Small group max 7, Transfăgărășan the Top Gear Road
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Avoid big bus (coach) on the winding road! Join a small group (maximum 7) in a minivan! Drive the stunning Transfăgărășan Top Gear Road, stop near Poenari Fortress - the real Dracula Castle!
Begin your adventure with Poenari Fortress, once a stronghold of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula). We will not enter in to the fortress, we see it from exterior.
We stop at the imposing Vidraru Dam, a marvel of engineering, where you can take in the stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding peaks.
We admire the goat waterfall and we can taste/buy some local products (cheeses, pastrama, jams, alcoholic beverages, etc.).
The destination is the Balea glacial lake - the place of view on the winding road
(open only fron June to October), at over 2000 meters altitude, where we have lunch and free time for hiking and pictures.
This unique tour blends cultural discovery and scenic beauty, offering an unforgettable day.
Similar (cheaper) tours are done by big coaches with 55 passengers!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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!
Bâlea Glaciar Lake (the view point to the winding road) is accesibile only from June to October, in the rest of the year we visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery end the grave of the royal family
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Begin your adventure with Poenari Fortress, built by Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) in 1456. Here we will not be able to enter the fortress but we will see it from the outside. Next is the massive engineering marvel of Vidraru dam, standing at 166 meters tall. Enjoy the stunning vistas of Vidraru Lake and the surrounding mountains while learning about the dam's role in Romania’s hydropower system. Travel along one of the world’s most spectacular roads, known as the “Road to the Sky.” Winding through the Carpathian Mountains, the Transfăgărășan offers hairpin turns, dramatic drops, and awe-inspiring views at every bend. We stop at the Capra waterfall to admire the beauty of the mountain. Conclude your tour at Bâlea Glacial Lake (open only from June to October) nestled at 2,034 meters above sea level. Surrounded by rugged peaks, the lake offers an idyllic setting to relax, enjoy a traditional Romanian meal, or even take a dip in the cool alpine waters. Bâlea Lake is accessible only from June to October. Similar (cheaper) tours are done by big coaches with 55 passengers!
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
Private Tour - Only your group
Pickup from your hotel
Small-group max 7 tourists
Pickup Piața 21 Decembrie 1989
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We loved our trip. Roxana...
maria m,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved our trip. Roxana was easy to chat with. Very knowledgeable. A very safe driver. We would love to visit Romania again.
The route was great...
SaiAnand J,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The route was great experience and wonderful guide(George) who explained about different places and shown us. The tunnel on the top was closed as mentioned(closed from Nov to mar). But our guide made sure that we the maximum experience of the trip
beautiful dayven transylvania
eric d,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00a very friendly guide unforgettable day we all sympathized with the group and the restaurant seen superb
An amazing experience!
412fionaf,Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an absolutely amazing experience and really a highlight of my trip. Matei was a very safe driver and great guide. The stops were well spaced and interesting, so the 12 hours didn’t seem too long. We were so fortunate, we saw 13-14 bears, and 4 of them had cubs. Absolutely recommended, and I’ll definitely do it again if I get back to Romania
Great trip - best of our time in Romania
Flyer817694,Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sebastian is an amazing guide - safe driver, knowledgeable, great with questions, good sense of humor. I feel lucky that we got him as our guide. We saw 27 bears on this trip!!!
There are no words to describe this incredible day
Departure25006095605,May 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would like to start the review by thanking Pavel (our guide) for the magnificent experience that he gave us. The first stop of the tour was at the dam, it had some beautiful views. After that, we started the ride along the road, through astonishing and lush forests. We were able to spot 12 bears! The last stop of the top gear road was near a waterfall with breathtaking views, it was cold but the silence and the landscape were magical. We ate in a restaurant, build like a wooden house/treehouse, with very good dishes, specially the meat. To sum up, thank you again for the experience and the explanations of the different places.
Stunning scenery with bears!
Nicola R,May 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had this tour with Pavel today....what a great trip! I highly recommend it. We saw 12 bears en route and the scenery is breathtaking. I could have stayed there for hours and hours. We visited a Monastery, which was a stunning building. We had a very tasty lunch in a beautiful woodland/treehouse setting. We also stopped at the dam. Nothing was rushed, plenty of stops and nothing was too much trouble. Pavel was full of local knowledge & very happy to competently answer all questions. And a fabulous soundtrack the whole way and back too! (That may be personal taste of course, I thoroughly enjoyed it😆) Thanks again Pavel
Go see the Carpathians with Matt and the Bears
George S,May 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a long day but the “Top Gear” road and seeing the bears make it all worth while. We had a spectacular day and our guide Matt kept us well informed of all relevant facts, as well as leading some interesting discussions about world travel. Have paid twice as much for a tour half as good several times before. Can recommend.
The 4 star rating does...
June J,Jan 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The 4 star rating does not apply to our guide Victor, who would deserve a 10. He was so knowledgeable and attentive he really made the tour interesting. The reason for not giving a 5 star rating is because we were not able to go sledding as the snow had started to melt, then froze solid into sheet ice which made it impossible to sled. We were meant to take a ski mobile trip that day but the guide cancelled so we took this trip instead. It was for my husband’s birthday and whilst Victor made the day as enjoyable as possible we were very disappointed with the outcome. Maybe checking the conditions before accepting bookings would be the way forward.
A great day out!
harryhN4998QY,Jan 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely day seeing lots of interesting different sites, tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, the mountains are beautiful in the winter time
From €115.00
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