Highlights of this trip
An 8 day journey through wilderness, mountains and local communities.
For women, by women.
There are places where rewilding is no longer an idea for the future – you can see it happening around you.
In western Romania, European bison are once again roaming the Tarcu Mountains. In the east, vast forests of the Southern Carpathians provide refuge for bears, wolves, lynx and countless other species. Between these landscapes are villages, local communities, conservationists, entrepreneurs and guides who are finding new ways for people and nature to thrive together.
This Women Only journey brings these two stories together.
Across eight days, we’ll travel through two very different Romanian landscapes, hiking through wild mountains, tracking wildlife, meeting local women and conservationists, and discovering the people behind some of Europe’s most inspiring rewilding and conservation projects.
The journey begins in western Romania, around Armeniș and Hațeg, where the focus is on European bison, rewilding and local communities. We then travel east into the Făgăraș Mountains, where the emphasis shifts towards wilderness, wildlife tracking and mountain adventure.
Along the way, we’ll share long walks, local meals, stories around the dinner table and the occasional tired-but-happy moment after a day in the mountains. Because travelling as a small group of women creates its own kind of connection: walking together, learning together and meeting other women who are helping shape the future of these landscapes.
You can join either journey independently, or combine them for the full eight-day adventure.
Highlights of the full journey
- Hike Through Three Wild Landscapes: From the forests and mountain trails of the Tarcu Mountains, to the higher altitude wilderness of Retezat, and the spectacular wilderness of the Făgăraș – discover three very different sides of the Romanian Carpathians.
- Enjoy amazing local Romanian cuisine: Let our female guides & local women surprise you with all the different flavours of these wild landscapes.
- Track Wild European Bison: Head into the Tarcu Mountains with a local tracker to search for free-roaming European bison and learn about their return to the landscape.
- Meet Women Creating Change: Meet women working in conservation, local entrepreneurship and community development, and hear their stories of creating new opportunities in rural Romania.
- Learn to Read the Forest: Follow tracks and signs left by bears, wolves, lynx, wild cats, deer and wild boar and learn how wildlife uses the landscape.
- Stay at WeWilder: Spend two nights in a tiny house at the inspiring WeWilder Campus, where rewilding, local culture, entrepreneurship and community development come together.
- Sleep in the Wilderness: Stay in a remote mountain camp and a shepherd’s hut deep in the Foundation Conservation Carpathia landscape.
- Meet the People Behind Rewilding: Go behind the scenes with Rewilding Romania and Foundation Conservation Carpathia and discover what it takes to restore nature at a landscape scale.
- Connect with Local Communities: Experience local food, traditions and rural life, and meet people creating new ways to connect conservation with local livelihoods.
- Horses & the Transylvanian Countryside: At Equus Silvania, spend time with horses and choose an optional riding experience.. or simply relax or explore the surrounding countryside.
- Women in the Wild: Travel with a small group of women who enjoy nature share a curiosity about wilderness, wildlife and the people working to protect it.
- Travel with Purpose: Part of your trip supports conservation and rewilding initiatives in Romania, as well as MOYO Training Foundation and its work towards more Nature Positive tourism.
Photogallery
what does this journey look like?
WOMAN ONLY – WESTERN ROMANIA
Wild Women of Romania (West) – Bison, Mountains & Rewilding
The first part of the journey takes us into the Tarcu Mountains and Hațeg region, where European bison are once again roaming wild and rewilding is creating new opportunities for local communities.
Day 1 – INTO THE TARCU MOUNTAINS
Your journey begins in Bucharest, where we meet early and from where we drive the long stretch towards Armeniș and the Tarcu Mountains.
After the drive, we arrive at WeWilder and settle into our tiny houses. In the afternoon, we take a gentle walk to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the mountains and the landscape where European bison now roam once again.
There is time for some gentle movement or yoga before dinner at the campus.
As evening settles over the mountains, we’ll hear the story of this remarkable landscape and the people working to make it wilder again.
Transfer: Bucharest Airport – Armenis, approximately 6 hours driving time
Overnight: WeWilder Campus
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – BISON & COMMUNITY
Today we head into the mountains in search of European bison.
Together with a local female guide and tracker, we’ll follow tracks and signs and learn about the animals, their behaviour and the ongoing rewilding programme in the Tarcu Mountains.
Seeing a bison is never guaranteed – and that is part of the adventure. The landscape itself becomes the story.
Later, we’ll meet some of the people who live and work in the area. Depending on the season, this could include a traditional food, farming or horse experience, meeting local producers or spending time with one of the women involved in the growing community around WeWilder.
We finish the day with a shared local dinner.
Overnight: WeWilder Campus
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 – FROM THE TARCU MOUNTAINS TO HAȚEG
We begin the morning with some gentle movement before breakfast, then leave Armeniș and travel towards the Hațeg region.
This is another landscape where rewilding is changing the relationship between people and nature.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore the area and meet local women and entrepreneurs connected to Rewilding Romania.
Over dinner, we’ll hear more about their work, their lives and their vision for a future where conservation and local communities support one another.
Transfer: Armenis – Hațeg, approximately 2 hours driving time
Overnight: Chalet Soarelui, Hațeg region
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 – MOUNTAINS, CULTURE & CONNECTION
Today is about choosing your own adventure.
For those who want to hike, we head into the spectacular Retezat Mountains for a full day in the field. This is wild mountain country, with forests, alpine meadows and dramatic landscapes.
For those who prefer something less strenuous, we’ll offer an alternative cultural or creative experience with local women in the area.
Whichever route you choose, the day is about experiencing Romania through its landscapes and its people – and understanding the connections between the two.
We return to Hațeg for a final evening together.
Overnight: Chalet Soarelui, Hațeg region
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 – DEPARTURE.. OR TO THE FĂGĂRAȘ MOUNTAINS
After breakfast, we say goodbye to the Hațeg region and begin the journey east.
For women travelling on the Romania West journey only, they transfer to Timișoara for onward travel.
For those continuing on the full Women Only Romania adventure, we travel towards the Făgăraș Mountains and the starting point of our next chapter.
The landscapes gradually change as we cross Romania, moving from the world of European bison and community-led rewilding into the vast mountain wilderness of the Făgăraș. The focus now shifts to the efforts of Foundation Conservation Carpathian towards creating Europe’s largest forested National Park in the Southern Carpathian Mountains.
If there’s time, we will stop at the world famous Bran Castle (‘Count Dracula’s castle’) to stretch our legs & have lunch. By the end of the afternoon, we will meet up with our female guide from Foundation Conservation Carpathia, and head into the mountains.
Transfer: 2 hours if you transfer to Timisoara for your return, 6 hours if you continue with us to Romania East.
Meals: Breakfast
Continuing East?
If you’re joining the full eight-day journey, Women Only Romania East follows directly from here.
EASTERN ROMANIA
Wild Women of Romania (East) – Bears, Wilderness & the Făgăraș Mountains
The second chapter takes us deep into the Făgăraș Mountains, one of Europe’s great wilderness landscapes.
Here, the focus shifts from communities, rewilding and bison to mountain hiking, wildlife tracking, ancient forests and the work of Foundation Conservation Carpathia.
Day 5 / East Day 1 – INTO THE FĂGĂRAȘ WILDERNESS
Our East adventure begins in Rucăr (Argeș), where you (if you are new) will meet our female host and our local female guide – and we set off into the forest.
Today is a gentle introduction to the landscape. We walk for around two hours along a wide forest path, learning about the wildlife that lives here and keeping our eyes open for signs of their presence. With luck, we may even encounter a roe deer or spot a woodpecker along the way. We reach the remote Poiana Tamas Camp, situated at the eastern end of the Făgăraș Mountains ridge.
We then continue towards the Southern Făgăraș Mountains and the remote Poiana Tămaș Camp.
Here we settle into our glamping-style tents overlooking three mountain ranges.
In the evening, we meet the women involved in Foundation Conservation Carpathia and learn more about the work to protect and restore this extraordinary landscape.
As evening falls, we gather around the campfire for a traditional meal and our first night beneath the Carpathian stars.
Transfer: 6 hours if you have joined us after our Romania West adventure, 3 hours if you have transferred from Bucharest.
Hiking: approximately 2 hours
Overnight: Poiana Tămaș Wilderness Camp
Meals: Dinner
Day 6 / East Day 2 – INTO THE WILD
Today is our big mountain day.
We set out along the main ridge of the Făgăraș Mountains, following a spectacular trail through one of Romania’s most important wilderness landscapes.
The hike takes us towards the Pecineagu Dam, with wide mountain views along the way. Our local guide will help us read the landscape, looking for tracks, feeding signs and other clues left behind by bears, wolves, deer, wild boar and, with luck, some of the Carpathians’ more elusive wildlife.
After reaching the lake, we cross the water by electric raft before continuing on foot towards Comisu.
Our destination is a newly refurbished shepherd’s hut overlooking a meadow at the edge of the forest.
As dusk approaches, we settle in and keep watch for wildlife emerging from the forest.
Hiking: approximately 16 km, 6–7.5 hours
Overnight: Comisu Shepherd’s Hut & Wildlife Hide
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Day 7 / East Day 3 – DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS & INTO TRANSYLVANIA
After breakfast, we begin our descent from Comisu through the forest towards Canton Rudărița.
The morning gives us another opportunity to experience the mountains on foot, but today’s hike is considerably shorter than yesterday’s long trail.
From Canton Rudărița, we transfer to Equus Silvania, a horse-riding and wilderness centre surrounded by the Transylvanian countryside.
The afternoon is yours to choose.
Meet the horses and join an optional riding experience suited to your level, from a gentle hand-led walk to a guided ride through the countryside.
Or stay on foot, explore the surroundings or simply enjoy some well-earned time to relax.
In the evening, we come together for our final dinner and a chance to reflect on the adventure we’ve shared. Together with the local women who live and work here, we look back on the landscapes we’ve crossed, the wildlife we’ve tracked and the people we’ve met along the way.
Hiking: approximately 6.5 km, 2–3 hours
Overnight: Equus Silvania Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 / East Day 4 – GOODBYE, FOR NOW
After a final breakfast together, we say goodbye to the mountains and take our group transfer towards Bucharest Airport, where you will be dropped off in the early afternoon.
The adventure may be ending, but the stories – and hopefully some new friendships – travel home with us.
Transfer: Equus Silvania – Bucharest Airport, approximately 3.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
BOOK ONE OR BOTH.. we look forward to joining you becoming a wild woman in Romania!
CONSERVATION AND GIVING BACK
At MOYO Nature Travel, we believe that travelling to wild places should also help protect them.
On the West journey, part of the proceeds supports conservation and rewilding initiatives connected to Rewilding Romania and WWF Romania.
On the East journey, part of the proceeds supports Foundation Conservation Carpathia and its work to protect and restore the forests and wilderness of the Făgăraș Mountains.
Both journeys also contribute to MOYO Training Foundation, supporting our work to help guides and tourism professionals develop more Nature Positive ways of working.
Because this isn’t simply a journey through Romania’s wild landscapes. It’s an opportunity to meet the people protecting them, support the work they are doing and experience what becomes possible when women, communities and nature come together.
Practical information
Dates & Availability
Women Only Romania West
12–16 September 2027: 5 days / 4 nights
Rewilding • Local communities • Women-led initiatives • Bison • Tarcu & Retezat Mountains
Discover Women Only Romania West →
Women Only Romania East
16–19 September 2027: 4 days / 3 nights
Wilderness • Hiking • Local women • Wildlife • Conservation • Făgăraș Mountains • Horseriding (optional)
Discover Women Only Romania East →
Combine both
12–19 September 2027
8 days / 7 nights
The two journeys connect directly on 16 September 2027, creating one continuous Women Only adventure across Romania.
The West offers a gentler pace and balance of hiking, bison tracking, rewilding and community experiences. The East takes things deeper into the mountains, with a more demanding hiking day, wilderness accommodation, wildlife tracking and learning more about Conservation Carpathia.
Together, they offer a richer picture of Romania – from European bison returning to the Tarcu Mountains to bears moving through the forests of the Făgăraș.
Costs (Included & Excluded)
Romania West: €1390 pp (based on 2 people sharing a room)
Romania East: €1290 pp (based on 2 people sharing a room)
10% discount if you join the Full Journey: €2390 per person (based on 2 people sharing a room)
Included:
- 7 nights accomodation
- All meals during the trip, starting with Dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8. Lunch on our travel day from West to East (Day 5) is not included.
- A female English and Dutch speaking host with you for the duration of the trip
- All internal transfers between locations
- Guided excursions and activities as per itinerary
- Pick up from Bucharest airport at the trip start and drop off at the end. If you travel only West or East, you can book a separate transfer for pickup or return
- Donation to Foundation Conservation Carpathia and Rewilding Romania as part of our commitment to conservation & communities.
- Donation to MOYO Training foundation to help fun training for nature guides & entrepeneurs
Excluded:
- International return flights or train to Bucharest if you join the full trip
- If you only join the West portion of the trip, you have to book a separate transfer from Hateg (where we end on Day 5 in the morning) to Timisoara airport or train station for your return journey (approximately €50-80 one way)
- If you only join the East portion of this trip, you have to book a separate transfer from Bucharest airport to our starting point on Rucăr (Argeș) on Day 5 (approximately €50-80 one way)
- Optional horseriding at Equus Silvania on Day 7 (approximately €30 per hour)
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, drinks, lunch on Day 5, entry to Bran castle)
Logistics / Transport
Carpool, train or fly to Bucharest International Airport, where our host will pick you up on Sunday morning 12 September 2027 . You will be dropped off again there as well on Sunday afternoon 19 September 2027.
If you only join the West portion of the trip, we will help you book a separate transfer from Hateg (where we end on Day 5 in the morning) to Timisoara airport or train station for your return journey (extra fee approx. €50-80 pp).
If you only join the East portion of this trip, we will help you book a separate transfer from Bucharest airport to our starting point on Rucăr (Argeș) on Day 5 (extra fee approx. €50-80 pp).
Ask us for more information on logistics.
Accommodation
Accommodation in comfortable twin rooms, tiny houses or glamping tents that you share with one other person. One night in a wildlife hide with shared accomodation (bunk beds).
Solo travellers are very welcome.
Food
All meals are included , starting with Dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8, except for lunch on our travel day from West to East (Day 5)
All meals feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Dietary preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.
Health & Safety
Experienced local guides accompany you on all hikes and experiences.
Small-group experience (max 8-12 people).
Local team & guides
Aukje van Gerven
This journey is hosted throughout by Aukje van Gerven, founder of MOYO Nature Travel. Aukje brings together more than twenty years of experience in sustainable tourism, nature travel and creating meaningful experiences in the wild. She has also worked directly in the European rewilding movement, including five years as Wildlife Tourism Manager at Rewilding Europe, where she was involved in developing nature and wildlife experiences and organising trainings across different rewilding landscapes.
She will be with you throughout the journey - welcoming you when you arrive, travelling with the group between landscapes and accommodations, connecting you with the local female guides and conservationists, and making sure the journey runs smoothly from beginning to end.
But her role is about more than logistics. As a woman travelling alongside the group, Aukje creates space for the conversations, spontaneous moments and connections that make a small-group journey special. She brings the different stories together... from the women building new livelihoods in rural Romania to the conservationists protecting forests and the local guides who know these mountains intimately. And that is at the heart of these Women Only journeys.
Paula Bora
Growing up at the foothills of the Retezat Mountains, where the European bison has long been a local symbol, Paula Bora developed a deep connection to the landscapes she now helps restore and considers it a privilege to contribute to the species' return to the Carpathians. After studying Marketing, she chose to use her skills to strengthen local communities through social economy, entrepreneurship and sustainable development. At Rewilding Romania, she works to transform the challenges of rewilding into socio-economic opportunities, believing that nature is best protected by creating opportunities for people to thrive alongside it.
Alina Floroi
Alina Floroi is passionate about finding treasures every day. Curiosity initially led her to journalism, but then exploration led to creating realities or helping other projects in this direction. She joined the WWF Romania initiative in Armeniș for several years in increasingly frequent collaborations, which turned into a full-time involvement in the WeWilder team as “a good at everything”, important skills to launch and keep the WeWilder Campus alive.
Diana Alexe
Returning from studies abroad, Diana rediscovered her home country and fell in love with sharing the wilderness of the Southern Carpathians with curious souls. Within Travel Carpathia she now works towards establishing a model of sustainable ecotourism for local communities, while creating unique experiences for guests interested in discovering one of the last truly wild places of Europe. She is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and their inner world amidst the fast moving rhythm of day to day life.
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