Trekking the Transylvanian Alps vacation

Planet

Outside of the popular tourist links to Dracula and all things Gothic, Transylvania has a huge cultural and natural heritage. This trip is mainly situated in the rural areas of Transylvania, specifically in the Southern Carpathian mountains. We spend time walking in Bucegi National Park, an enormous protected area that is home to over 3,500 animal species including wolves, black bear and wild boar. Money spent sleeping in the huts within the park goes back into it's maintenance and the protection of this fragile environment.

Our leaders are all trained in responsible tourism matters and work to our detailed Responsible Tourism Policy. They brief groups carefully to ensure that we have a minimal impact on the countryside, as well as providing tips on how to avoid generating waste, such as using refillable water bottles. In addition, to help leave a low carbon footprint the trip has been designed to walk point to point through the mountains, rather than using vehicles to travel between towns.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

Due to the rural nature of the trip, we spend a lot of time walking through small farming communities and staying in a variety of accommodation. At the family-run guesthouse in Moieciu, the owners brew and sell their own apple brandy, as well as using local produce to cook traditional food. Our Tour Leaders have built really good relationships with this family and their hospitality is second to none.

We also use mountain huts, which are staffed from residents of the surrounding communities. Again, produce for meals is locally sourced from the farmers in this predominantly agricultural area, giving them an important source of income. By using these locally-run accommodations and encouraging customers to purchase food from private shops or eat in small taverns, we aim to keep putting money into the economy of this rural area.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.