Danube Delta Cycling and Boating Tour

Overview:

A pleasant route that connects two activities: cycling and boating. A form of slow tourism through which you can know the Delta and all its wonders, closely. First days of tour explore the shore of the Razim Lake, which is very rich in natural and historical points of interest. Second part is reserved for exploring the wilderness of Danube Delta.

What do we do: We invite you to a wonderful trip in Danube Delta, where you will enjoy three beautiful cycling days mixed with the other three boating days through the stunning deltaic landscape. Our cycling/boating tour will take you to the traditional village of fishermen and will immerse you in one of Europe's last wild places.
Along the cycling days we will get acquainted with the rich history of Dobrogea (Scythia Minor, in Roman Empire) and with wonderful landscape of the oldest European territory (Hercinian mountains). After we embark on lotca - traditional boat of Delta - we penetrate the newest, mysterious and savage territory of Europe, which is Danube Delta.
The group is accompanied by experienced guide, knowledgeable of the area, history and wildlife of Dobrogea and the Danube Delta.

Tour map: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=11451162

Trip Highlights:
• The Danube Delta, the largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas
• Archeological sites, ancient and medieval
• Places where the Danube flows into Black Sea
• Large variety in terms of landscape, flora, fauna
• Sun-tanning on the wild beaches of Black Sea
• Cycling through remote areas: Delta's wild landscape, isolated villages
• Delicious meals prepared by locals
• Find out a lot about local tradition related to fishing

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Jurilovca
We will be meeting in the Baia Dobrogea train station and go by car in village of Jurilovca. Here, after accommodation, we have a traditional dinner with fish dishes.

Day 2 – Jurilovca - Wolf Sandbank - Gura Portitei; 17 km by bike/28 km by boat
Load the bikes on the boat and sailed 16 km to Wolf Sandbank - that is a protected area in Delta. We cross the sandbank on bike and observe wild life from the area. At Gura Portitei we can relax a few hours on the Black Sea beach. Late afternoon we put the bikes on the boat and return in Jurilovca, where we expect a delicious dinner.

Day 3 – Jurilovca – Argamum - Calugara Cape - Jurilovca; 36 km by bike
After we take breakfast we begin our trip at around 9.30 a.m. From Jurilovca we will cycle 7 km to Argamum which is the oldest city in Romania. Was founded by the Greeks in the VII BC. We continue our journey on the shore of Lake Razim up to Cape monks, where we find fossil coast of the Black Sea, with spectacular rocky forms. In our journey we will observe wild birds and we find traces of ancient pottery. In the evening time we return to Jurilovca and have dinner.

Day 4 – Jurilovca – Sarichioi – Dunavatul de Jos; 29 km by bike, 35 km by boat
After the breakfast, we go to Enisala by bike where we visit medieval genoese stronghold of Heracleea and Museum of Peasantry Household. We take a picnic-lunch in Sarichioi, a Russian Lippovan fishing village on Razim Lake shore. Afternoon, we take the boat and enter to the Delta. After a few hours of navigation on the channels, we will get in Dunavatul de Jos, where we accommodate at a guest house on the waterfront.

Day 5 – Dunavatul de Jos - Sfantu Gheorghe; 9 km by bike/40 km by boat
After breakfast, we embark in the lotca, and enter into the Delta, and we head to the Black Sea. After a few hours of navigation on the channels and on Danube, we will get in Sfantu Gheorghe which is the village where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. Here we accommodate in pension and we spend evening in this special place, unique in Europe .

Day 6 – Sfantu Gheorghe - Sulina; 46 km by bike
We have breakfast, pack up the luggage and we take the bike to go to Sulina. We ride bicycle along the Black Sea shore through wonderful landscape, with wild beach of the Black Sea on the right side and Delta on the left side. After three hours we arrive in Sulina, which is the only city in the Delta. Here we accommodate in pension and we spend evening visiting nineteenth century picturesque town.

Day 7 – Sulina – Letea Forest - Crisan; 32 km by bike/22 km by boat
In the morning, have breakfast and we launch in the Delta wilderness, in the Letea Forest, which is the oldest natural reservation in Romania (1938). It has a subtropical aspect, due to the presence of the tropical creeper named Periploca graeaca. This is a Mediterranean plant which finds its most northern refuge in the Danube Delta. Along with this, types of liana and other climbing plants are woven on the branches of the trees, such as the wild vine, the hop plant and the ivy. Afternoon, we take the boat and head to the village of Crisan, on the Danube Delta channels.

Day 8 – Departure day
After breakfast, leaving Crisan, by ferry boat, to Tulcea where you have train and bus connection to Bucharest. End of the trip.

The tour package includes:
• bike rental
• guiding
• technical assistance
• 7 breakfasts & 7 dinners& 7 lunches or picnic lunches
• energy bars
• fruits
• accommodation 3-star pensions and traditional houses
• transport from Baia Dobrogea train station to Jurilovca, by car (first day), transport from Crisan to Tulcea, by ferry boat (last day)
• 8 meters lotca (traditional boat)
• all entrances to monuments included in the itinerary
• taxes to access in Danube Delta Reservation

Not included:
• Alcoholic driks
• Refreshing drinks
• Bike accessories (helmet, bottle of water)
• Insurance

Dates&price:
6 June – 13 June
5 September – 12 September
860 dolar/person (120 dolar/single room supplement)