Overview
Experience the Carpathian wilderness, and see wild brown bears in their natural habitat from the security of one of the many wildlife hides operating in the area. Your guide, an experienced local ranger, will take you with his 4wd car deep into the forests of the Eastern Carpathians, which has one of the largest population concentrations of brown bears in the Carpathian Mountains.
Follows an easy to moderate 500m walk from the car to a specially-designed observation hide where you will wait quietly for wildlife. The private experience will last about 4 hours.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Photo fee for non-commercial purposes
Round-trip transport by a 4wd car
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cristuru Secuiesc
Local wilderness guide during the whole itinerary
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sighisoara can be offered on request at a surcharge.
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Meeting and pickup
Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Parking lot in front of the Tamasi Aron Memorial Park and the catholic church of Lupeni (Farkaslaka in Hungarian) village, 45 km drive from Sighisoara.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
• Departure between 4.30-6.00pm depending on sunset time. The exact departure time will be confirmed after booking.
• Dress warmly: sturdy, waterproof footwear and warm clothing recommended
• There are no bathroom facilities in the hide
What to expect
Your Carpathian brown bear experience starts in the small Szekler village of Lupeni (12km from Odorheiu Secuiesc) where your guide awaits you to set off in his 4wd car into the forests at the foothills of the Harghita Mountains. In recent years, it has become a popular destination for wildlife watching as the population is most dense in Harghita, Covasna, Vrancea, and Brasov counties.
After a 15- to 25-minute drive (depending on which spot has the greatest chances for watching on that day) you will be safely escorted down a roughly 500m long trail.
Occupy your place in the hide, stay quiet, listen to the forest wildlife sounds, and enjoy the excitement of waiting for the bears to come. There is usually success in seeing bears, but as there are wild animals involved, nothing is guaranteed. If you are lucky, you may observe bears feeding, playing together, courting, and mating.
You may even see other species like wild boars, roe deer and red deer, foxes, badgers, and some game birds. In the past a few sightings of lynxes and wolves were had as well, but these animals, although in great numbers in the Carpathians, are very secretive and rarely seen.
After approximately 3 hours of watching, head back to the car accompanied by your guide and ride back to Lupeni village. The entire trip takes about 4 hours and watching from the hide can be complemented with following the animals footprints in the forest upon request.
Be prepared by wearing hiking boots and weatherproof clothing, and bring binoculars, a camera, an extra battery, and a memory card to record this unique experience.
Wildlife watching tours in the Carpathians allow wildlife to be viewed in close proximity without being disruptive, and generates revenue for local rewilding efforts.
Please note:
• Your forest ranger guide accompanying you may carry a handgun for your protection in extreme situations.
• The tour usually ends around 9:30-10:00pm, so please plan your dinner time accordingly.
There are high chances (statistically more than 75%) to spot the Carpathian brown bear, sometimes a female with cubs, sometimes a larger male bear. As a bonus, your guide can share some of the stories about the Communist dictator Ceausescu's hunting in the area.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/Bucharest).
Additional Information
- Departure between 4.30-6.00pm depending on sunset time. The exact departure time will be confirmed after booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Private Brown Bear Watching Tour 40 km Drive from Sighisoara
Can I cancel Private Brown Bear Watching Tour 40 km Drive from Sighisoara for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Where does it start, and is pickup offered?
Parking lot in front of the Tamasi Aron Memorial Park and the catholic church of Lupeni (Farkaslaka in Hungarian) village, 45 km drive from Sighisoara. Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the meeting point.
What's included?
- Photo fee for non-commercial purposes
- Round-trip transport by a 4wd car
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cristuru Secuiesc
- Local wilderness guide during the whole itinerary
What's not included?
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sighisoara can be offered on request at a surcharge.
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English, Romanian, Hungarian.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Carpathian Escapes Ltd
