Armeniș, Romania·10 - 15 July 2026
Wilderness Trail, July 2026
Reconnect with nature in a unique group along an organic path of endless exploration.
SOLD OUT
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 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
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
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 daily with no particular destination planned but allow the tracks we encounter to be our map and our intuitions to be our compasses.
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
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
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.
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, with an effervescent fascination for the more-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 nature experiences 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. 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.
Schedule
Previous
Next
DAY 1
Friday • Jul 10th
- Afternoon arrival
- Meet & greet
- Campus tour
- Leisure time
- Welcome dinner
- Experience briefing
Included
All meals
Accommodation
Not Included
Airport transfer
DAY 2
Saturday • Jul 11th
- Breakfast
- Transfer to village
- Community activity
- Village lunch
- Transfer to campus
- Packing
- Dinner
- Camp fire & intention setting
Included
All meals
Local transport
Accommodation
DAY 3
Sunday • Jul 12th
- Breakfast
- Transfer to mountains in 4x4s
- Set up camp
- Lunch
- Afternoon activities
- Dinner
- Sunset walk
- Camp fire
Included
All meals
Camping tarps
Transfer (4x4)
Not Included
Binoculars
Outdoor gear
DAY 4
Monday • Jul 13th
- Breakfast
- Morning activities
- Lunch
- Afternoon activities
- Dinner
- Camp fire
Included
All meals
Camping tarps
Not Included
Binoculars
Outdoor gear
DAY 5
Tuesday • Jul 14th
- Breakfast
- Morning activities
- Lunch
- Afternoon activities
- Dinner
- Nightwalk
Included
All meals
Not Included
Binoculars
Outdoor gear
DAY 6
Wednesday • Jul 15th
- Breakfast
- Morning activities
- Lunch
- Hike to pick-up spot
- Transfer to campus in 4x4s
- Leisure time
- Farewell dinner
- Debrief & feedback
Included
All meals
Drinks
Accommodation
Transfer (4x4)
Not Included
Binoculars
Outdoor gear
DAY 7
Thursday • Jul 16th
- Pack for departure
- Breakfast
- Morning 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
What's Not Included
Binoculars
Outdoor gear
Airport transfers
Gallery
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 200 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.
Trip Tips
Pack for adventure, with room for curiosity
When packing for nature experiences, taking the minimum is always a challenge, but recommended! Because we'll spend most of the time outdoors, you must have good gear and a high level of fitness, so that you can carry your own backpack and walk through difficult terrain. To make things easier, we've put together a packing list in the FAQ section below.
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.
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
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
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.
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
You'll Be Staying Here
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
Some of the nights will be spent under the open sky, sleeping under the stars, around a fire. Each one of us will take turns in night watches, keeping the group safe and fostering a stronger bond. This will create the unique opportunity for you to also experience untamed nature at night, next to the primeval safety of the crackling fire.
FAQs
How do I get there?
Our campus, where this experience begins and ends, is located 140km South-East of Timișoara which has an international airport and train station. From there you can take a bus or train to Caransebeș, and then a taxi to our campus, just 28km from the train station.
For trains, we recommend using www.infofer.ro to look for connections to Caransebeș, and for buses you can use www.autogari.ro to look for connections to Armeniș. Alternatively, you can also look at ride sharing services like www.blablacar.com and find us here on Google Maps.
Do you offer airport or train station transfers?
Though not included in the experience price, we can organize airport or train station transfers 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.
What do I need to bring?
When packing for nature experiences, taking the minimum is always a challenge, but recommended! For the sleep-out part of this experience you will need:
- Backpack (min. 50L with ability to carry all your kit + communal food for the duration of the trail)
- Daypack (10-20L, ideal for day trips around base camp)
- Neutral colored clothes that are silent when walking (1-2 sets for daily activities, 1 clean set for camp/hut, 1 set of warm layer for nights, extra pairs of socks, we recommend layering for warm/cold shifts in weather)
- Waterproof layer (e.g. jacket, pants, poncho)
- Shoes (waterproof boots, ideally above ankle and must already be worn in)
- Neck warmer (e.g. scarf, Buff)
- Head cover (e.g. hat, cap, Buff)
- Sleeping bag (3 seasons + optional liner)
- Sleeping mat (e.g. foam, inflatable mattress)
- Water bottle(s) (min. 2L, but 3L recommended, e.g. CamelBak)
- Personal first aid (e.g. medicines, plasters)
- Head torch (ideally also with red light; rechargeable or with spare batteries)
- Plates & cutlery (bowl, mug, fork+spoon/spork; can be rented from WeWilder)
- Seat pad (highly recommended, ideally made of foldable foam; can also be rented from WeWilder)
- Toiletries (e.g. travel towel, toothbrush; biodegradable soap and toothpaste already provided by WeWilder)
- Sun cream
- Notebook & pen (recommended for nature notes, dreams and inspirations)
Optionally, you might also want to consider bringing:
- Dry bags (can also be used to organize clothes and small items)
- Binoculars (highly recommended)
- Personal snacks
- Insect net
- Wet wipes
- Bivy bag (provided by WeWilder, but if you already have one then we recommend to bring your own)
Where can I leave my luggage during the wilderness trip?
In the wild we will only take the essentials with us in our backpacks, but any other luggage that you've traveled with can be safely left at our campus where we will be returning. Electronics (e.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers) can also safely be left there until we return from the wild.
What if I have specific dietary requirements?
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.
Are there any cooking facilities or equipment?
During your stay at the WeWilder Campus all means will be included and will be prepared by our chefs 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.
What if I don't feel well during the experience?
It's important to note that this is not a performance-driven experience. Our intention isn't to cover distances or reach elevations, but just to explore and rekindle our relationship with nature and the more-than-human world.
Though we are taking all necessary safety precautions, this is an untamed area we will be exploring, so in the unlikely case of any serious emergency situation we are prepared to exit the trail and bring you to safety. That is also why we will request your emergency contact details in a pre-arrival form.
We leave it to your discretion to let our wilderness guides know if there are any issues you are facing that we should consider (e.g. menstruation, fatigue, joint pain etc.). Our aim is to offer you a pleasant nature immersed experience and adapt to your needs.
What if we encounter wild animals?
As cliche as it sounds, generally animals are more afraid of us than we are of them, and as long as we keep a safe distance between us and them then there should be no reason for concern. Our experienced guides will explain to the group how we can minimize the risks of close encounters, but also what to do and how to behave in case these do occur. As an extra safety precaution they will also carry bear spray with them, though we’ve never had to use it so far.
Will showers and toilets be available?
Your accommodation at the WeWilder Campus has private showers and toilets, which will of course be available during your stay there. During the wilderness trail, however, 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) as well as a spade, but running water may not always be close at hand while in the wilderness.
Do I need to be part of a group or can I come alone?
We will be moving and living together as a group, with 6 available spots that can be booked by individuals, couples, or even groups. We do however have requirements for the minimum number of participants that are needed for the experience to take place.
What if I can't afford this but still want to join?
We wish for this holistic nature experience and learning opportunity to be accessible to everyone called onto the journey. While we acknowledge that costs might seem high, they are calculated just to cover expenses and overhead. If you would like to join but can't afford the full payment, reach out and let us know your situation, and we'll see if together we can find a solution.
What happens if there are not enough participants?
Our goal with this experience is to foster nature reconnection for people, however we also have to make this financially viable, which means to (at the very least) cover the basic operational costs (accommodation, food, energy, local transport, staff etc.) which we've already included in the tickets. To do this we need a minimum number of participants.
If we are not be able to cover at least the minimum operational costs by 14 days before the experience begins, we reserve the right to cancel it entirely. In that case you will of course be fully reimbursed.
Can I bring my children as well?
While we do appreciate the importance of children spending time in nature and learning from nature, this experience is intended only 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 and would like a guided nature tour with children in our area, then we recommend browsing our other experiences or just reach out to us separately and we can organize something.
What is the reimbursement policy in case of cancellation?
Cancellations by participants of up to 14 days before the start of the experience (July 10th, 2026) will be reimbursed with 50% of the experience cost per participant. Any cancellation by participants within 14 days of the experience start day will no longer be eligible for reimbursement.
If we are not able to cover at least the minimum operational costs by 14 days before the experience begins, we reserve the right to cancel it entirely and you will be fully reimbursed. While we appreciate that travel plans might have already been made, we must also make this experience financially viable.
How can we stay in touch about the experience?
For any questions, just reply to the booking confirmation email or reach out to us via our contact page, and we will do our best to help.
A couple of weeks before the experience we will also send out a welcome pack with what you need to know, along with a pre-arrival survey that we need you to fill out. This will include emergency contact information, dietary requirements, travel insurance, arrival/departure times etc. and will help us prepare the experience for you.
We will also have a shared WhatsApp group for easier communication and planning both before as well as during the experience (while we are not in the wild at least). This will help you to align travel itineraries with other guests, as well as to get any last minute clarification sorted.