Duration : 10 days of circuit including one day of Trek
Details:
Isolated in the middle and west of the country, the Apuseni Mountains appear on the map as a large pavement of mountains which drifts towards the west and seems to want to be forgotten between the hills of Transylvania and Hungary. Far from everything and devoid of permanent habitat, the heart of the massif is a vast mosaic of limestone, pastures and unfathomable forests. It is here that the bowels of the mountain are revealed. Further down and up to 1300 m above sea level, over tens of kilometers, there are thousands of isolated farms, grouped in small hamlets or scattered between pieces of forest and meadows. Most are only accessible on foot. You encounter a fascinating and courageous mountain civilization.
Period: All year. Recommended periods: from mid‐April to early July and throughout the fall. In winter: small program modifications and heating supplement.
Supervision: Unless unforeseen, your guide is a villager from the Apuseni Mountains (you sleep at his place), qualified, French-speaking and experienced guide. He has a long experience of this tour and all its logistics and he brings to the trip the vision of an ordinary citizen of this country, which is always very appreciated.
Level: Between 4 and 6.5 hours of walking per day. Elevation: between 500 and 1200m per day. Cart paths and good trails except in the Padis karst: trails with some brief, impressive but safe passages, equipped with cables. Except bad weather and floods, semi‐underground canyon passages in the water (up to the knees).
The table and the drinks: Generous cuisine prepared by the families who welcome us, using fresh produce from the farm, the forest and local markets. Examples of dishes: cabbage leaves stuffed with mushrooms, veal, carrots and rice (sarmalés), bean soups, bean cream, turnovers with cream cheese and dill, meatballs with spices, farm veal, polenta (mamaliga), homemade cheeses, etc... Watering: Moldovan or Hungarian wines, plum or apple alcohol, beer... At every meal, you have bottled mineral water. Hearty breakfasts: eggs, cheeses, tea, coffee, milk, jams, honey, etc... Lunch: picnic.
Accommodation: In an inn or with locals in clean, warm traditional houses. In general, a bathroom for 4 to 6 people. This type of accommodation offers us privileged contact with the population. In the event of a cold snap, the houses are heated (earthenware stoves).
Host families, a network of friends: Accommodation is mainly in homestays, which guarantees the quality and friendliness of contacts. Most host families are primarily a network of long-time friends of our local team. Close ties unite us: we share projects, celebrations, mourning and joys. Obviously, they are also loyal partners of the’ agency.
The prices agreed with them are higher than those charged elsewhere and allow them to invest in their farm, in improving their living conditions or in their children's studies... Some reception providers have become guides and this is a great success that we want to continue.
The quality of relationships between us all, the richness of human relationships, this is what makes these trips original and successful.
