Small-group max 7 - Top Gear Road - Transfăgărăşan Highway
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Avoid big bus (coach) on the winding road! Join a small group (maximum 7) in a minivan!
Our first destination is Curtea de Argeș Monastery, one of the most important and iconic religious landmarks. Here it is the burial place of Romanian royal family.
The second is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history.
Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru.
We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive.
Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road.
On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under 7 years old cannot participate in shared group tours. Please contact us to give you a private tour offer.
We will NOT visit the interior of Poenari Fortress, we will only see it from below - outside. To enter in Poenari Fortress you have to climb 66 floors on the stairs!
Similar (cheaper) tours are done by big coaches with 55 passengers, they do not stop to Poenari Fortress and Curtea de Argeș Monastery
Bâlea Glaciar Lake (the view point to the winding road) is accessible only in the summer and early autumn months, from June to October, in the rest of the year we visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery and the grave of the royal family.
The old Monastery is temporarily under renovation, the scaffolding cover, you can not see the interior.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Curtea de Arges Monastery
Temporarily under renovation, the scaffolding cover, you can not see the interior. The Curtea de Argeș Monastery is famous for its elaborate stonework, spiraled towers, intricate decorative motifs, and harmonious proportions. The design is highly unique and doesn’t resemble typical Orthodox churches, partly due to the strong Byzantine and Moorish influences. Inside, the walls are adorned with beautiful frescoes, and the atmosphere is deeply spiritual and historic. ⚰️ Royal Tombs: The monastery is the burial place of Romanian royalty, including: • King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth • King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie
Poenari Fortress is a historic citadel located in Romania, perched atop a steep cliff in the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the 13th century and later enhanced by Vlad the Impaler, it served as a strategic stronghold and a defensive fortress. Known for its dramatic views and association with the Dracula legend, the fortress is accessible via a challenging climb of over 1,400 steps, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval history and folklore. We see the fortress from exterior.
What‘s Included
Pick-up from: 'Piața 21 Decembrie 1989'
Air-conditioned vehicle
Small group up to 7 passengers
Professional tour guide in English
Lunch
Options
March to May 2026
Pickup Piața 21 Decembrie : We visit: Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Poenari Fortress (below), Vidraru Dam, National Park, Lunch at Capra and small hike.
Promo small-group
Pickup Piața 21 Decembrie 1989
June to October 2026
Pickup Piața 21 December 1989: We visit: Poenari Fortress (below), Vidraru Dam, National Park, Transfagarasan Highway, Bâlea Glacial Lake
Small-group tour
Pickup Piața 21 Decembrie 1989: We visit: Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Poenari Fortress (below), Vidraru Dam, National Park, Lunch at Capra and small hike.
Reviews
393 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
AVOID!!
reviewer231231,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS PROVIDER!! We were misled and when we tried to discuss this with them, they were unprofessional and rude. Ultimately, between October and May the tour is an eight hour round trip to go to a restaurant for lunch and see a monastery covered in scaffolding. Even the tour guide was it is ‘way better’ in summer. Do another trip such as the Salt Mine or Bulgaria. The Curtea de Arges Monastery is covered in scaffolding and you cannot go inside. This should be made clear on the ad. The ad doesn’t make clear that you don’t see the iconic viewpoint from Top Gear between November and May as it only refers to Le Lac Balea. As a tourist who doesn’t know the area, this is unclear. The listing appears that the Lake is a different stop. It’s extremely misleading to have a photo of that viewpoint (covered in snow!) as the main photo as this suggests that it can be seen all year round. They tried to justify the above by saying that we had an extra ‘break’ in the morning on the way and extra time at the Curtea de Arges Monastery and Poenari Citadel. This is comical because this was 15 minutes in a petrol station and certainly does not make up for missing the highlight of the tour. More importantly, when we tried to discuss the above with them, rather than act in a professional manner, we were met with unprofessionalism, abuse and rudeness. I had requested a partial refund due to us being charged the same amount to do this trip in the winter, as they do in the summer, despite the highlight of the tour not being included! Initially, we were bombarded with messages. Those messages quickly became abusive and personal towards me, and essentially threatened me with getting Viator to block my account, “Many people try to get refunds but get their account blocked by Viator.” How dare the provider try and manipulate me into thinking Viator would ever ‘block my account’ simply for raising a reasonable complaint. It is clear from the reviews that they have tried to manipulate many people. The tour provider also said that me raising this issue with them ‘shows what you are like as a person’. This is despite the fact that I raised the issue with them directly to resolve, rather than coming to TripAdvisor first. Even more concerningly, the tour provider took photographs of me (without my knowledge or consent) and included it in their barrage of messages. It was as if they threw that in there to make me feel uncomfortable. When I told them to delete it because it was taken without my consent, I was told it was taken ‘in case people try and request their money back’. If you book this trip, you should therefore fully expect the guide to be taking inappropriate photographs of you all day. I tried to attach the screenshots of the abusive messages to this review, however for some reason it is not allowed. I fully expect their reply to be unprofessional and contain lies but you have been warned. When there is as much competition as there is in Bucharest, find another provider who won’t try to abuse you post-trip. I am now liaising with Viator to process my refund, following them seeing the abusive messages i was sent.
Beautiful experience
59noemig,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour introduced us to the beauty of the landscapes of Wallachia. We left in January and despite the final stretch of the Transfăgărășan was closed we found a magnificent day and breathtaking snowy landscapes. A special thanks to Victor who has transmitted so much knowledge and passion for his work and for his land, he immediately put us at ease and told us with his perfect Italian stories that we will not forget! Absolutely recommended!!
Great tour and awesome tour guide
Brian A,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour and our tour guide was awesome!! He was informative and engaging right from the start of pick up. Great sense of humor and very accommodating. We truly enjoyed having him for our guide and highly recommend him.
Amazing trip highly...
Dennis J,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing trip highly recommend our tour guide was the best cannot recommend him enough one of the best trips iv’e been on
Memorable and fun
AnnaliseS1117,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was really enjoyable. Our guide Sebastain was incredibly informative and helpful. Great way to see a beautiful part of Romania
Rosanna’s tours are wonderful, informative, funny and excellent driving!
Samantha D,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a long tour so be prepared to be in the van a lot. However, the views are spectacular. No bears on our trip sadly as they are now hibernating but the tour was wonderful anyway. Our driver Rosanna was lovely, she is a very good driver and tells you lots about the history of the places you visit. The views in the mountains are wonderful. We had some great food (paid for separately), but enjoyed a comfortable ride with lots of views and tours of churches etc. Wonderful waterfalls in the mountains and the Dam was incredible. Rosanna has a great sense of humour and really deserves lots of praise. Highly recommend
Highlight of my Romania trip
496judithw,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Its a long day starting at 7.30 in the morning. The driver, George was a good safe driver and was generous with toilet and coffee breaks from the car. stunning. We couldn't make it to the top of the mountain because a large snow drift across the road. The snow covered mountains were stunning. I would highly recommend to do this trip.
Brilliant trip and guide.
Nicola C,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fantastic day trip..our guide, Sebastian, sent us very clear instructions beforehand about where to meet, a photo of the van and registration number. Sebastian was very informative and witty, making the whole day a pleasure..all the locations we saw were beautiful, interesting or both...a great day out with a great guide...Thank you!
Informative, spectacular and relaxing
Quest743841,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Whilst the weather prevented us completing the trip over the highway, the tour was still informative, spectacular and relaxing. Our guide, Tom, was knowledgeable, polite, and friendly: his food recommendations were all excellent. Fir an autumn trip, the snow had come early, but we got as far as the snow line before the road became impassable. The bears are hibernating, but I wasn't expecting to see any. The forests are awesome on autumn.
Transylvania tour with bears
Mark W,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A full day of beautiful scenery and a very knowledgeable guide. More leisurely and relaxed tour, seeing some of Romanias highlights. Definitely preferable to the coach tours.
From €119.00
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