TRAVEL FORMAT
On this trip, we will see the best views of the two Moldovan rivers — the Dniester and the Reut.
In three days, we will visit a deep rocky gorge, with numerous waterfalls, wonderful grottos, and amazing energy, get acquainted with the wild nature of the Goian Bay, learn about the ancient cities of the river, pass through the labyrinths of rock monasteries and, of course, enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the Old Orhei Landscape Reserve.
As usual, we will spend the night in a cozy mobile campsite with a shower, toilet, furniture, and comfortable sleeping places. You can learn more about the organization of 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 — Tsipova
In the first half of the day, we will take a minibus and head north of Kishinev, and in two hours we will arrive in Lalova — the closest village to the Tsipova Landscape Reserve. Here we will launch the catamaran and go upstream to a deep gorge on the right bank of the river.
Tsipova gorge has some amazing energy. This place draws anyone who is looking for something that goes beyond everyday life. These places are preferred by speleologists and archaeologists, mystics and esoterics, yogis and musicians. Relatively recently, the monks also returned here.
On a high rock above the Dniester River, the largest rock complex in Eastern Europe is located, part of which is now occupied by a monastery known since the 15th century. From the small terraces under the monastery, you can enjoy beautiful views of the river valley.
After a guided tour of the monastery, we will descend into a refreshing wooded gorge. Grottos weathered in soft limestone, artificial caves, rush of waterfalls — all this has a special age-old energy.
We will pass through a series of small cascades along the gorge and come to a place known as the "Bird City". High cliffs with numerous grottos and natural pools create a fabulous landscape here. Then we will go to the largest waterfall in the reserve. Here we will stop for a short rest. You may swim here.
After the rest, we will leave the gorge and head on to our tent camp.
Day 2. Tsipova — Molovata
At dawn, we offer you to greet the sun near the grottoes of the rock monastery. 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!
Today we will spend the whole day traveling down the river. In total, we will cover about fifty kilometers in five to six hours. The Dniester River is getting wider here, with new landscapes of rocky shores opening up at every turn. The wild nature of the river, with a huge number of birds, vegetation on the banks, make this site particularly picturesque. The pristine beauty of these places can only be observed from the river.
The width of the Dniester River within the Dubasari Water Reservoir reaches more than a kilometer, the banks are often flat, but we will also see some very high ones on the way. The most beautiful rocks on this site are located near the village of Molovata. Their white chalk spurs dent deep into the river, and the transparency of the water allows you to observe their grottos and bizarre protrusions.
We will stop for the night in a beautiful meadow, near the river bank. We will have the opportunity to swim, enjoy a pleasant evening by the water and discuss the past day by the campfire under the huge starry sky.
Day 3. Molovata — Old Orhei — Kishinev
After a late breakfast, we pack our bags and take a comfortable bus for an excursion to the Old Orhei Nature Reserve. On the way, we will stop at a place with a panoramic view of the wide Dniester meander. Here you will feel the difference between the perception of the landscape from the water and the high banks of the river.
Then our way lies to the valley of the river Reut. Old Orhei is a half-hour drive from the Dniester River. The place is known for its picturesque landscape and amazing history.
In the 14th century, one of the cities of the Golden Horde flourished here. Shehr-al-Jedid al-Mahrusa, which in Arabic means the New God-Saved City. It was the capital of the classical Eastern appearance with the largest mosque in the entire Horde, a caravanserai, mausoleums, and hammams. It also had its own mint. Our guide will take you on a tour of the city, after which we will climb to a rocky promontory, which offers beautiful views of the river valley.
In the steep cliffs of the Reut Valley, there are several ancient cave complexes. In ancient times, the Thracians here arranged a kind of rock tombs. With the advent of Christianity, as in the whole Dniester area, they were replaced by the first monasteries. We will climb to the high rocky promontory above the Reut, take a walk in the labyrinths of the rock monastery, and come out to the observation point, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the landscape reserve.
Then we will go down to the Butuceni ethnographic reserve — an open-air museum of rural Moldovan architecture. Here you can taste national cuisine and if desired, taste homemade Moldovan wines.
At sunset, we will walk to the observation point, where the highest cliffs offer the best view of the landscape reserve. We will admire the sunset and return to Kishinev.
You can always join other Dniester adventures from the travel section on our website.