Toyota Prius+
Up to 4 guests
€270per car with guide, whole tour
Full day · Tipova · Lalova · Orhei
The cave monastery and the winery.
Tipova, Hanul lui Hanganu, Chateau Vartely. Limestone cliffs in the morning, wine in the afternoon.
The morning belongs to Tipova: a cave monastery carved into the limestone cliffs above the Dniester, with a gentle 30-minute hike to viewpoints and waterfalls. Lunch at Hanul lui Hanganu in Lalova village. The afternoon is Chateau Vartely in Orhei, one of Moldova's leading modern wineries, with a wine tour and tasting.
This day includes a hike at Tipova of about 30 minutes, medium difficulty. Comfortable shoes are needed.
Price
One price per car with guide, not per person.
How many are you?
Bigger group? Message us on WhatsApp and I will quote it for you.
Opel Vivaro
Up to 7 guests
€380per car with guide, whole tour
Mercedes Sprinter
Up to 20 guests
€820per car with guide, whole tour
The price covers a professional licensed guide, the car and the fuel for the whole day. Entry tickets, the tasting and lunch are paid on site, so you decide what you take.
Peak season and no guide free on your dates? There is a plan B: a car with a professional driver from my team, English-speaking on request, for less than a guided day. Message me on WhatsApp and I will check what is possible.
The day, hour by hour
Tipova, lunch at Lalova, Orhei.
Chișinău to Tipova (112 km)
Tipova Cave Monastery and short hike
Impressive cave monastery carved into limestone cliffs above the Dniester River. Gentle 30-minute hike to viewpoints and waterfalls.
To Hanul lui Hanganu, Lalova village
Traditional Moldovan lunch (optional)
Authentic countryside cuisine at Hanul lui Hanganu.
Paid on site, about 20 EUR per person
Chateau Vartely, Orhei
One of Moldova's leading modern wineries, brand launched in 2004, with vineyards in the Codru and Valul lui Traian regions and wines from Feteasca Neagra, Feteasca Regala and Rara Neagra. Wine tour and tasting.
Paid on site: winery tour and tasting
Orhei to Chișinău
No surprises
What's in the price, what you pay on site.
What's in the price
- Professional licensed guide, car and fuel for the whole day
- Tour in your language: English, German, Russian or Romanian
- Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Chișinău
- Bottled water 0.5 L per person
Paid on site
- Entry tickets to monasteries, museums and wineries
- Wine tastings (paid on site, cash or card)
- Meals (lunch estimates given per tour, paid on site)
Lunch at Hanul lui Hanganu is about 20 EUR per person, paid on site. The wine tour and tasting at Chateau Vartely are paid on site as well.
Why this day
Why this day and not another.
One cliff, one cellar. A monastery cut into limestone above the Dniester in the morning, a modern winery in Orhei in the afternoon, and a countryside lunch at Lalova between them.
What guests say
Travelers who have spent a day on the road with me.
"For his erudition, his sense of humor, and the love for his homeland, literature, and history that he radiates. We travel a lot, and this trip is one of the best."
"Excellent and very professional guide. The tour was amazing and we enjoyed everything."
"Corneliu is a committed guide who took us on tours over several days in Moldova and Transnistria. He went into our interests with many suggestions and ideas, showed us not only the usual sights but also unknown paths."
"I'm a solo female traveler from Canada and I had a wonderful private day trip to Odesa from Chișinău with Corneliu. He was very responsive, punctual, and attentive."
Practical bits
Questions guests usually ask.
Group size and price
Toyota Prius+ takes up to 4 guests, €270. Opel Vivaro up to 7 guests, €380. Mercedes Sprinter up to 20 guests, €820. Every price is for the car and the guide for the whole tour, not per person. For a bigger group, write to me and I will quote it.
How much walking is there?
One hike at Tipova, about 30 minutes, medium difficulty, with viewpoints and waterfalls along the way. Comfortable shoes are needed.
Languages
English, German, Russian, Romanian. Tell me which you prefer when you book.
Pick-up
Anywhere in Chișinău. Hotel, apartment, airport. Send me the address by WhatsApp.
What you pay at Chateau Vartely
The wine tour and the tasting are paid on site. Tell me in advance if you want to buy wine to take home, we will leave time for it.
Payment
Cash (EUR, MDL, USD) or bank transfer. Half on booking confirmation, half at the end of the tour. Entry tickets, tastings and lunch are paid on site.
Cancellation
Free cancellation a week before the tour or earlier. Less than a week before, 50%. On the day of the tour, no refund except documented emergencies.
Weather
We tour year-round. The hike is on natural paths, so comfortable shoes matter in every season. Tell me your dates and we will plan the timing around the forecast.
Children
Welcome. Child seats available on request, 9 months and up.
Mobility
The monastery is reached on foot, on a path of medium difficulty. If that does not work for you, tell me and I will suggest a day with less walking.
What if no guide is available on my dates?
It happens in peak season. The fallback is a car with a professional driver, English-speaking on request, without the guided part - and it costs less than a full guided day. Write me on WhatsApp with your dates and I will tell you the same day what I can offer.
Book this day
Ready to plan?
If you have more time
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