Horse Riding Trips at Calimani Equestrian Centre, Lunca Bradului, Romania Horseback Riding

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Come and spend a unique holiday in Transylvania, Romania! Discover the mythic land of Dracula, explore the Carpathian mountains, probably the last completely unspoiled region in Europe!

We organize horse riding trail rides for intermediate and advanced riders in the Mts of Transylania. Our Centre is located in the Eastern Carpathians, outside the village of Lunca Bradului.
We promote active holidays and those that have a positive impact on the local community. Our food is mainly organic, from our garden or from the village, directly from the shepherds or farmers.
Our guests can choose from 2 types of programs, with the same itinerary: one with accommodation in tents and the other with guest house accommodation.

Both our trips start from our Centre (mountain cabin) on a 5-6 hours ride/day. In the morning, after breakfast group starts the ride through beautiful landscape, having the opportunity to experience all paces of ride and to be in the middle of Nature. Lucky guests can see wild animals too.
In the afternoon arrive to the campsite or guest house. When arriving to the campsite, our terrain vehicle will already be there with the luggage and camping facilities (tents, sleeping bags, food etc...) Dinner is prepared (guests can help if they want), which is usually an outside dinner with campfire (gulash, stew...)

We accept guests of min. 14 years of age, only accompanied by an adult.
Other than that, our trips are for organized groups of min. 4 - max. 8 riders with a good riding experience!
Singles and couples may join a group.

We have full-board accommodation at our Centre, with home-made food, cooked meals and rich breakfast. On the camping trail ride dinners are with campfire and at the guest houses dinners are hot meals provided by the local families or restaurants of the guets houses. During the ride a lunch-box is offered, which consists of sandwiches, fruit and water.

No pets allowed.
Smoking only outside.
Minimal age for the riding trip: 14, accompanied by an adult!

Itinerary description for guest house accommodation Trail Ride 2013
� 3 nights at the Equestrian Centre
� 3 nights in guest houses
� 1 night to Hotel Castle Dracula 3* � Borgo Pass
� 2 nights in 3* hotels in Brasov and Cluj Napoca

Day 1 (D) Arrival at Cluj Napoca airport.
Meet the local driver and transfer from the airport to the lodge in Lunca Bradului, Mt. Calimani.
Dinner and accommodation at the Lodge at the Equestrian Centre.

Day 2 (B,L,D) Depart after breakfast to the nearby village of Lunca Bradului. Continue to the Fintinele Valley, riding through a mixed landscape of meadows and forest, scattered with trenches from WW II (there were battles between the Germans and the Russian Red army in this area) before finally descending to the village of Rastolita, on the Mures Valley.
Dinner and accommodation back to the lodge.

Day 3 (B,L,D) Depart in the morning to Lake Colibita, riding on an old path used by shepherds to take their flocks to the higher mountain pastures. On the way experience an incredible landscape and change of geographic shapes and arrive to the lake in the evening. Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse by the lake.

Day 4 (B,L,D) Ride along the river which feeds the lake and then continue up the Terha Pass* [here we witness the ruins of the 1st WW trenches of the Austro-Hungarian army who kept up the soviet army] and along the ridge to reach Borgo Pass at the end of the day. Borgo Pass is famous from Bram Stoker's book Dracula�, being the starting point of Jonathan Harker's exciting experience in Transylvania.
Tonight will be spent at the Hotel Dracula 3*, which offers magnificent views over the nearby mountains.
*Attention: you have to dismount for � a Km to reach the Pass on a steep torrent!

Day 5 (B,L,D) Depart from the Hotel in the morning, after breakfast, and ride across the village areas, inhabited by peasants especially during summertime; also, these areas are used as well for grazing.
Going down afterwards to the Dorna Valley and crossing and old workers' colony, now converted into a small village.
Accommodation to a pension managed by a ranger, at the edge of the Dornisoara village.

Day 6 (B,L,D) Depart towards the main crater of the volcanic massif, where we ride across the largest volcanic calderas in Europe � 10 km long.
We will go along the Vorova little river, up to 1860m, and then we descend to the Valley of Neagra little river, where the Pension from Gura Haitii village will open its doors for us.

Day 7 (B,L,D) After breakfast depart back to our Lodge, passing through the National Park of Calimani Mts, first crossing a deserted sulfur mine, which is undergoing a very complex process of reintegration in nature .You will see the miners' houses and a unique scenery of surface mining, surrounded by beautiful mountains� Continue on forestry roads through the mountain until you reach Ilva Valley and our Lodge.

Day 8 (B,L)
Depart towards the charming Saxon town of Sighisoara, a UNESCO world heritage site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Visit Sighisoara, lunch in here, and then transfer to the Sambata de Jos Stud, a farm of Lipizzaner which was founded back in 1992; nowadays, the farm stretches over a total area of 40 ha (of which 30 ha of pasture and 10 ha of arable land and grassland).
Accommodation in the city of Brasov, to the Hotel Casa Wagner 3*.
Free time in the evening (dinner not included).

Day 9 (B, L ) Breakfast at the hotel
2 hours free time for shopping in Brasov.
Visit of the Bran Castle, a national monument and landmark in Romania, and commonly known as Dracula's Castle.
Depart towards Cluj Napoca and stop on the way for lunch to the traditional inn 'Hanul din Ardeal'.
Arrival to Cluj Napoca and walking tour of the city.
Overnight to Hotel Transilvania 3*.
Free diner.

Day 10 (B) Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Itinerary also operates in reverse

Riding dates 2013:
10 MAY - 19 MAY
24 MAY- 02 JUN
05 JUL -14 JUL
02 AUG -11 AUG
30 AUG - 08 SEP
13 SEP - 22 SEP
27 SEP � 06 OCT

Prices 2013:
2-4 pax = 976 Eur/pers
5-6 pax = 893 Eur/pers
7-8 pax = 864 Eur/pers.
Sgl. Supl. = 133 Eur

Itinerary description for camping Trail Ride 2013

� 2 nights at the Equestrian Centre
� 1 night to a pension near Colibita Lake
� 4 nights camping
� 2 nights in 3* hotels in Brasov and Cluj Napoca

Day 1 (D) Arrival at Cluj Napoca airport.
Meet the local driver and transfer to the Equestrian Centre in the Ilva Valley for 1 night's accommodation.
Dinner.

Day 2 (B,L,D) Ride down to the nearest village, Lunca Bradului and riding through it head up into the mountains of Calimani, part of the Eastern Carpathian mountains. The ride continues into the Fintinel basin, then crosses a few meadows and finally arrives at the camping site. Overnight - camping in Capatina Meadow, at 900m altitude.

Day 3 (B,L,D) After breakfast mount up and head towards Rastolita Basin, crossing a mixed area of forest and meadows with fabulous views looking over to the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. After a relaxing ride enjoying the view, you'll descend a fairly difficult track to the Rastolita Valley. Then take the road to North on the Valley until you pass by the dam in construction through the forest and come out on a different road. Continue North and stop in the Meadow of Gura Scurtului.
Overnight - camping at Gura Scurtului, near a forestry road.

Day 4 (B,L,D) After breakfast set off on another beautiful day's riding, on Scurtu Valley, reaching the meadow of Poiana Lunga, which at 1300m is the highest point of the day. Continue downhill to Lake Colibita. On the way pass by a little pond called The Fairies' Pond. Overnight: in a local guesthouse near the Lake Colibita � swimming in the lake!

Day 5 (B,L,D) After breakfast ride down and through the village of Colibita then take the Izvorul Lung Valley to reach Terha Pass at 1470m altitude [here we witness the ruins of WW I trenches of the Austrian-Hungarian army which faught against the soviet army]. From here descend along the Dorna Valley until you reach Vorova Valley. Take this valley up East and reach the next campsite. Overnight - camping by the riverside along Prislop Valley.
Attention: you have to dismount for � of Km to reach the Terha Pass!

Day 6 (B,L,D) After breakfast depart from the campsite toward Tamau Peak (1862 m) reach the beautiful rock formation called �The Red Stones�. Then short ride through the meadow where the pic-nic is. After the picnic take a path down the edge of the Calimani National Park border.
Overnight - camping by the riverside, at the border of the Calimani National Park
Attention: you have to dismount 2 times and walk by the horse on a torrent. First to reach the Tamau Peak through juniper bushes and then to descend after picnic to the border of the National Park

Day 7 (B,L,D) Ride towards Calimani Mountain, the biggest volcanic cone in Europe. Then cross a former sulphur mining site, a small mountain village, which was abandoned 15 years ago but which is undergoing an ecological process of reintegration to nature. Continue riding up to the volcanic plateau and then descend to Ilva Valley. Continue along a forest road to the lodge for a further nights' accommodation.

Day 8 (B,L,D) After breakfast depart by vehicle towards the charming Saxon town of Sighisoara, a UNESCO world heritage site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Visit Sighisoara, lunch in here, and then transfer to the Sambata de Jos Stud, a farm of Lipizzaner which was founded back in 1992; nowadays, the farm stretches over a total area of 40 ha (of which 30 ha of pasture and 10 ha of arable land and grassland).
Accommodation in the city of Brasov, to the Hotel Casa Wagner 3*.
Free time in the evening (dinner not included).

Day 9 (B,L,D) Breakfast at the hotel
2 hours free time for shopping in Brasov.
Visit of the Bran Castle, a national monument and landmark in Romania, and commonly known as Dracula's Castle.
Depart towards Cluj Napoca and stop on the way for lunch to the traditional inn 'Hanul din Ardeal'.
Arrival to Cluj Napoca and walking tour of the city.
Overnight to Hotel Transilvania 3*.
Free diner.

Day 10 (B) Breakfast and transfer to the airport

Riding dates 2013:
07 Jun-16 Jun
21 Jun -30 Jun
16 Aug - 25 Aug
19 Jul � 28 Jul

Prices 2013:
2-4 pax = 929 Eur/pers
5-6 pax = 866 Eur/pers
7-8 pax = 837 Eur/pers
Sgl suppl. = 73 Eur/pers

Riding Ability
Intermediate upwards. These rides are suitable for confident novices as well as more experienced riders. Riders generally should be able to control a quiet horse in open spaces at walk, trot and canter. We try to match groups to a similar overall level of riding ability. The rides take place over a variety of terrain, including mountains, and do involve some fairly steep climbs and descents. Whilst the horses are sure-footed and sensible, these rides generally are not suitable for very nervous riders. It is, of course, possible to dismount and lead one’s horse down the steeper descents. If you are in any doubt, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the suitability of these rides to you.

Hours in the Saddle
4 to 6 hours per day.

Weight restrictions
A general weight limit of 100kg (15st7lbs) applies to this ride.).

Children
This ride is suitable for children aged approximately 12 years and upwards, provided that they are experienced riders and have sufficient personal maturity. Romania is a very child-friendly country, and makes an interesting visit for young people as well as adults. All children below 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is an experienced rider, and who takes personal responsibility for the conduct of children in his or her charge at all times. In general, the centre tries to organize separate rides for one or more family groups riding together.

Non Riders
Non-riders are welcome and can travel in the support vehicle.

Horses and Tack
There are 17 horses, most of them Romanian Sport Horses, a local breed descending from the Anglo Arabians and a few local crossbreeds which have been adopted along the way, each of them with their fascinating story.

Western, English GPs and endurance saddles are used on all horses.

Accommodation
The lodge is located right outside the mountain village of Lunca Bradului, in the Ilva valley. It was originally built as a holiday home, but over time, it has been adapted to suit the guests' needs with en-suite bathrooms and central heating.

Food & Drink
Food in this rural area is mostly organic and locally grown with numerous regional specialties. Breakfast can include eggs, cheese, cold meat, bread, butter, jam, milk, tea, and coffee. Lunch is generally a picnic during the ride, with sandwiches, biscuits, and fruit.

Getting There/Transfers
The best airline to fly with is Wizzair who has flights between London/ Barcelona / Madrid / Valencia and Cluj-Napoca. Transfers from/to Cluj-Napoca are included.

Alternatively you can fly in to Bucharest and we can arrange train travel or auto transport including sight-seeing from there. Please note you will need to allow for an overnight train journey.

Tipping
You may wish to leave a gratuity of up to £25 / 40 euro / $50 per client to be divided amongst the staff. If you wish to leave gifts, we recommend small, light items such as printed tea towels illustrating the area where you live or other such inexpensive gifts of local interest. You will not need to tip the staff making the transfers in Bucuresti if you buy them something to eat or drink when you visit a restaurant or bar. Otherwise, you may at your discretion leave a gift or a small sum of around 10 RON (around 3 Euro). It is normal practice to offer a tip not exceeding 10% for good service in restaurants, also in bars where you are served at your seat. There is no need to tip railway staff, except for the sleeping car conductor if he helps carry your baggage, in which case 2 RON would be appropriate.

Min/Max pax on trip to be loaded 2/8