Small-group max 7 pax, with Pick-up, Top Gear Road Transfăgărăşan
Description
Avoid big bus (coach) on the winding road! Join a small group (maximum 7) in a minivan! Our first destination is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history. Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru. We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive. Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road. We stay here for 90 minutes. On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Poenari Fortress is a historic citadel located in Romania, perched atop a steep cliff in the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the 13th century and later enhanced by Vlad the Impaler, it served as a strategic stronghold and a defensive fortress. Known for its dramatic views and association with the Dracula legend, the fortress is accessible via a challenging climb of over 1,400 steps, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval history and folklore. We see the fortress from exterior.
Vidraru Dam and Lake, located in Romania's Făgăraș Mountains, is a stunning hydro-engineering marvel completed in 1966. The curved arch dam, standing 166 meters high, creates Vidraru Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by lush forests and dramatic peaks. A popular destination for tourists, it offers breathtaking views, boating, and serves as a gateway to the Transfăgărășan Road.
The Transfăgărășan Highway, often called one of the world’s most scenic roads, winds through Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains in the Carpathians. Built in the 1970s, this dramatic route features sharp hairpin turns, sweeping curves, and breathtaking views of rugged peaks, valleys, and waterfalls. A favorite for road trips, it connects Transylvania to Wallachia and offers iconic landmarks like Balea Lake and Poenari Fortress along the way.
Capra Waterfall, located in Romania near the Transfăgărășan Highway, is a spectacular natural attraction. Cascading from a height of over 40 meters, this alpine waterfall is fed by glacial waters and surrounded by lush greenery and rugged mountain landscapes. Easily accessible during the summer months, it offers visitors a refreshing stop with stunning views and the soothing sound of rushing water.
The place of view on the winding road is open only from June to October.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 7 years old cannot participate in shared group tours. Please contact us to give you a private tour offer.
- We will NOT visit the interior of Poenari Fortress, we will only see it from below - outside. To enter in Poenari Fortress you have to climb 66 floors on the stairs!
- Bâlea Glaciar Lake (the view point to the winding road) is accessible only in the summer and early autumn months, from June to October
- Our first destination is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history. Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru. We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive. Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road. On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
- Please Do Not Feed the Bears! We know they are beautiful and it’s tempting to share food with them, but feeding the bears actually hurts them. When bears get used to human food, they stop foraging naturally, lose their fear of humans, and often have to be relocated or put down for safety reasons. Plus, please keep in mind that feeding wildlife is strictly illegal and carries very high fines. Thank you for helping us keep both our visitors and our bears safe!
Reviews(413)
Really great day out with Bogan. He was very informative and pleasant to be with. His English was great which made it so enjoyable. And a great day was topped off by seeing 2 lots of bears on the way back. Overall a very enjoyable day and would highly recommend it.
I hardly know where to start. One thing at a time: I had booked the tour and was informed very promptly by the company that I was the only customer for the day, which is why the tour could not take place. However, we were quickly able to agree that I would pay a very reasonable surcharge and thus had a private tour at a very fair price. Regarding the tour itself: The guide, Sebastian, picked me up punctually directly at my apartment in his very comfortable car. The tour went as described and was full of highlights. We saw many bears, and the other destinations were also exciting to fantastic. And Sebastian entertained me with so much information and expertise that the long day, which also requires a lot of time in the car, really never became boring. Quite the opposite. And one more word about Sebastian: Beyond the tour, he gave me a contact for a trip to the Danube Delta and selflessly helped with the organization even a few days after our tour. That day was also fantastic, but that does not belong here. But it shows what a great guide he is. Thank you! In any case, I recommend this tour without reservation, even in comparison to the cheaper tours of other companies in large tour buses.
I would give this experience 6/5 stars if I could. Everything was above and beyond my expectations. Our guide Sebastian is a great driver with a lot of interesting insights about many subjects surrounding Romania and a great sense of humor. The locations selected for the trip were excellent and I felt like I was getting a great bang for my buck at all times
This is a must do trip when in Romania! The Transfagarasan highway is epic, George our tour guide was excellent. We saw 12 bears! Made plenty of bathroom stops . Lunch at Lake Balea was very nice . Great day !
My wife & I did this tour yesterday with George as our driver and guide. There were 5 of us on the tour so a more personal experience. The minivan we were in was very comfortable. George was an excellent driver and knowledgeable guide. We managed to see a total of 8 bears including a mama bear with 2 cubs. George always stopped when we saw them so we could take videos & pictures. A couple of bears were actually walking in the middle of the road as we approached & they came right up to us. We had plenty of stops along the way and take in the amazing views. The view from the top of the mountain at Balea lake to the Transfagarasan road below was a sight to behold. We had a really fantastic day and we were so glad we did this tour.
George did a great job, he was very informative and gave us plenty of free time over the lunch hour to eat and explore the shops in the area. We very much enjoyed the tour and saw many bears.
The trip was very nice, the route was charming and the guide was excellent. Sebastian explained everything to us very patiently and was very professional.
We enjoyed our trip with Sebastian. He was absolutely amazing. Very helpful and informative. He explained everything to us very clearly and well. We encountered 20 bears on this trip. Highly recommended
Full day of jaw dropping beauty, in comfort, and with the most knowledgeable guide. The rest of our stay in Romania we were constantly saying, “Sebastian told us” or “Remember how Sebastian explained” so we not only got a nature expedition, but also a travel experience, a history guided tour, a photo excursion unparalleled. Yes this trip is a long day, but the van is so comfortable, and our driver was so safe and careful that it was also an easy day. June is an amazing time to go, we saw 12 different bears, and our guide is so experienced, he knew when we saw the same bear on the return trip, even could tell us age and sex of the bears. I loved how he respected the bears, while we admired them from the safety from the safety from the van, we were only feet away.
What an amazing day we had.. George, our tour guide made sure he stopped the car at every opportunity when we saw a bear and made sure we safely got as many pictures as we wanted. We never felt rushed at any point and got plenty of time to see the bears, experience the transfagarasan highway and soak in the atmosphere.. The weather (which is a very important part of the tour) was perfect as well and the view of the highway was clear from the lake. It is about 20C colder at the lake than it is in Bucharest so make sure you pack some warm clothing. All in all it was a magnificent day, every single box was checked and a big thankyou once again to George for taking such good care of us and making this day and these wonderful memories we now have forever possible. Thank you George and hope to see you again someday..
