Equestrian tour with sheepfold visit

Route: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő - Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó - Mureş/Maros River source - Matured Cheese Manufactory - Red Lake - Bicaz Gorge - return home   Program description: After breakfast we set off for our daily adventures. Touching Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda, our journey leads to the famous pilgrimage site of the Catholic Szeklers, Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó, where we take a pleasant walk and see the Franciscan Monastery, followed by a typical “Szekler bath”. Continuing our journey, in Izvoru Mureșului/Marosfő we visit the source of the longest and most important river in Transylvania, the Mureş/Maros spring, within a small walking tour in a beautiful environment. Then we arrive in Gheorgheni/Gyergyószentmiklós, where we visit a real matured cheese workshop. We can get an insight into the processing of milk, long-keeping cheese made with Swiss technology, and the production of natural yoghurt. Of course, we can taste these delicacies accompanied by a tasty Transylvanian wine, as well as take part in a real Szekler “peasant” lunch with cheese fondue. From Gheorgheni/Gyergyószentmiklós we climb the 1250 m high Pongrác Peak, from where a magnificent view opens up in front of us. We spend the afternoon in nature at the Red Lake and the Bicaz Gorge, which are among the natural wonders of Szeklerland with their many wonderful sights, we hike on the shores of the lake and among the romantic rocks. In the evening return to the accommodation and dinner.  Program location: Harghita county Micro-regions: Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda and its surroundings, Gheorgheni/Gyergyószentmiklós and its surroundings Program price: 115 RON / person, which includes: • price of a visit to a matured cheese manufactory + lunch: approx. 60-70 RON / person • guided tour, group escort: 40 RON / person

Route: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő - Krausz homemade chocolate manufactory - Csíki Beer Manufactory with lunch - Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó - Nyírfürdő in Lăzărești/Lázárfalva - return home   Program description: After breakfast, as the first program of the day, we will drive to Sântimbru/Csíkszentimre, where we will visit a real Szekler homemade chocolate manufactory, the Krausz handmade chocolate. We get an insight into the home-made chocolate making special recipe. Of course, we taste the different flavored chocolates, but we can also make our own homemade chocolates as a souvenir. After the sweets, our journey leads to the neighboring village of Sânsimion/Csíkszentsimon. The village is very clean and rich in deep wells with good water, so the Csíki Beer Manufactory may have opened one of the prides of the area a few years ago. We visit the buildings of the manufactory, taste beers, gain insight into the technology of brewing and taste the ingredients. We will also have our lunch there, trotters baked in bread, accompanied by Csíki Beer. After lunch, we head halfway to Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda and visit Șumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó, the largest pilgrimage site in Central and Eastern Europe. In the church, we can say our prayers to Our Lady and we can also get an insight into the history of the pilgrimage. Then we continue our journey and in the last part of the day we visit a traditional bath, where we can refresh our feet in the small mineral water pools or mofettas. We do all this in Nyírfürdő, Lăzărești/Lázárfalva. Homecoming and dinner. Program location: Harghita county Destination: Ciucul de Jos/Alcsík Program price: 135 RON / person, of which: - Krausz homemade chocolate manufactory: 30 RON / person - Csíki Beer Manufactory + lunch: 65 RON / person - Guided tours, group escorts 40 RON / person

Program route: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő - Tușnadu-Nou/Újtusnád - horse-drawn carriage ride to Harghita - return home   Program description: After breakfast, on this day we try to explore and get to know the surroundings of our accommodation. For the first time we will get acquainted with the location of our accommodation in the spa resort of Tușnad/Tusnád. We walk around the city, see the main buildings, baths, and, depending on the time, visit the Apor Bastion, which rises above the city and offers an unparalleled view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Then we drive to the neighboring settlement, Tușnadu-Nou/Újtusnád, where we can try home-baking bread or the most famous Szekler delicacy, chimney cake (kürtőskalács) baking. Afterwards, we board horse-drawn carriages and hike to the picturesque surroundings of the Harghita Mountains, trying out the local gastronomic delicacies. We bake homemade bacon, miccs and ribs, which we rinse with Csíki Beer. We can walk among the pine forests, relax, admire the pine forests of the Harghita Mountains, sing and have fun. Return to the accommodation, dinner. Program location: Harghita county Micro-region: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő and surroundings Program price: 230 RON / person, of which • horse-drawn carriage + lunch + baking: 200 RON / person • guided tours, group accompanying all day 40 RON / person

Program path: Băile Tușnad/ Tusnádfürdő – St. Anne's Lake – Mohos Peat Bog – lunch in nature – Tórja Stinking Cave - foot soaking in the Apor Girls' Baths or Csiszárfürdő – return home (this day can be done even by off-road vehicle)   Program description: After breakfast, we invite the dear passenger to an experience-rich program. In the first part of the day, we will climb the Ciomatu/Csomád Mountains in a short time. First we reach St. Anne's Lake, 946 meters high, which is considered to be one of the clearest water lakes in the world and the only volcanic crater lake in the Carpathian Basin. We get acquainted with the formation and operation of volcanoes at the time, we take a pleasant walk on the shores of the lake. After that, we also walk into the Mohos Peat Bog, which reveals a wonderful world in front of the dear traveler, with its own unique history, plants, pond eyes and unparalleled surroundings. After visiting the beauties of nature and the volcanic twin craters, we invite our dear visitors to a lunch in nature. We clink our glasses filled with Szekler sparks (pálinka), and enjoy the bacon, the miccs, the onion, the delicious homemade bread, and we rinse it all off with a delicious Csíki Beer. In the afternoon we will also visit the eastern part of the Ciomatu/Csomád Mountains, where we will discover the present traces of former volcanoes. First, we try the mofetta at the largest hydrogen sulphide cave in Europe, the Stinking Cave in Torja, then we soak our tired legs in the wooden pools of the Apor Girls' Baths and of Csiszárfürdő. We will have an unparalleled experience. Return to the accommodation in the evening, dinner. Program location: Harghita and Covasna counties Micro-region: Tusnad Bai/Tusnádfördő and surroundings Program price: 280 RON / person, which includes: • off-roading to St. Anne's Lake + lunch: 220 RON / person • visit to St. Anne's Lake and Mohos Peat Bog + parking: 20 RON / person • guided tours, group escorts for the whole day: 40 RON / person

Challenge your inner explorer with a day trip to the Transylvanian countryside to an off-the-beaten-path location where you can meet talented craftsmen, visit locals in their homes, learn about the local lifestyle, then join a bear watching tour in the wild at dusk. Life in the dispersed mountainous village of Varsag is fascinating and harsh in the same time. People still live like 50 years ago, earning a living from subsistence agriculture and forestry. Many houses are scattered in the heart of nature kilometers away from any facility like a school, a shop or a church. Neighboring houses can be separated from each other by a forest or by a field or meadow. The landscape is breathtaking with numerous mineral spings, crystal clear streams rich in trouts, pastures covered by wild flowers, glimmering waterfalls and dense forests rich in game. Step back in time and experience the greatness and simplicity of the locals living in Varsag, then see wild brown bears in their natural habitat from the security of one of the many wildlife hides operating in the area. Highlights of the tour:  Explore the dispersed mountainous village of Varsag (79 km from Sighisoara)  Get acquainted with the old craft of shingle-roof making and other traditional crafts  Ride on a horse-drawn cart to absorb the local atmosphere  Visit the picturesque 7 m high Csurgoko waterfall  3-hour close encounter with native wildlife in their natural environment  Spot brown bears and possibly other species like deer, wild boar, fox, badger or game birds  Enjoy the Carpathian forests silence and the excitement of waiting for bears to come  Informative, friendly and professional guide  Small group ensures personal service  Flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences  Meet your guide in Odorheiu Secuiesc (47 km from Sighisoara) and ride almost an hour to one of the most dispersed villages of the Eastern Carpathians, to Varsag, where 60% of the area is woody and the inhabitants live kilometers away from each other. Along the way you will ride through colorful Szekler villages by the Tarnava Mare River, pass by the picturesque Zetea dam lake, then wind through a narrow road leading among dense forests until you arrive to Varsag. Here a horse drawn cart will await you to start your discovery tour. Visit a local pub and spend some time interacting with the locals. This isolated community with its friendly and welcoming locals will fascinate you. Enjoy some snacks and local brandy while they tell you about their daily lives and amuse you with some funny stories. According to local legends, the village covers an area comparable in size to the territory of the Romanian capital with only 1500 inhabitants living there. Ride the cart and visit traditional craftsmen like the blacksmith, the shingle-roof maker and a wood carver, watch them at work and listen to their stories. Taste delicious local produce, visit a 100 year old still-functioning watermill, capture the 7 m high Csurgoko waterfall and climb up on a 3 m high look-out tower which offers panoramic views of the dispersed houses and farms and of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains in the distance.  One-hour before dusk an experienced local ranger, will take you with his 4wd car deep into the forests of the Eastern Carpathians which have one of the largest population concentration of brown bears in Romania. Occupy your place in the hide, stay quiet, listen to the forest wildlife sounds and enjoy the excitement of waiting for bears to come. Usually we are successful in seeing bears, but as there are wild animals involved, nothing is guaranteed. If you are lucky, you may observe bears feeding themselves, playing together, courting and mating, and even other species like wild boars, roe deer and red deer, fox, badger and some game birds. After approximately 3 hours watching, head back to the car accompanied by your guide and ride back to Odorheiu Secuiesc. The entire trip takes 9 to 10 hours. Be prepared and wear hiking boots, weatherproof clothing and bring binoculars, camera, extra battery and memory card to record this unique experience.

Discover and ramble through the rolling hills and wild flower meadows or climb up to the pastures in the mountains through old pine forests, pure creeks and nearby isolated sheepfolds. During these day tours you can experience both the freedom of horseback riding in Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains wilderness. Our horse riding tours and holidays are located in the Eastern Carpathians, in the surroundings of the small towns of Gheorgheni, Miercurea Ciuc and Odorheiu Secuiesc and we offer tours that suit all levels and ages. If you are an intermediate rider or above, ride atop a strong and secure Lippizaner or Shagya Arab renowned for their energetic temperament and impressive stamina, as you explore the fascinating local flora and fauna. If you are a beginner rider with good physical condition or one looking for an authentic Carpathian experience, challenge yourself with our Nomad Tour with locally bred horses. The tour starts from the 1375 m high Kovacspeter ridge, where dispersed summer shelters and weekend houses can be found and the trails follow the dense forest roads leading to mountain peaks and along ridges. If you want something unique in Romania, explore the rolling hills of the Harghita Mountains atop the gentle Icelandic horse and enjoy the Icelandic breed’s friendly disposition and calm manner which makes them a delight for anyone to ride, while their unique gaits provide a reamrkably smooth way to travel over rugged or snowy terrain, making long hours in the saddle more comfortable. All rides are lead through unmarked terrain, but your experienced bilingual guide knows the trails like the back of his hand so you can be guaranteed an insider's tour.

Discover the beauty of nature on horseback or by cart! The Paták és Mancsok Association warmly welcomes all nature and animal lovers with a variety of programs. What we offer: • Trail riding and cart tours – We organize half-hour, several-hour, or even full-day tours upon request. Our full-day tours are made unforgettable with a cozy visit to a local sheepfold. The route is tailored to the needs of the group when booking the program. For trail riding, the maximum group size is 8 persons. • Pony rides and farm experiences – Even the youngest visitors can try horse riding in a safe environment and discover the daily life of a farm on the association’s property. Advance booking is required! Please reserve your spot at least 3–4 days in advance to ensure availability. About us: The Paták és Mancsok Association is a non-profit organization committed to creating and promoting harmony between humans, animals, and nature. Our small team works with heart and soul to offer visitors unforgettable, lifelong memories.

❗ Horseback riding tours must be booked in advance! We recommend that you book 3 to 4 days before your scheduled time. Our amazing topography satisfy the most choosy riders who want to hike, our perfectly qualified horses guarantee a peaceful relaxation.  We have 6 horses: shetland pony, lipizanner horses, english thoroughbred and sport pony.  Familiar environment, wonderful environment, beautiful and calm horses,good mood. That is waiting for you! Opportunities:  • training for beginners  • jumping training  • pony riding  • riding in nature for hours or days  • ,,Csillagösvény" tour  • historical sights

❗ Horseback riding tours must be booked in advance! We recommend that you book 3 to 4 days before your scheduled time. • Difficulty: beginner, advanceed • Accomodation: guesthouse, tent • Horses type/ breed: warmblood, type szekler • Equipment: english, western, soldier saddle • Period of time: 1-3 hours – 1 week, nedds of clients • Number of participants: 1-10