12 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
See the beauty of the Transfagarasan mountain road even if you don’t have your own vehicle on this small-group tour from Bucharest. Stop at Poenari Citadel to learn its history with Vlad the Impaler. In the mountains, visit panoramic viewpoints, Vidraru Dam, and Vidraru Lake. Balea Lake is accessible only from June to October.
Operated by
Dreamlike Journeys SRL
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
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396 traveller ratings
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Great tour with Roxana: fantastic guide
Malgorzata_D, May 2026
That was amazing tour and Roxana made it the best one. She excellent guide and driver. Has great amount of knowledge. She is very professional and enthusiastic about her job. It was real fantastic experience. I almost never give five stars, but she is definitely the one that I give five star without any doubts or hesitation. Great Job Roxana
Twisted but beautiful!
mariel_62, Apr 2026
The road is crazy! I live in the mountains, but I have a new appreciation for my roads. Not just winding, it's extremely narrow. The dam is amazing, although I found myself wondering about communist era construction. Bogdan gave the group a history lesson at each stop.
Brilliant trip, brilliant guide
M1525BSalexk, Apr 2026
We had an absolutely fantastic trip! The scenery was unbelievable and we were lucky enough to see a bear with cubs. It's worth it for the Vidaru Dam and the views from the lunch spot alone. Our guide George was friendly, super professional, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience, and managed to work some extra stops into our itinerary. I can't reccomend him enough, he was wonderful. It's worth noting that the glacial lake and the iconic top portion of Transfagarasan highway in all the photos can't be see from the winter to June due to weather. This IS written on the trip advisor page in additional details, but I do think it could be more obvious. We did not notice this until a few days before our trip. But even with the alternative itinerary, this was still an incredible experience I would reccomend to anyone.
Great tour with very experienced knowledgeable guide
Liz_a, Apr 2026
Roxanna was a great guide....very polite, friendly, knowledgeable and interesting. She was a very safe driver on the challenging road. We felt very safe.
Itinerary
Curtea de Arges Monastery
Poenari Fortress is a historic citadel located in Romania, perched atop a steep cliff in the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the 13th century and later enhanced by Vlad the Impaler, it served as a strategic stronghold and a defensive fortress. Known for its dramatic views and association with the Dracula legend, the fortress is accessible via a challenging climb of over 1,400 steps, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval history and folklore.
We see the fortress from exterior.
20 minutesVidraru Dam
Vidraru Dam and Lake, located in Romania's Făgăraș Mountains, is a stunning hydro-engineering marvel completed in 1966. The curved arch dam, standing 166 meters high, creates Vidraru Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by lush forests and dramatic peaks. A popular destination for tourists, it offers breathtaking views, boating, and serves as a gateway to the Transfăgărășan Road.
20 minutesTransfagarasan Highway
The Transfăgărășan Highway, often called one of the world’s most scenic roads, winds through Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains in the Carpathians. Built in the 1970s, this dramatic route features sharp hairpin turns, sweeping curves, and breathtaking views of rugged peaks, valleys, and waterfalls. A favorite for road trips, it connects Transylvania to Wallachia and offers iconic landmarks like Balea Lake and Poenari Fortress along the way.
3 hoursCapra Wasserfall
Capra Waterfall, located in Romania near the Transfăgărășan Highway, is a spectacular natural attraction. Cascading from a height of over 40 meters, this alpine waterfall is fed by glacial waters and surrounded by lush greenery and rugged mountain landscapes. Easily accessible during the summer months, it offers visitors a refreshing stop with stunning views and the soothing sound of rushing water.
15 minutesLe Lac Balea
The place of view on the winding road is open only from June to October.
2 hours
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Hotel Pick-up in City Center area
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Small group up to 7 passengers
- Professional tour guide in English
Exclusions
- Lunch
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 7 years old cannot participate in shared group tours. Please contact us to give you a private tour offer.
- 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 accessible only in the summer and early autumn months, from June to October
- Our first destination is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history. Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru. We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive. Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road. On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
- Please Do Not Feed the Bears! We know they are beautiful and it’s tempting to share food with them, but feeding the bears actually hurts them. When bears get used to human food, they stop foraging naturally, lose their fear of humans, and often have to be relocated or put down for safety reasons. Plus, please keep in mind that feeding wildlife is strictly illegal and carries very high fines. Thank you for helping us keep both our visitors and our bears safe!
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.