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Armeniș, Romania·August 5 - 10 2024

Wilderness Trail, August 2024

Reconnect with nature in a unique group along an organic path of endless exploration.

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WT202409

Overview

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find yourself looking out into unending vast expanses of wilderness? Horizons of mountains, woodlands, rivers, and meadows seemingly unimpacted by humans? Join wilderness guides Sam Lee & Radu Luchian for a unique 5-night journey into the iconic Southern Carpathian rewilding landscape of Romania where you'll be tracking bison, bear, and wolf, all while learning about this last vestige of European wilderness that has remained much unchanged since the last ice age. Be part of a small group of maximum 8 people including your guides and trek far into the Southern Carpathian mountains where we'll meet true wildness in both the land and deep within ourselves.

Highlights

Rewilding impact

Rewilding impact

This expanse of natural beauty hosts recently restored herds of European bison where communities have embraced this rewilded animal to become one of the world's few remaining homes. Bison, the largest mammal on the Eurasian continent, now completes a mosaic of fauna and flora in Romania’s wildlands that had almost disappeared in Europe. Here we have the opportunity to experience nature in her most profound and exuberant display in a land that infects its visitors with aliveness and a sense of how nature should be.

Nature reconnection

Nature reconnection

Entering into this land requires us to become part of it, and guided by wilderness explorers Sam Lee & Radu Luchian, guests will get privileged access to this environment through a unique experience marrying the knowledge of the trail, animal tracking, botanical insight, bird knowledge, and nature connection as well as song, community building, and bushcraft. Our intimate group will set out with no particular destination planned but allow the tracks we encounter to be our map and our intuitions to be our compasses.

Primeval wilderness

Primeval wilderness

Finding and following herds of bison is our intent but we shall remain open to whatever else shows up. These lands host substantial numbers of bear, lynx, wolf, deer, boar, badgers, and fox, as well as many other mammals, a plethora of rare and endangered birds, forest floors teeming with fungi, and cathedrals of ancient beech trees. These last untouched forests sustain the all too rare mosaic of wildflower meadows and pastures creating the look and feel of what much of northern Europe once looked like before intensive agriculture.

Learn by doing

Learn by doing

We will be learning many things along the way, from the art of animal tracking, and bird song identification to the more whimsical practices of developing sensory awareness and songful connection to the land. We will be co-creating a small mobile community learning to look after each other and making sure all our needs are met but making sure playfulness is permitted and time to let our unique curiosities, our imaginations, and our humor be ignited. We’ll be entering wild-land but also entering dream-land too.

Hosts

Whether it's in the wild or at the table, our experienced and knowledgeable hosts are conscious to create a welcoming space of comfort where each participant can relax and enjoy nature.

Sam Lee

Sam Lee

Apart from being an enthusiastic rewilding advocate and wilderness guide, Sam plays a unique role in the British music scene, too. He is a highly inventive and original singer, folk song interpreter, passionate conservationist, song collector and successful creator of live events.


Alongside his organisation, The Nest Collective, Sam has shaken up the music scene by breaking boundaries between folk and contemporary music and the assumed places and ways folksong is appreciated. Sam's helped develop its ecosystem inviting in a new listenership interrogating what the messages in these old songs hold for us today. His latest album, songdreaming, is as beautiful and unsettling as it is an ode to nature itself. Likewise in 2021, Sam releases his debut novel "The Nightingale, Notes on a Songbird" telling the epic tale of this highly endangered bird and their place in culture folklore, folksong, music and literature throughout the millennia. 

samleesong
Radu Luchian

Radu Luchian

A naturalist and wildlife lover since as far back as he can remember, Radu grew up in Romania immersed in the natural wonders of the Northern Carpathian forests, eternally fascinated by the other-than-human world. 


As a certified wildlife tracker he enjoys unweaving the stories that unfold in the intimacy of these wilder landscapes, capturing only glimpses of this enchanted world as seen through the lens of his camera.


Apart from wilderness guiding and photography, Radu is also a visual artist and beer brewer, with most of his creations, art and beer alike, heavily inspired by and even dedicated to nature itself. He mindfully forages herbal ingredients from mountains and meadows around Munich where he is currently based, incorporating them into his brews to create uniquely aromatic and flavorful beverages.

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Schedule

Previous

Next

WT202401

DAY 1

Monday • Aug 5th

  • Midday arrival
  • Meet & greet
  • Welcome lunch
  • Campus tour
  • Leisure time
  • Dinner
  • Casual fire
Included

All meals

Accommodation

Not Included

Airport transfer

WT202411

DAY 2

Tuesday • Aug 6th

  • Breakfast
  • Community activity & lunch
  • Trail brief & pack-up
  • Transfer to mountains in 4x4s
  • Set up camp
  • Dinner & campfire
  • Night walk
Included

All meals

Local transport

Camping tarps

Not Included

Binoculars

Specialised field gear

WT202407

DAY 3

Wednesday • Aug 7th

  • Breakfast
  • Morning activities
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon activities
  • Camp relocation (tentative)
  • Dinner
  • Campfire
Included

All meals

Camping tarps

Not Included

Binoculars

Specialised field gear

WT202410

DAY 4

Thursday • Aug 8th

  • Breakfast
  • Morning activities
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon activities
  • Camp relocation (tentative)
  • Dinner
  • Camp fire
Included

All meals

Camping tarps

Not Included

Binoculars

Specialised field gear

WT202404

DAY 5

Friday • Aug 9th

  • Breakfast
  • Morning activities
  • Transfer to campus in 4x4s
  • Lunch
  • Leisure time
  • Dinner
Included

All meals

Local transport

Drinks

Accommodation

Not Included

Binoculars

Specialised field gear

WT202413

DAY 6

Saturday • Aug 10th

  • Farewell breakfast
  • Debrief
  • Departure
Included

Breakfast

Not Included

Airport transfer

What's Included

What's Included

Accomodation in a twin sustainable tiny hut on campus grounds, with breathtaking scenery.

Experienced wilderness and nature interpretation guides throughout

Local transport, including 4x4 transfers from the campus to the mountains and back

Dehydrated trail food produced and sourced locally by WeWilder's community kitchen

All locally sourced meals and produce prepared by WeWilder chefs during the stay at the campus

Specialised field gear

Binoculars

Airport transfers

Bison Hillock rewilding area

Where bison roam free & wild

We are based in the Southern Carpathians near the Bison Hillock rewilding area, where now over 145 bison roam freely, in one of Europe's most bio-diverse natural landscapes. Experience wilderness for yourself and activate your everyday nature awareness, thus contributing to this rewilding project by engaging the local community and supporting local green services.

Bison Hillock rewilding area

Trip Tips

Sleep out under the open sky

Sleep out under the open sky

We will sleep around a comforting campfire along the trail with only a bivouak and a sleeping bag. We will replace the heavy canvas from the tents with the seemingly endless starscape above and feel the strong group bond and trust that is nurtured along the trail. In case of rain we will also have tarps with us.

Immerse yourself in local customs

Immerse yourself in local customs

Spend time with locals immersed in the traditional Romanian way of life and learn pastoralism, scything techniques, and enjoy the local delicacies, all while discovering the ancient relationship between local communities and the wilderness.

Take only photos, leave only footprints

Take only photos, leave only footprints

We stay true to the wilderness philosophy of taking nothing but photos, leaving nothing but footprints, killing nothing but time and creating nothing but memories. Your guide will ensure that this experience unfolds on the highest possible standards with regards to ethics, both within the group and the environment.

Fitness level required

Fitness level required

Participants must have a high level of fitness as we will be walking in a mountainous region for up to 4h with a heavy backpack, carrying all the supplies needed for the days on the trail. Following bison and other animal tracks may lead us into difficult terrain (e.g. steep slopes, crossing mountain streams, thickly vegetated areas) so although activities are not aimed at hiking or covering distance, participants may have to hike to reach hotspots of wildlife activity.

Conscious of your comfort zone

Conscious of your comfort zone

Although we operate in a mountainous area and this trail includes hiking with a heavy backpack, we are conscious to not overload you with weight, exhaust you along the trail, or push you far outside your comfort zone. We will provide you with a meaningful, well-hosted wilderness experience and emphasize that the moment we arrive, we have already reached our destination. There is no urge to reach any summits, and no time pressure to do so.

What to bring

What to bring

Day backpack, sleeping bag, head-torch, water container (min. 2L), camping crockery (bowl/plate, mug), cutlery (spork, knife), sleeping mat, warm clothes, rainproof gear & shoes, binoculars, camp shoes (e.g. sandals), personal medicines, some snacks from home if you like, small field notebook (e.g. pocket notes) and a sense of adventure. Should you not own a sleeping bag and/or mat, please contact us as soon as possible as we can provide a minimal amount of these.

10% of revenues are dedicated to creating a community conservation fund

10% of revenues are dedicated to creating a community conservation fund

This is an instrument that keeps giving back to nature by funding small conservation projects to help maintain the wildness of the area. The fund is managed by WWF involving locals in choosing and implementing the local projects. From small river restoration projects to reducing pressure on certain habitats, we give back 10% of what you pay to nature.

Reviews

Previously my appreciation of nature was superficial because I didn't know what I was looking at or even how to look. Now I learned a small but important hint in how to start seeing, listening.Thank you for opening my mind and senses. It is not an exaggeration that I feel I'm excited about life again, thanks to the WeWilder experience.

Nini, Graphic Designer

As soon as I arrived at the campus I was instantly made to feel not only at home but part of the family. From the beech forests to the mountain meadows, from the sleepouts to the guided walks it is the perfect place to re-energise, re-discover and re-connect with nature and yourself. A beautiful place, delicious food, amazing people and an unforgettable experience. Thank you I can't wait to come back!

Bruno Passo

Bison Hillock offers you a lifetime experience that drives you from the comfort of an authentic house to the beauty of wilderness. A perfect location to reconnect with you and nature.

Otilia, Entrepreneur & Marketing

WeWilder activated my “biological sensitivity” in such a way that I—the guy that secretly despised birdwatchers no earlier than September 2020—ended up looking with loving eyes at any ruffled tit in the park.

Șerban, Advertising Company Director

Thank you for this awesome experience and for teaching me new things I never thought I would be interested in or intersect with! :)”

Bogdan, Architect

The WeWilder experience opened up a gateway for me to become aware of deeper aspects of Life. Learning about wildlife tracking, trailing, sit spots and sleep-outs transformed my relationship with myself and the more than human world and offered me the possibility to start understanding Life in a unique way. This experience put me on a path of eco-awakening and ever since I've encountered the gaze of the Wild Bison I have been nurturing my relationship with Nature in ways that I did not have access to before.

Paul, Experience Designer

You'll Be Staying Here

WeWilder Campus

WeWilder Campus

The three, easily accessible tiny houses on the WeWilder campus are embedded in nature and offer unique views over the campus orchard and the Armeniș commune. Following high sustainable standards, the architecture is modern with roots in local tradition. Each unit provides integrated, private bathroom facilities and a kitchenette. The tiny houses are ideal for couples, small groups or individual travelers looking for an immersive, meaningful and unique local experience.

Wild Nature

Wild Nature

We will sleep each night under stars around a fire where each one of us will take turns in night watches. This will not only keep the group safe, but will also create a strong group bond that will allow for a unique night experience surrounded only by the untamed nature.

FAQs

Our campus, where this experience begins and ends, is located 140km South-East of Timișoara which has an international airport and train station. We are also just 28km from the nearby town of Caransebeș, which is reachable by railway. 


You can also find us here on Google Maps.


Though not included in the experience price, we can organize an airport transfer in exchange for a separate fee. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible and let us know your date and time of arrival.

All of our journey’s food is grown, harvested, cooked, and provided by the local community promising a diet of some of the finest produce one can find, and certainly can be tailored to your dietary needs. Therefore if you have any special requirements (e.g. gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian etc.) then please reach out to us after booking your experience.

Your accommodation at the WeWilder Campus has private showers and toilets, and these will be available during your stay there for the first and last night of the experience. 


During the wilderness trail itself we will be in remote regions with no toilets or showers. It is vital that we all accept the responsibility of finding a discrete spot to dig a small hole and dispose of our human waste. We will provide necessary sanitation (e.g. toilet paper, sanitizer, soap) but running water may not always be close at hand while in the wilderness.

During your stay at the WeWilder Campus all means are included and will be prepared by our resident chef using locally sourced ingredients. While out in the wilderness we will provide you with cooking equipment (e.g. burner, pots) and dehydrated meals which we will cook communally.

The experience will happen as a group, however we do have 6 available spots which can be booked by individuals, couples, or even groups. We do however need a minimum of 4 participants for the experience to take place.

We need at least 4 participants to make this experience viable but no more than 6, so that we can still tailor to everyone's needs and go at a casual pace. 


Should we not reach the minimum number of 4 participants by 14 days before the experience begins, we reserve the right to cancel it entirely and you will be fully reimbursed.

While we do appreciate the importance of children spending time in nature, this experience is intended for adults. Not only will we be covering mountainous terrain with heavy backpacks, but while tracking animals we have to also be especially silent and cautious.


If you're planning a family visit we recommend browsing our other experiences.

Cancellations of up to 14 days before the start of the experience (Aug 5th) will be reimbursed with 50% of the experience cost per participant. Any cancellation within 14 days of the experience start day will no longer be eligible for reimbursement. 


If we do not reach the minimum number of 4 participants until 14 days before the start date, then we will be forced to cancel it entirely and you will be fully reimbursed.

Wilderness Trail, August 2024

Armeniș, Romania· August 5 - 10 2024· 5 nights

FREE

COMING SOON

Enquire about this experience

This experience is available on demand, so please let us know your preferred date and group size, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible with availability and pricing.