4.8

Hiking and Bear Watching in Romania

  • Romania
  • 3 nights

Head into the Carpathian Mountains to hike wild trails, scout for brown bears and explore a legendary castle

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with local, English-speaking guides
  • Hotel3 nights in a boutique hotel
  • Meals3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
  • TransfersTo and from the airport and everything in between
  • PermitsEntrance fees to Bran Castle and the Libearty Bear Sanctuary
  • Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From…excluding flights

Highlights

  • Hike to an isolated hide in the Carpathians – home to 60% of Europe’s brown bear population – to see these incredible creatures in the wild

  • Visit a pioneering sanctuary which rehomes and rehabilitates formerly captive bears in a beautiful and inspiring setting

  • Bed down in a characterful boutique hotel in the bustling town of Brasov and explore Bran Castle, the medieval stronghold also known as Castle Dracula

  • The perfect adventurous long weekend combining hikes, history and memorable wildlife encounters

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Brasov

    Hotel
    Twin share
    Show Day 1 detail

    Arrive in Brasov and be transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of this beautiful city. Brasov is a fantastic base for a trip, a cosmopolitan and lively place with an alluring blend of ancient and modern.

    Day 2

    Hike the Carpathians and head to the bear hide

    Hiking
    3-4hrs · 300m up · 300m down
    Wildlife Watching
    3hrs
    Hotel
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Grab an early breakfast today before taking a short drive through the scenic Transylvanian countryside to the base of the Piatra Craiului mountains. Set off for a hike, and take in wonderful views over the Carpathians. Head back to Brasov and tuck in to some tasty lunch before a little free time to explore or relax before heading off bear watching. You'll drive to a remote trailhead at the edge of a forest and hike in (for around 20 minutes) to reach an elevated bear hide, tucked away on the edge of a clearing. Settle in and keep your fingers crossed for bears entering the clearing. The hide is ethically run by the local wildlife authority and is similar to a treehouse, so you are in the perfect spot to view the bears from the best and safest vantage point, should they show up. If you’re lucky you might even see cubs! Head back to Brasov for a late dinner to toast an epic day.

    Day 3

    Visit a pioneering bear sanctuary, plus more Carpathian capers

    Hiking
    3hrs · 250m up
    Wildlife Watching
    1.5hrs
    Hotel
    Twin share
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    This morning, you'll drive to Zarnesti, the site of an inspiring animal welfare project – Europe's largest of any kind. The Libearty Bear Sanctuary has been a beacon for change over the past two decades, as the founders campaigned to end bear captivity across Romania and to re-home and rehabilitate formerly captive bears. Many of these bears had been kept in awful conditions, but are now living in 70 beautifully forested hectares at the foothills of the Carpathians. You'll take a private guided tour around the sanctuary, walking the trails between enclosures and watching the bears swimming and playing together a short distance from you (the sanctuary is fenced). The sanctuary limits visitor numbers to give the bears space and peace for the majority of the day; your visit offers financial support and helps the sanctuary continue their important work. Afterwards, you'll head to the trailhead for your second hike of the trip in another part of the Carpathian Mountains. Postavaru Mountain is another stunning natural setting where you can take in the lush green valleys, fresh mountain air and sweeping views of the Carpathians. You'll be back in Brasov in the late afternoon, where you could grab a beer in the square to watch the light fade before sampling another restaurant for dinner.

  4. Day 4

    Last day in Brasov and visit Dracula's Castle

    Breakfast and lunch included
    Show Day 4 detail

    You'll have some free time this morning before you head to the legendary Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle, with its blood-red turrets, eerie rooms and creepy reputation. Enjoy a farewell lunch here before your trip comes to an end. Your host will transfer you to Brasov Airport in time for your onward flight later today. Those leaving on afternoon flights will head to the airport straight away and those leaving later in the evening can soak up a few more sights in Brasov before the adventure ends.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV)
Pick up
Brasov Airport
Any time on Day 1
Drop off
Brasov Airport
From 15:00 on Day 4

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

Your adventure begins at Brasov Airport with a transfer to your city hotel. Your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. If you’re not able to take a transfer on day 1, you can book any flight and easily get to your accommodation via a 15-minute taxi from the airport which costs £7-9. Your host can also organise a private taxi for you, please see the Optional Extras section. You will formally meet your guide and fellow adventurers early on day 2.

At the end of your adventure, you will be dropped back at Brasov Airport in time for any flight departing from 16:30 on day 4; the final day of the trip. Those leaving on an afternoon flight will head to the airport straight after lunch. If you have an evening flight, you are able to leave your luggage at the hotel's reception in the morning and you'll be dropped back in Brasov after lunch for some free time before your airport transfer later on in the day. If you wish to extend your stay beyond day 4, private transfers are available at additional cost on a request basis. Please see the 'Optional Extras' section for details and contact your host in advance if you'd like to request this service.

If you are travelling to Romania and coming in via Bucharest, your host can also arrange private transfers from Bucharest to Brasov to meet up with the trip. Please see Optional Extras for prices. Alternatively, there are regular direct trains between Bucharest and Brasov which take 2.5-3.5 hours and cost RON30-85 (approx. £5-£15).

Travel options

Brasov Airport is a newly opened airport in 2023, and currently has a limited network of routes. There are direct flights to Brasov Airport from Luton Airport in the UK and Munich in Germany, which connects well with various major international hubs in Europe and North America. If you can't find a flight into Brasov which suits you, you will likely find a wider variety of routes and times into Bucharest – you can then request a private transfer from Bucharest Airport to Brasov with your host. See Optional Extras.

Trip level explained

Level 1

Easy

This trip is suitable for anyone in reasonably good condition and capable of hiking for 3-4 hours a day. The hikes are no longer than three hours in duration, and the hike to the bear hide is roughly 25 minutes in each direction. The elevation gain on the hikes is around 250m up and down, so there is nothing too strenuous for anyone with average fitness levels.

Wildlife Factors To Consider

This trip visits locations where wild animals are present in a natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some wild animals may be predatory in nature, poisonous, venomous or otherwise can be considered dangerous in a close encounter. Wild animals by their nature are unpredictable and visitors to their habitat should follow the safety instructions given by their local guide(s) and/or any signage present. It is a privilege to see wild animals in a natural environment and an experience that should be respectfully conducted at all times.

Remote environment: factors to consider

Some parts of this trip take place in areas where access to medical facilities and emergency services may be limited. This may mean that reaching medical care takes longer than you might normally expect, or that local medical facilities have fewer resources than those you may be used to at home.

If someone becomes unwell or injured, initial treatment may be provided locally before onward travel to a larger hospital or city for further care. Evacuation could involve changing the planned route or using different forms of transport to reach appropriate medical facilities. Mobile phone coverage may also be intermittent in some locations.

Your guide is trained to manage situations in remote environments and will monitor the group and respond appropriately if any issues arise. However, it’s important that you let your guide know straight away if you feel unwell or experience any health concerns during the trip.

Before booking, consider your personal health and ability to travel in locations where access to medical care may be delayed. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, we recommend seeking advice from a medical professional and discussing them with your host before travelling.

All travellers must have suitable travel insurance that covers the activities included in the trip and emergency medical evacuation if required.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

  • 3hr bear watching session
  • Visit to the pioneering Libearty Bear Sanctuary
  • Guided hike in the Southern Carpathians
  • Guided hike around Postavaru Mountain
  • Visit to Bran Castle, aka 'Dracula's Castle'

  • Expert, local, English-speaking guides

  • 3 nights in a boutique hotel

All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:

  • 3 buffet style breakfasts
  • 3 tasty lunches
  • 2 restaurant dinners

  • Arrival transfer from Brasov Airport on Day 1
  • Departure transfer to Brasov Airport on Day 4
  • Transfers during the trip

  • Entrance fees to Bran Castle and the Libearty Bear Sanctuary

Where You'll Stay

Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.

Prinz Gregor Hotel Standard Twin Room, Bucharest, Romania, Host Image Truly Romania

Brasov

Stay

Brasov

Your base for the trip is in the beautiful and bustling city of Brasov. You’ll spend three nights in a boutique hotel near the main square – usually this will be Prinz Gregor, Muzica or Casa Wagner, depending on availability. All hotels are housed in historical buildings with modern amenities, excellent service, and lots of character.

What You'll Eat

Romanian food is hearty, flavourful and heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries. Most traditional meals start with a soup, often made with meat, vegetables or fish. Sausages are also popular, as well as meat and vegetable pies, goulash, stuf…

Food and Dietary info

Romanian food is hearty, flavourful and heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries. Most traditional meals start with a soup, often made with meat, vegetables or fish. Sausages are also popular, as well as meat and vegetable pies, goulash, stuffed cabbage rolls and cheeses. Breakfasts are included at your hotel – these are buffet-style offering meats, cheeses, breads, cereals, pastries, juices and hot drinks. You have three dinners included in Brasov at one of your host's favourite restaurants, including chances to sample traditional Romanian food. You have one lunch in Brasov and one at Bran Castle included – these are taken at restaurants selected by your host. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.

Optional Extras

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation

Extra night in Brasov (Single, Twin or Double)
…

Upgrades

Optional Private Room Upgrade
…

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge – see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

Transfers

Brasov Airport Transfer One Way Per Car (1-3 people)
…
Brasov Airport Transfer One Way Per Car (4-8 people)
…
Bucharest Airport Transfer One Way Per Car (1-3 people)
…
Bucharest Airport Transfer One Way Per Car (4-8 people)
…

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

4.8207 reviews
  • 1 star (0)

Category rating

Food
4.0
Guides & crew
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Itinerary
5.0

Latest Reviews

  • Alison B.

    I absolutely loved this trip. It was really well organised from start to finish and being part of a small group is great for solo travellers. We were unlucky with the weather but that didn't stop it being a great trip. We saw 2 bars from the bear hide which was amazing and spent a lot of time with our excellent guide at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary. A very special place. The hikes were good but both were affected by the weather making some parts of both hikes anything but 'Easy' level with slippy rocks and tree roots on thin paths. Not MBAs fault but alternatives could have been offered and the difficult terrain mentioned before to allow people to choose to go on the hikes or not. That's my only downside and as I say driven by the weather. Overall a brilliant trip and I'm definitely going to go again!

  • Stephen A.

    This is a great tour for anyone reasonably fit and with a desire to see a beautiful, largely unspoilt country and its wildlife. The bear hide was atmospheric and our group was treated to two bears. The bear sanctuary was emotional and uplifting. A forecast storm required a route change for one of the two hikes to avoid being caught in the open. Bran Castle is a local "must see" place but very busy with tourists & trinket stalls! Brasov town is clean, beautiful and lively with good places to eat and drink. A truly memorable experience shared with a wonderful group of people including Dragos (guide) & Marius (organiser).

  • CLAUDINE M.

    Great time on this trip. Really well organised. The hikes were beautiful (one much longer than the other). We saw three bears from the hide which felt very special. The work the bear sanctuary does is amazing and so many bears!!! Accommodation was comfortable with a good breakfast selection. Guides were great.

  • Alexander W.

    Romania is a beautiful country, still very wild which just makes it an amazing place to visit. We missed out on seeing wild bears on the first night, but our guide,Alin, rejigged the itinerary and organized a second night where we did see a lot of wild bears! Will definitely be visiting Romania again. Thank you again to the guides Alin and Lucian for making the experience amazing.

  • Jane S.

    Fantastic trip with great people and Alin our fabulous guide. Knowledgeable, fun and always ensuring we were ok. We saw two bears in the hide, and the liberty sanctuary was inspiring. Our adopted bear Jean is on our wall and it’s great to check in on the webcam. Hiking was fab, rained out a little on the second hike But would love to go back and see the views we couldn’t see!

  • Simon T.

    We had such a great trip. Brasov was a lovely town, with a great selection of bars, coffee shops and restaurants. We were incredibly lucky to see bears as soon as we arrived in the hide and the visit to the Libearty sanctuary was wonderful. And above all, Alin was the perfect guide, knowledgeable and entertaining and always alert to the needs and requirements of the group. We would wholeheartedly recommend the trip!

  • Sharondeep J.

    Perfect long weekend

  • Konstantina P.

    This short adventure was perfect to recharge our batteries with nature, wildlife and good food. Alin and Lucian were great guides showing us great local food and sharing wonderful insights along the way about Romania, Brasov and bears. The highlight was seeing the bears from the bear hide but the hike through the alpine valley of Poiana was also breathtaking.

  • Amanda H.

    This was our first time in Romania and we had a lovely few days exploring the area. Alin, our guide went out of his way to make sure the trip ran smoothly, he was informative in talking about the history and culture of the area, and arranged a variety of restaurants so that we could sample local cuisine. The highlight for us was seeing bears in the wild, although we didn’t see any the first evening, Alin arranged a second evening at another bear hide and we were luckily enough to see 3 bears. The bear sanctuary was also interesting and we were able to see bears closer up The scenery is spectacular, with snow cover mountains in the distance. We personally did not enjoy the trip to Bran Castle, it’s very touristy, and busy, although it could apparently get much busier in the summer. We would have preferred a different activity for the last morning, but that just a personal preference. All in all a really good trip and would definitely recommend it.

  • Sam G.

    From start to finish, this trip was perfectly organised and I felt so comfortable from the very moment I landed. Our guide was so knowledgeable and so friendly! Considering we had to cram so much in over a short period of time, it never felt too rushed and we had plenty of free time to explore at our own pace which was great! All in all, I had an amazing time and I’ll definitely be travelling with Much Better Adventures in the future :D

Customer Photos

4.8207 reviews
  • 5 stars (164)
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  • 2 stars (1)
  • 1 star (0)
Showing all 207 reviews

  • Great bear adventure!

    Alison B. June 2026
    I absolutely loved this trip. It was really well organised from start to finish and being part of a small group is great for solo travellers. We were unlucky with the weather but that didn't stop it being a great trip. We saw 2 bars from the bear hide which was amazing and spent a lot of time with our excellent guide at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary. A very special place. The hikes were good but both were affected by the weather making some parts of both hikes anything but 'Easy' level with slippy rocks and tree roots on thin paths. Not MBAs fault but alternatives could have been offered and the difficult terrain mentioned before to allow people to choose to go on the hikes or not. That's my only downside and as I say driven by the weather. Overall a brilliant trip and I'm definitely going to go again!

  • Three Special Days

    Stephen A. May 2026
    This is a great tour for anyone reasonably fit and with a desire to see a beautiful, largely unspoilt country and its wildlife. The bear hide was atmospheric and our group was treated to two bears. The bear sanctuary was emotional and uplifting. A forecast storm required a route change for one of the two hikes to avoid being caught in the open. Bran Castle is a local "must see" place but very busy with tourists & trinket stalls! Brasov town is clean, beautiful and lively with good places to eat and drink. A truly memorable experience shared with a wonderful group of people including Dragos (guide) & Marius (organiser).

  • Great time on this trip.

    CLAUDINE M. May 2026
    Great time on this trip. Really well organised. The hikes were beautiful (one much longer than the other). We saw three bears from the hide which felt very special. The work the bear sanctuary does is amazing and so many bears!!! Accommodation was comfortable with a good breakfast selection. Guides were great.

  • Amazing adventure, amazing guides

    Alexander W. May 2026
    Romania is a beautiful country, still very wild which just makes it an amazing place to visit. We missed out on seeing wild bears on the first night, but our guide,Alin, rejigged the itinerary and organized a second night where we did see a lot of wild bears! Will definitely be visiting Romania again. Thank you again to the guides Alin and Lucian for making the experience amazing.

  • A great trip

    Jane S. May 2026
    Fantastic trip with great people and Alin our fabulous guide. Knowledgeable, fun and always ensuring we were ok. We saw two bears in the hide, and the liberty sanctuary was inspiring. Our adopted bear Jean is on our wall and it’s great to check in on the webcam. Hiking was fab, rained out a little on the second hike But would love to go back and see the views we couldn’t see!

  • Great trip!

    Simon T. May 2026
    We had such a great trip. Brasov was a lovely town, with a great selection of bars, coffee shops and restaurants. We were incredibly lucky to see bears as soon as we arrived in the hide and the visit to the Libearty sanctuary was wonderful. And above all, Alin was the perfect guide, knowledgeable and entertaining and always alert to the needs and requirements of the group. We would wholeheartedly recommend the trip!

  • Perfect long weekend

    Sharondeep J. May 2026
    Perfect long weekend

  • Wonderful wild Brasov

    Konstantina P. May 2026
    This short adventure was perfect to recharge our batteries with nature, wildlife and good food. Alin and Lucian were great guides showing us great local food and sharing wonderful insights along the way about Romania, Brasov and bears. The highlight was seeing the bears from the bear hide but the hike through the alpine valley of Poiana was also breathtaking.

  • Great place to visit for a short break

    Amanda H. April 2026
    This was our first time in Romania and we had a lovely few days exploring the area. Alin, our guide went out of his way to make sure the trip ran smoothly, he was informative in talking about the history and culture of the area, and arranged a variety of restaurants so that we could sample local cuisine. The highlight for us was seeing bears in the wild, although we didn’t see any the first evening, Alin arranged a second evening at another bear hide and we were luckily enough to see 3 bears. The bear sanctuary was also interesting and we were able to see bears closer up The scenery is spectacular, with snow cover mountains in the distance. We personally did not enjoy the trip to Bran Castle, it’s very touristy, and busy, although it could apparently get much busier in the summer. We would have preferred a different activity for the last morning, but that just a personal preference. All in all a really good trip and would definitely recommend it.

  • Hiking and Bear Watching in Romania

    Sam G. April 2026
    From start to finish, this trip was perfectly organised and I felt so comfortable from the very moment I landed. Our guide was so knowledgeable and so friendly! Considering we had to cram so much in over a short period of time, it never felt too rushed and we had plenty of free time to explore at our own pace which was great! All in all, I had an amazing time and I’ll definitely be travelling with Much Better Adventures in the future :D

  • Great short break, exceeded expectations

    Nicholas G. April 2026
    This was a great short break that exceeded our expectations. Firstly Brasov is a lovely City with plenty to see & do. Very neat & clean, good restaurants & cafés & people are pleasant. Enjoyed the 2 hikes which were varied & not too testing ( would have liked them to be a bit longer). The evening bear watching was very special, we were lucky to see 2 bears from the hide. Libearty Bear Sanctuary was excellent & we have checked their web camera every day since our return. Bran Castle was a bit of an Enigma but still an enjoyable visit. Our host / guide, Alin, was nothing short of superb. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable & chose great lunchtime & evening restaurants. ( We did arrive a day early which gave us more time to explore Brasov)

  • A very happy Bear Day in Braslov

    Brigitta N. April 2026
    Fantastic long weekend in Braslov with pretty hikes in woodland and Alpine meadows. We were lucky and had 3 bear sightings and some of the group found a fresh paw print in the alpine meadow. Alin was a fantastic guide and really looked after us.

  • So many bears

    Josephine P. April 2026
    Such a great trip. Well organised, Alin was great and we saw so many bears 🐻

  • Beautiful adventure

    Kate S. April 2026
    It was a really lovely trip. Unfortunately we didn't see wild bears but the trip to the sanctuary was great (some very sad stories but amazing work being done to help the bears). The hikes were beautiful and I wish I could of stayed longer to see more. Romania was an amazing place to visit and the hotel and restaurants were great.

  • Lovely long weekend in Brastov

    Philippa S. October 2025
    Would completely recommend, Brastov is a really interesting place and Alin our guide was really informative and friendly explaining about his culture and heritage. We saw a wild bear and visiting the sanctuary was really special. Bran's castle was also really interesting just expect it to be a tourist hotspot. Loved that our meals were included and we got to sample local dishes, my favourite was their donut with sour cream and sour plum jam!

  • Amazing adventure

    Paul V. October 2025
    Seeing a wild bear has long been a dream of mine. This trip provided that, along with trekking through unmissable scenery, great company and an amazing local guide Alin. His knowledge of Romanian history, legend, folklore and customs was fascinating. The bear sanctuary visit was very moving; it was good to see so much care being given to the rescued bears. This was my second trip with MBA and both have been exceptionally well organised. A highly recommended tour. Looking forward to my next adventure!

  • review

    Cem S. October 2025
    It was amazing, thank you very much Much Better Adventures!

  • My second MBA trip and

    Anne V. October 2025
    My second MBA trip and it was fantastic. Excellent organisation from start to finish and Alin the guide was amazing. The hiking was easy going with stunning scenery and of course it was a joy to see a bear in the wild.

  • Great trip thanks!

    Abi T. October 2025
    Great trip thanks!

  • Bear and Hiking Romania

    Denise G. October 2025
    Great holiday, full 3 days our guide Alin is so knowledgeable, informative and kind The itinerary was full with varied experiences Hotel was 3 star with a good selection of breakfast goodies

  • A lovely introduction to Romania

    Bethan W. October 2025
    This was my first visit to Romania. I am returning home feeling refreshed and relaxed from the beautiful scenery, fresh air, great company and lovely food. Our guide Dragos was wonderful. He clearly loves his country and his enthusiasm was infectious. I learned a lot, saw a lot and made some new memories. Sometimes on tours you feel like a herd of sheep, but Dragos was part of the group but also stayed a few steps ahead thinking about what we might be needing next. Everything was handled seamlessly. Thanks also to Christina and Matei for the stories and fun. And to Marius for organising the trip and helping me with my Bucharest plans.

  • Hiking & Bear watching

    Jeanette M. October 2025
    Lovely hotel in centre of Braşov. We had mini suite, with 2 large bedrooms, and a small hallway! The beds were comfortable, and there was a kettle in the room. We were ally the back of the hotel, so it was quiet. The guide was very good, and knowledgeable. He was very helpful, and the experience was great. It’s lovely to go on holiday with like minded people.

  • Amazing trip!

    Mia F. September 2025
    Awesome trip with lovely people! Alin our guide was fantastic, knowledgable, and friendly. The mix of hikes, bears and free time was perfect and the shared meal times were fun. Would definitely recommend!

  • Amazing first trip!

    Emma C. September 2025
    I had an amazing time and would 100% recommend this trip! Our guide Alin was brilliant, giving us lots of local history and info throughout the whole weekend. He made sure that the group set the pace for the hikes and activities, and provided the perfect balance of planned activities and free time. The planned hikes provided the most stunning views of Brasov and the mountains, and the bear experiences were incredible. A great way to meet new people and try new things!

  • Excellent trip

    Melanie J. September 2025
    Our group of 10 people were well coordinated by our guide Alin who chose 2 lovely hikes for us and excellent restaurants including local Romanian feats at 2 restaurants in particular. We did see 2 bears 'in the wild' from the bear hide which was amazing.

  • Excellent trip and guide! Would

    Kay N. September 2025
    Excellent trip and guide! Would 100% recommend this to others, the hikes and timings were tailed to our group to give the very best experience. Felt like a great balance of activity and free time and our guide was superb. Would also recommend tagging on a few days in Bucharest as really easy to get the train through to Brasov.

  • Awesome weekend

    Benjamin H. September 2025
    Im going to keep this short and sweet. The weekend was awesome. The guides, Dragos, his wife (and team member) Christina, and their Son, all spoke perfect English and lead us on our weekend of adventures. Seeing the bears in their natural environment was an amazing experience. Hiking was probably harder than anticipated at times but still great fun and enjoyable. Meeting others from across the UK was great too, with lots of funny stories whilst getting to know one another. I'd definitely recommend this trip and actually have done to some of my family and friends.

  • Hiking and Bear Watching Brasov

    Alistair D. September 2025
    excellent short break in Romania. Based in Brasov, a very attractive town in the Carpathian Mountains, the hiking was not strenuous but very enjoyable. We luckily saw a wild bear as well as the bears in the sanctuary. Our guide was brilliant.

  • Beary-Good Adventure

    Shiona D. September 2025
    We really enjoyed this. The trip was well organised and the local guides were knowledgeable and helpful. The scenery was amazing and seeing bears in the wild was incredible.

  • Bear trip adventure

    Neil B. September 2025
    Amazing trip that allows you to capture and experience a glorious part of Romania and its countryside

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What do I need to bring?

BAGS

  • Main backpack or case for luggage
  • A small daypack for hiking and the bear hide visit
  • Waterproof cover for your daypack

CLOTHING

  • Dark or neutral-coloured layers for the bear hide
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Fleece or similar
  • Warm jacket for at the bear hide
  • Sturdy hiking boots or trail runners
  • Warm hat and gloves for April and October dates
  • Trousers/shorts/skirts to hike in
  • T-shirts
  • Casual evening wear for downtime in Brasov
  • Underwear and socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Something to sleep in

OTHER

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Universal travel plug adaptor
  • Suncream (for May to September dates)
  • Odourless insect repellent
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Passports (and visas)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Ear plugs

FAQs

In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsuitable to complete the planned hikes on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety and enjoyment in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an adapted hike will be offered.

This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some species may be dangerous, venomous, or unpredictable. Sightings are a privilege – but safety is key. Always follow your guide’s instructions and any posted signage.

We recommend considering your comfort around wildlife and discussing any concerns with your host before travel, particularly if you have allergies, phobias, or related health conditions.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

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This trip is offered from April to October (peak bear-watching season). In Brasov, the temperature usually ranges from 15–25°C during the day and cools off to 3–12°C at night between May and September. Most days are sunny with beautiful blue skies. In April and October, the weather can be more unpredictable and the temperature varies between 10–20°C during the day and 3–10°C at night.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 93kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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Departure dates

  • Friday 19th June 2026

    to Monday 22nd June 2026

    Last minute - Host approval required

    …

  • Friday 26th June 2026

    to Monday 29th June 2026

    Last minute - Host approval required

    …

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