TRAVEL FORMAT
During two days of rafting on the Dniester River, we will see some magnificent river landscapes, visit deep rocky gorges with majestic grottos and waterfalls, discover ancient rock monasteries and learn about the peoples for whom the banks of this river were home thousands of years ago.
We will spend a night in a cozy camp, where everything is arranged for quiet talks at the campfire, with barbecue and Moldovan wine, of course. You can learn more about our camp here.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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transfer by a comfortable mini-bus
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meals
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common first aid kit
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comfortable catamaran with engine
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excursion program, including entrance tickets
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accommodation in a comfortable mobile campsite (shower, toilet, furniture, special beds for sleeping, tents)
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instructor and guide services
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING?
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children under the age of 16 are allowed only when accompanied by parents.
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children under the age of 10 are given a 50% discount if they do not take a passenger seat. Comfortable additional seats will be prepared on the catamaran for children.
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children under the age of 5 can be taken aboard only if the crew are members of one family or close relatives.
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menu is negotiated at the preparation stage, before the departure.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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insurance
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hotel accommodation
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drinks
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personal gear (rental is available)
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tips (optional)
REQUIRED GEAR
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clothing for trekking and swimming
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shoes for trekking and swimming
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sunscreen, cap, sunglasses
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other personal gear (sleeping bag, headlamp)
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individual first aid kit
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Day 1. Kishinev — Saharna — Tsipova
In the morning, we leave Kishinev and head north from the capital. After two hours of acquaintance and the first guide's story about our two-day tour, we stop in Saharna.
Here, in the depths of a picturesque gorge, near the village of Saharna, there is an 18thcentury monastery, a rock complex of the 13th century, and a fortified city of the ancient Thracian tribes — the Getae, who lived here more than two thousand years ago. At that time, the banks of the Middle Dniester were densely populated by these tribes. Their settlements were mostly located on the headlands of rocky gorges. Only on a small section of the Dniester, from Jabca to Tsipova, there are more than twenty fortified settlements in such places.
Here, at Saharna, we will visit one of them, and then descend into a deep, refreshing gorge. Grottos weathered by nature in soft limestone, artificial caves, rush of waterfalls — all this creates its own special, attractive energy.
After a walk along the paths of the gorge, we will return to the Dniester, from where we will continue our journey down the river. The high rocky banks of the river create a unique landscape here. After about ten kilometers of water travel, we will stop at Tsipova-a larger and absolutely wild gorge, on one of the capes of which there was another Thracian city.
At the entrance to the gorge, on a high rock above the Dniester River, the largest rock complex in Eastern Europe is located. Part of the complex is now occupied by a monastery, known since the end of the 14th century. From the small terraces under the monastery, you can enjoy picturesque views of the river valley.
We will walk around the rock monastery and then go to the camp, where everything is ready for rest and sleep. Hotel accommodation is also possible in Tsipova, but believe me, the time spent by the campfire under the starry sky in this gorge will offer you an unforgettable experience! And our camp is not at all devoid of comfort. You may learn more about its organization here.
Day 2. Tsipova — Lopatna — Kishinev
The mysterious gorge near the village of Tsipova has long been chosen by speleologists and archaeologists, mystics and esoterics, and also monks have returned here recently.
Early in the morning, those who wish will go to the niches of the rock monastery to greet the dawn. The sun rises from the opposite bank of the Dniester, its gentle light fills the limestone cliffs, and if you are lucky to have the fog over the river, you will remember this landscape for a long time.
We will spend the first half of the day in a refreshing gorge with numerous waterfalls, visit a Getian settlement, which opens a view over the gorge, and again go down to the river through a series of cascades in the area known as the "Bird City". Magical mazes of limestone cliffs and water-washed natural pools create a magical landscape here. It must be apower place!
In the afternoon, we will continue our journey down the river. The Dniester River here becomes wide, its banks are covered by reeds, where wild birds hide and feed. Along the way, we will see a lot of herons, cormorants, wild ducks, and towards the end of the way, near the Coblen Nature Reserve, near Lopatna, there is a place preferred by swans. The rocky bank of the river is covered with a wild coniferous forest mixed with oak and hornbeam. In the center of the reserve, we will visit a wild gorge, accessible only from the water. Here you can see large birds of prey — various species of eagles and hawks, osprey and raven. Many species of the fauna of the reserve are included in the Red Books of various countries of Eastern Europe.
Our journey ends here. From Lopatna we will head to Kishinev. We arrive in the capital late in the evening. Upon arrival, we can organize a tasting in Itzik Oxinoit's wine cellar. This will be the best end to our journey!
You can always join other Dniester adventures from the travel section on our website.