Walking in Bucegi mountains


Greetings!
on first weekend of May 2010, so few days ago, I was on 2 days walking tour in Bucegi mountains, having as base Pestera hotel, at 1600 m high. My companions this time were Beth, Marc and Alexander, all of them working in Bucharest, mainly on office.
We did 2 pretty long walk, 14 km each day, climbing 900 m and 700 m, but the most important was that the weather was just fine for walking. Not too warm and not too cold, and of course not any rain!
Saturday the route was Pester Hotel – Ialomita Valley – Cerbului saddle – Babele hut – Piciorul Babelor – Pestera hotel, and Sunday our wal was Pestera hotel – Strunga saddle – Strungile Mari prak, and descending was on Piatra hotilor/Doamnei valley.

Some photos from this tour below.
Kind regards,
Iulian Cozma


Testimonials:

We had a great hiking on 8&9th of May 2010 with Iulian in the Bucegi mountains. The routes selected were great. Saturday hike to Cerbului Saddle was technically more demanding but we enjoyed it very much.
The hike on Sunday was more relax but with great scenery as well. Pestera is a great place for hiking because it is out of the beaten tracks. There are also easy hikes near the Pestera hotel witch means that even family with kids could organize a programe there. We appreciated Iulian technical expertise but also his knowledge of the environment.
We are looking forward for our next experience in the Faragas mountains.
Marc & Beth DESENFANS, May 10


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 excercize. Liked a lot walking on snow..

Presence of Iulian inspired the confidence and feeling of safety in a trip.

Hotel was great, though the road imho requires SUV. Alternatively u can get there taking cable car up from Busteni and then descending down to Pestera with a backpack.
There is a beautiful monastery located in a cave nearby. Those who like can even visit monastery service.

Looking forward to new mountain adventures.
Thanks to Iulian and my companions Marc and Beth.

Alexander Sidorov, May 10

2 Responses to “Walking in Bucegi mountains”

  • Alex:

    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 excercize. Liked a lot walking on snow..

    Presense of Iulian inspired the confidence and feeling of safety in a trip.

    Hotel was great, though the road imho requires SUV. Alternatively u can get there taking cable car up from Busteni and then descending down to Pestera with a backpack.
    There is a beautiful monastery located in a cave nearby. Those who like can even visit monastery service.

    Looking forward to new mountain adventures.
    Thanks to Iulian and my companions Marc and Beth.

  • We had a great hiking on 8&9th of May 2010 with Iulian in the Bucegi mountains.The routes selected were great.Saturday hike to Cerbului Saddle was technically more demanding but we enjoyed it very much.
    The hike on sunday was more relax but with great scenary as well.
    Pestera is a great place for hiking because it is out of the beaten tracks.
    There are also easy hikes near the Pestera hotel wich means that even family with kids could organize a programme there.We appreciated Iulian technical expertise but also his knowledge of the environment.
    We are looking forward for our next experience in the Faragas mountains.
    Marc&Beth

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Last update - 21 August 2010

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