Historical Transylvania

Today is your first day of riding. After a delicious breakfast, you'll be transferred to the horse riding base, where your fully tacked horse will be waiting. Each rider is paired with the most suitable horse for the next days, and you'll spend some time getting familiar, often with a short ride in the arena.

Once preparations are complete, you'll set off toward your first stop: a peaceful forest rest area near the village of Székelyszentmihály. The route takes you through charming Transylvanian villages, across meadows, along cart paths, and down forest roads.

As you ride through the hills, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the local landscape, with fresh air and a sense of freedom accompanying you. Along the way, you might spot rabbits darting across pastures, foxes scurrying away, and deer watching curiously from a distance.

The ride will be a blend of walking, trotting, and occasional canters. You’ll spend around four to four and a half hours in the saddle, covering roughly 30 kilometers. At lunchtime, you’ll enjoy a cold picnic of local food, delivered by a service car to the rest spot.

On the second day of riding, the journey might be slightly shorter than the first, depending on the group's pace. You’ll head toward Kissolymos, a small village near the county border. After departing from the base in Kiskede, you'll pass through the village of Nagykede.

As you cross several hills and a small section of road, you'll enter a scenic valley. To your right are agricultural fields, to your left are meadows, and ahead lies a beautiful stretch of forest.

Your trail leads up the hill, offering a perfect opportunity for a longer canter until you reach the forest. You'll follow well-maintained paths through the woods, eventually arriving at Kissolymos, where you'll stop at a horse riding center on the village's outskirts for a lunch break.

After lunch, you’ll make your way back to Kiskede, riding through meadows and along horse cart paths. Along the way, you'll pass a fishing lake, with ample opportunities for trotting and cantering.

Expect to spend four to five hours in the saddle, covering approximately 28 kilometers.

On the third day of riding, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters. The highlight of the day is a visit to the 22-meter-high Heart of Jesus statue, located on the outskirts of Farkaslaka (Lupeni) atop Gordon Hill, standing at 953 meters (3125 feet). This is the tallest Jesus statue in Eastern Europe.

The trail takes you through scenic meadows and cart paths, offering numerous chances to pick up the pace. After enjoying lunch at a rest spot near the statue, you’ll spend one to two hours there before returning to the base camp.

Expect to ride for about five to six hours in total, with breaks along the way.

Today is a rest day for the horses, giving you a perfect chance to explore Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, Sighisoara boasts a stunning 16th-century atmosphere with its nine towers, cobblestone streets, burgher houses, and ornate churches, comparable to the charm of Old Prague or Vienna.

This town is also famous as the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional Count Dracula.

You'll spend a few hours wandering the city, enjoying its rich history and architecture, and savor a traditional Transylvanian lunch before returning to the guesthouse in the evening.

With everyone well-rested, this day is perfect for a longer ride. You’ll spend the entire day in the saddle, aiming to reach Firtosváralja by evening, where you'll stay in a charming, traditionally built guesthouse.

Along the way, you’ll pass through several villages, spending time in a few to sample locally produced food and drinks, visit traditional craftsmen, and explore local monuments.

The scenery is breathtaking, with the vast Transylvanian landscape and endless rolling hills. There will be no cars or city noise, just the peaceful sounds of nature. You might spot deer, rabbits, and possibly foxes, while also passing herds of sheep and cows, part of the region's traditional agricultural lifestyle.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy a locally sourced dinner, followed by a folk program for a taste of the region's cultural heritage.

On the final day of your riding week, you’ll make your way back to the horse riding base in Kiskede, taking different trails than those you followed the previous day.

Arriving in the late afternoon, you’ll have a chance to say goodbye to the horses and express your gratitude for their companionship throughout the week. In the evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner where you can share your adventures and recount memorable stories from your journey.

Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred back to Cluj Napoca Airport (CLJ) after breakfast for your journey home.