Danube delta kayaking experiences

Weekend Kayak Adventure in the heart of the Danube Delta: Mila 23 - Letea Sandbank

Day 1 - Deep into the Delta

We'll meet in Tulcea around 9 AM and take a speedboat to Mila 23 village. We'll speed along the Sulina branch, then turn onto Old Danube. This is where we'll really start to feel like we've arrived in the Delta.

Once we reach Mila 23, we'll pick up our kayaks, equip them with everything needed, and after an essential safety briefing, we'll eagerly launch from the pontoon. Let the tour begin!

We have 8 hours of daylight to paddle freely on lakes and channels, stop for a swim, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

At dusk, we'll retreat to a secret spot where we'll set up camp. We'll cook dinner with our provisions, savor some good palinka, and go to bed cheerfully. A long day, full of discoveries, ends perfectly.

Day 2 - Expansive Lakes and Ancient Sands

Good morning from the Delta!

In the next two hours, we’ll prepare breakfast, take down camp, and pack our kayaks. Then a tranquil day begins, gliding through narrow canals and massive lakes where water lilies and pelicans thrive, and Cumulus clouds mirror themselves in the calm waters.

Then we'll enter the Sidor canal, with ancient Black Sea sand exposed on the banks, where lazy cows lie stretched out. It's the perfect place to stop for a refreshing swim, then climb onto the hot sand to search for ancient shell fossils — a small excursion into the Delta's distant past.

As the heat subsides, we'll arrive in Letea village, located on the Letea marine sandbank. We'll deposit the kayaks at the campsite, set up camp, and then head to a local gastronomic point for a hearty meal. The menu includes two types of fresh fish, wine, țuică (plum brandy), and dessert (donuts or traditional nalangâte).

At dusk, we'll retreat to the campsite and build a campfire. In the distance, we'll hear jackals, and we'll wonder... are there any donuts left?

Day 3 - Wild horses in the forest

On the last day of our tour, a local guide will take us by car on a safari to the Letea Forest. This is a unique oak forest oasis hidden among sand dunes, with lianas and lush vegetation. We're sure to encounter the heards of wild horses, descendants of horses released in the 1990s after the dissolution of agricultural cooperatives, who live freely on the sandbank, offering an impressive and unique sight in Europe.

This exploration also marks the end of our tour. We'll pack up camp and say goodbye to Letea, boarding the speedboat that will take us back to Tulcea.

This weekend tour in the Danube Delta is a quick but profound immersion into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, an experience that will surely awaken your taste for kayaking and your desire to explore more of this Romanian Amazon.

Difficulty: Medium

Total Distance: 25-30 km (in 2 days)

Kayaks: Touring sit-in kayaks, with rudders, equipped with spray skirts, and two watertight compartments. They are stable and fast, for one or two people.

Tour Cost: 795 RON

• 450 RON: Kayak, life vest, paddle, english speaking guide
• 15 RON: Tourist access permit
• 90 RON: Speedboat Tulcea - Mila 23
• 100 RON: Dinner with locals
• 50 RON: Access and transport Letea Forest
• 90 RON: Speedboat Letea - Tulcea

What to bring for kayaking:

• Buff/hat/cap
• Sunglasses (polarized)
• Sunscreen (and lip balm)
• Thin long-sleeved shirt
• Thin quick-drying pants
• Sandals/Crocs/water shoes

What to bring for camping:

• Tent
• Sleeping pad/inflatable mattress
• Sleeping bag
• Evening clothes
• Headlamp
• Mug, plate, fork
• Mosquito repellent

What food to bring:

• 2 breakfasts
• 2 lunches
• 1 dinner
• Water 2L/day