Our trips
ALPINE TOURING SKI IN APUSENI MOUNTAINS
from PADIS KARSTIC PLATEAU to CASA DE PIATRA HAMLET
The sound of frozen snow under your skis and your harsh breath are the only things that take your attention away from the glorious sunny day. In early mornings, if you're lucky enough, you can hear a capercaillie male calling for a female. Enjoy a holiday of alpine touring ski on the wide plateaus and deep forests of Apuseni Mountains, where animal tracks might be the only signs of movement and life. In the evenings, warm your hands above the fire and your soul over a glass of ‘crampa’ (boiled plum brandy), along with a traditional meal, in the Apuseni Experience style.
TRIP’S HIGHLIGHTS:
- Ski through plateaus and valley, deep fir tree forests and hidden mountain villages.
- Explore the silence and peacefulness of the legendary Padis karst plateau.
- Visit Cetatile Ponorului karst system, Lost World karst plateau and Casa de Piatra hamlet.
- Enjoy the local cuisine, prepared mainly from organic ingredients.
- Meet warm and hospitable locals whose passionate stories and historic connections will inspire you.
TRIP DETAILS:
Start/end: Oradea or Cluj-Napoca (options to pick you up/drop you at Timisoara or Budapest airports are available too).
Trip length: 8 days/ 7 nights
Activity level: moderate
Group size: min. 2 – max. 8
Availability for 2019:
- 5 Jan 2019
- 12 Jan 2019
- 19 Jan 2019
- 26 Jan 2019
- 2 Feb 2019
- 09 Feb 2019
- 16 Feb 2019
- 23 Feb 2019
- 2 Mar 2019
- 7 Dec 2019
- 14 Dec 2019
- 21 Dec 2019
Price: from 742 euro/pers. to 1374 euro/pers.(lowest is per person for group of 8, highest is per person for a group of 2)
Beyond alpine touring ski: wild life tracking, nature photography, mountain culture, local cuisine,
Trip Option: customize your trip
Day 1 & 2 | Ponor Glade & Cetatile Ponorului karst phenomena
Enjoy a short round trip to Ponor karst spring and Ponor Glade, a typical polje (large extensive closed depression draining underground). Visit one of the high-lights of the area – Cetatile Ponorului (Fortress of Ponor) karst phenomena, the most impressive karst phenomena in Eastern Europe and admire its magnificent entrance.
Day 3 & 4 | Focul Viu ice cave & Lumea Pierduta karst plateau
Explore on ski the wilderness of Lumea Pierduta (Lost World) plateau and Groapa de la Barsa (Barsa Pit). Marvel the amazing light at noon of the Focul Viu (Living Fire) ice cave. Visit the entrances of three potholes (Avenul Negru, Gemanata and Avenul Acoperit), gates of a huge underground network of active galleries.
Day 5 & 6 | Casa de Piatra hamlet & Calineasa Glade
Climb on skis to the highlands of the Moti country. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in Casa de Piatra hamlet. Discover a summer settlement deep covered in snow on a ski trip to Calineasa Glade and delight yourself with the view of the Bihor Mountain Ridge.
Day 7 & 8 | Tauz karst spring & departure
Take a round tour along Sohodoale and Hodobana hamlets. Discover the deepest karst spring in Romania – the Tauz karst spring.
Trip: Alpine Touring Skiing Trip
Availability for 2019:- 5 Jan 2019
- 12 Jan 2019
- 19 Jan 2019
- 26 Jan 2019
- 2 Feb 2019
- 09 Feb 2019
- 16 Feb 2019
- 23 Feb 2019
- 2 Mar 2019
- 7 Dec 2019
- 14 Dec 2019
- 21 Dec 2019
Price: from 742 euro/pers. to 1374 euro/pers.(lowest is per person for group of 8, highest is per person for a group of 2)
Group size: min 2 – max 8
Other Options
Don’t see a date that fits your schedule? Have a group of friends and the willing to make this trip a custom one? Contact us, let us know your ideas and wishes and we’ll come back to you with a confirmation.
- transportation by car from the airport/place of venue to and from Garda de Sus village and transfer by horse-drawn sleigh/car to Ghetar hamlet and from Casa de Piatra hamlet
- 3 meals per day (starting with lunch on arrival day and ending with breakfast ondeparture day)
- accommodation 7 nights in 2 stars rated mountain cabin and guesthouse (double rooms with shared bathrooms)
- guidance and all expenses related with the guide
- costs related to trip preparation
- the knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced guides
The price does not include: personal drinks and refreshments, insurance, souvenirs and personal items purchased during the trip, lodging before and after the trip, gratuities for Apuseni Experience guides, other personal costs
Note:We are always open to our customer’s demands and needs.Therefore, the itinerary described above can be adjusted accordingly in what regards the period and the activities included. Please contact us for more details.

Gligor guesthouse | Casa de Piatra | Bihor Mountains
'Our time spent in the Apuseni Mountains this winter was unforgettable. A week’s tour skiing and hiking in beautiful scenery, meeting and staying with people who were genuinely hospitable and keen to show us their fascinating way of life. The diversity of weather only added to our experience, with heavy snow, sun, rain and, up high fog all in a week. The trip was well organised and tailored to our interests. We would like to thank everyone at Apuseni Experience, but most especially those people who we met in the mountains who made our trip so special'
Peter, St Albans UK.
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