Route 3, or the “supreme” route, is dedicated for all nature lovers who wish to discover the secrets of the Danube Delta over a full day’s excursion, including most points of interest: Mila 23, Letea Village, and the old seaport of Sulina.
The journey starts at the Delta Tours dock, and as usual, we enter Channel 36, the gateway to this fairytale land. We turn right onto Garla Sireasa, greet the walls of wild grapevines, and acquaint ourselves with the flora and fauna of the Danube Delta. We continue on Garla Sontea and encounter “Nebunu” Lake, a strictly protected area where access is prohibited. However, just a stone’s throw away, Lake Fortuna welcomes us back into this little corner of paradise where we can meet cormorants, coots, herons, and the famous pelicans. Next, the lakes Vacaru and Ligheanca surprise us with their carpets of white and yellow water lilies, and then it’s time for a break: we stop at the dock at Mila 23, where you can grab a coffee, a beer, or stretch your legs while visiting the village museum that proudly displays the names of its kayak and canoe champions.
Our journey through the Danube Delta continues on Eracle Channel, crossing the Matita and Merhei lakes, areas renowned for their abundance of water lilies and rich fauna. Given the proximity to the Rosca – Buhaiova area (one of the largest pelican reserves, a strictly forbidden zone), it is very likely that we will encounter large flocks of pelicans on one of the two lakes. We enter Sidor Channel, where the landscape changes, winding through the sand dunes.
Letea Village warmly welcomes us, ready to unveil its secrets. Here, we can opt for a local-guided excursion in search of wild horses among the sand dunes, either by car or traditionally with a horse-drawn carriage.
Next comes the meal everyone anticipates: the delicious Lipovan fish soup, followed by fried fish served with polenta and garlic sauce. TIP: Save some room for the delicious homemade doughnuts made by our hosts. For those “picky” who do not eat fish, we offer chicken with fried potatoes and salad.
With full bellies, we leave Letea behind and travel on the water lily channel, and if weather conditions permit, we cross Musura Bay to “K” Island located in the Black Sea, visit the “Turgut” wreck, and enter the Danube through the estuary until we reach the easternmost city of the country: the grand port of Sulina. For an hour to an hour and a half, you can explore the city, swim in the sea, sunbathe, or relax at a café with a refreshing drink in hand. Well, the day has passed. We conclude this epic excursion in the Danube Delta by returning via the Sulina Channel, passing by the villages of Crisan, Gorgova, Maliuc, and Partizani. With Delta Tours, fun, good spirits, and relaxation are guaranteed!
