Small-group max 7 - Top Gear Road - Transfăgărăşan Highway

Overview

Available languages

English

12 hours

Mobile ticket

This is a Small Group Tour Maximum 7 Passengers!

Our first destination is Curtea de Argeș Monastery, one of the most important and iconic religious and historical landmarks. Here it is the burial place of Romanian royal family.

The second is Poenari Fortress, once served as a strategic stronghold 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, open only during the summer and early autumn months, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the panoramic views, 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 is accessible only in the summer and early autumn months

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Pick-up from: 'Piața 21 Decembrie 1989'

Small group up to 7 passengers

Air-conditioned vehicle

Professional tour guide in English

Lunch

What To Expect

Vidraru Dam

Vidraru Dam and Lake, located in Romania's Făgăraș Mountains, is a stunning hydro-engineering marvel completed in 1966. The curved arch dam, standing 166 meters high, creates Vidraru Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by lush forests and dramatic peaks. A popular destination for tourists, it offers breathtaking views, boating, and serves as a gateway to the Transfăgărășan Road.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

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.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Small group - max 7 passangers

Pickup Piața 21 Decembrie 1989

Reviews

4.89

389 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

363

Memorable and fun
AnnaliseS1117,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The 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
5.00
This 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
5.00
Its 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
5.00
This 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
5.00
Whilst 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
5.00
A 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.
Fun, long day
gopher7199,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tour is strongly recommended especially during months where the weather is nice. If too cold, parts of the road by Balea lake can be closed and bears are sleeping. As of October 2025, the water in the lake by the dam is being drained for maintenance work. Sabastian was our guide and was great. The small group size makes the experience almost like a private tour. Tour duration is 12 hours...many of the tours from Bucharest have durations in similar length...but this is a long day.
Snow and Bears oh my
LTLCHIZ,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My guide was Bogdan he was exceptional and very informative. We only had 3 people in our tour so it felt like 3 friends going on a road trip. We were advised the day before our trip that we may not see bears do to the weather got colder. We were surprised that it had snowed so that was exciting. It was a gorgeous drive, and loved all the stops on the way. On the way back down we were lucky to see momma and baby bear, and then another bear which made the trip. Thank you for a fantastic day Bogdan would definitely recommend.
Top Day
Andy H,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A full day but plenty of stops. Didn’t see bears as it was snowing and they were hiding. But just the snow covered trees and buildings was enough for an Aussie. Lots of memorable and funny moments. Our guide George was an excellent driver and nothing was too much for him. A top day out.
This was a great trip....
Ben H,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a great trip. The views were breath taking (we got to experience the first snow of the mountain), our guide Sebastian was very knowledgeable and helpful, and even though we were unable to see bears on this trip (too cold and wet in the mountains) I would do this tour again. I would highly recommend this trip and if possible make it a trip for 2-3 but I have no doubt that a group of more wouldn't be great. I would also plan to come late spring to mid summer. The bears should be more active. But respect the bears and their distance.