Nature
A Sense of Freedom
Transylvania holidays tours from uk

Nature

Breathtaking wilderness and virgin forests

Often referred to as the last great wilderness in Europe, Transylvania is home to many wild, untouched and biodiverse natural wonders. From the great forests of the Carpathian Mountains with its dense woodlands where brown bears, wolves and rare lynxes roam freely, to rolling wildflower meadows, crystal clear glacier lakes and fascinating bird life. Explore on foot, horseback, bike or in the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage, led by our expert local guides.

Truffle hunting​

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Horseback riding

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Horse carriage rides

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Sightseeing tours

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Ecological-cultural tours

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Snowshoe walking

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Fishing

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Massages

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Helibiking

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Hiking

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Heliskiing

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Hot Air Balloon flight

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Bethlen Estates Icon

Activities

A host of explorations in the wild await: from guided hikes, cycle rides, bird-watching and bear spotting, to horseback rides, winery visits and historical tours of the many nearby UNESCO-protected sites.
Please note that for all activities an additional service fee will be charged.

Truffle hunting

As the seasons turn and the air grows crisp, the forests surrounding Bethlen Estates Transylvania unveil one of their most prized secrets: the truffle. From September to December, autumn’s golden light and winter’s quiet stillness create the perfect backdrop for this rare adventure.

Led by expert guides and their loyal, truffle-trained dogs, you’ll wander through ancient woodlands, learning the rhythm of the forest and uncovering its hidden treasures. Each step is not just about the hunt, but about immersing yourself in the rich natural heritage that makes Transylvania so enchanting.

This is more than a tour — it’s a journey into the heart of the season, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to gather a delicacy that has been celebrated for centuries.

€390/tour*
Minimum: 2 participants*
Reservations are now open. Join us this autumn and winter, and let the forest reveal its magic

E-Bike cycling tours

(up to 6 hours)

Explore the beautiful forests and pastures in the valley through the comfort of electric bikes (for adults only). Guided by experienced guides, you can choose between beginners or advanced tours. 

€90/person*
add lunch or picnic for €80/person*

Horseback Riding

All day – Advanced:
Enjoy the Transylvanian wilderness in the saddle of the gentle but sturdy horses from our partners at Villa Abbatis Equestrian Center. A mix of Lippizzaner breed and sport horses, that are trained and groomed at the highest level. The tour starts with a safety session at 10am. Picnic lunch will be served at around 1pm, before support vehicles will take you back us back to Bethlen Estates for arrival at 3pm. Please note that we require that all riders taking part in the tour are able to walk/trot and canter competently.

€225/person (min. 2 people)*
5-6h riding with lunch and cultural program

By the hour – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced:
Whether you are an avid equestrian or just love horses and would like to spend time around them, we offer tailored horseback riding experiences for all levels of riders, from beginners to advanced. Horseback riding lessons, pony riding for children, or advanced cross-country rides are available upon request.

€50/hour and person*

Horse carriage rides

(2 hours)

Hop on the carriage to try a unique and romantic way to experience the landscapes surrounding the Estate. Let the ride take you along century old country roads and explore the village accompanied by the pleasant rhythm of the horses’ hooves.

€25/person*
add lunch or picnic for €80/person*

Sightseeing tours

Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites, medieval churches and picturesque towns and villages of the region. Peter and his team at “Wanderlust” will bring you closer to the unique culture of Transylvania. They offer daily trips as well as half-day excursions, including a lunch break in a traditional inn or a picnic among flowering meadows. The guides are fluent in English, German, Romanian, French and Hungarian.

€70/person* (min. 2 persons)
up to €300/person (depending on the tour) and add lunch or picnic for €80/person*

Ecological-cultural tour

(2 hours)

You will be taken on a 2 hour tour of the “Secular Oaks of Breite” Nature Reserve, a wood-pasture with veteran oaks. Biologist Dr. Cosmin Ioan Moga, specialized in Ornithology, will offer you a lesson on ecology, cultural landscapes and animal behavior. Bird watching lovers can admire numerous species of birds, the most common and interesting being the woodpeckers, which can be observed even in winter. Lunch will be taken at a local inn or a picnic in the Nature Reserve.

€115/group (max. 6 persons)*
add lunch or picnic for €80/person*

Snowshoe walking

(2 hours, subject to snow)

Snowshoeing is the easiest way to move in winter and reach remote places even in deep snow. This tour will take you to some of the region’s most peaceful mountain tops through fragrant pine forests in the Harghita mountain (1h30 hour drive from the estate). The tours are fully guided and there is a variety of trails to suit all ages and abilities. You will be equipped with snowshoes, gaiters and ski poles, so you just put on some warm layers of clothing and some boots and you will be ready to go.

€50/person* (min. 2 persons)

Flyfishing on the Dam of Zeta

Fishing on the Dam of Zeta, you’ll be able to fish for a number of species, including bullhead, trout, grayling, pike, bass, carp, Prussian carp and bleak. The Dam of Zeta is not a fishing-pond in the strict sense of the word. Here the fish eat and multiply under natural circumstances. Primarily twirling and fly-fishing are the most effective techniques, but of course fisherman’s luck is also needed.

120€/person* (min. 2 persons)
add lunch or picnic for €80/person*

Massage

(60 Minutes)

Enjoy on-site massages with a professional masseuse, and choose from the following treatments:

Relaxation massage: Get into a deep sense of relaxation, relieve muscle tension and escape your mundane worries through this soothing experience. Our professional therapist will work on your back, neck, arms and legs using gentle motions and long strokes, leaving you oozing with a sense of wellbeing.
Therapeutic massage: The therapeutic massage will target your body’s soft tissue and release tension from your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Our professional masseuse can help relieve discomfort and pain (i.e. back pain, frozen shoulder, or neck).
Chiropractic massage: Chiropractic massage is a method to promote spine and nervous system health. Massage therapy seeks to bring healing into the body by focusing on realigning joints to alleviate tension, restore flexibility, and increase comfort.

€70/person*

Golden Body Ritual
by Omorovicza

(2 hours)

The luxury full body scrub incorporates a combination of gold extracts and sugar to heal and revitalize your skin. Finish with a massage with oil of ylang-ylang and enriched with gold particles, leaving your body pampered and glowing.

Note: you will be welcomed with a foot ritual and the use of sauna before the ritual.

*the ritual is available for guests staying in the Caretaker’s House.

€145/person*

Yoga

(session duration 1,5 - 2 hours)

Keep your focus on the present moment, create a sense of deep connection to the Earth and embark on a journey of self-discovery through a professional Yoga session. Your private Yoga teacher, Anca, will make sure to guide you through a relaxing session, no matter your previous experience with the practice. 

Guided by compassion and a love for nature, your teacher will enable you to reconnect to your inner self and create an intimate bond with the surrounding nature.

€60/person* (min. 2 persons)

Hiking tours

(6 hours)

Guided by „Wanderlust“ you will be offered an unforgettable tour through breath-taking nature. Upon request you can visit medieval towns and villages around Cris (Kreisch / Keresd), such as Malancrav (Malmkrog / Almakerek) or Floresti (Felsendorf / Földszin), as well as glimpses into local cuisine, crafts, history and authentic traditions.

€70/person* (min. 2 persons)
add lunch picnic for €80/person*

Helibiking

Curious to explore the remoteness of the Transylvanian wilderness by bike? How about a remarkable downhill mountain biking experience? Our HeliBiking tours will land you on the top of the Carpathian mountains and let you ride on secluded trails that will take your breath away. 

The scenic helicopter flight over the mesmerizing Transylvanian Carpathians is followed by an exciting ride down, in the ultimate mountain biking trip. A professional guide will accompany you to ensure safety at all times. From family-friendly routes to technical and tight gnarly switchbacks reserved for professional downhill riders only, we are sure to have the right experience for you.

€3300/group (2-5 persons)*
(Private helicopter transfer from Cris to Muntele Mic and return)
+ €180/person and drop*

Heli-skiing in the Carpathian Mountains

Looking to have a once in a lifetime adventure in the heart of the Carpathian mountains? Now is your chance: let us introduce you to the pure adrenaline and freedom of Heli-Skiing.
After your arrival at Bethlen Estates, catch a helicopter ride to the highest peaks of the Transylvanian mountains, and gain exclusive access to remote slopes with hundreds of meters of virgin, powder snow. Leave the world behind and immerse yourself in the magic of the wild, pristine nature.
An array of off-piste adventures await, each varying in length and difficulty, but moderate off-piste experience is required. Suitable for experienced backcountry and freeride skiers and snowboarders.

Private helicopter transfer: 
Two-way helicopter transfer from Cris to Muntele Mic and return in the same day for groups of 2-5 people

€3300/group*

Half Day Package Heliski:
incl. ski pass, mountain snack for lunch, UIAGM or AGMR Mountain Guide for each 4 person group, Safety & Avalanche Training, 2 Heli drops, 1500m vertical drop

€250/person*

Full Day Package Heliski:
incl. ski pass, mountain snack for lunch, Certified UIAGM or AGMR Mountain Guide for each 4 person group, Safety & Avalanche Training, 1 helisky day, 3000m vertical drop

€600/person*

Hot Air Balloon flight

Indulge in a luxurious escape with our Hot Air Balloon package, where you’ll experience the ultimate blend of adventure, tranquility, and gourmet dining.

Balloon Flight – 1 hour 
Picnic for 2 persons with beverages included

€700 for 2 persons*

Extra € 80/person for the picnic in case there are more than 2 guests

Booking required at minimum 2 weeks in advance.

Bear watching

(2 hours)

Observe the majestic brown bear in its natural habitat. More than 40 bears live in the forest surrounding the estate, so observing them is just a matter of good timing. Guests will be guided by a professional ranger through the forests at some distance off the estates and might have a faraway view of these beautiful animals, as well as other wildlife such as deer, wild boar and game birds.

100/group (max. 4 people)*
add a bear-inspired picnic for €60/person*

*+ service fee

Explore Transylvania

Whether you’re interested in combining nature and wildlife with culture, gastronomy, riding or cycling, our team can help create a bespoke itinerary to ensure you make the most of your stay.
Contact us to discuss your itinerary.

Ready to explore?

Still looking for things to do? Discover the cultural heritage of Transylvania

Dive into the spirit of the medieval fortified churches and the Saxon built heritage. Short excursions or one-day tours: make your choice

Culture