The mighty Danube River opens up onto the Black Sea in a labyrinth of channels, home to hundreds of species of birds. It is here in the Danube Delta and its surrounding forests and mountains that we explore a vast variety of flora and fauna, both on foot and by boat.
The journey is led by long-time Slow Cyclist guide Mişu David, who has been a firm favourite with our Transylvanian guests for a number of years owing to his sharp wit and extensive knowledge of nature and wildlife. He is a keen naturalist with 15 years experience of guiding in the delta and Carpathians. As a child, he visited the Danube Delta nearly every year to live with locals and fish in the labyrinth of channels. He developed a passion for the local wildlife which has continued to grow ever since.
An afternoon transfer from Bucharest airport brings us to the edge of the Danube and the village of Somova where we will spend the next two nights. Here we will stay at a picturesque family-owned guest house and enjoy our first taste of the unique flora and fauna of this extraordinary environment next to the lagoons and channels of the Danube Delta. The guest house enjoys lovely views from the garden, two swimming pools, and homemade regional cuisine.
For the early risers, Mişu will take you on an early morning bird-spotting walk. After breakfast, we’ll slowly paddle our way along the waterways of the delta via kayak, an opportunity to meander at your own pace. We’ll have a picnic lunch along the way before returning to our guest house. There will be free time in the afternoon to explore or relax beside the pool before heading to a local vineyard for wine tasting. Dinner will be back at the guest house.
In the morning we will journey by boat deep into the northern canals and channels of the delta near to Somova. We’ll spend most of the day meandering our way to Crisan, with a picnic lunch onboard. In the early evening we’ll arrive at our guest house, our home for the next two nights nestled in the heart of the Danube Delta, and only accessible by boat.
Today we travel by boat to Letea with bird watching along the way. After walking through the remote old village we will arrive at the virgin forest of Letea with its 800-year-old oak trees and 10-metre high sand dunes, not to mention wild horses and many interesting species of plants and insects. A local villager will host us for lunch at his home before we make our return by boat to Crisan for dinner at the guest house.
Today we have the option to enjoy an early morning boat ride to a lagoon as the sun rises. After breakfast we’ll take our boat to the southern Delta and the small village of Danavatu de Jos where our guest house has its own mooring. After a light lunch we’ll make our way by fast boat to the Black Sea, before returning to our guest house for our final evening in this magical place and a farewell dinner.
After breakfast we will say our goodbyes and transfer you back to Bucharest airport.
It’s rare in small group travel, but at The Slow Cyclist we include everything from the moment you land in Romania. We are often told by our guests how great it is to forget about their wallet and focus on the experience.
A dedicated Slow Cyclist host to look after you along the way as well as wonderful local guide Mişu
Airport transfers on arrival and departure, and you never need to carry any bags as your luggage is transported ahead each day.
Characterful Romanian guest houses, delicious locally sourced and home-cooked food and all drinks and snacks
All cultural visits and activities, from wine tasting to kayaking. And as ever with The Slow Cyclist, plenty of surprises too.
