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Top Gear Road, Small-group max 7 pax with Pick-up, Transfăgărăşan

4.9441 reviewsDay trips

  • 12 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • 17 languages
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

Avoid big bus (coach) on the winding road! Join a small group (maximum 7) in a minivan! 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. We stay here for 90 minutes. On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air. This tour covers a distance of 480 km, of which 280 km are on the highway.

Inclusions

What's included

  • Hotel Pick-up in City Center area
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Small group up to 7 passengers
  • Professional tour guide in English
  • Multi-language audio-guide only for option Private Tour Multi-language or SUV

What's not

  • Lunch
  • Snacks

Itinerary

  1. 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.

    Passes by

  2. 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 min

  3. 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 h

  4. 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 min

  5. The place of view on the winding road is open only from June to October.

    1.5 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

4.9

  • 5405
  • 419
  • 32
  • 22
  • 15

Ratings come from 433 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

  • 5MUST DO!! The famous Top Gear road- named the best in the world.

    AMAZING DAY! This is why I came to Romania, to visit this road! Sebastian, our guide/driver was amazing, funny, informative and very great to spend the day with. We got to see 7 bears up close from the van, just an amazing day- couldn't ask for anything more!

    Michelle_Dvia Viator

  • 5Amazing experience!

    Very enjoyable day on Transfagarasan! Mrs Laura is not only a very experienced driver but also a knowledgeable, pleasant guide! Highly recommend this unique tour!

    corinaindyvia Viator

  • 5Amazing tour

    Victor was an excellent Guide. We had an amazing day with this Tour. We saw incredible sights and also a lot of bears.

    fernandofm27via Tripadvisor

  • 5Transfăgărășan with Victor

    Víctor was an amazing guide, he taught us a lot about the history of Romania, the history of the bears and the road itself, and always had a great answer for any question we had for him. There are plenty of bears on the road (we saw 9), and Victor explains the proper procedure as to how to safely take pictures and videos of them.

    FarAway50680249667via Tripadvisor

  • 5Great tour

    The road trip was spectacular the views were beautiful indeed. Our guide Pedro is a smooth driver, very experienced guide with good knowledge on every corner of Romania, also he is truly friendly and positive guy with good heart. Highly recommended

    Emma_Zvia Viator

  • 5Spectacular views and a great day tour

    We had a fantastic time of this tour. We enjoyed wonderful views of Balea Lake and the ‘Top Gear’ road. We were so lucky to see bears on our way up and down including babies! It is a long journey and the winding rounds may affect you if you suffer from travel sickness- definitely take some medication prior to the tour. Our guide was Pedro who was knowledgeable and helpful. A really great day trip - the views were spectacular. Would highly recommend!

    Nicole_Tvia Viator

Know before you go

Meeting point
Near the clock
Pickup
Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the starting point.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group size
Up to 7 travellers
Operated by
Supplier
  • 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!

How it compares in Bucharest

  • Its from-price is 25% below the median of the 277 day trips we list in Bucharest.
  • Its length is typical for the group.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 5 of 277.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Bucharest

Belle-époque boulevards, Orthodox churches and communist-era monuments meet around a busy old town in Bucharest, Romania's capital.

The vast Palace of the Parliament, among the largest administrative buildings in the world, dominates the centre as a striking legacy of the Ceaușescu era. Calea Victoriei, the grand avenue, leads past the domed Romanian Athenaeum concert hall, the former Royal Palace that houses the National Museum of Art, and Revolution Square, where the events of 1989 unfolded.

Top-ranked sights in Bucharest: Palace of Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului), Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei), Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph).

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