Danube Delta
Romania Bike + Barge Tours
Cycle nature’s paradise in Europe!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1468 Rates
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Overview
Nature lovers and birders take note! This combination bike tour and bike and boat tour meanders through the stunning beauty of Europe's last natural paradise, the Danube Delta to mile "0", where the mighty Danube River empties into the Black Sea.
This is the second-largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas and is known for its biosphere with birds, animals, and plant species, but is also home to a fascinating mix of cultures and people. You will travel along canals with floating reed islands, lagoons, and lakes. The landscape alternates between gently rolling hills, swamp, and prairie land, and has amazed mankind with its diversity and beauty since the Romans, Greeks, and Dacians.
Life in the small fishing villages you will encounter along the way is tranquil; the solitude and silence of the almost impenetrable thicket are interrupted only by the calls of Dalmatian Pelicans, Cormorants, and Egrets.
Under expert guidance, you will discover the flora and fauna of this landscape, rich in history as well, and enjoy Romania's hospitality and cuisine.
Highlights
- Orthodox monasteries of Celic Dere and Saon
- Ancient colony of Arganum
- Medieval fortress of Enisala
- Biosphere of the Danube Delta (third largest biodiversity in the world, exceeded only by the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador) which includes:
- 300 species of birds
- 3,450 animal species
- 1700 plant species
Check out all of our Danube Bicycle Tours.
Itinerary
Day 1: Bucharest - Tulcea (arrival)
Day 2: Nufaru - Sfantu Gheorge, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 3: Journey to "Mile 0", 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 4: Gulf of Musura - Crisan, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 5: The flora and fauna of the Danube Delta (rest day)
Day 6: Monasteries of the Dobrogea, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 7: Lagoon tour, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 8: Transfer Tulcea - Bucharest (departure)All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs, etc.
Day 1: Bucharest
Individual arrival to Bucharest Airport and bus transfer at 2 pm (approx. 4 hrs) into the Danube Delta to Tulcea. Embarkation, dinner, and overnight stay.Day 2: Nufaru - Sfantu Gheorge, 19 mi. (31 km)
Cycling along the most southern Danube arm through the nature reserve Bestepe Hills (five hills), you will soon forget the ascents when you experience the views into the heart of the Danube Delta. At the small fishing village, Murighiol, you arrive onboard by a maze of channels, floating islands, dense forests, and pure wilderness experience. The village is home to the ruined Roman city of Halmyris, one of the most important ancient sites in Romania and though the work of uncovering and preserving has begun, much of the ruins remain unexcavated. This is a unique opportunity to see an ancient city still in the process of being uncovered. Overnight on board the boat hotel.Day 3: The journey to mile “0”, 16 mi. (25 km)
The route today begins on a bumpy gravel path, on the right, the wide-open of Black Sea, on the left, the lush green reeds and marshland that reach into the loneliness and solitude of the Danube Delta. Cormorants and Great White Egrets are common sightings. Mile “0” is at Sulina: the Danube has reached its destination! This port town was mentioned for the first time more than 1,000 years ago under the name of Selina in a work written by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenetes. It once bustled with traders from Europe and the Middle East, adventurers and sea pirates. The 60-foot-tall lighthouse, located in the north of the town, was built in 1802 and restored in 1870. It is here that the long journey of this mighty river starts to meld with the salt of the sea. Overnight onboard the boat hotel.Day 4: Gulf of Musura - Crisan, 14 mi. (23 km)
Through the bird's paradise of Musura Bay, the route leads on natural streets to the picturesque village Letea, forgotten by time. In this village, the houses are made of reed and loam, painted a lovely blue. A deep silence pervades. Nearby, with trees more than 500 years old, is the Letea Reserve. Oak, black poplar, elm, ash, and thorny shrubs are smothered in the tropical creeper named Periploca, a Mediterranean plant with reddish-brown bark and simple, glossy leaves, giving the Letea Forest its tropical look. Here, you may also encounter black-bellied foxes, wild horses, boars, falcons, and white-tailed eagles. The surrounding sand dunes are home to tortoises and lizards. Next, the fishing village of Crisan with a few houses spreading over the right bank of Sulina, and a fishery on the other bank, will be reached by boat. Overnight onboard the boat hotel.Day 5: The Fauna & Flora of the Danube Delta (rest day)
During a boat ride through a labyrinth of narrow waterways, you will pass by small fishing villages and again experience the incredible diversity of the Fauna and Flora of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta. The area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures, and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a vast array of wildlife. In the afternoon you return from this surreal dream world to the vibrant town life of Tulcea. Overnight on board the boat hotel.Day 6: Monasteries of the Dobrogea, 16 mi. (26 km)
Today, you cycle a loop through a gently rolling landscape to the Orthodox nunnery, Celic Dere, the biggest convent of the Dobrogea territory, rich in history and containing meaningful religious relics. One of the most important icons is the one representing Jesus Christ, brought to the convent around 1806. It can be seen in the Chapel Church and bears the name of “The icon that cleans itself” because at one point the icon was blackened by the passing of time but then, unexplainably, the face of Christ lightened. The legend says that the icon was brought by a soldier. He told the monks that even though it looked soiled, one day it would clean itself, and the eyes of Christ would open. After almost 200 years from that day, more than half of this icon is now lightened. The romantic Abbey of Saon with its distinctive windmill is located amidst vineyards right on the bank of the Danube. Near parks from a ridge, you will enjoy a fantastic view over the extensive, green floodplain directly on the border to Ukraine. Transfer back to Tulcea. Overnight in the Tulcea 4* guesthouse.Day 7: Lagoon tour and the Dolosman Cape, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today, the tour begins by bus to Ceamurlia de Jos. The nature reserve of Cape Dolosman with the Greek-Roman excavations of Argamum separates the Delta lakes Golovita and Razim. By bike, you reach the medieval fortress of Enisala, which is located high over the Danube. Here you will enjoy the breathtaking view over the Lagoon Razim. Overnight in the guesthouse in Tulcea.Day 8: Disembarkation - Transfer Tulcea-Bucharest
After breakfast, transfer by bus back to the airport Otopeni/Bucharest; approximate arrival is 2 pm. Please keep this in mind when booking return flights! We recommend that you book flights after 4 PM. Possibility of additional nights in Tulcea or Bucharest.Looking for more? View all of our featured bike & boat tours, or our full list of active vacations
Map
Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated on a comfortable hotel boat in cabins (approx. 9 m2) with twin beds, an air-conditioned restaurant, and a spacious sundeck with deckchairs. The cabins are not airconditioned but the windows can be opened to allow fresh ventilation. The main vessel is actually pulled by a support craft outfitted with environmentally friendly solar panels and lithium batteries to provide a whisper quiet experience in nature.
In Tulcea, you will be accommodated in a 4* guest house. This comfortable hostel, with air-conditioned rooms, is about a 5-10 minute walk from the market square. The city of Tulcea is laid out on seven hills and has been an important harbor since ancient times.Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation onboard a comfortable hotel boat for 5 nights & 2 nights in a comfortable 4* guesthouse in Tulcea
- Transfers from/to Bucharest on Days 1 & 8
- Breakfast, packed lunches, & dinner
- 24-speed city touring bicycle with an aluminum frame, mudguards, comfortable gel saddles, panniers, handlebar bag, & anti-puncture tires
- Helmets (available free of charge)
- Bike guide/wildlife guide
- Support van & support boat
- Maps & tour information (1 package per room)
- GPS tracks available
What’s Not Included
- Excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Bike protection
- Trip Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Season 1: April 19, 2023
Season 2: May 24, June 10, August 22, September 11, & September 19, 2023
Minimum number of 12 people participants to confirm a departure.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Season 1 Season 2 2-bed cabin/double/twin room $ 2398 £ 1289 $ 2,146 € 1468 ₪ 5924 ¥ 223516 NZ$ 2635 NOK 17772 kr 17488 $ 1,602 $ 2888 £ 1552 $ 2,585 € 1768 ₪ 7134 ¥ 269194 NZ$ 3174 NOK 21404 kr 21061 $ 1,929 1-bed cabin/single room $ 3313 £ 1781 $ 2,965 € 2028 ₪ 8183 ¥ 308781 NZ$ 3641 NOK 24551 kr 24159 $ 2,213 $ 3705 £ 1991 $ 3,316 € 2268 ₪ 9152 ¥ 345323 NZ$ 4071 NOK 27457 kr 27018 $ 2,475 Extra Options
Extra nights
Tulcea 4* Bucharest 4* Twin/double: $ 80 £ 43 $ 72 € 49 ₪ 198 ¥ 7461 NZ$ 88 NOK 593 kr 584 $ 53 $ 96 £ 52 $ 86 € 59 ₪ 238 ¥ 8983 NZ$ 106 NOK 714 kr 703 $ 64 Single supplement $ 129 £ 69 $ 116 € 79 ₪ 319 ¥ 12028 NZ$ 142 NOK 956 kr 941 $ 86 $ 162 £ 87 $ 145 € 99 ₪ 399 ¥ 15074 NZ$ 178 NOK 1199 kr 1179 $ 108 Extra transfer
One-way from the Delta to Bucharest, per car: $ 554 £ 298 $ 496 € 339 ₪ 1368 ¥ 51616 NZ$ 609 NOK 4104 kr 4038 $ 370 *
*1 - 3 people
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This is a guided, combined hotel and bike and boat tour on sand, gravel, or asphalt roads that require experience on the bike. You will cycle in groups of 10 - 20. However, daily mileage is not excessive and some stretches are completed by bus or boat. The landscape has rolling hills with some traffic.
Airport Info
Fly into the International airport Bucharest Otopeni, also known as Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) located 18 km north of the city.
Local Travel
The meeting point (even if you booked an extra night(s) in Bucharest) is at 2 p.m. at Otopeni Airport/ arrival hall/basement / in front of the Carrefour express Supermarkt. Travel time is approximately 4 hours into the Danube Delta to Tulcea. The estimated time of arrival in the Delta is at 7.00 p.m. After embarkation on the hotel boat, you will enjoy dinner together with your other travel companions.
If you are arriving early to enjoy a day or two in Bucharest, from the airport, you can reach the center with a taxi which can be ordered at the touch screens in the arrivals hall. Tariffs are clearly displayed.
Public transportation is also an option with arrival in Bucharest in approx. 40-50 min. The express bus line (line 783) travels to the city center. You will find the bus stops directly in front of the arrival halls at the airport or at the exits at the train station in Bucharest.Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The prevailing continental climate, with only 18 inches of annual rainfall, is influenced by proximity to the sea and the humidity rising from countless inland lakes and small waterways.
Day of Rest
Day 5 is specifically set aside for a rest day where you will remain on board for a tour of the Danube Delta.
Recommended
Please book early as this tour has proven to be very, very popular.
Remarks
If you want to spend extra time in Tulcea, the Danube Delta Natural History Museum (Muzeul de Stiintele Naturii Delta Dunarii) is a great place to visit to get an introduction to the region’s flora and fauna as well as the traditional way of life of the Danube Delta’s fishermen. The live fish collection comprises local prey and domestic species from lakes, rivers, and seas, as well as exotic species from Latin America, South America (northern part), southwest Asia and central Africa.
Important to know
Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Life on Board
With your experienced local wildlife and bike guides, you learn to recognize birds by their noise or in flight, discover rare plants and animals, learn about the life of the Delta residents and the incredible eventful past of this region, which also fascinated the Romans, Greeks, and Dacians.
The cook on board is a member of the crew and prepares breakfast, packed lunches, and a warm dinner in the evening. The meals are traditional Romanian specialties with fish, meat, and vegetables. Vegetarian meals are possible but please indicate this at the time of booking.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights possible in Tulcea 4 guesthouse and in a 4 facility in Bucharest. Please see pricing.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Rad und Reisen.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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