Top Experiences in Balea Lake (Lacul Balea)

This is a private two days tour to Transylvania and Transfăgărășan highway.

Visit Peleș Castle and Bran Castle known as Dracula’s Castle.

Get breathtaking views of the Carpathian Mountains and discover the free brown bears.

Visit the medieval City of Brasov with a history at more then 1000 yers, which is one of the most visited cities in Romania.

Cross over the Carpathians on the famous Transfăgărășan road.

Visit the largest dam in Romania.

We will pass by the real fortress of Vlad the Impaler.

Embark on a breathtaking journey to the Ice Hotel nestled along the iconic Transfagarasan Highway. Your adventure begins with a hotel pick-up at 7:30 a.m.
We have to drive 4 and a half hours (about 300 km) to the base of Fagaras Mountain, on the northern part, at Balea Waterfall Cottage.
From here we will take the cable car to Balea Lake, at an altitude of 2000 meters.
Here we will visit the ice hotel and then we will have lunch at Balea Lake hotel.
The Ice Hotel is a unique accommodation. It's built entirely from ice and snow during the winter months, offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience in a frozen landscape. The hotel features ice sculptures, frozen rooms, and a distinctive icy atmosphere. Keep in mind that it's a seasonal structure, typically open during the winter season when the conditions allow for its construction.

Experience a unique blend of adventure and frosty elegance, making this tour an unforgettable escape into the heart of winter magic.

Transylvania is home to some of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns, most notably:
- Brașov city, featuring Old Saxon architecture and citadel ruins;
- Sibiu city with its cobblestone streets and pastel-colored houses;
- Sighișoara city, adorned with a hilltop citadel, secret passageways and a 14th century clock tower. Tiny shops offer antiques and fine hand-made products by local artisans and artists.

Visitors to Transylvania will also encounter stunning castles such Bran, near Brasov, - a Gothic fairy-tale structure, often associated with 15th century Walachian Prince Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

You will be taken from your hotel in Basov by a professional guide and you will go to the most spectacular road in Europe - Transfagarasan. We will stop first and visit the Carta Monastery built in the late Gothic style, by the Cistercian monks who came to Transylvania from Burgundy - France.

Transfagarasan Highway is the most spectacular and beautiful mountain road in Europe, enough to feature on the UK motor show Top Gear, Transfagarasan Highway might just be “the best road in the world” as Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson claimed.

It's a road going up in the mountains and unites Transylvania with Valachia. Great scenes, noisy waterfalls, Glaciar Balea lake, will make you feel great up there and forget about the stress of the city.

During the winter, between the months of November and July, we will go up by van to the hotel Balea Cascada 1446, from where we will take the cable car (from here up the road is closed due to snow). The price of the cable car is not included .

The Transfăgărășan is a paved mountain road crossing the Carpathian Mountains, is the second-highest paved road in the country with an altitude of 2,042 metres (6,699 ft).

The road also provides access to Bâlea Lake a glacier lake situated at 2,034 m of altitude. Here we will benefit from the fresh air and low temperature, admire the view of Trasnsilvania and have lunch.

On the way back we will admire Bâlea waterfall, we'll stop at the Vidraru Dam to refresh us.

It is very possible to meet brown bears on the route.

On our way we will be able to see on a mountaintop a fortress built by Vlad the Impaler. This is Poienari fortress.

To discover the Transfagarasan road with its unforgettable scenery is indeed an adventure, especially for those daredevils who wish to reach peaks once untouched but by chamois and golden eagles.

Transfagarasan Highway - rated by Top Gear as the most spectacular road in the world, the Transfagarasan impresses with its extraordinary scenery, the number of serpentines and the height at which it was built, the Fagaras mountains being the highest in Romania; thus, the Transfagarasan reaches altitudes up to 2042 meters at Lake Balea where it starts its descent to Cartisoara village; here, on a 30 km stretch we can enjoy the sight of the road in all its splendor.

Lake Balea - a glacier lake formed in a cirque (a depression surrounded by high mountains) at an altitude of 2040 metres; it lies on an area of 4,6 hectares (the length of the lake is 360 metres) and its depth is of approximately 11 metres.

Book with us a once in a lifetime experience! A hiking trip along the crest of the Fagaras Mountains is indeed beautiful, but difficult and challenging!

Did you know?

It is said that the name "Fagaras" is coming from the word "fagar", an old word which represents a large old beech forest.

In ancient times, the bottom part of the Fagaras Mounatins were covered with Oak forest. Now remains "Dumbrava Vadului", where, among the oak trees, we have daffodils (Narcissus stellaris), locally known as coprine.

In Fagaras Mountains there is "Mioarelor" galcial lake (2282 m), the highest glacial lake in the Carpathian mountains.

In Fagaras Mountains there are 8 of the 14 peaks of the Carpathian mountains that reach the altitude of 2500 m: Moldoveanu (2544 m), Negoiu (2535 m), Coltul Vistei Mari (2527 m), Lespezi (2522 m), Cornu Caltunului (2510 m), Vanatoarea lui Buteanu (2507 m), Hartopu (2506 m) and Dara (2500 m). Here there are over 42 peaks with altitude between 2400 and 2500 m.

The attraction of this tour is the drive along the Transfăgărășan, one of the most spectacular roads in the world. The views of the mountains, forests and lakes along the road will be unforgettable.

You will see also the Poenari Citadel (from the outside) and have the chance to learn about its fascinating history. The panoramic views of the Argeș Valley will be an unforgettable experience.

Next is Vidraru Dam and Lake, where you will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful lake and the impressive dam, which is the highest in Romania. The lake is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and lush forests, making it a unique experience.

Next we will stop at Capra Waterfall, a spectacular sight, with its cascading waters plunging over the cliffs.

Our final destination is Bâlea Lake, a glacial lake located at an altitude of 2,034 meters (6673 feet), surrounded by the Făgăraș Mountains. It is a breathtaking sight. You will be able to enjoy the place and the stunning views.
Thanks

Visit Poienari Fortress, the real Vlad Tepes' Residential Castle and we drive on Transfagarasan highway, built as a strategic military route, is the second-highest paved road in Romania and considered by some to be the most dramatic.

Driving on Transfagarasan Highway as know as "the Road to the Sky", "the Road to the Clouds", "the Best Driving Road in the World" and even "A spectacular Monument to Earth-Moving Megalomania"!

IMPORTANT: Transfagarasan road is open between July 1 - October 31! Poienari Fortress is closed until further notice.

When the Transfagarasan road is closed (November 1 - June 30) we drive up to the Balea Waterfall (no visit of Poienari Fortress and Vidradu Dam). If the weather conditions allows, we take the cable car up to the Balea Lake (extra 20 euro/person). We visit the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta and the amazing Sambata de Sus Monastery, also.

Join us to a 2 day adventure private tour in Transylvanian Alps - Fagaras Mountains!

We pick you up from your location in Brasov at 8:30 to start an authentic 2 day adventure program in Transylvanian Alps, driving on Transfagarasan Highway as know as "the Road to the Sky", "the Road to the Clouds", "the Best Driving Road in the World" and even "A spectacular Monument to Earth-Moving Megalomania"!

Transfagarasan road is open between July 1 - October 31! Poienari Fortress is closed Monday and Tuesday from 1st of October until further notice.

Poienari Fortress is closed, for the moment, because of the bears encounters in the area! Instead of this we can visit The Cistercian Abbey of Carta, Sambata de Sus Monastery and/or Fagaras Fortress!

The best route will be chosen together with the guide.
Can be:
- An easy walk in the forest culminating with exploration of the famous “7 ladders” canyon.
- Piatra Craiului National Park - route starts near Zarnesti and takes hikers into the heart of the mountain, giving time for a refreshing tea (soup) at the mountain hut at 1400m. alt
- Bucegi Natural Park - use of cable car from Busteni/Sinaia to the flat Plateau is the heart of Bucegi Mnt. It offers us easy walking from Cota 2000 to Babele or The Biddies, rock formations carved by nature. Nearby we take pictures with the well known "Sphynx" and we find out that the inner energy of the mountain is searched by lots of hikers
- Ciucat Mnt - Starting the hike from a high point, the nearby road passes at 1135m alt. we continue to hike towards the peak along the ridge line.
- Fagaras Mnt - there are a few good options for day hikes around Balea lake with stunning views.
- a gentle hill walk over the rolling hills around Bran Castle

This 3 days trail cross the highest part of the "Fagaras" mountain ridge, reaching the highest summit in Romania. Is a spectacular hike between glacier lakes and rocky ridges.

Travel throughout Romania in a small group tour of a maximum of 8 travelers.
Explore Transylvania's wild beauty and uncover the myths and legends of one of the most popular regions in Romania! Taste artfully cooked Romanian dishes local food in a quaint atmosphere and rest your bones in an authentic Romanian accommodation! Meditate in a miraculous Temple and take those perfect selfies next to a Glacier Lake!

Feel the "warm" welcome in the Ice Hotel at Balea Lake.
Experience and visit the ICE structure, and stop for a refreshing drink at the Ice Bar. Step over the Frozen Lake at over 2000meters high.
Check the tour option with the Special ICE Menu included
Time to experience the local winter adventure park with snowmobiles, tubing, banana rafting, boat rafting.
And finish the day with overnight in the coolest place on earth - an ICE room within the Balea Lake ICE hotel.

This product has 3 options:
BASIC = individual tour, you drive yourself to access point
COMFORT = there is ICE menu included
DELUXE = also transfer included; there is pickUp available from different towns in the country. Check all tour options to find your pickUp town. We can pick up from any hotel within city limits from (alphabetical): Bran, Brasov, Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Fagaras, Medias, Predeal, Sinaia, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Targu Mures
Note: for every town there will be a different pickUp time

Join an incredibly fascinating and immersive tour of Transylvania! The tour is designed to fully immerse visitors in the history and mythology surrounding Dracula, and to provide an experience that is both eerie and informative.

It's great that the tour includes a mix of well-known landmarks, such as Bran Castle, as well as lesser-known but equally fascinating locations like the fortified churches of Biertan and Viscri. This offers a comprehensive overview of the history and culture of the region.

The fact that meals, transportation, and other amenities are included in the tour package is also a major bonus, as it makes the experience more seamless and stress-free for visitors.

Overall, the "Dracula Beyond the Legend" private tour sounds like an exciting and unique way to explore the rich history and mythology of Transylvania.

The most beautiful mountain road in Romania, just one hour drive from Sibiu. Multiple stops for admiring and capturing in photos the breathtaking mountain scenery. A comprehensive set of information from a licensed tour guide. Modern, air-conditioned minivan. Tricks to avoid heavy traffic.

Please note that the Transfagarasan road is closed between November till the end of June. In this period, we can drive on the Transfagarasan road as far as 1200 meters and from there we can take the cable car to Balea Lake. The cable car will offer us a unique perspective of the Balea Waterfall and the most spectacular part of the Transfagarasan road. In this period, we aren't able to see Capra Waterfall, which is located on the south side of the mountain.

This winter tour of Transylvania is available from January until March and combines the awesome landscapes of rural Transylvania with medieval cities and world heritage sites of one of the most visited region of Romania. A visit to the Ice Hotel along Transfagarasan Scenic Road can be considered the highlight of your tour in Romania.

Breathtaking views. Stunning scenery. Awesome driving road. A glimpse into Romania's culture and history. All those in just one day: Transfagarasan Tour

Note: The tour is only available from July to November when the Transfagarasan road is open.

This is a private 3 days - road trip from Bucharest to Transylvania.
Only your group will participate.

We will pick you up from Bucharest area and drive to a fairy-tale land.

We will visit on the first day:
- the most impressive castle in Romania: Peleș Castle.
- Dracula's Castle a magnificent medieval fortress.
- we do a walking tour in the historical center of Brașov city, plus the Black Church and Rope Street.

We will sleep in Brasov.
The next day we will visit:
- The oldest and largest fortress in Transylvania - Rupea Fortress.
- one of the most beautiful and authentic small medieval towns in Europe - Sighișoara city.
- a must-see attraction, the fortified church of Biertan.

We will sleep în Sibiu.
- In the morning we will do a walking tour in Sibiu citadel.
- Then we'll drive on the best mountain road in the world, Transfăgărăşan highway.
- stop to Bâlea glacial lake, Vidraru Dam and the Kings Tombs.

This is a private 4 days tour in Transylvania.
Only your group will participate.

The program is flexible and we can costume the tour.
DAY 1
- Peleș Royal Castle
- Dracula's Castle in Bran
- The medieval City of Brașo
Overnight stay în Brașov
.
DAY 2
- Rupea Fortress
- Viscri the village of King Charles
- Sighișoara medieval Unesco city
Overnight stay în Sighișoara
.
DAY 3
- Biertan and Mălâncrav Fortified Churchs
- Sibiu the former capital of Transylvania
Overnight în Sibiu
.
DAY 4
- Transfăgărășan highway
- Bâlea Lake
- Vidraru Dam
- The real castle of Vlad the Impaler
- Curtea de Argeș Monastery

Discover the wildest nature and highest mountains in Romania: This tour will take you on a spectacular road with stops at Fagaras Fortress, Poienari Fortress, Vidraru Dam and Balea Lake! Put on some warm clothes and escape the city to enjoy a day of fresh air and stunning views.

Embark on a captivating tour from Bucharest to the breathtaking Transfăgărășan highway, where winding roads reveal stunning mountain vistas.

Witness the majesty of Wild Brown Bears in their natural habitat, creating unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Explore the engineering marvel of Vidraru Dam, a colossal structure surrounded by scenic landscapes.

See from the outside the historic Poenari Citadel built by Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) in the Carpathian Mountains which offer a glimpse into Romania's medieval past.

Be enchanted by the cascading beauty of Capra waterfall, a nature lover's paradise.

Conclude the journey at Bâlea Lake, nestled high in the Făgăraș Mountains, where serene waters mirror the surrounding peaks, providing a perfect finale to an enriching adventure.

Explore the most impressive mountains from Romania nicknamed " Transilvanian " Alps,a stretch of peaks, holes and saddles which are scattered on an area of around 2. 400 km²

Be prepared to put your skills at work.

Take pictures  and admire unique landscapes, glacial doms, alpin lakes and out of range flora and fauna.

The tour is conducted entirely in English. My guests see breathtaking sights, and I also tell them stories about the local culture (and especially the history of Dracula/Vlad the Impaler).

Guests get to hear the fascinating ancient and medieval legends about vampires, NOT THE HOLLYWOOD version. I tell my stories with passion, and I believe with a lot of personality. I have been a tour guide in both Louisiana (USA) and Transylvania (Romania) for over 8 years.

Golden Circle of Transylvania combines nature with culture and connects the most important attractions of Transylvania. You can expect to do a 9km long hike as well as you can expect a relaxing afternoon in a medieval city, a visit to the bear sanctuary or a visit to our "friend" Dracula. We have linked all these activities for you in order to understand what Transylvania means. This tour was built with the intention of making it the best you can choose. Tour has them all.

A daring adventure and a historical and cultural journey, this 4-day tour allows you to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Fagaras mountains and to discover the Saxon cultural heritage in Romania. The tour is available during summertime and in early autumn, in fair weather conditions, when the scenic Transfagarasan alpine road is open.

Transfagarasan road was voted by Top Gear as the most beautiful road in the world. If you don't want to miss it, the Transfagarasan road tour is perfect to discover this spectacular route.

On the way to Transfagarasan, you will also visit Curtea de Arges monastery, a beautiful church with a dark story and you will see Poenari fortress, the ruins of Vlad the Impaler’s castle and Vidraru dam. For the moment, the fortress is closed for restoration, so you can just admire it from the road.

The scenic drive begins after Vidraru damn, so get ready for some adrenaline! For lunch, we will stop at the top of Transfagarasan, in Balea Lac chalet, next to Balea glacier lake. So prepare your camera for this enchanting tour!

Start the tour by visiting Curtea de Arges Monastery, one of the most famous in Romania and get a feel for what religion and popular myth look and feel like. Next, choose between visiting Poenari Fortress, which belonged to Vlad Dracul (also known as Dracula) or visiting Vidraru Dam and Lake, another popular destination that offers a fantastic view. Take it to the next level by riding the Transfagarasan's twists and bends up until you reach its highest point, where you will also see Balea Lake. Your day trip includes round-trip hotel transport from Bucharest and some footage of your actual experience.

The diversity of the objectives met on the way is great: mountain landscapes, hills, forests, traditional villages, historical vestiges (Curtea de Arges Monastery, Poienari Citadel), engineering innovations (Vidraru water storage Dam) and Transfagarasan itself. At its top, the height of the way is a little more than 2000 meters, crossing the highest chain of the Carpathians: the Fagaras Mountains.

The Transfăgărășan is a paved mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. According to TopGear it is the "best road in the world". Join us on a full day tour to see the beauty of the spectacular Făgăraș Mountains and learn how the Transfăgărășan Road was built. Enjoy a brief stop at Bâlea Lake and afterwards we head towards Vidraru Dam an imposing 166 meters high dam. On our way back to Sibiu we'll make a quick stop to visit the Clay Castle.

This tour combines sightseeing with history and culture. If your time in Brasov is limited you can tick two very important boxes of Transylvania by visiting the Bran (Dracula) Castle and the Transfagarasan highway in the same day. While you can visit Bran 365 days per year, the mountain road is only open a few months during the summer and autumn. During the Transfagarasan day trip we drive close to the altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. On the road we stop at the Balea Waterfall. Here we check out the souvenir shops and taste some of the local snacks. At the Balea Lake we can have a proper lunch, after we hike around the lake. More souvenirs are available here too. Other short stops for spectacular roadside landscapes are also included.
The Bran Castle tour is done either at the start or at the end of the day, depending on the day of the week.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the capital and discover one of the world’s most scenic drives on a private day tour of the Transfagarasan road from Bucharest, stopping off along the way to explore Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Poenari Castle, Vidraru Dam, and a chalet on Bâlea Lake. Relax with round-trip transfer from your Bucharest hotel, and avoid hidden costs with entrance fees included in the price.

Come and experience a trip on the most beautiful highway in Europe! Although the highway itself is considered to be the main attraction, there are many more pit stops on the way. For example, at 2034 meters, we arrive at Balea Lake, having previously admired the Balea Waterfall. The place is filled with merchants selling foods, drinks and souvenirs. The landscape is absolutely amazing. It really feels like heaven! Then, if you're curious to discover more and time allows us, there is an optional free of charge trip available to either the watermill in Lisa, a small village, to experience the traditional way of felting. Or, we can take a delightful lunch (meal not included) at the restaurant in Albota. Perhaps you'd prefer a cultural experience, and we can visit the Cistercian Abbey of Carta. It's really up to you to decide. Still wondering if this trip is suitable for you? You can take your whole family, or you can bring your friends. It's up to you!

We are going to start cycling from low altitude at a small market from where we will have a magnificent view over Mount Fagaras and Balea Waterfall . After few kilometres we will get into the most interesting mountain highway builded in Romania in the years of comunism . The views displayed during the trip are amazing , the mountains that surround the way show their majestic peaks during the whole way . We will see in the way up , much closer to our eyes , the Balea Waterfall and after a while we will reach the top at altitude 2034 where a peasant market and the well known Balea Lake will be displayed . After visiting all the interesting touristic points a descent full of adrenaline back to the starting place will follow .
Please be aware that during the winter the transportation to the lake is possible by cablecar only .

Get the opportunity to experience the best road in the world according to Top Gear. This one day tour from Bucharest will take you on the famous Transfăgărășan Road stopping along the way to all of the most important landmarks. Prepare for spectacular mountain views, delicious local food and even a medieval fortress that is connected to Dracula.

Cruise along one of Europe's most scenic mountain roads on a day trip to the Transfagarasan Road—an alpine pass featuring countless switchbacks and spectacular views of the Southern Carpathians. Along the way, delve into medieval Romanian history and breathe in the fresh mountain air while admiring views of the Vidraru Dam. Enjoy the expertise of a local guide make for an unforgettable Romanian road trip.