HIKE AND CAMP TOUR

5 days / 4 nights
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DISCOVER MOLDOVA WITH THIS HIKE AND CAMP TOUR!

Enjoy a hiking experience in Moldova and let yourself discover its tourist attractions. You will set off on a time travel to Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) to see a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago and discover Tipova and Saharna Monasteries – an unusual landscape with many waterfalls. You will have the opportunity to spend the night at local guesthouses or set up your tents and sleep out in nature.



Highlights

Cultural, Natural and...

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Hanul lui Hanganu...

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Tipova Cave Monastery

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Saharna Monastery

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Japca Monastery

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Itinerary A day-by-day plan to guide your journey. Download PDF

Day 1: Arrival day

On arrival at Chisinau International Airport, you will be transferred to Riscova where you will have dinner at a local villa and will have the possibility to check in at the villa or set up the tents.

Day 2: Discovery of Orheiul Vechi – a 40 thousand year-old natural amphitheater

The day will begin with a hike from Riscova to Trebujeni (~14 km) following the itinerary: Riscova – Butuceni – Trebujeni.

During the hike from Trebujeni to Butuceni you will discover Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) - a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago. The Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi includes a series of historical and cultural monuments as well as natural landscapes in the gorge of the Raut River. Ancient fortifications, cave monasteries, monks and hermits – here you can follow the history of this region. The remnants of the first human settlements were found in the stone caverns from here. On the rocky hill, you will find the ruins of a strong Geto-Dacian fortification, which acted as a sanctuary for celebrating religious holidays and rituals in this prehistoric community. The originality of Orheiul Vechi landscape is due to the gorge of the Raut River, dug under the form of a canyon in the limestone layers of the former Sarmatian Sea, about 14 million years ago.

In Trebujeni village you will have a Moldovan traditional lunch at a local guesthouse.

After lunch, you will hike from Trebujeni to Furceni (~8 km) and later transferred to Lalova. In Lalova, you will have dinner at a local guesthouse and will have the possibility to check in at the guesthouse or set up the tents.


HIGHLIGHTS: Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi, Hanul lui Hanganu guesthouse

Day 3: Discovery of Tipova and Saharna Monasteries – an unusual landscape with many waterfalls

In the morning, you will hike from Lalova to Tipova (~10 km) where you will visit Tipova Cave Monastery. Located near Tipova village, the monastery with the same name is considered one of the oldest monastic establishments on the territory of Moldova. The heritage, which consists of 18 rooms, dug into the rock at an astounding altitude, represents an impressive museum in the open air. The Tipova River, on its flow to the Dniester, creates many waterfalls with the height above 10-16 meters, which a long time ago used to move the millstones of the numerous watermills.

In the afternoon, you will have lunch at Tipova Monastery.

After lunch, you will hike from Tipova to Saharna (~12 km) where you will discover Saharna Monastery - one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The monastic complex is composed of a cave monastery (the Annunciation) and a stone monastery (the St. Trinity). The complex is located in a picturesque valley on the right bank of the Dniester River, near Saharna village. It is surrounded by rocks covered by forest. The legend says that the Virgin Mary left her footprint on the highest rock, named Grimidon. The history of the monastery is little known. The first prior of the holy place is considered the monk Bartholomew (1776-1790) who settled in a deep gorge, built a church, a few cells and enclosed the monastery with a stone wall. In Saharna you will enjoy the beautiful landscape created by the waterfalls. The Saharna River has 22 waterfalls on its way. The biggest waterfall is 4.5 m high.

Then, you will be transferred from Saharna to Socola where you will have dinner at a local guesthouse and will check in at the guesthouse or set up tents.


HIGHLIGHTS: Tipova Cave Monastery, Saharna Monastery

 

What's included

  • 1 night accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the hotel of your choice in Chisinau including breakfast;
  • 3 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the guesthouses/villas included in the itinerary or setting up your own tents;
  • breakfast at the guesthouses/villas (if you chose accommodation at the guesthouses/villas);
  • lunch on day 2, 3, 4 of the itinerary;
  • dinner on day 1, 2, 3 of the itinerary;
  • excursions on the entire itinerary;
  • entrance fees according to the itinerary;
  • transportation during the entire itinerary;
  • English speaking guide.