About Active Travel

There is no doubt that incredible natural wonders of the National Parks and the Natural Parks of Romania are among our greatest tourism drawcards. Diverse landscapes and wildlife give to this areas a competitive advantage. Active Travel is committed to creating more opportunities to showcase the natural beauty of Romania while preserving these natural assets for future generations. Conservation and tourism do not have to be at odds. We have a vision for ecotourism that brings people into contact with nature, not in conflict with nature. So, join us for an eco experience! ....less

5 STAR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE FROM TRIPADVISOR 2014-2020 ....less

When you are ready to travel again, we are here to support you. Your safety, as well as the safety of our guides and partners, has always been our top priority, which is why new physical distancing and cleaning measures have been put in place on all of our tours.



Your safety is important to us:

- All customer touch points are frequently cleaned

- Social distancing is maintained in vehicles

- To reduce crowds, the number of visitors is limited

- Masks are required, please bring your own

- You must fill out a travel information form

- Hand sanitiser gel is available in our vehicles;

- Regular cleaning of all the car surfaces;

- Extra flexibility in changes or cancellation.


Our groups have always been small. This offers security, access and a connection with your destination you won't get by traveling on bus tours or on your own. Our average group size is 10, ensuring our travelers can engage with each other without being squeezed together — and that was before physical distancing became a reality. Plus, if you have 6 or more friends you would like to adventure with, you can book the entire trip! ....less

ACTIVE TRAVEL Responsible Travel Policy
The link to the Active Travel Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy:
https://www.adventure-tours.ro/inc/active_travel_ecotourism_policy_and_management_strategy.pdf
Policy aims
Active Travel is committed to creating more opportunities to showcase the natural beauty of Romania
while preserving these natural assets for future generations. Conservation and tourism do not have to be
at odds. We have a vision for ecotourism that brings people into contact with nature, not in conflict with
nature.
Economic responsibility
By promoting eco tourism in our multi day trekking tours we stay in local guesthouses, run by the
families, in the mountain villages. In that way the tourists have the chance to taste the home made food
and the local products, to buy hand made souvenirs. In the same time the money they spend stay in the
local communities helping the locals to maintain and/or to develop their small businesses. More than this
the young generations noticed that they do not have to move at the cities to work in a big company; they
can learn how to run a guesthouse or a small shop in their villages, instead. The more tourists we have in
their areas, the more chances to use the locals as employees. For example in our self guided tours we
use a local company for the tourists and luggage transfers from one village to next one.
Environmental responsibility
We print only catalogs in qr code format when we participate at the international tourism fairs. By doing
this we save a lot of paper. We are working with small family guesthouses which promote eco tourism and
they have in their rooms the instructions about how they can reduce the water consumption (eg. using
towels) and they serve local food produce in the local communities (eg. milk, eggs, meat, cheese). We
limit the use of plastic bottles by providing reusable bottles, as much as we can and we are not working
with the single use plastic. These are one of the reasons we have 3 of our products eco certified:
http://www.adventure-tours.ro/eco-romania-certified-programs-eco-romania-certified-programs.html.
The Ecotourism Certification System developed by AER (Association of Ecotourism in Romania) has
adapted the international experience to the Romanian context. It is based on the Nature and Ecotourism
Accreditation Programme promoted by the Australian Ecotourism Association (NEAP is the first
accreditation system in ecotourism) and on Nature’s Best developed by the Swedish Ecotourism
Association (the first accreditation system in ecotourism in the northern hemisphere).
Our mountain guides (including me) carry all the time in our trekking tours, with or without tourists, a
bag and collect the trash they found on the paths. We stay only on marking trails. For example, when
following a trail, parties should walk single file down the middle of the trail. We visit the wildlife only at a
small hides (maximum 8 people) for an authentic experience. Actually our small group day tours have a
maximum number of 8 tourists, for example. We are specialized in private and small group tours. Quality
vs quantity!
Social responsibility
In our multi day trekking tours we use the local resources: we stop at a local handicraft or to a museum
or at a local guesthouse for cheese tasting (eg. https://www.adventure-tours.ro/day-tour-in-romanian-
mountain-villages.html). Where we need we use local guides.
Our tailor made programs help clients to better identify those areas that can offer awesome nature and
rural culture experiences.
Our tourists can participate at the current works in the villages (eg. cutting the grass, milking the cows or
sheep). We make a stop, during summer time, at an authentic sheep farm up into the mountains for a
shepherd's lunch called “bulz” (polenta with cheese). Here we show at the tourists how the cheese is
produced in a traditional way. The tourists could taste a special yogurt called “jintita” (can not be found in
the local markets or big markets).
We inform the clients that it is important to know and respect a few elementary rules before visiting the
areas of the Nationals Parks or Natural Parks. In this areas we have locals from the mountain villages
which are struggling to preserve their traditions and their way of life (not so much help from the
Romanian state). We inform them to keep down the noise level so both humans and wildlife can enjoy the
balance of nature, to admire the flowers and if they wish to pick them to use only their photo camera.
During our tours we use to make a stop at a local guesthouse which has a small farm for a cheese tasting
and/or an eco-lunch with local products. They can visit the farm and/or to participate to the daily
activities, as milking the animals or cutting the grass. In this way they have a perspective about the
conditions of living in this areas and they understand how important is to respect their lifestyle.
All my guides are licensed guides (cultural or mountain guides) who knows the areas where we organize
our tours. Anyhow when we arrive in some areas we use the services of a local guide.
The best examples are:
1. Transfer to the Palamari's Cultural Center near Fundata village, on our way to Brasov. Palamari’s
Cultural Center has an open air exhibition of the Maramuresean architectural complex into a
Transylvanian environment. We stay about 4 hours for traditional and creative workshops such as:
relaxation - finger painting / photography / moulding / slow-food - the importance of traditional cuisine /
Romanian traditional dances. Ecolunch to the center.
2. We make a stop one day in a mountain village in Bran area and we offer to our clients this program
which is organized by a local guide : "Day tour in Romanian mountain village - Sustainable, local, eco
tour". The program of the day tour is as follow:
Cheese tasting
2 – 3 hours trek on the hills, admiring flora and fauna (1322 m altitude)
Traditional lunch with eco products
Tour of the village in horse driven carriage
Visit at a traditional loom ....less

Active Travel Sustainable Management Plan



Vision

Active Travel - tour operator - offers unique private and small group tours from general touring to wildlife viewing or wilderness trips around Romania. One of our goals is to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in Romania.

Our ecotourism vision: to bring tourists in contact with nature, especially in areas that can represent valuable internationally ecotourism destinations, delivering world-class experiences that support the conservation of our special natural places and cultural heritage.

Our conservation vision: the natural treasure of National and Natural Parks and the cultural assets will be protected and conserved for current and future generations.

Our promise to our guests: unforgettable ecotourism experiences that create lasting memories of outstanding natural and cultural areas and unique wildlife of the National and Natural Parks of Romania.


Objectives
O1. to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in Romania;
O2. to promote the local culture and traditions in order to contribute to the development of the local communities from an economic and social point of view;
O3. to provide safe and high-quality services;
O4. to work with the Bucegi Natural Park administration and Piatra Craiului National Park administration to improve our services in the area;


Action plan

O1. To promote responsible and sustainable tourism in Romania;

- we are specialized in private and small group tours that offer quality experiences to customers and low impact on nature;
- we walk with tourists between the locations; only the luggage is transferred by one of the local companies, using an electric car (subject to availability);
- we make a stop to one of the oldest guesthouses in Piatra Craiului National Park or at an authentic sheep farm for a local cheese tasting;
- in our walking tours we spend most of the time in nature, which is a central element for an ecotourism experience;
- we spend the nights at local guesthouses, owned by locals (subject to availability). Part of the food from the local guesthouses is from local producers (cheese, eggs, milk);
- we share information with our clients about sustainability and ecotourism - no single-use plastic policy, conservation of nature, wildlife protection and others;
- we share our experience in ecotourism with the local businesses (guesthouses, local craftsmen) and with the local communities






O2. To promote the local culture and traditions in order to contribute to the development of the local communities from an economic and social point of view.


Stimulating local community development:

- we promote multi day tours and we spend most of the nights at local guesthouses located in mountain villages, creating opportunities for the local communities to develop their business;
- we use the services of the locals – for the luggage and clients transfers we work with a local company from Pe?tera village / for accommodation we work with local guesthouses;
- we encourage the purchase of local products and gifts – some of these products are for sale at the local guesthouses where we are accommodated – e.g. Pepino in Magura village, or at the places we visit during the tours – e.g. at Bran Castle we bring tourists to the local handy crafts section;

Promoting the local culture and traditions:

- we introduce tourists to the customs of the area;
- we encourage tourists to participate in local events or to get involved in the daily work of the locals;
- we work with guesthouses which serve traditional food;


O3. to provide safe and high-quality services;

- in case of unforeseen circumstances, we have a person in charge of resolving the problems as soon as possible (the owner of the company);
- we offer tourists a list of emergency phone numbers that includes: the national emergency number, fire guard service, natural area administration, mountain rescue, others;
- all the licensed mountain guides we work with carry safety equipment during the tours; proper use of the safety equipment is explained at the AGMR (Romanian Mountain Guides Association) courses by trained people;
- employees of the company have been trained to give first aid and to take part in the activities that involve first aid. The first aid kit is available at any time and kept somewhere accessible.


O4. to work with the Bucegi Natural Park administration and Piatra Craiului National Park administration to improve our services in the area;

- we meet with the representatives of the natural protected areas administrations to learn about conservation programs and more specific information about the areas, to increase and update the knowledge of the guides in order to create authentic experiences and to provide the correct information to the clients.
- we contribute financially, or we volunteer in the conservation programs of the parks or in other activities which involve protecting the environment. ....less

Member of the Association of Ecotourism in Romania ....less

O2. To promote the local culture and traditions in order to contribute to the development of the local communities from an economic and social point of view. Stimulating local community development: - we promote multi day tours and we spend most of the nights at local guesthouses located in mountain villages, creating opportunities for the local communities to develop their business; - we use the services of the locals – for the luggage and clients transfers we work with a local company from Pe?tera village / for accommodation we work with local guesthouses; - we encourage the purchase of local products and gifts – some of these products are for sale at the local guesthouses where we are accommodated – e.g. Pepino in Magura village, or at the places we visit during the tours – e.g. at Bran Castle we bring tourists to the local handy crafts section; Promoting the local culture and traditions: - we introduce tourists to the customs of the area; - we encourage tourists to participate in local events or to get involved in the daily work of the locals; - we work with guesthouses which serve traditional food; ....less

We make a stop, during summer time, at an authentic sheep farm up into the mountains for a shepherd's lunch called “bulz” (polenta with cheese). Here we show at the tourists how the cheese is produced in a traditional way. The tourists could taste a special yogurt called “jintita” (can not be found in the local markets or big markets). We inform the clients that it is important to know and respect a few elementary rules before visiting the areas of the Nationals Parks or Natural Parks. In this areas we have locals from the mountain villages which are struggling to preserve their traditions and their way of life (not so much help from the Romanian state). We inform them to keep down the noise level so both humans and wildlife can enjoy the balance of nature, to admire the flowers and if they wish to pick them to use only their photo camera. During our tours we use to make a stop at a local guesthouse which has a small farm for a cheese tasting and/or an eco-lunch with local products. They can visit the farm and/or to participate to the daily activities, as milking the animals or cutting the grass. In this way they have a perspective about the conditions of living in this areas and they understand how important is to respect their lifestyle. All my guides are licensed guides (cultural or mountain guides) who knows the areas where we organize our tours. Anyhow when we arrive in some areas we use the services of a local guide. The best examples are: 1. Transfer to the Palamari's Cultural Center near Fundata village, on our way to Brasov. Palamari’s Cultural Center has an open air exhibition of the Maramuresean architectural complex into a Transylvanian environment. We stay about 4 hours for traditional and creative workshops such as: relaxation - finger painting / photography / moulding / slow-food - the importance of traditional cuisine / Romanian traditional dances. Ecolunch to the center. 2. We make a stop one day in a mountain village in Bran area and we offer to our clients this program which is organized by a local guide : "Day tour in Romanian mountain village - Sustainable, local, eco tour". The program of the day tour is as follow: Cheese tasting 2 – 3 hours trek on the hills, admiring flora and fauna (1322 m altitude) Traditional lunch with eco products Tour of the village in horse driven carriage Visit at a traditional loom ....less

Active Travel Romania - tour operator - offers unique private and small group tours from general touring to wildlife viewing, to wilderness trips across Romania. Our main goal is to promote responsible, sustainable and durable tourism in Romania. Active Travel is committed to creating more opportunities to showcase the natural beauty of Romania while preserving these natural assets for future generations. Conservation and tourism do not have to be at odds. We have a vision for ecotourism that brings people into contact with nature, not in conflict with nature.

Active Travel has been awarded the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2014 to 2020, based on consistently outstanding reviews from our satisfied customers.

City tours Brasov, Bucharest, Sibiu, Sighisoara and more: if you are visiting this cosmopolitan city of Brasov make sure not to miss our Brasov day trips; Castle tours - Rasnov, Bran, Sinaia; Poienari (Vlad Tepes' Residential Castle); Rhein Azuga Cellar for a sparkling wine tasting; Sighisoara - considered to be the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadel in Europe; Fortified Saxon churches: Viscri, Biertan, Prejmer, Harman; Racos Geological Complex; the Transfagarasan road - built as a strategic military route, is the second-highest paved road in Romania and considered by some to be the most dramatic; the TransAlpina road - winding its way through valleys and plateaus up to 2145m – a height not reached by any other mountain passage in Romania – offers breathtaking views together with lots of driving excitement; Highlights of Romania - Transylvania, Maramures and Bucovina.

Adventure tours in Transylvania, Maramures, Bucovina, Danube Delta: Themes include general sightseeing, natural history, hiking, trekking, biking, paragliding, canoeing, rafting, ski touring, bear watching, photo hunting featuring with eco-tour styles from cozy, small lodges to camping.

Biking tours in Transylvania, Maramures, Bucovina: join us to one of our active mountainbike tours in the surroundings of Brasov - Piatra Craiului National Park, Fagaras Mountains, Baiului Mountains.

Solo walks-Self guided Romania tours: it is a complete service package including transfers, but much more flexibility than group/guided tours - half the price of guided, no minimum group size, better discovery, any travel date possible, expert local support, professional planning.



ACTIVE TRAVEL presents two distinct types of itineraries for you to choose from:



CULTURAL TOURS are crafted with comfort in mind, featuring only well-established accommodations to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience. These tours are our most accessible, making them a popular choice for a wide range of travelers. While they visit many of the same captivating locations as our adventure tours, the focus is on providing a comfortable, leisurely experience, with an emphasis on quality amenities and relaxed pacing.

Designed for travelers of all ages and fitness levels, our cultural itineraries are perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty and history of the region without the physical demands of more strenuous activities. While walking is a part of the experience, the tours are not physically challenging, and hiking is optional, allowing guests to tailor their level of activity to their preferences. Whether you're looking to explore charming villages, historical landmarks, or scenic landscapes, our cultural tours offer a wonderful way to experience the essence of the destination at a relaxed pace.

ADVENTURE TOURS offer a unique blend of outdoor exploration and comfort, combining nights camping in nature with stays in cozy, well-equipped accommodations. These tours are perfect for those seeking to venture off the beaten path, offering opportunities for wilderness travel through a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, trekking, canoeing, and rafting.

Tailored to a range of fitness levels, from beginners to more experienced adventurers, these tours are designed to provide both excitement and challenge. The intensity of the activities varies, but they generally require a moderate to high level of fitness. Whether you're looking to explore remote landscapes on foot, bike, or water, our adventure tours allow you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors while ensuring that you have the comfort and support needed to fully enjoy the journey.

I founded Active Travel in 2007, after spending 13 years working at the largest travel agency in Bra?ov. My primary motivation for starting the business was to promote Romania as an eco-friendly destination. In 2008, Active Travel became a member of the Association of Ecotourism in Romania.

The company has since been awarded the "Eco-Romania" logo for good practices in ecotourism for 4 hiking programs. "Eco-Romania" is a certification programme implemented by the Association of Ecotourism in Romania (AER), recognizing efforts to promote responsible and eco-friendly tourism.

The company has 3 employees and works with a team of licensed guides (national and/or mountain guides).

We are a passionate and dynamic team with over 17 years of expertise in crafting unforgettable City and Adventure tours. Our extensive experience allows us to offer personalized, memorable journeys that showcase the best of Romania, from its vibrant cities to its wild, untouched landscapes. We pride ourselves on our deep knowledge of the destinations we cover and our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences tailored to the unique interests and preferences of each guest.

Our mission is to champion responsible, sustainable, and lasting tourism in Romania. We are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local communities while offering travelers enriching experiences that respect both the environment and the people. By prioritizing eco-friendly practices and promoting awareness, we aim to create long-term, positive impacts that benefit both visitors and the regions we explore. Through thoughtful and conscious travel, we strive to protect Romania's unique treasures for future generations to enjoy. ....less

Active Travel Romania - tour operator - offers unique private and small group tours from general touring to wildlife viewing, to wilderness trips around Romania. Our main goal is to promote responsible, sustainable and durable tourism in Romania. Active Travel is committed to creating more opportunities to showcase the natural beauty of Romania while preserving these natural assets for future generations. Conservation and tourism do not have to be at odds. We have a vision for ecotourism that brings people into contact with nature, not in conflict with nature. ....less