Private Birdwatching Tour in the Danube Delta at Letea Forest | Just Wildlife Tours

Tulcea – Mila 23 – Letea – Tulcea

Private Day Tour in the Danube Delta – Letea Forest and Letea Village

An authentic experience in the wild heart of the Danube Delta

Discover the Danube Delta in an intimate and personalised way, with a private boat and a dedicated guide exclusive to your group.

This private one-day tour combines the beauty of the Danube Delta's canals, lakes, and wild areas with the special landscapes of the Letea Sandbank – one of the most interesting places in the delta, where we find a very well-preserved traditional village, the famous Letea Forest, sand dunes, ancient oak trees, and wild horses living freely in the area.

This is a suitable programme for nature lovers, birdwatching enthusiasts, photographers, families or tourists who desire an authentic experience, far from the crowds, in one of Europe's most beautiful wild areas.

We begin our private adventure in the Danube Delta

We're meeting in Tulcea Port – „Ivan Patzaichin” Waterfront, at 7:45 AM.

After a brief presentation of the programme, we board the private boat and set off on a full-day excursion through the Danube Delta, exploring wild channels, lakes, reed beds, traditional villages, and secluded landscapes at a relaxed pace.

This tour is not a mere quick transfer to Letea. It's a slow and beautiful experience through the delta, designed for you to enjoy the tranquility, landscapes, birds, and the authentic atmosphere of the Danube Delta.

The route is flexible and will be chosen according to the season, water levels, weather conditions, and bird activity, to ensure the most beautiful experience on that particular day.

A slow journey through the Danube Delta

As we leave the town of Tulcea behind, the urban landscape gradually disappears, and the Danube Delta begins to reveal itself in all its beauty.

We will paddle along narrow channels, open lakes, areas with floating vegetation, and calm waters where birds are often very active. Depending on the season, we might see common pelicans, great white pelicans, pygmy cormorants, herons, egrets, kingfishers, terns, white-tailed eagles, and many other species specific to the Danube Delta.

This part of the tour is ideal for nature observation, birdwatching, photography or simply for enjoying the tranquillity of one of Europe's most important wetlands.

Stop in the village of Mila 23

After approximately 3 hours by boat, we arrive in Mila 23, one of the most beautiful Lipovan villages in the Danube Delta.

Here we can take a short break, have a coffee, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a secluded village, where life is still closely tied to water, fishing, and the rhythm of nature.

From Mila 23, we continue our journey northwards, passing through wilder lakes and canals, on our way to Letea.

Letea Saddle – a place where time seems to stand still

After another beautiful stretch of the boat route, we arrive in Saddle Letea, one of the oldest and best-preserved traditional villages in the Danube Delta.

The white houses, blue wooden fences, sandy paths and peaceful atmosphere offer the image of an authentic place, where life unfolds at a much calmer pace.

Letea is a special place, where water, sand, forest, village, and steppe landscapes meet in a unique way.

Safari in Letea Forest

From the village of Letea, you can optionally take a safari-type excursion to Letea Forest, the northernmost subtropical forest in Europe and one of the most spectacular natural areas in Romania.

The road to the forest passes through a sandy landscape, with open areas, dunes, meadows, and places where there's a chance to see the wild horses that live freely in this area.

Within the protected area, we continue on foot for approximately 20–30 minutes, along an approved trail, through the forest.

The Letea Forest is known for:

• old oaks growing on salt-sandy soil;
• vines and lush vegetation;
• sand dunes shaped by the wind;
• wild cats living freely in the area;
• rare plants and creatures, specific to this unique habitat.

This part of the trip offers a completely different perspective on the Danube Delta — away from the water, but still closely connected to the wild nature of this extraordinary place.

Traditional lunch in Letea village

Following your visit to the forest, you have the option to enjoy a traditional lunch at a local household in Letea village.

The food is usually based on freshwater fish and local recipes, prepared simply and authentically by the village hosts.

Traditional lunch20 EUR per person
Payment is in cash, directly to the local household.

Please note that meals are usually served as a local set menu and cannot be customised or ordered on the spot. If you wish to have lunch in Letea, please inform your guide in the morning, before departure.

Return to Tulcea

After lunch and the visit to Letea, we begin the journey back to Tulcea.

Even if we travel parts of the same route, the Danube Delta always looks different on the way back. The light changes, the birds move to different feeding areas, and each channel can bring a new surprise.

We usually get back to Tulcea after approximately 3 hours, thus concluding our one-day trip to the Danube Delta.

Why choose this private tour?

This private tour to Letea is ideal if you wish to discover the Danube Delta at your own pace, without the pressure of a large group or a very rigid tour schedule.

You will get:

• private boat, exclusively for your group;
• Local guide with extensive experience and excellent knowledge of the Danube Delta.;
• flexible route, chosen according to the weather, season, water level and bird activity;
• Time for birdwatching, photography, relaxation, and visiting villages.;
• the opportunity to discover both the wild aquatic zones of the Delta and the unique landscape of the Letea Forest.

Whether you are passionate about nature, interested in birds and photography, or simply looking for a peaceful day in an authentic place, this tour offers a beautiful and memorable experience in the Danube Delta.

Tour details

Meeting placeTulcea Port – „Ivan Patzaichin” Quay”
Time of meeting: 7:45
Durationapproximately 9–10 hours
Travel tipprivate tour
Group size1–10 people
RouteFlexible, depending on the weather, water level, season and bird activity

Prices

Private tour price

1–5 people550 EUR / boat
6–10 people600 EUR / boat

The price is per boat, not per person.

What is included in the price

The price includes:

• local guide;
• private boat exclusively for your group;
• fuel for the entire boat trip;
• Route planning based on weather, season, water level and bird activity.;
• access fees to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve;
• A guided full-day experience on the Danube Delta's canals and lakes;
• stop in the village of Mila 23;
• Visit to Letea village;
• Assistance with the optional organisation of a safari in Letea Forest and a traditional lunch.

What is not included in the price

The price does not include:

• matter;
• drinks;
• the safari car to Letea Forest;
• Traditional lunch in the village of Letea;
• personal expenses;
• travel insurance;
• any type of insurance, including medical, travel, or personal belongings.

Additional costs

Safari in Letea Forest

£6 per person if you join a group.
A minimum of 5 people is required.

For smaller groups, the cost is:

40 EUR/car, paid cash directly to the local driver.

Traditional lunch in Letea village

20 EUR/person, paid cash directly to the local farm.

Important information

The safari in the Letea Forest and the traditional lunch are optional and are to be paid for locally, in cash, directly to the local service providers.

Meals are usually served as a local set menu and cannot be personalised or ordered on the spot. If you wish to have lunch in Letea, please inform your guide in the morning, before departure.

Children, regardless of age, are counted as one person when establishing the total number of people on board.

The itinerary may be adjusted according to weather conditions, water levels, season, and bird activity to provide you with the best possible experience on the day of the tour.

Booking

Your booking is confirmed with a advance of 50%.

Cancellation Policy

With more than 90 days before the tour’s departure, the trip can be rescheduled, and the amount paid will be converted into a voucher valid for 2 years.

With less than 90 days until the tour, the deposit is non-refundable.