The Danube is the second longest river in Europe. It springs in the Germany's Black Forest. It goes towards East on a distance about 3000 kilometres, and crosses several capitals of the Central and Eastern Europe (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade) to flow into Black Sea through the Danube Delta. The Danube Delta is the second delta of Europe by its surface (3,500 sq km), but it is also the wildest. That’s why it’s listed in the UNESCO world heritage. Real maze of canals and lakes, it is a paradise for the aquatic fauna and flora. The delta counts 1200 varieties of plants and welcomes numerous animal species including 270 species of birds. Immersed in the Delta you will have the impression to be in an original world when, in the bend of a canal, you will see flying away groups of pelicans, ibis or egrets.
Program
Day 1 Reception in Bucharest The trip starts in Bucharest. Guide greets clients at the airport. Transfer in city centre. Guided tour in Bucharest if you arrive early. Night in a 3*** hotel in the Bucharest centre.
Day 2 Tulcea, the "gate of the Delta" Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer by bus to Tulcea, the "gate of the Delta". Departure from Tulcea by boat and arrival at Crisan, a small fishermen village. Installation in our guest-house and sail in a small boat to discover the neighbourhood. Bathing or fishing.
Day 3 The Letea forest Today we will discover an untouched aspect of the delta. Guided by our host, a fisherman who knows perfectly this aquatic labyrinth, we will go by boat to Letea - "a village forgotten by time". Besides this traditional village with an incredible charm, we will discover the surprising forest of Letea. This forest counts birches, secular oaks, but also lianas and very curious flora which grew here thanks to seeds brought by migratory birds coming from Asia and Africa.
Day 4 The Black Sea Breakfast in our guest-house, then trip boat until Sulina, where the Danube, having crossed more than 2900 km, flows into the Black Sea. Visit of the ancient lighthouse of Sulina, the point 0 from which the Danube is measured. This lighthouse built in 1870 in the Black Sea is now (because of sediments and alluviums which are transported by the powerful Danube) at more then 2km away from the shore. Visit of this town which looks like the end of the world, bathing in the Black Sea, then we go back to our guest-house in Crisan.
Day 5 The lipovenian village of Mila 23 Excursion by boat to Mila 23, in the heart of the Delta. Some of the inhabitants of this village are Lipovenes, orthodox believers who left Russia in the 17th century: persecuted by the tsarist regime after the schism of the Orthodox Church, they found refuge in the Danube Delta, where they conserved the secular practice of their faith. Then we go to our new guest house in Maliuc.
Day 6 Bird-watching at he Uzlina lake Breakfast in our guest-house. Outing in small boats, by small muddled canals, up to lake Uzlina to observe the multitude of birds which take refuge in the Delta. Picnic on a bank during the excursion.
Day 7 "Paris of the Eastern Europe" Departure by boat from Maliuc to Tulcea. There, we leave by bus to Bucharest. Free time to visit "the Paris of the Eastern Europe". Night in a 3*** hotel in the city centre.
Day 8 End of journey Breakfast and transfer to the airport. End of the trip.
Details
Starting point Bucharest train station.
End Bucharest train station.
Accommodation 3*** guest-houses or 3*** hotel, in double room. Private facilities.
Number of people Minimum of 6 people.
Level of difficulty 8 days of which 4.5 days of engine boat trips. Some itineraries could change depending on the group interests or the weather conditions.
Carrying You’ll have luggages with you during the transfers.
Options - Extra night in Bucharest, double room in a 3*** hotel (2 breakfasts included) : 115€
- Price from 6 to 9 people : 695€
- Price from 10 to 13 people : 665€
- Price from 14 to 16 people : 635€
Included Nights, meals (7 breakfasts, 5 picnics and 5 dinners at our guest-houses),transfers, English speaking ornithologist guide.
Not included Transfer to the meeting point and from the drop off point, meals like indicated, drinks, items of personal nature. Entry fees to museums and monuments.
