Overview:
A horse riding & yoga retreat at Equus Silvania, a quaint riding centre and guesthouse located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Romania, lasting six days and seven nights. This is rare opportunity to unplug, reset and reconnect with the wilderness in a place of undisturbed natural beauty. Guests will ride through hay meadows, ancient pastureland, mountain farms and lush green forests on a mix half-day and longer trails, stumbling upon wildflowers, rare birds, beautiful views and maybe even bear tracks. There will also be an overnight camping trip, allowing riders to experience a mini-adventure with a barbecue, stories around the campfire and a night spent sleeping in tents under the stars.
Daily yoga sessions will include a blend of grounding and energising classes, held either at the guesthouse or outdoors in the fresh alpine air, allowing you to move and breathe with the rhythm of nature. There will be riding every day except one, giving guests a chance to forest bathe among the giant beech and fir trees in the virgin forest of the Stramba Valley, to stretch out any sore muscles in yoga, to read/relax and maybe enjoy a massage. There will also be a chance to visit a forest bear hide and see wild brown bears in their natural habitat.
About Equus Silvania:
Equus Silvania is a horse riding centre located in a quiet and picturesque village at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. The mountains represent the largest area of pristine nature in Central and Eastern Europe, with more than one third of all wolves, bears, and lynx west of Russia roaming here. Time stands still in the traditional village of Șinca Nouă, a place of just 2,000 inhabitants, where shepherds and farmers tend to their animals much like they did years ago.
Built in 2004, Equus Silvania prides itself on combining local traditions, cuisine and lifestyle with Western standards, and is the perfect place for riders wanting to enjoy some peace and tranquillity. Owners Christoph and Barbara are passionate about protecting the natural environment and have been actively involved in conservation in Romania for many years.
The guesthouse has nine double rooms and private bathrooms, and offers mainly organic food from the garden, property or surrounding farms. Meals are served in a spacious dining room and the neighbouring lounge is equipped with a bar and a fireplace where guests can relax in the evenings. Outside there is space to sit and enjoy the outdoors, with wooden swings and a willow-flanked gazebo.
The horses of Equus Silvania are Arab and Shagya-Arab, Kisberi, Gidran, and other Hungarian breeds, all with good stamina and used to the mountains.
Visit the website of Equus Silvania: https://equus-silvania.com/
Price:
€1,350 per person for a shared room. Includes all riding, tours, yoga, airport transfers and meals.
For a single occupancy room, there is an extra charge for €84 for the week. Drinks ordered at the bar are charged separately. Massages are subject to availability, and prices TBC. There is a €35 Forest Administration fee per person for the bear viewing trip. Guests are also kindly asked to make a €40 donation to the CARPATHIA conservation project (this is optional).
Bookings and deposit:
All guests are required to fill out a booking form. Your booking will be confirmed with Equus Silvania and all payments made directly to them.
Riding experience and weight limit:
This trip is for experienced riders only, not suitable for beginners. The rides offer a mix of walking, trotting and cantering and riders must be competent in all paces/gaits, able to rise trot and canter in a group. Participants should also be comfortable spending several hours in the saddle. Safety helmets must be worn at all times. Weight limit is 95kgs.
Yoga experience and equipment:
No previous yoga experience is required for this trip, but all guests are required to sign a waiver to confirm you are safe and fit to practice. Mats are currently not provided — you will need to bring with you.
I would also recommend bringing a yoga block, as this can be very helpful to your practice. Participants are asked to wear breathable, stretchy clothing that will allow you to move freely, and to remove socks.
Flights and airport transfers:
Guests fly into Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Please do not arrive later than 16:30 on the first day of the week and do not leave any earlier than 14:00 on the following Saturday. The trip to the guesthouse is approximately 3 hours. You may be able to share with other guests depending on flights.