The Heart of Romania

Day 1

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Your host will meet you at the airport and transport you to your accommodation with a beautiful view of the Carpathian mountains. You will stop here for lunch (if you arrive in time) before heading off to meet the horses, around a thirty minute drive away.

You'll get tacked up and head into the arena to make sure you are comfortable with your horse - Teo will tell you a bit about your horse and make sure you are happy before you head off for an afternoon ride. The ride is near to the forest with a plateau close to the Olt River - there are some lovely paths for canters. You will ride back to the stables and untack (you can help or not, as you prefer), before a restaurant dinner - there may be time for a shower before dinner, depending on your arrival time today.

Day 2

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

This morning you'll have breakfast at your accommodation before heading back to the horses to begin the adventure. You'll cross the Olt River and make your way in the direction of Porumbacu River, stopping at Castelul de Lut (a pretty clay castle in 'Fairy Valley') for a quick look and then a picnic with a rest for the horses.

Your ride then continues for another few hours, taking you onto a beautiful plateau for more canters, before ending up at your accommodation where the horses can also spend the night. Here your host will serve you dinner, either cooked around the campfire or from the guesthouse kitchen.

Day 3

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After another hearty breakfast you will ride from the accommodation towards the forest on the slopes of Suru peak, one of the Fǎgǎraș mountains, crossing the Avrig River. In hot weather it can be possible to swim in the river, stopping there for a picnic, but for the rest of the year you will ride on and have a picnic after crossing the Olt River again. After lunch, you will ride a few more hours back to the stables where you started yesterday or, perhaps, to the horses' home paddocks.

After taking care of the horses, you'll head back to the accommodation for your final night.

Day 4

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Today's plan depends on your departure time - if your flight is in the evening then there is time for another ride of 3 - 4 hours or, if preferred, to make some sightseeing stops such as a tour of Sibiu or a visit to a stud farm or historical site.

If you leave earlier in the day then you will be transferred back to the airport after breakfast or whenever needed.

NB. Any riding today is offered on a complimentary basis, there is no discount for not riding today if you have an early flight.

Day 1

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Your host will meet you at the airport and transport you to your accommodation with a beautiful view of the Carpathian mountains. You will stop here for lunch (if you arrive in time) before heading off to meet the horses, around a thirty minute drive away.

Day 2

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

This morning you'll have breakfast at your accommodation before heading back to the horses to begin the adventure. You'll cross the Olt River and make your way in the direction of Porumbacu River, stopping at Castelul de Lut (a pretty clay castle in 'Fairy Valley') for a quick look and then a picnic with a rest for the horses.

Day 3

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After another hearty breakfast you will ride from the accommodation towards the forest on the slopes of Suru peak, one of the Fǎgǎraș mountains, crossing the Avrig River. In hot weather it can be possible to swim in the river, stopping there for a picnic, but for the rest of the year you will ride on and have a picnic after crossing the Olt River again. After lunch, you will ride a few more hours back to the stables where you started yesterday or, perhaps, to the horses' home paddocks.

After taking care of the horses, you'll head back to the accommodation.

Day 4

Riding: No riding.

Today is a non-riding day, allowing the horses to rest whilst you do some sightseeing and learn more about the area. Sightseeing options will depend on the time of year, weather and group but may include a visit to Sibiu city itself - this is a medieval fortified town and the surrounding Hartibaci valley is a historical region settled by Germanic Saxon colonists in the XII century. Other possibilities include Sâmbǎta de Jos stud farm which has been breeding Lipizzaners since the 1800s or a quick visit to a red deer farm. For those interested it may be possible to organise other more specific activities at additional cost - bird watching with a professional guide, paragliding or white water rafting (the last two are only in the summer).

Day 5

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

Today you'll be changing direction and riding upstream following the Hartibaci river. This is a beautiful and wild area with old Transylvanian villages and fortified churches. The path takes you across meadows and hills and much of the time is spent riding through the peaceful forests. You'll stop for a picnic in the middle of the day and by evening you'll arrive in Hosman with time for a visit of the church before dinner and a good sleep in this new accommodation.

Day 6

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

Today the ride will be centred around your new base in Hosman. This area is known as the 'Transylvanian Highlands' and is considered the last authentic medieval landscape in Europe, as well as being home to a huge number of bird species, butterflies and plants who all thrive in this protected area. Your host will pick the best route on the day.

Day 7

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Today's plan depends on your departure time - if your flight is in the evening then there is time for another ride, probably around the Olt river towards Bradu village.

If you leave earlier in the day then you will be transferred back to the airport after breakfast or whenever needed.

NB. Any riding today is offered on a complimentary basis, there is no discount for not riding today if you have an early flight.