A comprehensive wildlife experience.  The "Discover Danube Delta Nature Tour" is a specialized touristic program designed for passionate nature enthusiasts seeking an in-depth exploration of the diverse ecosystems of the Danube Delta. This immersive experience offers a blend of guided excursions curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rich biodiversity within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mila23, the starting point in the routes crossing one of the most picturesque areas of the Delta. Letea, the village which most faithfully depicts the specifics of the Hohol village or the mirage of the wild land made up of lakes and channels, are just some of the reasons for an unforgettable vacation. Guided Nature Tours: Knowledgeable local guides lead small groups through the Delta's intricate network of waterways, reed beds and wetlands. Participants gain insights into the Delta's flora, fauna and geological formations, with a focus on the bird species, fish and other wildlife that call this region home. Cultural Exchange: Participants have the opportunity to interact with local communities, gaining insight into their traditional ways of life, including fishing and culinary practices. Visits to nearby villages and cultural sites further enhance participants' understanding of the Delta's rich heritage. Traditional Delta cuisine is incorporated into the program, with opportunities for participants to taste local specialties. Accommodations: Participants stay in local guesthouses, designed to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings while providing comfortable amenities. We designed this trip thinking about the Danube Delta being a real natural paradise, with our own fleet (OPEN BOATS), an enthusiastic team of guides and an exclusive partnership with the best guesthouses in Mila23. Our trip's speed is low​/​medium, our boats are NOT speed boats. These are boats built according to our concept. The tour include: GUIDE, daily boat tours, one day to Letea, one day to lakes and channels, a boat trip to sunrise, transfers by boat from Tulcea to Mila23 and back, accommodation in local guesthouse, half board (details to the Itinerary). Boats & Our Philosophy We use open boats because we want to offer the full experience: you see everything, you hear everything, you even smell the wetlands around us. It’s the closest you can get to feeling part of the landscape, not just a visitor passing through. There’s no roof on our boats. That’s intentional: nothing blocks your view, nothing muffles the sounds, nothing interrupts the connection with nature. Because of this, each guest needs to come prepared with personal gear for sun, wind or occasional rain. All these details are listed in the What to Bring section.

Itinerary

🗓️Day 1: 15:30 Meeting | 16:00 Departure to Mila23 | Dinner Meeting and boarding The departure for this trip is from Port Tulcea Aval.  In order to complete the payments (if any) and to communicate regarding the boat you will go to Mila23, we will be waiting for you at our boarding point, at 15:30. Transfer and accommodation to the guesthouse The transfer to Mila23 is done on one of the most beautiful routes in the Danube Delta. The transfer lasts about 2 hours. Our guide will lead you to the pontoon of the guesthouse you will be staying in. In the evening, the host will await you with a delicious dinner. 🗓️ Day 2: 8:30 Breakfast | 9:30 Trip departure | Last 4 hours of the day, the evening trip | Dinner Danube Delta Nature trips You’ll have 2 trips, one in the morning and one in the evening. Depending on the Danube water level as well as the fresh information we have about where large groups of birds feed on the lakes near by Mila23 village, we will choose the best route every day. It's a tour to discover the Danube Delta's NATURE, to see it and understand it. After breakfast you'll start the morning tour. Come back to the accommodation for lunch (optional), take some rest then you'll depart for the evening tour (last 4 hours). The guide will let you know the schedule, depending the season and the sunrise​/​sunset hour. Between nature trips (lunch time) The museum enthusiasts have the opportunity to visit the Ivan Patzaichin Museum in Mila23, the first New European Bauhaus ambassador in Romania. New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a new movement proposed by the European Commission, which promotes three fundamental European values: creativity, sustainability and community. For Mila 23, the museum act as a pole of local development, in the hope that it will inspire similar initiatives in other communities that aim to capitalize on local heritage by empowering local residents. Going forward, it remains a collaborative hub for UNESCO designations in Romania. The museum will be open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00. Admission is free and operates on donations from visitors. If you would like to have the lunch, inform the guesthouse staff at breakfast in the morning. Also, for the lunch at Letea (for the next day), please inform the guide in this evening. 🗓️ Day 3: Sunrise trip | 8:30 Breakfast | 9:30 Departure on the trip to Letea | 12:30 – Trip to Letea Forest (by safari car + on foot) | 14:30 – Lunch (optional) | Dinner Sunrise trip It starts half an hour before sunrise. It is the time when the Danube Delta is full of life, the birds are feeding intensively and the light is warm and pleasant. Return to accommodation for breakfast then depart to Letea. Trip to Letea The trip to Letea Forest is a day of contrasts, starting on the water, pass through the desert area of the Letea Levee and reach the Letea Forest. With a route through the northern area of the Danube Delta, very close to the pelicans colony Rosca-Buhaiova, the largest colony of White Pelicans in the world, in the 2-2.5 hours until reach Letea village, explore an wild, spectacular area. From Letea Village take a safari car to Letea Forest. There are about 7 km from the village to the forest, travel by car then on foot about 20-30 minutes, on the route approved by the Danube Delta Administration. The guide will show you the special plants, the special places and (hopefully) the wild horses. See the points of interest, walk through the fine sand then return to the village and you can have lunch at a local, authentic household, where the hosts cook simple and traditional food. We want you to see an alternative to Lipovan food, the “hohol” food (Ukrainian), which, although similar, has its particularities. After lunch return to the boat and go back, over the lakes, towards Mila23. Arrive at the guesthouse in the afternoon. Lunch at the local household in Letea You should know this is not a restaurant and no other dishes can be ordered. Lunch is always based on fish and it is composed of first course (a traditional fish soup), second course (fish with potatoes in the oven) and the famous donuts of Letea, as a dessert. The hosts have a very simple service system and can only offer complete menus. It is a long, demanding trip, so please have the minimum required equipment with you. 🗓️ Day 4:  8:30 Breakfast | 9:30 Transfer to Tulcea | 11:30 – Disembarkation in Tulcea, the end of the program. Transfer to Tulcea It is made, for the most part, on the same route as on arrival, with a higher speed than on trips. It is the last part of our program and we reserve, especially for this moment, some beautiful places that we want to show you on the way. You'll disembark at the same pontoon from which you left and we say goodbye. If you are leaving Tulcea with public transport, we recommend you consider a booking after 1 o’clock P.M.

What's Included?

🗣️ English guidance 🏡 Accommodation at the chosen guesthouse, in a double room for 3 nights 🍽️ Half board (dinner on day 1; breakfast + dinner on days 2 and 3; breakfast on the last day) 🛶 Boat trips on the lakes (2 trips, morning & evening) 🌳 Trip to Letea (full day), including the safari car to the forest 🚙 🌅 Sunrise boat trip 🚤 Boat transfers Tulcea – Mila23 and return 🎟️ Entrance fees for visiting the Danube Delta ➕ Optional: 🛏️ Single supplement: €90 per person per stay ❌ The price does NOT include: 🥤 Beverages (except water during meals) 🍽️ Lunch – €16 per person (cash only) 🛡️ Insurance of any kind (travel, goods, etc.) 📆 Cancellation policy: 🔁 More than 90 days before the program: you can postpone the trip (voucher valid for 2 years) ❗ Less than 90 days before the trip: the deposit is non-refundable 👨‍👩‍👧 Children policy: 🧒 Children 5–12 years: pay 50% of the package price 👦 Children 12+ years: charged as adults ⚠️ Child supervision during the tour is exclusively the responsibility of the parents ⭐ Minimum age to join: 5 years old

How your experience helps rewilding efforts

Our Commitment to Conservation in the Danube Delta  Nature comes first in everything we do. Our tours are designed to minimize impact and protect the delicate ecosystem of the Danube Delta, ensuring that its rich biodiversity thrives for generations to come. 🚤 Eco-Friendly Boating: We use lower-power engines than typically required for our boats. This reduces water disturbance, minimizes fuel consumption and lowers emissions, keeping the Delta’s waters cleaner and healthier. 🐟 Slow-Speed Exploration: Our approach is gentle and respectful. By moving at a slow, steady pace, we: Protect aquatic vegetation, essential for fish breeding and water filtration. Prevent erosion and disturbance to bird nests along the shoreline. Reduce stress on migratory and resident bird species, allowing for natural behavior and better wildlife observation. 🌍 Sustainable Nature Experiences: We believe in responsible tourism that prioritizes conservation over speed. Every tour is an opportunity to admire, respect and learn about this unique biosphere without leaving a harmful footprint. By choosing our tours, you actively support a more sustainable way of exploring the Danube Delta. Let’s protect nature together, one slow, mindful journey at a time.

Dates & Duration

Duration: 4 days ​/​ 3 nights 2026 Departure Dates 🗓️ April 2026 23rd, 27th, 30th 🗓️ May 2026 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 28th 🗓️ June 2026 1st, 4th, 8th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 25th, 29th 🗓️ August 2026 31st 🗓️ September 2026 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st, 24th, 28th 🗓️ October 2026 1st

Food & Accomodation

Accommodation We host our guests in two locally owned guesthouses right in Mila 23, a quiet village set in the heart of the Danube Delta. It’s literally an island, no car access, no traffic, just water channels all around. The guesthouses are simple, clean and comfortable, each room equipped with a private bathroom and either matrimonial or twin beds. The whole place has that calm Delta feeling: silence, slow rhythm, fresh air and that unmistakable “marshland smell” that tells you you’re far from the city. The Food Meals follow the spirit of the region: traditional recipes, fresh ingredients and a strong connection to local culture. Most dishes are fish-based, using fresh catches from the community. If someone prefers chicken or needs a vegetarian menu, we can sort that out on request. Short Supply Chain & Local Products Our food philosophy is simple: local, fresh and respectful to nature. By using fish from nearby fishermen and vegetables grown locally, we keep our footprint low and support the small Danube Delta community directly. It’s better for nature, better for people and way tastier for guests.

Difficulty

The overall difficulty level is low. Guests just need enough mobility to step in and out of the boat during boarding and disembarking. Nothing technical, nothing demanding. At Letea, we include a short hiking tour of about one hour, on flat terrain, on sandy paths. No elevation gain, no tricky sections, just a relaxed walk through one of the most iconic landscapes of the Danube Delta.

Group size

We keep our groups small, up to 10 guests, plus the guide and the boat driver. It’s the sweet spot where everyone gets space, attention and that feeling of being part of a tight little crew exploring the Danube Delta together. It keeps the experience relaxed, personal and way more interactive. Small groups also mean less disturbance for wildlife, quieter movements, easier stops and a better chance for everyone to enjoy those magic moments without feeling rushed or crowded.

What to Bring

HOW IS IT RECOMMENDED TO DRESS IN DANUBE DELTA, for the requested period, considering that our boats are uncovered: - Raincoat - this must accompany you permanently in the Danube Delta! - Hardshell jacket (lightweight, waterproof, windproof). It doesn't keep you warm, base and mid layers are essential with it - Softshell jacket (waterproof, warm, comfortable) - Down jacket (lightweight, warm) can be worn as a midlayer - Body blouse (provides warmth and comfort while keeping your skin dry) - Long pants. - Sun cream with a high protection factor - the sun can be very strong and the reflection off the water makes the radiation levels higher than on land. - Sunglasses, especially those with polarized lenses are highly recommended, they will cut the reflection of the water and your eyes will be rested at the end of a day on the water. Creams, solutions against mosquitoes *throughout your stay it is important to stay hydrated, that's why it is necessary to always have water with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of boats do you use? We use OPEN BOATS, because that’s the only way to truly feel the Danube Delta: the sights, the sounds, the wild smells. There’s no roof, so everyone needs personal sun​/​rain protection. Details are listed in What to Bring. 2. How bad are the mosquitos in the Delta? They’re… surprisingly polite. Mosquitos are active only during two short windows: -about one hour before sunrise, -and about two hours after sunset. And only on land, near vegetation. At sunrise trip, we’re usually on the lake and mosquitos simply can’t reach a boat in motion. After sunset, you’ll be at dinner indoors, where the windows and doors have nets. So no buzzing guests joining your meal. 3. Is there a toilet on the boat? Nope. Our boats are open and simple, without onboard toilets. If there’s an urgent need, we stop at a natural bank. Nothing dramatic, everyone survives. 4. Do you follow ethical wildlife practices? Absolutely. We’re not one of those many agencies that chase birds and animals just for a low-quality phone photo. We always keep a comfortable distance for fauna, avoid disturbing wildlife and let nature be nature. No stress for animals, better sightings for guests. 5. What should I bring? A full list is in the What to Bring section, but the essentials are: sun protection, rain jacket, comfortable shoes for sandy terrain, reusable water bottle and clothes in neutral colors. 6. Do you cancel tours for bad weather? Only for extreme conditions. Rain alone doesn’t stop us, it’s part of the Delta mood. If the wind or storms make it unsafe, we reschedule or adjust the route.