Danube Delta

Day 1: Bucharest - Tulcea (arrival)
Day 2: Nufaru - Sfantu Gheorge, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 3: Journey to "Mile 0", 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 4: Gulf of Musura - Crisan, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 5: The flora and fauna of the Danube Delta (rest day)
Day 6: Monasteries of the Dobrogea, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 7: Lagoon tour, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 8: Transfer Tulcea - Bucharest (departure)

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice,  due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc. 

Day 1: Bucharest
Individual arrival to Bucharest Airport and bus transfer at 2 pm (approx. 4 hrs) into the Danube Delta to Tulcea. Embarkation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2: Nufaru - Sfantu Gheorge, 19 mi. (31 km)
Cycling along the most southern Danube arm through the nature reserve Bestepe Hills (five hills), you will soon forget the ascents when you experience the views into the heart of the Danube Delta. At the small fishing village, Murighiol, you arrive onboard by a maze of channels, floating islands, dense forests, and pure wilderness experience. The village is home to the ruined Roman city of Halmyris, one of the most important ancient sites in Romania and though the work of uncovering and preserving has begun, much of the ruins remain unexcavated. This is a unique opportunity to see an ancient city still in the process of being uncovered. Overnight on board the boat hotel.

Day 3: The journey to mile “0”, 16 mi. (25 km)
The route today begins on a bumpy gravel path, on the right, the wide-open of Black Sea, on the left, the lush green reeds and marshland that reach into the loneliness and solitude of the Danube Delta. Cormorants and Great White Egrets are common sightings. Mile “0” is at Sulina: the Danube has reached its destination! This port town was mentioned for the first time more than 1,000 years ago under the name of Selina in a work written by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenetes. It once bustled with traders from Europe and the Middle East, adventurers and sea pirates. The 60-foot-tall lighthouse, located in the north of the town, was built in 1802 and restored in 1870. It is here that the long journey of this mighty river starts to meld with the salt of the sea. Overnight onboard the boat hotel.

Day 4: Gulf of Musura - Crisan, 14 mi. (23 km)
Through the bird's paradise of Musura Bay, the route leads on natural streets to the picturesque village Letea, forgotten by time. In this village, the houses are made of reed and loam,  painted a lovely blue. A deep silence pervades. Nearby, with trees more than 500 years old, is the Letea Reserve. Oak, black poplar, elm, ash, and thorny shrubs are smothered in the tropical creeper named Periploca, a Mediterranean plant with reddish-brown bark and simple, glossy leaves, giving the Letea Forest its tropical look. Here, you may also encounter black-bellied foxes, wild horses, boars, falcons, and white-tailed eagles. The surrounding sand dunes are home to tortoises and lizards.  Next, the fishing village of Crisan with a few houses spreading over the right bank of Sulina, and a fishery on the other bank, will be reached by boat. Overnight onboard the boat hotel.

Day 5: The Fauna & Flora of the Danube Delta (rest day)
During a boat ride through a labyrinth of narrow waterways, you will pass by small fishing villages and again experience the incredible diversity of the Fauna and Flora of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Delta.  The area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures, and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a vast array of wildlife. In the afternoon you return from this surreal dream world to the vibrant town life of  Tulcea. Overnight on board the boat hotel.

Day 6: Monasteries of the Dobrogea, 16 mi. (26 km)
Today, you cycle a loop through a gently rolling landscape to the Orthodox nunnery, Celic Dere, the biggest convent of the Dobrogea territory, rich in history and containing meaningful religious relics. One of the most important icons is the one representing  Jesus Christ, brought to the convent around 1806. It can be seen in the Chapel Church and bears the name of “The icon that cleans itself” because at one point the icon was blackened by the passing of time but then, unexplainably,  the face of Christ lightened. The legend says that the icon was brought by a soldier. He told the monks that even though it looked soiled, one day it would clean itself, and the eyes of Christ would open. After almost 200 years from that day, more than half of this icon is now lightened. The romantic Abbey of Saon with its distinctive windmill is located amidst vineyards right on the bank of the Danube. Near parks from a ridge, you will enjoy a fantastic view over the extensive, green floodplain directly on the border to Ukraine. Transfer back to Tulcea. Overnight in the Tulcea 4* guesthouse.

Day 7: Lagoon tour and the Dolosman Cape, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today, the tour begins by bus to Ceamurlia de Jos. The nature reserve of Cape Dolosman with the Greek-Roman excavations of Argamum separates the Delta lakes Golovita and Razim. By bike, you reach the medieval fortress of Enisala, which is located high over the Danube. Here you will enjoy the breathtaking view over the Lagoon Razim. Overnight in the guesthouse in Tulcea.

Day 8: Disembarkation - Transfer Tulcea-Bucharest
After breakfast, transfer by bus back to the airport Otopeni/Bucharest; approximate arrival is 2 pm. Please keep this in mind when booking return flights! We recommend that you book flights after 4 PM. Possibility of additional nights in Tulcea or Bucharest.

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike & boat tours, or our full list of active vacations

You will be accommodated on a comfortable hotel boat in cabins (approx. 9 m2) with twin beds, an air-conditioned restaurant, and a spacious sundeck with deckchairs. The cabins are not airconditioned but the windows can be opened to allow fresh ventilation. The main vessel is actually pulled by a support craft outfitted with environmentally friendly solar panels and lithium batteries to provide a whisper quiet experience in nature.
In Tulcea, you will be accommodated in a 4* guest house. This comfortable hostel, with air-conditioned rooms, is about a 5-10 minute walk from the market square. The city of Tulcea is laid out on seven hills and has been an important harbor since ancient times.

Bicycles

Touring Bike

28 Zoll Unisex Tour Bikes

• Step-through frame
• 21 or 24-derailleur-gear
• Caliper breaks
• Puncture-proof tires

Accessories

• Waterproof pannier bag
• Handlebar bag
• Pump & repair kit available
• Bicycle lock
• Helmets available on board