Danube Delta Dunes of Caraorman Expedition
Highlights
- Pass through Crisan and Caraorman villages, in the heart of the Danube Delta
- Visit the Caraorman Forest where we find the oldest Oak tree in the Delta (over 400 years old) - The Kneeling Oak
- Stay over night near local fishermen huts
- Other important landmarks: Gorgova Lake, Isac Lake
This kayaking expedition is our most sought-after tour in the Danube Delta. We developed this tour to capture most of the beauty, scenery and tastes, explore wild waterways, think less about paddling and more about adventure.
Each branch of the Danube has it’s own hidden beauty. We start the adventure in the northern side of the Delta, towards Mila 23, then to Sulina Branch and further to the Caraorman village. In the last day we will reach St. Gheorghe branch.
ADVENTURE
Live the excitement because every day there will be different landscapes and challenges.
DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD
We all know how good it feels to have a warm meal after a hard day of paddling. Each night we will have a different traditional dish to enjoy.
MILLION STARS HOTEL
Sleep in the middle of the nature, near fishermen huts or on the dunes of Caraorman.
DAILY ITINERARY
5 DAYS
DIFFICULTY: INTERMEDIATE
17 KM AV. DAILY DISTANCE
DAY 1: We meet in Murighiol at 8:00 to the Landing place or as directed further. Here we will have the basic training. We will have to take the cars to our arriving point, in Mahmudia, about 10 km away.
At 12:00, at the latest, we’ll be on the water. We cross the St. George branch and paddle up to Uzlina village, then go down to the chain of lakes Uzlina – Durnaleapca – Isacel.
We will camp at a traditional fisherman’s hut on the Litcov channel.
If time is on our side, we will have the chance to contribute in the kitchen and learn some culinary secrets.
Total distance of day 1: approx. 16km, low difficulty.
DAY 2: We paddle downstream on Litcov and enter the hidden places of Lake Obretinciuc, searching for the swans and the pelicans. We arrive in Crisan village and go to the camping place. We will have a well deserved shower and plenty of fish to gain strength.
Total distance of day 2: approx. 17 km, low difficulty, some passings across vegetation.
DAY 3: We are heading downstream to the Caraorman ridge where we will visit the Caraorman Forest and have a delicious lunch. On our way we might encounter some floating reed islets that we have to cross.
Total distance of day 3: approx. 20 km, intermediate difficulty, passings across vegetation.
DAY 4: For those up to the task, we wake up at about 5:00 in the morning to go and see the sunrise on the Iacob lake. Then, when everybody wakes up, we head to Lake Gherasim through a beautiful hidden waterway, go across lake Isac and arrive at the first camping place, where our authentic fisherman, endowed with many stories of sailing and fishing awaits us. Late in the evening, we can go see the sunset on the Potcoava lake.
Total distance of day 4: approx. 16 km, intermediate difficulty, some passings across vegetation. +4km for the sunrise +3km for sunset
DAY 5: A short route, as in the first day, passing through Gorgova Lake and ending the adventure in Mahmudia. We’ll have just enough time for each of us to arrive home by the end of the evening.
Total distance of day 5: approx. 16 km, low difficulty.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
EQUIPMENT
- Wooden kayaks and paddles
- Safety equipment
FOOD & SLEEP
- 4 dinners with different specialties
- One night accommodation in the Camping Site in Crisan
- Trip to the Caraorman forest
SUPPORT
- Expert level guide
- Entrance fee in the DD Reservation
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
KAYAKS
The kayaks are made of wood and fiberglass, single, double or triple. They are all very stable. The triple is recommended for a family with a child (or instead of the child, we can put more equipment.
The maximum capacity in the wooden kayaks is 12 people. If the number of participants exceed, there will also be plastic kayaks.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
- Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat;
- Seasonal clothes – sun hat, long clothes (not to burn in the sun), thicker evening / morning clothes, socks. It is preferable to avoid cotton because it can get wet and dry harder;
- Shoes: crocs / sandals / neoprene shoes. There will be enough places with mud;
- Fitness gloves / bicycle;
- Sunglasses;
- Raincoat;
- Beach and anti-insect solutions;
- Hat;
- A bowl, cutlery (optional);
- Water (minimum 2L / day). We can buy more in the villages, on the second and third day;
- Sweets for energy;
- Breakfast and lunch.
* In other words, mountain equipment.
NOTE
In the kayak, anyone and anything can get wet. I recommend that all luggage be put in waterproof bags or put in plastic bags (garbage bags). Do not take bulky bags. Small luggage sits much better in the luggage compartment than large ones. DO NOT take anything with you that you do not really need, you will NOT have room in the kayak for too many luggage