Fiecare iesire cu voi este o experienta de neuitat, cu privelisti incantatoare si cu momente de vis petrecute impreuna. Toata admiratia pentru ceea ce oferiti oaspetilor, pentru sufletul pus in organizarea fiecarei expeditii montane. M-am simtit excelent alaturi de voi si meritati toate laudele pentru ceea ce faceti!!
Madalina,Sibiu, Romania, November 24th
Hiking Tours in Romania: 3 Days Guided Tour in the Retezat National Park: Peleaga Peak, Guests from UK & Russia, October 13th-15th, MountainGuide-Sibiu, Romania
This was my sixth trip with Iulian Panescu. I have been to various locations in the Romanian Mountains with him, at different times of the year, on both walking and snow-shoeing trips. Nik and I keep returning!
Our journey began at Carnic on the edge of the Retezat National Park. Iulian led us through the forest to Gentiana Cabin which we used as a base for two nights. What a terrific place to stay in: lots of mountain character, a warm wood burner and very picturesque.
The next day Nik and I were led by Iulian out of the forest to the first of many glacial lakes which Retezat is famous for. The area is known as the ‘mountain fairyland of blue eyes because of its 80 lakes that reflect the blue from the sky’. Higher still we entered a valley full of stones, boulders and rock with a sheer ridge above. Our route eventually led to the saddle of Bucura and then on to our first Retezat summit of Custura Bucurei Peak at 2370 metres. We could now see many more lakes and look across to other shapely peaks and mountain valleys. On our way across to Peleaga Peak at 2509 metres, the highest point in the national park, we saw chamois grazing far below us. On reaching the blustery summit, we found snow and some ice. The view was outstanding! On our descent we went via Bucura Lake, the biggest lake in the Retezat, and rested at the Bucura Refuge. Out of his rucksack Iulian produced a camping stove and proceeded to make us all some much appreciated soup! After our rest at the refuge we continued by walking around the lake, up to the saddle and then returned to Gentiana Cabin. It had been an excellent day!
The next morning we packed up and walked down to Carnic by going back through the forest. During the walk, indeed throughout our entire Retezat trip, Iulian took many photographs of our journey which were given to us to keep. Iulian is in fact a serious multitasker: not only does he guide his guests through the mountains but also continually records their experience by using his skills as a professional photographer. Great job!
Thank you Iulian for our unique Retezat experience.
Roger Bunyan, Lancashire, UK, October 13th-15th
MTB Tours in Transylvania: 1 Day Guided MTB Tour in the Cindrel Mountains, Guests from the Netherlands, October 2015, MountainGuide-Sibiu, Romania
This autumn, we spent a week in Romania and hired Iulian as our guide for a day trip of mountain biking through the Cindrel mountains. We started the night before, when Iulian had arranged for us a great accommodation in Sibiel village. Next morning, Iulian arrived early with our bikes & helmets; brand new Scott full suspension bikes, disk brakes, Shimano XT gearboxes and Fox suspensions offered by BIKE RENTAL SIBIU. After gearing up, we left Sibiel and started our ascent to the top of the mountain range. Iulian made sure all 6 of us were sticking together and helped us being motivated to get to the top, which was quite a challenge, given the fact this was a 16 km ascent.
Once arrived, we enjoyed a fantastic view and had our lunch. After the lunch and photo session, the real fun started with a >20km downhill. Some of us have already years of MTB experience, but we all agreed this was the best DH ever! Unspoiled roads, fantastic views of the valleys below, and super bikes gave us an unforgettable experience.
If you are interested in MTB, we recommend you to call Iulian and guide you through the Cindrel mountains. We love Romania, thanks to Iulian's wonderful trip!
Jaarclub Spijker, DSC, The Netherlands, October 2015
