the opportunity to experience the life at the sheepfold, taste freshly prepared cheese and learn the secrets of living in the vicinity of large carnivores, accounted by shepherds.

Day 6 . Crafts and handicrafts. Spend your day with local craftsmen’s and artisans and learn to create products bearing the identity of the region: “zgardane” the local traditional jewelries, the small Maramureș hat, wool clothing and small wooden carvings. In addition to the products, you will have the opportunity to take home the regional stories about these objects – enriching your memories of an unforgettable holiday.

Day 7 .The journey ends – but the experience remains. Return to Baia Mare through the Gutâi pass, at 1,000 m altitude – a stop at monument of Pintea the Brave and at the Virgin Stone – the perfect sight- seeing point towards the forests of Gutâi Mountains, the green gold of these lands.

5 days, 4 nights with accommodation

 Price:   435 EURO /trip / person being hosted in Ocna Șugatag, in the heart of historical Maramureș

Included services:
-4 nights with accommodation at a 3 star guesthouse with local specific
-half board – breakfast and dinner (the wine is included)
-campfire
-3 thematic trips
-transport with 4×4 cars or microbus, depending on the number of the group and a specialized guide guaranteed during the trips

Services not included:
-transportation to the destination
-the entry fee at the churches and for the pool with saline water
-other personal expenses

We invite you in an exclusive holiday with interactive program for groups from 6 to 12 persons to experiment the rural life, traditional cuisine,  learn about the wooden churches and the carved symbols of the wooden gates from Maramureș and delight yourself with an escape in nature and relaxing in the salty water pools.

The generous time allocated for the visiting experiences, complete quality assistance, planned in the smallest detail – offers a perfect vacation adapted to the needs of the golden age.

Offer description

The programme includes 3 thematic day tours that makes the difference for your memorable holiday:

1. The Churches and Wooden Gates from the Cosău Valley. The Cosău Valley is one of the few well preserved areas with traditional architecture from the Historic Maramureș where the households keep not only the wooden houses but also the peasant hydraulic devices made from the same material and the massive gates carved in wood that are a symbol of this place’s identity. We will make our first stop in the Budești village where we will visit the UNESCO heritage wooden church, built 1643 which hosts the chain shirt of the local outlaw Pintea the Brave. Afterwards we will start a short walk along the villages’ alleyways to find out more about the history, the rituals and the symbolism of the wooden gates which are meant to protect both the household and its owners. We will then travel to Sârbi, the village which hosts the hydraulic complex with whirlpools, mills and filling devices still used even today by the locals. We will end the trip with a peaceful afternoon at the Bârsana Monastery.

2. Old growth forest and salty baths in Ocna Șugatag. We will visit together the saline lakes near Ocna Șugatag formed as a result of collapsing the salt mines that were operating in the period of the Austro-Hungarian domination. Afterwards we will follow the mild paths of the Pădurea Craiască Nature Reserve situated close by, which shelters secular oak and larch species with a venerable age between 180 and 200 years old and a bird population with an unusual density. Our guide will give you genuine information about the characteristics and healing effects of those trees. We will finish our trip with a relaxing bath in the heated pools with salty waters from Ocna Șugatag being prepared for an abundant dinner around the campfire.

3. Cultural Tour on the Mara Valley. On this day you will find out more about the biblical teachings illustrated in the paintings of the UNESCO monument wooden church in Desești, the manufacture of the traditional jewelry and the wood and glass painting techniques from the area. We will travel along the Mara Valley through Harnicesti and our first stop will be at Desești where we will visit the wooden church built in 1770 which is named after Saint Parascheva. Then we will follow the course of river Mara stopping in the smallest village named Mănăstirea. Here we will visit Pălăguța Bârlea, the one who will show us the art of hand making a range variety of traditional jewelry. After this we will walk to the wooden church, the smallest in Maramureș made from the wood of a single oak tree in the XIVth century. From here we will depart to Vadu Izei at the workshop of Ioan Borlean where the icons so famous in the houses of Maramureș receive life.