Breathtaking Transfagarasan & Wild Bear Private Tour
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Price From $176.89 per person
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This is a relaxing private day trip from Bucharest to the Transfagarasan area. The Transfăgărășan is a paved mountain road crossing the Carpathian Mountains, is the second-highest paved road in the country with an altitude of 2,042 metres (6,699 ft). The road also provides access to Bâlea Lake a glacier lake situated at 2,034 m of altitude. Here we will benefit from the fresh air and low temperature, admire the view of Trasnsilvania and have lunch. On the way back we will admire Bâlea waterfall, we'll stop at the Vidraru Dam to refresh us. It is very possible to meet brown bears on the route. On our way we will be able to see on a mountaintop a fortress built by Vlad the Impaler. This is Poienari fortress.
Reviews
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Kathy_B, 10/3/2025 1:41:54 AM
The scenery is stunning and having a driver allows everyone to relax and enjoy the experience. There is so much more flexibility on a private tour so we were able to adjust the schedule for the weather and our preference on where to spend most time and where to eat. Octavian spoke excellent English, was very knowledgeable and personable. The car was spotlessly clean and comfortable.
Anna_S, 8/13/2025 3:32:12 PM
Great experience with Octavia as our guide and driver. It’s a long day but we got to see all of the sights and bears along the way. We’d have a couple of providers cancel on us because it would be “too busy” being a Sunday in August but with Octavia we head straight for the lake and only sat in a very small amount of traffic waiting to exit the tunnel. It was brilliant, Octavia was really informative and a great driver too. Definitely recommend!
Geoff_B, 6/23/2025 2:24:11 PM
Great drive through the Carpathian mountains. Bears galore & great, easy to understand commentary from our driver/guide , Alin. The views from Balea Lake area at the end of our drive ( 2000m + above sea level) were spectacular. Don’t miss this tour.
LuAnne_T, 10/15/2024 2:48:05 PM
Most memorable was the driver not wearing a seat belt, the driver texting and talking on his phone the entire return trip. I think he forgot he was at work. We thought him texting while driving was totally unprofessional not to mention illegal, If you get a good driver the views are lovely and treehouse restaurant for lunch was excellent.
Angela_H, 10/7/2024 4:41:00 AM
This is a long day but made so much more enjoyable by the company of Vlad! We saw and learned so much about Romania and its people during the long drive. The countryside is stunning and the view over the Transfagarasan highway is spectacular! Note, you don't get to drive on it but do get a great view of it. We found the Dam stop interesting too. Great communications from both Vlad and HQ, collected and returned to our apartment with ease. Good to travel off season, as it could get busy along the single lane entrance to the mountain top in peak season. A lot of enclosed twisty turns along the road for several miles up to the summit, so take travel sickness tablets if you're so inclined. As a private tour, I was grateful to be sat in the front of the car! Thank you to Vlad and the team for a truly memorable day :)
Dan_O, 10/3/2024 3:42:39 AM
We had an absolutely amazing time on this trip, our driver alin was very friendly , funny and informative, the whole trip is breathtakingly beautiful and very good value for money, there were stops for bathroom breaks and to stretch your legs, the highway itself is stubby and the views are unbeatable, we even got to see a wild bear! A must see experience and I would highly recommend this to any traveler
Daryl y, 10/2/2024 2:34:19 AM
Had a wonderful experience from start to finish . We were picked up at hotel by our guide Alin who kept us entertained and informed there and back and on the attractions we visited he is an excellent knowledgeable guide . We thoroughly enjoyed the experience it is a trip you have to do whilst in Bucharest/Romania you won’t regret it.
Virginia_D, 9/30/2024 6:08:04 AM
Comfortable ride. Great guide ☺️ The weather did not cooperate but we still see bears and were able to snap a few photos.
kay_w, 9/7/2024 9:32:50 AM
Amazing trip from start to finish. Our guide was Alin, who immediately made us welcome and was really friendly. He had a really good knowledge of the history of each area we passed through. We had plenty of options to stop for breaks or coffee etc, nothing was too much trouble. First stop was a fortress which was amazing and then on upwards to the mountain. The views from the top of the Mountain down the Transfagarasan highway were stunning and we were given ample time to wander about taking pictures and sampling the local snacks on offer at Lacul Balea. He recommended Langos which we tried and it was absolutely delicious. I want the recipe. 😁 Stopped at a lovely waterfall, and onto Vidraru Dam, which had spectacular scenery. Alin let us take our time, no rush and nice and relaxed walk from one side to the other. We saw 7 different bears by the roadside, one with a cub, and we were able to get some lovely pictures whilst not disturbing the bears. The last stop was a beautiful monastery. We enjoyed every minute of our day. We had a great rapport with Alin and throughout the trip we shared many jokes and laughter. Would highly recommend this trip especially if you get a guide as good as Alin. Kay and Stewart from Scotland.
kmc8955312, 9/6/2024 10:31:23 AM
Amazing trip from start to finish. Our guide was Alin, who immediately made us welcome and was really friendly. He had a really good knowledge of the history of each area we passed through. We had plenty of options to stop for breaks or coffee etc, nothing was too much trouble. First stop was a fortress which was amazing and then on upwards to the mountain. The views from the top of the Mountain down the Transfagarasan highway were stunning and we were given ample time to wander about taking pictures and sampling the local snacks on offer at Lacul Balea. Stopped at a lovely waterfall, and onto Vidraru Dam, which had spectacular scenery. Alin let us take our time, no rush and nice and relaxed walk from one side to the other. We saw 7 different bears by the roadside, one with a cub, and we were able to get some lovely pictures whilst not disturbing the bears. The last stop was a beautiful monastery. We enjoyed every minute of our day. We had a great rapport with Alin and throughout the trip we shared many jokes and laughter. Would highly recommend this trip especially if you get a guide as good as Alin. Kay and Stewart from Scotland.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In the mountains area it is colder than Bucharest, dress thickly!
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