Itinerary Summary Tour map Price table How to book What to expect
Tour details
The Transylvania and Maramures Photo Tour is a private tour for up to 8 people. We designed the tour with its starting point in Brasov, and the final lap in Cluj, passing through Sibiu, but depending on your flight deals and overall trip plan, we can rearrange the whole itinerary and start and finish anywhere in Transylvania or Romania.
We will spend 5 days in Transylvania and 3 days in Maramures, being able to capture the most scenic part of these beautiful Romanian regions. We will go to the mountains, then to the countryside and to the medieval cities. We will meet local people, farmers, and craftsmen.
All the transfers, including airport transfers, are included in the tariff and transportation is made with a modern minivan, fully licensed for tourist transport. You will be accompanied the whole time by our experienced tour guide, who will provide you with all the information you need and support you during the trip.
The accommodation is in 3 or 4 stars hotels or guesthouses, that we will be chosen together. For each city, we will give you 3 options to choose from, and, if you have another preferred hotel in mind, we can choose that one as well, if available.
The price starts from 580 EUR/person. This price is valid for a group of 8 persons and for an average price of accommodation of a maximum of 70 EUR/night for a double room, including breakfast. Please see below the price per person, depending on the group size. The hotels or guesthouses where we will stay will be chosen together; we will give you a few options and you will have the final word regarding the accommodation. Depending on the hotels you choose and the final itinerary, the price can change, so, for a custom offer please contact us.
Level of physical activity : Moderate. Our guests need to be able to walk a maximum of 5 km per day or climb stairs.
Tour itinerary
We will start the photo tour of Transylvania and Maramureș in Brașov located in the southeast corner of Transylvania, 2 hours drive from the capital Bucharest. On the first day, we can focus on wildlife, medieval castles and mountain landscapes. First, we will go to Zărnești, to the bear reservation, where the NGO takes care of over 100 bears. There we will have the opportunity to capture the bears living in the forest, playing in the ponds, climbing the trees or just sleeping in the bushes.
Then we will go to Bran Castle, where we can visit the famous medieval castle, often associated with the legend of Dracula.
On the last part of the day, at sunset hours, we will capture the charm of the villages at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains.
Accommodation: in Brasov or a picturesque village near Bran
Driving distance: 110km
Driving time: 1.5 hours
Today we will leave Brasov and head to Sibiu. On the way, we will visit a functional water mill, where we can photograph the flow of water that moves the mill wheel or the miller while preparing the flour.
Then, we will visit an Orthodox monastery, where we will be able to attend the prayer program of the monks or photograph the specific details of Romanian architecture.
On the last part of the day we will drive on the most famous mountain road of Romania, Transfagarasan. We will be able to see beautiful alpine landscapes, waterfalls, flocks of sheep and with a little luck, even marmots.
Transfagarasan road, at dusk
Overnight in Sibiu
Driving distance: 200 km
Driving time: 3.5 hours
We will wake up before sunrise and go to Biertan, a beautiful Saxon village hidden among the hills of Transylvania, to take full advantage of the morning fog, then we will go to Sighisoara where we will visit the medieval fortress.
On the way back to Sibiu, we will stop at a family of Roma coppersmiths, for some opportunities for portraits and photography during their work. We will spend the afternoon in Sibiu, to photograph the city in the afternoon light.
Overnight in Sibiu
Driving distance: 250 km
Driving time: 3 hours
Today we will venture into one of the most beautiful areas of Transylvania, in the Apuseni mountains. We will leave Sibiu in the morning, and we will head to the heart of the Apuseni mountains, in Arieseni. There we will have multiple shooting possibilities: waterfalls, caves, mountain landscapes dotted with haystacks or traditional houses with straw roofs.
We can go on secondary roads, to visit the isolated mountain hamlets, where we can photograph its inhabitants during the daily routine. Finally, we can visit traditional wood craftsmen, and we will be able to admire the song of the alpenhorn, a musical object specific to the Apuseni.
Overnight in Arieseni
Driving distance: 300 km
Driving time: 4 hours
We leave the Apuseni, not before stopping for a few minutes in Rametea, one of the most beautiful villages in Romania, to photograph the traditional houses painted in white, with red geraniums on the windows.
Then, we will head to Turda, where we will descend into the most impressive salt mine in this part of Europe, more than 120 meters underground.
In the second part of the day, we will arrive in Cluj, the largest city in Transylvania, also a town with a rich history, abounding in buildings with elegant architecture, reminiscent of the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Driving distance: 200 km
Driving time:3.5 hours
Overnight in Cluj-Napoca
We leave Transylvania and head to Maramures. The first stop will be at a potter’s workshop, where we will be able to follow him while he makes his clay objects.
Then, we will continue our way to Sapanta, where we will visit a unique place in Romania: the Merry Cemetery. After the visit, we will head to the village where we will spend the night.
Driving distance:300 km
Driving time: 4.5 hours
Overnight: Breb
We wake up early to capture the village of Maramures in the light of sunrise. Then, we will wander through the villages in the area, to photograph people and places. Next, we will visit a popular craftsman, a woodcarver, where we will be able to photograph him at work.
In the afternoon, we will return to the village, where we have the pension, to take advantage of the last rays of light, before sunset.
Driving distance:100 km
Driving time: 1.5 hours
Overnight: Breb
Today, we will spend most of the day on the steam train, which will take us deep into the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. It will be a good opportunity to photograph the steam train, but also the landscapes that are revealed to us during the trip. We will spend almost 5 hours on the train, round trip, but we will be able to stop a few times for snacks and for a few photo sessions.
In the afternoon, we will return to Cluj, the final lap of our trip.
Driving distance:250km
Driving time: 3.5 hours
Overnight: Cluj
How to book
If you are interested in this tour, please send us a message with the exact number of guests, dates, changes you want to the itinerary, type of hotel. We will reply to you very fast with the exact price and detailed travel information. After setting all the details, regarding the final itinerary, hotels, dates, price, payment options and cancellation policy, we will send you the travel contract, as required by European Law. The booking becomes active after paying the deposit, which is 10% of the total price. The payment can be done via bank transfer or online payment. The payment currency can be EUR, USD or RON. All of the amounts paid to us are guaranteed by our travel agency insurance, which can be seen here.
Tour Map
What to expect
Weather: The weather can affect our plans, so we are very flexible in adjusting the itinerary, to find other shooting opportunities. However, we are not responsible for route changes caused by weather or other events beyond our control.
Prices: prices in Romania are below the European average, but it varies a lot depending on the place. For example, a cup of coffee is 1-2 EUR, a beer is 2-3 EUR, the main dish at a restaurant is 6-12 EUR. The supermarket prices are a lot more cheaper. The entrances fees at between 6-10 EUR.
Tips: it is expected to give around 10% of the value of the bill at the restaurant. Starting 2023 the tip can be added to the bill and it can be paid in cash or by card. You can choose not to give any tip if you didn’t like the service but it is expected to add a tip if the service and the food were good. Also, some people we are willing to photograph may ask us for some tips. We will negotiate for you the lowest possible amount to be paid to them.
Currency: Romanian currency is RON (leu, plural lei, subdivision ban = 0.01 RON). Is not possible to pay with EUR or USD, but it is easy to change money at exchange offices or banks. Credit cards are largely accepted in the cities (Visa and Mastercard) but it’s good to always have some cash with you as in the countryside is hard to pay with a card.
Safety: Romania is, in general, safer than most of the western European countries, but you always need to pay attention, especially in crowded places. Keep your money and valuable documents safe, in the interior pockets.
Price table
Group Size | Currency | Price |
---|---|---|
8 | EUR | 580 |
7 | EUR | 660 |
6 | EUR | 680 |
5 | EUR | 820 |
4 | EUR | 890 |
3 | EUR | 1200 |
2 | EUR | 1600 |
sgl supplement | EUR | 260 |
*for groups larger than 8 persons, please ask for a customised offer
Summary