The Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania represent the largest area of pristine nature in Central and Eastern Europe and riding here is an opportunity to explore a land where people still live much as they have done for centuries.
Romania is an exciting and different riding destination with majestic castles, medieval towns, stunning scenery and wildlife. The impressive Carpathians are the only place in Europe, west of Russia, where widespread populations of wolves, bears, and lynx roam (although there is no guarantee that you will spot any of these rare and elusive species). Time stands still here, shepherds take their flocks up into the mountains as they have done for centuries past. In the evenings, cows and water buffalo are brought back from the pastures to the village and there is little noise except the buzzing of insects and the twittering of sparrows and swallows.
Nestled in the foothills just outside the small village of Sinca Noua is Equus Silvania, an equestrian centre which proudly combines local traditions with Western standards. The centre boasts a large wooden chalet-style guesthouse. There are nine light and airy bedrooms each with en suite shower room and downstairs, a spacious dining room and living area in which to relax after a good day's ride. You might also want to sit outside on the veranda and enjoy the beautiful scenery and listen to the sounds of nature.
Equus Silvania was established by Barbara and Christoph Promberger who have lived in the area for many years and are now very involved in a number of local conservation and eco tourism projects.
The much-loved horses at Equus Silvania are a selection of part-Lipizzaner, Arab and Shagya-Arab, Kisberi, Gidran and Hungarian Sport Horses. The horses are fit and forward going, with stamina for the mountains.
Each day you ride out from Equus Silvania on day rides with saddlebag picnics. Explore the beautiful and unspoilt countryside surrounding the village of Sinca Noua, ride
along gorges and wind your way through forests of beech and fir; cross alpine meadows and discover remote mountain settlements. Weather permitting; there is one extended ride into the mountains when you camp overnight. The camping trips need a minimum of three guests and tend not to run in October when the weather can be changeable.
One day is a rest day for the horses and an opportunity for you to experience a little of the history of the area. You drive to the village of Viscri with its famous fortified church from the times of the invasion of the Turks and also visit the medieval city of Sighisoara, one of the cultural centres of the Saxons.
Winter rides are also possible in January and February. Please see the Romania Winter Rides page for further details.
The horses are ridden in English tack.Your horse will be prepared for the morning ride (groomed and the saddle put on) so that you just have to put on the bridle before setting off. You will be expected to un-tack at lunch time and then groom and tack-up for the afternoon ride. Your guide will be on hand should you require any assistance.
The riding is a mix of paces to suit the terrain and is fast in places. You must be confident handling a horse at speed in a group situation and comfortable riding over varied terrain. You must also be physically fit as well as riding fit; there is also a certain amount of walking on foot to negotiate the steeper descents.
Please note that hard hats are mandatory on this ride.
This ride has 2 choices of itinerary.
Carpathia Gourmet Ride
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Carpathia Gourmet Ride
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day 1
Arrive on an afternoon flight and be transferred from Bucharest Otopeni airport to Equus Silvania. The journey to Equus Silvania in Sinca Noua is some three hours’ drive.
On arrival at Equus Silvania in the late afternoon meet your riding guide and later have an introductory supper. Sometime during the evening there is usually an opportunity to discuss the riding and horses.
Dinner and overnight at Equus Silvania.
Day 2
A delicious breakfast will start the day. Freshly –baked bread and pastries, accompanied by eggs from the hen-house and home-cured cold-cuts of meat, along with seasonal berries and honey from neighbouring bee-hives will set you up for the day.
Then there is time to meet the horses. Set off on a 3-4 hour ride along the Stramba Ridge. Make your way through old oak forests and keep an eye out for local wildlife. Weather permitting; lunch will be a picnic on Magurice Hill.
In the afternoon, have a guided tour of the farm, from the vegetable and herb garden, to the animals.
Later, return to Magurice Hill for sun-downers.
Dinner will be served back at the guesthouse.
Day 3
After a delicious breakfast, set off of a 3-4 hour ride through the hills and meadows surrounding Equus Silvania.
In the afternoon, it is a journey of c. 30 minutes’ by road to Piatra Craiului National Park. Set off on an easy hike along the spectacular Zarnesti Gorge.
This evening there should be the chance to visit a hide in the forest not far from Equus Silvania, where wild brown bear sightings are common.
Dinner will be served back at the guesthouse.
Day 4
Today is a day off from riding and there is the chance to discover the true history of Transylvania with a visit Viscri and Sighisoara.
From Equus Silvania, it is a drive of around an hour to the village of Viscri with its famous fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) from the times of the invasion of Turks. The village has been a settlement of the Saxons, the German minority, for the last 900 years.
In 1990, most of the original villagers left for Germany but a small number of people stayed to continue their traditional life. Although by now a minority in their own village, these people have started to build themselves a future where their ancestors lived for centuries. Visit the fortified church, stroll through the village soaking up the sights.
Later, continue on to the medieval town of Sighisoara, one of the cultural centres if the Transylvanian Saxons. Stroll through the colourful streets and have a light lunch in a local café.
On the way back to Equus Silvania, stop in a medieval village for a gourmet dinner.
Day 5
After a delicious breakfast, set off on a half-day ride of 3-4 hours.
Relax over lunch at a nice spot with views of the surrounding countryside.
Have the afternoon at leisure to relax on the terrace or perhaps take a walk through Sinca Noua or up into the hills above the guesthouse.
Dinner will be served at Equus Silvania.
Day 6
Set off on a 3-4 hour ride after breakfast.
Lunch will be served back at the guesthouse.
This afternoon a guided visit to Cobor is planned. Here, the Conservation Carpathia Foundation runs an organic 500ha farm with horses, cattle and free-range pigs.
Dinner will be served in Cobor, before returning to the guesthouse to overnight.
Day 7
After breakfast it is time for your final ride (c. 3-4 hours). Weather permitting, lunch will be a picnic in a panoramic spot.
This afternoon there is an optional visit to some nearby caves, with a torch lit walk if you wish.
Returning to the guesthouse for a farewell dinner.
Day 8
After breakfast transfer back to Bucharest in time for your afternoon flight home.
Centre Based Ride
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Centre Based Ride
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather at the time and other local conditions.
Day 1
Arrive on an afternoon flight and be transferred from Bucharest Otopeni airport to Equus Silvania. The journey to Equus Silvania in Sinca Noua is some three hours’ drive.
Arrive Equus Silvania in the late afternoon. Later have an introductory supper and meet your hosts and riding guide. Sometime during the evening there is usually an opportunity to discuss the riding and horses.
Day 2 and 3
After breakfast spend some time meeting the horses (and donkey) and then ride along the meadows at the foot of the mountains. The hills offer a fantastic view (weather permitting) over the local area and the meadows invite you for a first canter. There are lots of varieties of wild flowers and you may come across tracks or bears or wild boar. Lunch breaks on both days are in the meadows with beautiful views surrounding you. Once you have returned to the stables there is time to relax on the terrace for an hour or so.
Since you will be riding in the mountains, there will likely be some steeper sections to negotiate. Due to the terrain it may be necessary for you to do some walking on foot leading your horse. After dinner each evening you might want to relax at the willow pavilion. Alternatively, you may have the possibility to visit a hide in the forest not far from Equus Silvania, where wild brown bear sightings are common (additional charge).
Day 4
Today is a rest day for the horses. Have a chance to experience the history of Transylvania with a visit to the village of Viscri. This is a drive of approx. 2 hours through sleepy villages to the north until you reach the medieval town of Sighisoara, one of the cultural centres if the Transylvanian Saxons. You then continue to the village of Viscri with its famous fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage Site) from the times of the invasion of Turks and the village has been a settlement of the Saxons, the German minority, for the last 900 years.
In 1990, most of the original villagers left for Germany but a small number of people stayed to continue their traditional life. Although by now a minority in their own village, these people have started to build themselves a future where their ancestors lived for centuries. Visit the fortified church, stroll through the village.For lunch you will be served a traditional Saxon meal, accompanied by home-made wine or plum brandy (which is not for the faint-hearted!). Later, return back to Sinca Noua for the evening.
Day 5 and 6
Weather permitting; this two day ride takes you through the forests of Transylvania, home of the large carnivores (lynx, bear and wolf). In the evening of the first day, arrive at a meadow in the mountains where you stay overnight in tents (weather permitting). A rustic dinner is cooked over the campfire and you have an evening around the fire to tell stories. If you prefer not to camp out in tents, you can be picked up and driven back to the guesthouse (€15 payable locally).
The next morning pack up your things and ride along trails and roads through the forests of Transylvania. From time to time you have spectacular views over the Carpathian Mountains. If you are lucky it may be possible to spot tracks of wolves or bears along the trails. In the late afternoon, arrive back at the guesthouse for a relaxing evening. After the two days of riding you will have completed a 50km roundtrip of the Transylvanian forests.
Day 7
On your last day ride for the week, you ride a loop of approximately 3 hours around Sinca Noua through wild forests and beautiful meadows. You can enjoy some great canters and beautiful scenery. Arrive back for a late lunch and then be taken to the nearby Bran Castle. This is commonly known as Dracula’s castle, however you will learn that the history is much more exciting than the legend.
Day 8
After breakfast transfer back to Bucharest in time for your afternoon flight home.
Tents used on overnight camping trip
Equus Silvania has a modern guesthouse (ski chalet style) with nine bedrooms, each with its own private shower room. If you are not prepared to share a room then a single supplement is payable.
Downstairs, there is a dining room, a large living room and a bar. The guesthouse has a modern wood central heater. There is also a veranda, where you can sit outside and relax. Please note that the chalet also accepts bed and breakfast guests, (including young children) who join the riding guests at meal times.
There is also wireless internet connection at Equus Silvania.
Depending on the weather (between May and September) there is usually one night spent camping in the mountains in dome tents.
Upcoming Dates
The centre based rides are suitable for advanced intermediate and experienced riders only.
Equus Silvania
28 Apr - 5 May |
Full |
Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Once booked, prices are fixed.
Price Details
RIDE PRICE
2018 (7 night)
|
Rider
|
Non-Rider
|
| 28 Apr - 31 May |
$1,234 |
$833 |
| 1 Jun - 30 Sep |
$1,398 |
$833 |
| 1 Oct - 31 Oct |
$1,234 |
$833 |
There is a special Gourmet Ride 27 August-3 September 2017 which costs $2,221
INCLUDES Riding; full board accommodation; drinks with dinner; return transfers from
Bucharest (at set times); visit to Viscri and Sighisoara.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $90 is payable if you are not prepared to share ($109 in 2018).
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks from the bar: sleeping bag hire €15; optional donation to local
conservation fund €40; bear hide visit (not guaranteed) €30; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Bucharest.
TRANSFERS Included from Bucharest at set time.
NOT INCLUDED International flights to Bucharest Otopeni.
Location
Equus Silvania is nestled in the foot of the Carpathian Mountains just outside the small village of Sinca Noua. Nearest airport is Bucharest.
Weather
Spring has warm days with cool mornings and evenings. The summer months can be hot. Autumn is usually dry and cool.
Climate
Yearly rainfall & temperature
5-Day Forecast
| Day |
Weather |
Max. Day
(°C) |
Min. Night
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| Weather is unavailable at this time. |
Weather information is obtained from the nearest available weather station.
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