Overview
An eight day Danube Delta riverboat journey along the country’s famous river, cycling with a wildlife guide by day, star-gazing on the deck at night. Not only a boating and biking paradise, but also a birding one, the Danube Delta is a biodiverse beauty which has evolved around the three main channels of the Danube, creating harbour towns such Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe. Cycle with a wildlife guide between these towns through tranquil wetlands, all protected by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve for its reed islands, lagoons, birdlife and rare flora. This tour is full board.
- Danube Delta
- Celic Dere Monastery
- Argamum Fortress
- Cetatea Enisala
- Bird-watching
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Bucharest to Tulcea
Arrive at Bucharest Airport for a 14.00 bus transfer to Tulcea (4h) and embark onto the hotel boat.
- Accommodation: Hotel boat
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Nufăru – Sfântu Gheorghe | 31km
After a morning cruise to Nufăru, disembark and cycle along the southern Danube to Beștepe Hills Nature Reserve. Re-join the boat at Murighiol, before spending the afternoon cruising through a maze of delta channels, islands and forests.
- Cycling for the day: 31km
- Accommodation: Hotel boat
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 3: Sfântu Gheorghe – Sulina | 25km
Today’s route follows a path between the Black Sea and surrounding marshland to reach Sulina. Spot cormorants and great white egrets at the mouth of the river, where the Danube merges with the Black Sea.
- Cycling for the day: 25km
- Accommodation: Hotel boat
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 4: Musura Bay – Crișan | 23km
Disembarking at Musura Bay, cycle past traditional blue houses made of reeds and loam, as far as Leta where you re-embark to enjoy a cruise along the river to Crișan.
- Cycling for the day: 23km
- Accommodation: Hotel boat
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 5: Danube Delta cruise (rest day)
Enjoy a rest day whilst cruising through narrow waterways and passing small fishing villages, arriving back in Tulcea in the afternoon.
- Accommodation: Hotel boat
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 6: Dobrogea Monasteries | 26km
The morning begins with a bus transfer to Cataloi to visit Celic Dere Monastery. From here, cycle towards Saon Monestry, before concluding the day with a transfer back to Tulcea.
- Cycling for the day: 26km
- Accommodation: Ibis Tours Guesthouse or similar in Tulcea
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.
Day 7: Tulcea circular tour | 42km
Today begins with a transfer to Ceamurlia de Jos. From here, cycle to Cape Doloșman and Argamum Fortress, which separates Lake Golovița and Lake Razim. The route continues to Cetatea Enisala, located high above the Danube and offering views over Lake Razim.
- Cycling for the day: 42km
- Accommodation: Ibis Tours Guesthouse or similar in Tulcea
- Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, a bus transfer brings you back to Bucharest for approximately 14.00. Please do not book any flights before 16.00.
- Meals: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is mainly on a hotel boat, with two nights in a guesthouse. The hotel boat has solar panels to provide clean, renewable energy and guarantee a quiet stay.
Click to view default accommodation
- Hotel boat with an air-conditioned restaurant, sundeck and 20 twin, ensuite cabins (approximately 9m2). Cabins do not have air conditioning they do have windows which face the river and can be opened. All windows have insect protection to enjoy the cool evenings on the river.
- Ibis Tours Guesthouse (Tulcea)
Meals
This tour is full board and includes breakfast, packed lunches, and dinners.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is rated easy to moderate, with short daily routes of up to 42km. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required as some routes cycle on sand and gravel roads (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available from mid-April 2024 on the following dates: 15 April, 23 May, 09 June, 21 August, 11 September and 19 September.
A minimum of 12 pax per departure has to be reached four weeks before the
cruise starts, at the latest.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Bucharest (OTP).
By train or bus
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights in hotel boat in en-suite cabins
- 2 nights in a guesthouse in Tulcea
- Full board, breakfast, packed lunch and dinner each day
- English-speaking cycling and wildlife guide
- Support van and support boat
- All transfers as per the itinerary
- Detailed travel documents and cycling guide app with voice navigation and GPS tracks (one per cabin)
Excluded
- Airfare
- Travel insurance (required get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single cabins)
- Bike rental
- Extra nights in Bucharest and Tulcea
Bike rental
Bicycles on this tour have a step-through entry wave frame, men’s frames are also available from a height of 188cm. All bicycles are equipped with puncture-proof tyres, one waterproofed pannier bag and one handlebar bag. During the tour, you are liable for any damage, loss or theft – corresponding bike insurance can be completed on board. Sample pictures below, note that exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Gallery
