Bucegi mountains traverse


Hello! You may find below some images from a 2 days tour, when I traverse Bucegi mountains with a group of students from Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, from Erlangen town, from Germany. The original plan was that we will go up to Bucegi mountains by the cable car from Busteni, but our plans were ruined by the cable car station from Busteni who was broke again … So next morning we travel to Sinaia Cota 1400′s by 2 small buses, and here we were very lucky because we catch the cable care up to Cota 2000 from Sinaia, where we start our walk to Omu peak. I can say that even we were 28 persons in the group, 2 teachers of Geography from Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, me as a guide and 25 students, we move very quickly ;) From Sinaia Cota 2000 to Omu peak, 2507 m high, we walk in 3 hours and 20 minutes ;) what is a very very god timing ;) I can say that after this slow running some persons from the group were quite tired but also happy! The weather at Omu peak was ok, offering us some nice views to Costila peak and Gaura valley. After a break for a tea, soup and more, we start the descent to Pestera valley, where we spent our night. On the next day we traverse Bucegi mountains from Pestera valley to Moeciu de Sus, over Saua Strunga saddle. Until Saua Strunga saddle the weather was nice and warm. Up on Saua Strunga saddle we just find a wall and a sea of clouds over all Transylvania and our luck with good weather end in few minutes ;) We had some rain, but not very bad, and finally we arrived safe and happy in Moeciu de Sus village, ready to visit Bran catsle museum!
As a special mention. The students were very disciplined, Germans ones :) Bravo!
Enjoy the photos!
Iulian Cozma
www.mountainguide.ro

The legend is alive
Eine Abschlussfahrt nach Rumänien, und auch noch mit einer zweitägigen Wanderung durch die Karpaten. Da habt ihr euch ja viel vorgenommen. Hoffentlich geht das mal gut – so die einhellige Meinung vieler Mitschüler, Kollegen und Freunde im Vorfeld der Tour. Doch wir, 25 Kollegiatinnen und Kollegiaten des Leistungskurses Geographie am Albert – Schweitzer – Gymnasium in Erlangen und zwei begleitende Lehrkräfte, hatten einen Trumpf im Ärmel, der durch nichts und niemanden zu ersetzen gewesen war – Iulian. Von der Vorplanung über die Routenwahl bis hin zur mitunter kurzfristigen Buchung von Unter-künften, jede Anfrage wurde innerhalb kürzester Zeit zur vollsten Zufriedenheit aller gelöst und per Email kommuniziert. Und dazu ließen die vielen Bilder auf der professionell gestalteten Homepage die Vorfreude auf die Zeit in Rumänien weiter anwachsen. Mit diesem guten Gefühl war es für uns somit kein Problem dieses Wagnis Rumänien zu starten. Und diese positive Grundstimmung sollte durch die Freundlichkeit und Offenheit Iulians, die wir bereits in den ersten Minuten unserer gemeinsamen Zeit spüren konnten, noch weiter übertroffen werden. Weder eine plötzlich sich in Revision befindliche Seilbahn noch müde deutsche Abiturienten brachten unseren Guide aus der Fassung. Immer gab es ein paar klärende Worte („Don´t go out after dinner. Take care about the bears. I´m not joking. Honestly :) , eine Randnotiz zu Begebenheiten am Wegesrand oder eben nur einen aufmunternden Blick. So sollten wir zwar die für uns doch ungewohnten Höhenmeter und Streckenkilometer noch längere Zeit in allen Knochenspüren, doch war der Geist beseelt von den Erlebnissen und Eindrücken dieser zwei intensiven Tage. Iulian eröffnete uns viele Gelegenheiten, das eindrucksvolle Land zwischen Bucegi – Nationalpark und Schloss Bran (Dracula), die freundlichen und warmherzigen Menschen, aber auch die vielen Hunde kennen zu lernen. Und er gab uns die Zuversicht, dass wir die weiteren Tage in Sibiu „allein“ in vollen Zügen genießen werden. Wir denken aber, dass es auch für dich, lieber Iulian, eine interessante Zeit war, denn während du es die meiste Zeit deiner beruflichen Tätigkeit mit „Bergerprobten“ zu tun hast, so war unsere Gruppe doch in weiten Teilen anderer Gestalt, wenig trainiert und denkbar unerfahren. Aber auch das hat dich nicht aus der Ruhe gebracht. So danken wir dir nochmals für eine unvergessliche Zeit mit Ursus, für deine überragende Auswahl aller Unterkünfte und dein unvergleichliches Talent, kleine und größere Probleme mit einem Lächeln oder einem Telefongespräch beiseite zu räumen.
Christian Bier – Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, Erlangen/Germany – July 2009


Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse

Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse

Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse Bucegi mountains traverse

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Last update - 30 July 2010

Latest testimonials
It's quite possible that a vacation in Romania might pose some challenges for the average American tourist, especially when planning to visit castles, monasteries, and historical towns, as well as complete a 4-night hut-to-hut hiking traverse of the Fagaras Mountains. Challenging, that is, unless your trip is in the capable hands of Iulian Cozma. From our pickup at the Bucharest airport to our 4:30 a.m. departure back to the airport 10 days later, every step of our trip was handled by Iulian with the utmost efficiency and care for our comfort and enjoyment. His skills go far beyond his competence as a mountain guide or his organizational abilities in handling every detail of lodging and traditional Romania menus. It's a rate individual who can teach his guests how to clear hundreds of sheep from a hiking trail (just whistle!), then several days later escort them to an elegant and extraordinary restaurant in Bucharest. He is one hard working individual, and it is amply demonstrated in the results achieved. We had the good fortune to enjoy many wonderful and memorable experiences thanks to Iulian and would highly recommend his services to anyone who wants an unforgettable and stress-free vacation in Romania.
Jim and Peggy Hilton - Seattle, WA USA – July 2010 – Fagaras ridge traverse

Chris and I would like to thank you so much for the walk you put together for us all. It was well prepared and planned, The meadows so full of wild flowers were breathtaking,and we were very impressed with your knowledge of where to walk, especially where there were no known paths. We felt you carried out the walk with true professionalism. You were extremely helpful at all times and very informative on all aspects of the walk,the area and customs of Romania. The Pensions were really nice to stay in and the people we met were so lovely and friendly. It was a pleasure to visit your country and especially Transylvania, which you obviously love and care about. Once again thank you so much. We wish you and your family best wishes for the future,
Chris and Yvonne Hartley – Leicestershire, England – June 2010

Iulian was a very friendly and efficient guide, and took us on a great two-day, low-level route in the beautiful Piatra Craiului National Park through forest (which we were glad of in the heat) and lush meadows. We paid a fascinating visit to cheese-making shepherds (and had a robust encounter with some sheep dogs!)
Mary Byrne,London, UK - July 2010

After a very nice experience with Iulian in May where we discovered Omu Peak in the Bucegi mountains we decided this time to go hiking in the Fagaras Mountains on 19th&20th of June. It is the best period because all Rhododendrons are blossoming and the top of the hills turn red. We slept on Friday in Brancoveanu Monastery and on Saturday morning we moved up from 800m to 2100m on the North Dragus ridge. The climb was tough but the scenery on the top with all the trees blossoming was worth all the efforts.We had a great lunch next to a stream before to start our descend to the Salvamont Hut on Valea Sambatei. At the end we had been covering a distance of 15km, walking up 1300m and walking down 800m. All in all a great experience witch I recommend to anyone who wants to discover this unique scenery of the Fagaras mountains covered by red Rhododendron flowers.
Beth and Marc Desenfans, June 2010

A massive thank you for arranging, and then personally guiding us through our amazing Romanian experience. The itinerary you put together perfectly matched our requirements - it covered mountain, country, forest and city landscapes -all in 5 days. In addition seeing a wild bear with her cubs, having a cup of fruit tea in a weather station on on top of Omu and watching the hay making process, were all unexpected bonuses. Our biggest thank you goes to you personally for your attention to detail - from the fantastic Romanian food you ensured we had, sharing your knowledge and insight with us as we covered the many kilometers during our daily hikes. We would recommend you to anyone (and have passed on your details already) - and happy that you share this note, our photos and contact details with others who may be considering a Romanian adventure. Until next time,
Dave and Jo, UK - June 2010

My recent hike (May 2010) with Iulian will certainly be one I remember. He arranged and accompanied me on a one day 25km hike up over Piatra Mare which offered me a challenge, incredible scenery, a couple of places to stop along the way. This was my second hike with Iulian and I intend to use his guide services for many more. He is able to guide through well-planned routes that I would not be able to find on my own. Iulian chose this route based on my ability, schedule, and desire to see certain areas. His services are professional and his personality made the entire expedition a pleasure. The mountains of Romania are Iulian's home and it's clear that he enjoys sharing the beauty of the area to others.
Mike Eubanks - USA - May 2010

Lovely trip. Lovely senery. Silence and tranquility for those who want to get away from hum of busy city… Pestera is a special place, much different from Sinaia or Predeal. It’s a kind of a hidden valley located in the heart of mountains. The trip became my first experience in mountain walking. We’ve made around 15 km each day. In fact, I’ve never walked so much in a single day in my whole life:) Physically challenging, though exciting. Definitely a good excersize. Liked a lot walking on snow..Presence of Iulian inspired the confidence and feeling of safety in a trip. Looking forward to new mountain adventures.
Alexander Sidorov, May 10