Our Carpathian Mountains vacations & tours
Romania has the brown bear’s share of the Carpathian Mountains, the long chain of peaks that crescent from the center to the south east of Europe. The range is known for its karst slopes and deep valleys, meadows and forests – fantastic for hikers seeking wildflowers and waterfalls. Our Carpathian Mountains vacations don’t just give you great views, but do good too. Responsible tourism provides a great alternative income in rural areas where farming has been abandoned. As wolf and lynx return to the region, your vacation demonstrates that there is value in these areas when they are kept wild. So, come with us wolf tracking, trekking the Transylvanian Alps, and meeting bears – in a sanctuary where your visit helps keep them safe.
Our top Carpathian Mountains vacations
Carpathian Mountains conservation & culture vacation
From
US $1740 to US $2025
8 days
ex flights
Wolves, bears and sightseeing in Romania
Small group2026: 5 Sep, 3 Oct, 2027: 24 Apr, 8 May, 29 May, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 14 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
Transylvania walking and nature vacation in Romania
From
€1330 to €1365
7 days
ex flights
A scenic nature tour of Transylvania
Tailor made
Horse riding vacation in Romania
From
€1305 to €2185
7 days
ex flights
An eco horse riding facility in Transylvania
Tailor made
Transylvania winter walking & snowshoeing vacation
From
US $2100
8 days
ex flights
Wander the mountains & forests of wintery Transylvania
Small group2027: 2 Jan, 9 Jan, 16 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb
Romania wildlife vacation, bear tracking and birdwatching
From
£1350 to £1950
8 days
ex flights
Bear tracking and birdwatching vacation in the Carpathians
Tailor made
Transylvania vacation accommodation
From
€115 to €245
per person per night
Stay at a Count's guesthouse
Accommodation
Romania wildlife vacation stay in wildlife hides
From
€580 to €756
4 days
ex flights
Explore some of the wildest forests of Europe
Tailor made
Transylvanian Alps trekking vacation in Romania
From
€1399 to €1699
8 days
ex flights
Exploring the spectacular Transylvanian Carpathian mountains
Tailor made
Transylvania wildlife vacation, lynx watching and tracking
From
£1050 to £1650
6 days
ex flights
Lynx watching and tracking in the land of Dracula
Tailor made
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Carpathian Mountains highlights
As the Carpathians are Europe’s second longest range of mountains the chances are you’re not going to get over them all in the course of one visit. Best thing to do is explore one section at a time with the soaring peaks of the High Tatras in Slovakia or the deep pine forests of Transylvania, presenting a couple of options depending on your preference. Although cities such as Brasov or Zarnesti in central Romania or Bratislava in southwest Slovakia do offer access to the Carpathians, you’re far better off staying in a guesthouse within a remote hamlet to ensure you maximize your time in the mountains.
1.
Bear watching
2. Brasov
3. Bucegi mountains
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
5. Retezat National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
2. Brasov
3. Bucegi mountains
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
5. Retezat National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
Bear watching
1. Bear watching
The privilege of seeing just one of over 6,000 wild brown bears will be a highlight of any trip to the Carpathians. Hides allow small groups to observe cubs up close with rescue centers, such as the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, offering further insight. Snow covered forests are perfect for skilled trackers and following on snowshoes helps you explore essential habitats with the minimum of interference.
Brasov
2. Brasov
A great base in the Southern Carpathians for trekking trips or wildlife watching tours is the medieval city of Brasov. Thanks to the central location it's relatively easy to access all areas with the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov offering numerous winter sports and a nearby lake presenting excellent bird watching opportunities on the Danube Delta.
Bucegi mountains
3. Bucegi mountains
Hikers heading south of the city of Braşov, in central Romania, will be treated to some of the Carpathians’ most exceptional high alpine trails, all of which can be accessed via a cable car up the Bucegi Mountains. The scenery at over 2,000m is unlike anything else and hikers will often find themselves walking over flower-filled meadows against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, even in July.
Piatra Craiului National Park
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
One of the most stunning ridge walks to tackle in the Carpathians can be found within Piatra Craiului National Park and takes a couple of days hiking from north to south. Although the trail is considered somewhat precarious in places it’s easily accessible from the town of Zarnesti and supports an array of endemic species amongst numerous deep gorges and rugged karst landmarks.
Retezat National Park
5. Retezat National Park
With glacial lakes mirroring monumental mountain peaks, Retezat National Park is considered one of the Carpathians’ most naturally beautiful regions. Wolves, wildcats, chamois and red deer are all known to inhabit the protected primeval forests with several local communities still living traditional agricultural lifestyles surrounded by steep terraced valleys filled with birds and butterflies.
Slovak Paradise National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
Boasting over 300km of walking trails, many of which include ladders and footbridges, Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the best loved regions of the Western Carpathians and definitely justifies the name. A succession of caves and waterfalls help to create an intensely fantastical experience with Slovakia’s highest concentration of butterflies just a wing’s tip when it comes to wildlife.
Our Carpathian Mountains vacations reviews
4.7
90Carpathian Mountains vacations reviews
sarah ball06 Jul 2026
The country Carpathian mountains are stunningly beautiful, the people warm and friendly. I loved it and learned a lot about Romania.read more
Jacqui Scott21 Jun 2026
Absolutely brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although some of the hikes required tough climbing the pace was good with plenty of breaks. So not too exhausting but a wonderful experience in the mountains with the most amazing views.read more
Martin Harrison13 Jun 2026
Amazing, the best. Very eco and ethically led. Supporting farmers and local producers.read more
David Friswell04 Jun 2026
Great! We had a wonderful experience. We saw nine different bears (13 sightings overall) and two bison. Great photos as memories - and I still don't know how our guide 'conjured up' a bottle of champagne out of nowhere when he found out it was my birthday!read more
