Caving & Hiking In Apuseni Mountains (5 Days, From Cluj)

Itinerary

Day 1: Cluj-Napoca / Apuseni Natural Park

Pass By: Apuseni Natural Park, Localitatea Sudrigiu 136 Comuna Rieni, 417419 Romania
Departure from Cluj in the morning, heading for the Apuseni Mountains. In the middle of the Romanian Western Carpathians, the Apuseni Nature Park covers a surface of over 75,000 hectares. Characterized by a complex limestone landscape, the area reveals not only some of the most stunning caves and ice-caves in Romania, but also large numbers of Transylvania’s most picturesque mountain villages. Lunch on the way, in a restaurant.

Stop At: Meziad Cave, Meziad 417221 Romania
Meziad Cave is a caving reserve
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Farcu Cave (the Cave of Crystals), Rosia Romania
Also known as 'Crystals cave'
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a mountain chalet in Padis area (rooms with shared facilities).

Day 2: Apuseni Natural Park: Cetatile Ponorului

Stop At: Cetățile Ponorului, Budureasa, Romania
Trekking in the very heart of the Padis limestone plateau, passing by or through some of the main trails and spots, like Cetatile Ponorului cave, Bortig pit cave. Dinner and accommodation in a mountain chalet. Difficulty: medium
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a mountain chalet in Padis area (rooms with shared facilities).

Day 3: Apuseni Natural Park: Cetatile Radesei

Stop At: Cave Rădeasa, Budureasa, Romania
Trekking in the very heart of the Padis limestone plateau, exploring Cetatile Radesei cave and Somesul Cald gorge. Dinner and accommodation in a mountain chalet. Difficulty: medium
Duration: 7 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a mountain chalet in Padis area (rooms with shared facilities).

Day 4: Apuseni Natural Park: Casa de Piatra

Stop At: Casa De Piatră, Str. Principala, 132A, Com. Gârda de Sus, Alba, Casa de Piatră 517043, Romania
Breakfast and prepare to leave Padis, heading for Aries Valley. Dinner and accommodation in a rural guesthouse, in an isolated hamlet. Difficulty: medium
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a rural guesthouse (rooms with shared facilities).

Day 5: Apuseni Natural Park / Cluj-Napoca

Stop At: Scarisoara Ice Cave, Garda de Sus Romania
Visit Scarisoara ice cave, the biggest ice cave in Romania. Transfer back to Cluj in the afternoon. Difficulty: medium
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: picnic lunch
No accommodation included on this day.