The staff of Professional Team are specialists
in Carpathian Large Carnivore observation. We have been
taking foreign visitors to watch bears at special observatories,
and trekking on mountain paths that offer excellent wildlife
viewing, for a number of years. We are often able to
observe red deer in the rutting season (15 September
- 15 October), capercaillie during their mating season
(April - May), and chamois on the high ridges of the
Carpathian Mountains.
Because bears can be dangerous at close quarters,
we will be accompanied by a Ranger at bear watching locations.
In order to minimise the impact on the wildlife we require a minimum
of three persons and maximum of eight persons per evening. We will
leave the bear watching hide to return to the guesthouse before
sunset. These bears are truly wild and we have a 70 - 75% chance
of seeing them at the hides. However we cannot guarantee sightings!
When hiking on unmarked paths we will be accompanied
by Rangers from the Piatra Craiului National Park.
The trainers of the Professional Team Company
are members of the Zarnesti Mountain Rescue Team and Romanian Ski-Climbing
Federation. We are professionals certified by the Romanian Mountain
Guides Associations and we have considerable experience in training
teenagers.
We are authorised by the Romanian Ministry of
Tourism - National Tourism Authority as “Local Guides” (certificate
no. 2295/2005) and “Mountain Guide” (certificate no.
2467/2005). At all times during our adventure activities special
attention is given to safety aspects and procedures.
Essential equipment and clothing needed
Besides ordinary travelling clothes you will also need: a small backpack, comfortable
walking boots with good ankle support, water bottle, waterproof jacket and
warm sweater, sunglasses, sunscreen and sun hat.
Medical and Health Requirements
To the best of our knowledge the Romanian Government does not currently require
you to have any special vaccinations. Please consult your family doctor (G.P.)
before your visit to Romania. All our activities imply physical effort, walking
long distances at medium and high altitudes and possibly climbing. Please
check with your doctor if your health allows you to participate! Participants
must be at least 10 years old. Participants under
age must have parents’ written agreement.
You must have travel insurance which must include:
- Accident and medical treatment
- Medical repatriation
- Loss of or theft of baggage, personal belongings, money, credit cards, etc.
- Cancellation, curtailment or change to programme
You must ensure that your insurance is suitable
for adventure activities such as: climbing, abseiling, horse riding,
skiing, high altitude hiking, or any other activity as specified
in the programme itinerary.
"EXPERT IN WILDLIFE" WINTER ITINERARY
It can be quite easy to get near to wildlife in
winter. We will travel by cross-country ski or snow-shoes, exploring
areas frequented by wild animals at this time of the year. Skis
and snow-shoes are essential in winter in the Piatra Craiului area
as we usually have deep snow.
We will explore wild forest habitats and sleep one night at a
hunting lodge in the forest in the vicinity of bears and wolves.
Accommodation is rustic and simple with shared bedrooms, no running
water, and an outside toilet. You must bring a good sleeping bag
and sleep mat.
We will visit the last remaining virgin forest in the Piatra Craiului
National Park. At the end of the week we will visit the most interesting
historic site in the Barsa Country: Bran Castle (mythically linked
with Dracula), as well as Rasnov Fortress and the old fortified
city of Brasov. For wildlife conservation reasons, we must be a
minimum of three persons and maximum of eight each day.
First day:
- meet at guesthouse
- visit Zarnesti and Coltii Chiliilor monastery
Second day:
08.30 - meet at guesthouse
09.10 - exploring a large carnivore area in the Piatra
Craiului National Park
11.30 - visit a traditional sheepfold at Curmatura. Picnic
lunch on route
13.00 - exploring the habitat of the chamois
16.30 - return to guesthouse
Third day:
08.30 - meet at guesthouse
09.20 - walking large carnivore trails in the virgin forests
of the Piatra Craiului National Park. Picnic lunch on route
16.30 - return to Zarnesti
Fourth day:
08.30 - meet at guesthouse
09.00 - walking large carnivore trails in the forests of
the Barsa Valley. Picnic lunch on route
17.00 - accommodation at forest hunting lodge
18.00 - wildlife observation
Fifth day:
6.00 - wildlife observation
08.00 - sandwich breakfast
08.30 - walking large carnivore trails in the forests of
the Barsa Valley. Picnic lunch on route
17.00 - return to guesthouse
Sixth day:
Cultural progremme
08.00 - breakfast
08.45 - visits by minibus to Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress
and the old fortified Brasov city. Picnic lunch on route
16.30 - return to guesthouse
17.00 - barbeque
Seventh day:
08.00 - breakfast
09.00 - depart
Price: 729 EURO per person
Includes: full-board accommodation at a three star guesthouse
for 5 nights, specialised wildlife and mountain guides, fees charged
for walking in the forest to make wildlife observations, and all
local transport. Not included are hire fees for cross-country skis
or snow shoes. If you don’t have your own, we can provide
these for hire. All persons in the team should have similar equipment.
On one night we will sleep at a hunting lodge in the forest in
simple, rustic accommodation with shared bedrooms, no running water,
and an outside toilet. You must bring a good sleeping bag and sleep
mat.
