Search

Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Romania’s Danube Delta & the Carpathians – a Wildlife Paradise

Danube Delta wildlife and Carpathian mountains from Bucharest in 10 days

Illustration of Romania’s Danube Delta & the Carpathians – a Wildlife Paradise

Ffestiniog Travel's 10-day escorted tour discovers wilderness areas across Romania, from the Danube Delta in the east to the Carpathian Mountains in the center. The journey begins with a flight from London to Bucharest and a city tour, then travels by train northeast to Tulcea, where a boat carries the group into the remote village of Mila 23 in the heart of the Delta. Three full days with a specialist guide focus on bird watching, with opportunities to spot bittern, white-tailed eagles, and both white and Dalmatian pelicans. After the Delta, the tour moves by road and train through the Vrancea wine region, visits a shepherds' festival and the Tişita Gorge, and reaches Braşov, a medieval town built by Saxon traders. A day trip takes in a bear sanctuary near Zărneşti before the return journey crosses the Carpathians by train, passing through the ski resorts of Predeal and Sinaia. The tour is fully guided with a London-based leader and local specialists, stays in characterful boutique hotels and guesthouses, and caps groups at 12.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date listed: May 2027.
  • The group is escorted throughout; no unguided free time except implied leisure mornings in Braşov.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bucharest

    Flight to Bucharest

    Morning flight from London to Bucharest arriving early afternoon. Guided city tour.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Mila 23

    To the Danube Delta

    Travel by train to Tulcea, railhead for the Delta, then transfer by boat to our guest house in the tiny village of Mila 23, accessible only by boat.

  3. Day 3overnight: Mila 23

    Exploring the Delta

    We are joined by an English speaking specialist for three days of bird watching, mostly by boat, with likely sightings including bittern, squacco heron, egret, glossy ibis, white tailed eagle and both white and Dalmatian pelican.

  4. Day 4overnight: Mila 23

    Exploring the Delta

    We are joined by an English speaking specialist for three days of bird watching, mostly by boat, with likely sightings including bittern, squacco heron, egret, glossy ibis, white tailed eagle and both white and Dalmatian pelican.

  5. Day 5overnight: Mila 23

    Exploring the Delta

    We are joined by an English speaking specialist for three days of bird watching, mostly by boat, with likely sightings including bittern, squacco heron, egret, glossy ibis, white tailed eagle and both white and Dalmatian pelican.

  6. Day 6overnight: Panciu

    Vrancea Region

    Transfer to Tulcea by boat and travel by road via Brăila to reach the Vrancea region, known for its vineyards. Wine tasting en route and accommodation for 1 night in Panciu.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Braşov

    Tişita Gorge & Braşov

    We visit the annual shepherds’ festival in a small village before a walk through the Tişita Gorge, along the track-bed of an old forestry railway, then a scenic journey over the pass into Transylvania to Braşov, a Medieval town built by the Saxons.

  8. Day 8overnight: Braşov

    Bear Sanctuary & Bran Castle

    We visit the bear sanctuary near Zărneşti, run by an animal welfare charity and housing about 80 bears rescued from zoos and captivity. We continue to Bran with its Transylvanian castle before returning to Braşov.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Bucharest

    Across the Carpathians by Rail

    After a leisurely morning in Braşov, we catch the main line train to Bucharest, our scenic route crossing the mountains through the ski resorts of Predeal and Sinaia.

  10. Day 10

    Bucharest to London

    Early afternoon flight from Bucharest to London arriving early evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Train journey from Bucharest to Tulcea, railhead for the Danube Delta, then boat transfer to the remote village of Mila 23, accessible only by water.
  • Day 3Three days of guided bird watching in the Delta with a specialist, searching for bittern, squacco heron, egret, glossy ibis, white-tailed eagle, and white and Dalmatian pelican.
  • Day 7Walk through the Tişita Gorge along the track-bed of an old forestry railway, then a scenic train crossing into Transylvania through Predeal and Sinaia to reach the medieval Saxon town of Braşov.
  • Day 8Visit to a bear sanctuary near Zărneşti housing about 80 bears rescued from zoos and captivity, run by an animal welfare charity.

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
  • Rail travel as specified
  • Other travel by private mini-coach
  • Hotel accommodation in Bucharest
  • Other accommodation in boutique hotel or good quality guest house with en-suite facilities
  • All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 evening meals
  • Airport and other transfers
  • All gratuities
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour, local professional Romanian guide plus specialist guides where required

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The tour includes rail travel from Bucharest to Tulcea and the scenic main-line train across the Carpathians back to Bucharest.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London and throughout Romania, a local professional Romanian guide, and specialist guides for bird watching and sanctuary visits.
Where do you stay?
Two nights in My Continental Hotel in Bucharest, three nights in Casa Pescarului guesthouse in Mila 23, one night in Domeniile Panciu, and two nights in Hotel Bella Muzica in Braşov.
What is the group size?
Groups are capped at 12 people.
What meals are included?
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 evening meals are included. Many meals use locally sourced organic produce.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes three days of bird watching mostly by boat, a walk through the Tişita Gorge, visits to a bear sanctuary and Bran Castle, and village exploration. This is moderate walking, not strenuous hiking.

Similar journeys