Author: Mugur Pop (Daksa Eco-Equestrian Centre) Presentation for Topic 4: Product Development Strategies for Better Visitor Experience 2nd European Ecotourism Conference 23-25 October 2013, Romania

1. Riding in the Carpathians
Searching for a lost civilization

2. It is relatively easy to reach Riding in
the Carpathians, because this land is
in the center of Europe. It is quite
easy to measure the distance from
Atlantic to Ural mountains, and in
the middle you will discover a
beautiful country, that is crowned by
the Carpathian mountains.
Here we will follow the scent of
damp earth, open spaces, the strong
air of the mornings in nature,
sensations that the city refuses us
more and more.

3. Riding we can discover another
Romania: the land of the roads in
the mountains, the paths that cross
forgotten, but still amazing places.

4. Each of our circuits in the
Carpathians has something unique:
together we unravel the secrets of
medicinal plants, we learn horse
archery and many useful tricks to
know on the mountain.

5. We visit the craftsmen coopers who
once traveled throughout the
country from the Carpathians to the
Black Sea with their wooden barrels.

6. Together we will cook at the
campfire and we will remember the
legends of the mountain and the
people who were lived here for
thousands of years.

7. We will smell the rain, the sun and
the grass, and the rhythms of nature
and natural rhythm of day and night
will heal us.

9. In the 21st century there still few
places left in Europe where you can
ride freely and close to nature like
you can do it in Romania

10. High mountain peaks, narrow paths
flanked by steep slopes ...

11. Rivers, waterfalls....

12. Caves....

13. ...scattered villages on mountain
peaks.
Authentic traditions kept unchanged
for hundreds of years, organic food,
delicious wines - Romania is an
authentic holiday destination in the
heart of nature.

14. National parks and protected areas
open their doors to those who want
to discover Romania mountain
heights and explore areas of unspoilt
nature, flowers and rare animals,
unique caves and authentic
traditions.
National park are home to a unique
experience : here the nature was
allowed to take its course, and
people are just viewers for the show
of the nature.

15. In Romania, riding horseback
manages to bring something
mysterious , flavor of the old times,
when people crossed the mountains
on horses , as they cross today the
land by trains or cars.

16. Riding, you'll have the pleasant
surprise to discover another
Romania - with beautiful meadows
and hidden paths...

17. ..with brown bears , Carpathian stags
and chamois.

18. "Riding in the Carpathians" is not
just a trip to the heart of nature: it is
a journey of the soul, in time,
because in the mountains time flows
slowly, and technology pierced only
here and there a rural world that
was kept intact as beautiful and
authentic as a visit to the Village
Museum.

19. Riding in Romania you can find
traces of an ancient civilization who
founded its values in the fortified
natural area of the Carpathians,
where nature is so generous, and the
sky is closer to the ground.

20. Horse in Romanian traditions
Romanian horse was loved by
romanians as long as we can
remember. In all our ballads and
carols, the heroes have horses that
were strong and beautiful.
A contemporary form of survival of
the cult of the horse is Călușul,
ceremonial inherited from the GetoDacians.
Călușul is a mankind's cultural
masterpiece and is included in the
list of UNESCO Immaterial Cultural
Heritage.

21. Thracian Knight and the Horse God
Thracian knight, fighting wild beasts
like St. George and the dragon to
defeat the dark nature of the winter
and return to the warm and the lifegiving light of the summer.
The protective symbol, the image of
the trac knight watches the roads in
the entire area of the Carpathian
and Danube.

22. Horses in history
The dacians horses were very famous in antiquity for their velocity. Ovidiu, the poet, gave the
horses the epithets of rapidus şi celer.
Stallions were usually castrated, not to fret when they see mares and not to snicker when troops
are hidden.
Of the name Vlachs is linked even the name of neutered and tamed horses in German, Polish,
Swedish ... (Wallach ist die Bezeichnung für ein kastriertes Pferd).

23. In the XVII and XVIII centuries, the
fame of the horses from Romania
had already passed away overseas
being appreciated even better that
Arabian horses.

24. Today in Romania, the population is
over 800,000 horses.
National Stud as well as the private
persons that are dealing with
breeding , are giving great attention
to cultural breed like Lipițan,
Arabian Horse and Hutzul or sports
breed Romanian sports horse,
Ghidran.

25. The locals grow mainly local breeds
such as Apuseni horse, Fagaras, or
Bucovina horse.
Spectacular for the horse lovers is
the feral horse from the Danube
Delta, which returns to the wild
conditions. It is a powerful symbol of
free existence in nature.

26. High Elevation Equestrian
Ecoturism
Ecotourism means:
- Respect for nature through
awareness of tourists and local
communities
- Use of local human resources
- Minimum negative impact on the
natural, cultural and social medium.
Equestrian travel guides accompany
groups of tourists on walks or trails,
teach various skills such as methods
and riding demonstrations and tips
on using various
equipment

27. Equestrian travel guides have very
good knowledge of local realities. In
their hands you will always be safe.
They play the role of guardian angels
throughout the life of the equestrian
trail. Are people born in the
mountains or who spent much of
their lives in the path of the
Carpathians, always looking for pure
nature, true life.

28. Horses used for organized
equestrian tourism routes are
peaceful, balanced and are capable
of sustained effort. They are used to
changing weather and extreme
weather,because the mountain
weather is unpredictible. Depending
on the region there are used horses
(Lipizzaner, Arabian Horse, Hutzul)
or local breeds (mountain horses
(Apuseni horses or Bucovina horses).

29. Equestrian tourism routes are
designed for different categories of
tourists.
Beginner riders can enjoy riding
lessons in a natural and beautiful
landscape,

30. ...while the experimented riders can
experience strong sensations by
travelling long distances in the
mountains.

31. Shelter is the starting point for
touring routes and also location for
ecotourism equestrian camps for
beginners or experienced riders of
any age.

32. Classified trails
1.Programe for experienced riders
•Organized circuit with experienced
riders
•Combination of an attractive
scenario, local culture, quality horses
and good accommodation.
•Moderate march rhythm with
passages of speed.
•Approximately one in six tourist
guide
•Terms of better quality without
going into the luxury category.
2. Programs for casual riders
•Short-term programs
•require up to a day
•around the
•equestrian center.

33. 3. Programs for children and
beginners
• Slower and easier alternative for
less experienced riders.
• Can be offered to children over
12 years
• Group may be bigger
• Simple accommodation, even in
tents..

34. Permanent human settlements in
the Carpathians climbs near the
highest peaks.
Hamlets located on the plateau of
Ocoale - Scărişoara, at 1,200 m, are
among the highest settlements in
the country.
In the mountains, animals grow
freely as people understand to live
their lives. Free.

35. Find dozens of horses running on
alpine pastures, as if they rule
heaven and earth.

36. Here's a great way to discover the
real Romania.
That’s why I am inviting you to
discover Carpathians and Romania of
pure and genuine nature, to
rediscover our common European
values and rejoice together .
​

37. Thank you!