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Rhododendron hiking tour in Fagaras mountains

Greetings!

I was hiking for the first time on Dragus north ridge with my father, back on summer on summer of 1988… and I still have good memories! We start our hike from Breaza village, on the old border between Austro-Hungarian empire and Romania, climbing up to Traznita cliffs on Cataveiu ridge, and descending from Cheia Bandei peak to Valea Sambetei hut.

I remember that was a strong rainy day, and we slept on the corridor of Sambata valley, on some wet mattresses…. Was not a easy hike, and was not a easy night for a teenager of 14 years old, but I survived:)

On the next days we climb the steep path who lead us to Racorele valley on Dragus ridge, and I was amazed by the colors of the flowers, the same rhododendrons witch was on bloom period more then 20 years ago!

Since then, each time when I want to show to others how beautiful can be this mountain flowers, I’m returning there! And I think was worth, because as you see, I’m returning there with pleasure!

On 2009, on June, I was up the with Michele Blanc from Salon de Provence, France, and her friends! And we had a very nice hiking tour, on the same beautiful landscape, surrounded by the beautiful rhododendrons!

This year I had the chance to be there with Beth, Marc and Mike, mountain lowers, who work and live in Bucharest. And out tour was fulfilled with really good weather, and with the flowers on bloom as is rare to find anywhere else in Fagaras mountains!

Bottom of the line, Fagaras mountains offer incredible hikes and views, during year around, but if you can hike on the rhododendrons blooming period you’ll be very nice surprised!

Enjoy the photos,
Iulian

Testimonial:

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.We had a great dinner with the Salvamont team before to rest under our blankets while the rain was pouring outside. In the morning the weather had improve enough and we walked down the Sambata Valley along the river to go back to the monastery.

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

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Last update - 21 August 2010

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Latest testimonials
One again, Iulian, thank you for a wonderful trip! We enjoy being with you and consider you a friend, not just a guide! We hope to be able to see you again, either in Romania or in New York City ! All the best to you and your family! Fondest regards, Laura Picone, New York City, USA – August 2010, Fagaras mountains hike
Dear Iulian, we wouldn’t returned to Romania if we didn’t already know we would have an excellent guide waiting for us! Now that we have done more “challenging” hikes with you, your care, knowledge and expertise are even more obvious to us. As always, you have been extremely attentive and thoroughly efficient! I hope we will stay in touch and share more experiences! Best always, Scott Isler, New York City, USA – August 2010, Fagaras mountains hike
Iulian Cozma ist es gelungen uns eine unvergessliche Wanderung erleben zu lassen. Seine Planung war ausgezeichnet und unserer Kondition angemessen. Er hat es verstanden alle Teilnehmer im Alter von 33 - 70 Jahren gleichermaßen zu begeistern. Iulian hat unseren Wünschen entsprechend viel Flexibilität entgegengebracht. Wir waren sehr gut betreut und haben uns stets sicher gefühlt. Diese Wanderung hat uns bleibende Eindrücke über die wunderbaren Naturlandschaften und Landsleute Rumäniens geboten. Wir werden diese Wanderreise in guter Erinnerung behalten und in der Zukunft vielleicht noch das Bucegi-Gebirge oder die Ostkarpaten mit Iulian buchen. Wir sagen Danke und wünschen Iulian weiterhin erfolgreiche Führungen.Dr. Artur Wolff, Worms, Deutschland - Kamm Wanderung in Rumänien
Iulian Cozma geeft je het gevoel een gast te zijn in plaats van een toerist in zijn land. Het verblijf was aangenaam en comfortabel. De organistatie is strak geregeld en gaf volledige genoegdoening. De gids had de trek goed in de hand en liet ruimte voor persoonlijke inbreng. Veel dank, Iulan en Horia, voor een geweldige eerste indruk van Roemenië. Tim, Johan & the rest AKA the smokers - August 2010 hiking tour in Bucegi and Bran county
Great Trekking ! Everything was nicely arranged, the hikes perfectly matched our level, beautiful guesthouses and even more beautiful hikes. And with a great guide, Horia, who didn't only make us sweat during hillwalking but could easily switch to the political and financial situation in Romania or the ingredients of the Ciorba (great Romanian soup). A good experience! I would recommend Iulian and Horia to everybody who wants to explore Romania. You won't regret it! Tim, Johan & the rest AKA the smokers - August 2010 hiking tour in Bucegi and Bran county
Iulian Cozma makes you feel like a guest in his country instead of a tourist. At all times I felt comfortable and enjoyed my stay. The organization was tightly run and left nothing to be desired. The guide had firm control over our trek but with enough flexibility to allow me a significant say in our activities If I so chose. Thank you Iulian and Horia for a great first impression of Romania. Johan Beyens - August 2010 hiking tour in Bucegi and Bran county
Mit den Wünschen: „Bergwandern, aber auch Städte und Kultur innerhalb einer Woche ein wenig kennen lernen“, wandten wir uns an Iulian, mit dem ein Teilnehmer aus unserer Gruppe vor sechs Jahren schon gute Erfahrungen gemacht hatte. Die Bergwanderungen waren sehr gut aufgebaut, das Tempo an unser Können angepasst. Während wir die Ruhe und die wunderschöne Natur genossen, zeigte sich Iulian durchgehend als sehr kompetenter, erfahrener, umsichtiger und flexibler Bergführer, der uns ein hohes Maß an Sicherheit und Wohlbefinden vermittelte. Zudem erfuhren wir von ihm viel über Land und Leute und erhielten beim Wasserbüffelmelken und der Besichtigung einer Maismühle einen einmaligen Einblick in das rumänische Landleben. Tausend Dank für den perfekten und unvergesslichen Urlaub Iulian! Wir kommen auf jeden Fall wieder! Karin, Martin, Sandra and Tobi from Hamburg, Germany – July 2010
With the briefing to “go hiking and experience cities and Romanian culture and country life within a week time”, we approached Iulian to design a tour for us. One of our group´s members already did a tour six years ago and had a very good experience with him. We immediately received an individual tour recommendation The hikes were perfectly planned, very well suited to our idea of the tour and adapted to our speed and physical condition. While we enjoyed the scenery, Iulian proved to be a competent, experienced and also flexible mountain guide, who always gave us a very secure and comfortable feeling. Moreover, we learned from him a great deal about people and the country. Milking a water buffalo (!) and visiting a mill in a small village were a very individual and unique insight into parts of Romanian country life. Thanks very much for the perfect and unforgettable holiday! We will definitely return for the next tour... Karin, Martin, Sandra and Tobi from Hamburg, Germany – July 2010
Iulian und Andrei waren sehr angenehme Bergkameraden, in Viktoriastadt nahmen wir Abschied von Andrei und in Kronstadt auf der Terasse des Kolpinghauses trennte ich mich mit der Absicht, die Kammwanderung nächstes Jahr fortzusetzen, von Iulian. Die Tour war sehr gut organisiert (Einschließlich Flughafentransfer, Hotel- und Schutzhüttenreservierung), Iulian ist absolut zuverlässig und geht flexibel auf Kundenwünsche ein. Ich empfehle ihn auf diesem Wege herzlichst. Christian aus Stuttgart, Kammwanderung Fogarasch Ost – West, Juli 2010
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
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Fagaras mountains are the Transylvanian Alps!