travel agent in romania

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Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in Romania 2024/2025

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in Romania. Below you will find 17 of the best tour operators and travel agencies in Romania offering in total 75 tours and holidays through-out Romania. Combined they have received 214 customer reviews and an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The top tour activities offered in Romania are: Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history, Wildlife, landscapes and nature & Food, wine, events and nightlife.

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• Best Time to Visit Romania

18 Tour Operators in Romania with 214 Reviews

Rolandia Travel

• Address Petre Andrei 4B Iasi Romania, Iasi, Romania
• Response Rate 93%
• Response Time 3 hours

• Best-in-Class Top 5% of companies
• Excellent Service Top 10% of companies
• Superior Service Top 15% of companies

Exodus Travels

• Address Grange Mills, Weir Road, London, England
• Response Rate 85%
• Response Time 1 hour

• Address Nelson House, 55-59 Victoria Rd, Farnborough, England
• Response Rate 94%
• Response Time 2 hours

Intrepid Travel

• Address 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia
• Response Rate 90%

Secret Romania

• Address Claudiu 24 street, Bucharest, Romania
• Response Rate 68%

• Address Picquet House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, London, England

• Address 1B Osiers Road, Wandsworth, London, England

Insight Vacations

• Address 33 Kern Road, Toronto, Canada
• Response Rate 86%

Back-Roads Touring

• Address 109 Power Road, Chiswik, London, England

Choose Balkans

• Address Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit Twin Towers, Tower 2, Tirana 1001, Albania, Tirana, Albania
• Response Rate 100%

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

• Address 15/56 Pitt St, Sydney, Australia
• Response Rate 74%

Travel Talk

• Address 18 Exhibition House Addison Bridge Place, London, England
• Response Rate 95%

• Address Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, 600 North Bridge Road #06-06, Parkview Square, Singapore
• Response Rate 83%

Transylvania Live-Dracula Tours and Halloween in Transylvania

• Address Razboieni 31 A, Turda, Romania
• Response Rate 75%

Traveling to Romania? Chat with a local travel specialist in Romania who can help organize your trip.

Romania Tour Reviews

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Romania Tour Companies

List of romania travel companies & tour operators with 47147 reviews.

• Excellent - 175 reviews for Romania tours

Stefan, our tour guide, was excellent. He was humorous and always had all the information to hand. The fact that our group consisted of only 3 people was also very pleasant. I can only recommend the tour.

We had a great time exploring Romania over 11 days, by using the Classic Romania tour by Rolandia and building some extra days and sights into the plan at the end. We were very lucky to have Traian as our guide and excellent driver, and his knowledge and patience made our whole experience very special. Hotels were 4* and the cities were exceptionally beautiful, particularly around Sibiu and Cluj. The views of snow capped mountains in a clear blue sky were amazing for April and we had no rain at all. We loved the horse and cart ride, traditional lunch and fun dinner which were included. At the end we chose to stay for extra time in Brasov to see the Bear Sanctuary, then climb the mountain (by the cable car) before catching the train back to Bucharest the next day. We also included an afternoon at the huge Therme spa next to the airport before flying home. A great holiday and we were very impressed at the price and quality of our trip. Thank you to all at Rolandia.

Carpathian Travel Center

• Excellent - 15 reviews for Romania tours

Super, tolle Reise, großen Dank an unseren Guide Sebastian ! Durch ihn wurde die Reise zu einem unvergesslichen, wundervollen Erlebnis.!

Die Tour war genauso, wie ich sie mir vorgestellt hatte. Alle Programmpunkte waren gut organisiert und vorbereitet. Vielen Dank an meinen Reiseleiter Adrian, der stets auf meine Wünsche einging, meine Fragen beantwortete und mir auch genügend freie Zeit gab, um selbstständig auf Entdeckungstour zu gehen. Seine Betreuung war wirklich hervorragend. Die Hotels waren ebenfalls sehr gut, wobei das Hotel in Sibiu besonders zu nennen ist. Vielen Dank für eine wunderschöne, erlebnisreiche Reise!!

Active Travel

• Excellent - 7 reviews for Romania tours

The tour was highly professional and met all expectations in terms of accommodations, food, itinerary and communication throughout booking and during the week. My guide Bogdan was exemplary, not only did he follow the itinerary but extended hikes to the maximum of my abilities offering interesting and challenging alternatives. In addition to being an expert hiker he was also entertaining, thoughtful and an historian with a wealth of cultural facts. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in enjoying the beautiful mountain air and scenery while learning about the history of Romania.

Everything was excellent. The hike 10/10 - The effort was consistent, around 11 - 14 km hicked daily. The accomodation 10/10 - was perfect and the food was plenty, with great host. All conditions ensured: clean room, hot showers, towels, shower gel etc. The Guide 11/10 - Great energy and made sure everything was safe and up for our requests. 100% recommend for everyone. We had lots of fun !

Exact Travel Club

• Excellent - 2 reviews for Romania tours

Excellent Trip wonderful guard Very nice and warm thank you very much

I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. It was well paced, full of surprises, and the historical buildings were amazing. My guide Cornell had a wide knowledge of history, not only of the sights, but also of Romania which was so interesting. He was punctual, a safe, careful driver and had a good sense of humour. Thanks Cornell, you made my tour truly memorable. The hotels were all of a similar standard and were clean, comfortable and the staff were very helpful.

Transylvania Live Expert in…

• Excellent - 13 reviews for Romania tours

The tour has been very amazing! Everything well planned and managed (Monica is simply WOW) The only ‘bad point’ was that the room of the hotel in Arefu was very dirty: the bathroom, the pillow and the duvet.

The tour was fun and included some lovely views of historic places as well as countryside.

Transylvania Discovery Tour…

• Excellent - 33 reviews for Romania tours

The whole tour was put together absolutely brilliantly, and we were lucky to have an extremely good guide, who is also a very good driver and exceptionally good company

The tour was very full but excellent. Marius was a very competent driver and a fabulous guide. Our hotel was good, staff were very friendly, our room had plenty of space and breakfast was adequate. Excellent location. The only thing missing was a lift as it stsirs can be difficult for older travellers. Would definitely recommend this tour to other agents and clients.

• Excellent - 13,447 reviews for Romania tours

The Romanian castles (Bran, Peles and Corvin), and beautiful town of Sibiu; Serbian Skull Tower in Nis, nearby Devil’s Town and Novi Sad’s Petrovaradin Fortress; Bulgarian Rila Monastery, Plovdiv’s Roman Theatre and the Rose Perfume, Varna’s Sea Garden on the Black Sea.

Lots of mountain scenery. Fascinating to learn so much about thhistory and politics of the area.

Agate Travel

• Excellent - 284 reviews for Romania tours
• This operator has no Romania reviews

World Synergy Travel

• Excellent - 11 reviews for Romania tours

Transylvania is a very beautiful area with lovely mountains, forests and towns. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and we enjoyed his company. The historical fortified churches are lovely and their history is quite interesting. Three out of four of our hotels were excellent and all of them were clean. Romanians are friendly and eager to please. A very lovely trip..

Reiseunterlagen waren teilweise auf eine Bus-Gruppenreise abgestimmt, jedoch nicht auf eine Individualreise mit Mietwagen. Die benötigten Voucher wurden erst auf Nachfrage zugesandt. Der Tag in Kronstadt, an dem uns ein Reiseführer zugeteilt war, wurde zum falschen Datum angegeben. Es erfolgte eine 2-malige Reklamation durch uns, da nach der 1. Reklamation wieder das falsche Datum erschien. Die Übernachtung in Hermannstadt betrug 2 Nächte, angegeben war jedoch nur 1 Nacht. Im großen und ganzen erfolgte ein schlampiger Umgang mit den Reiseunterlagen. Der komplette Preis war überhöht, weil nicht das Preisniveau des Gastlandes berücksichtigt wurde

Bunica Maria

• Excellent - 4 reviews for Romania tours

I had three days with other guests and then two more where I was all alone. The accommodation was a spacious and friendly guest house. Andrei and Irene are the best hosts and I felt that they had become friends. Andrei took touching care of me, even when I was the only one, and also showed me historical sights on the days when it would have been inconvenient to go on the water. He knows the area like the back of his hand, knows where to find the different bird species, and in the evenings we discussed together what we had seen during the day. For the photographers he had useful tips to get the best shots, because he is also an expert here. Breakfast is simple - Romanesque style - and for lunch and dinner we had fish of all varieties, plus the occasional homemade liquor and delicious brownies. The whole experience was genuine and unadulterated and it was an honor to get such a glimpse into their way of life. The journey (by bus from Bucharest - 4 hours for 120 LEI) went smoothly and Andrei picked me up from the bus station in Tulcea for the half hour journey to Mahmudia. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to see - and photograph - the exuberant birdlife of the Danube Delta.

Great experience, guide Andrei was knowledgable, enthusiastic, friendly, and professional. He went out of his way to ensure that our group of 4 had an enjoyable and satisfactory experience. Accomodations were terrific, as were the home-cooked meals that were included. Would recommend!

• Excellent - 3 reviews for Romania tours

Excellent organizing skills and super pleasant company!

Three days of outdoor workout in disguise, nice conversations, super nice scenery. It felt like a trip with long time friends and served as energy reset button for starting a new year. Made snowshoeing one of my favorite activities.

Business Trans Protocol

• Excellent - 14 reviews for Romania tours

This tour was excellent! Our tour guide Florin was extremely knowledgable and clearly proud of his country's history. This was booked as a group tour, but ended up being a private tour and we definitely benefited from the added flexibility. In three days we visited clocktowers, monasteries and churches, got city walking tours and of course Peles and Brans Castles. Florin also introduced us to local food and provided some recommendations for specific delicacies. As we had time to spare before our flight, he also recommended spending time at the Spa Therme near the airport, which was a very good call. Accommodation in Brasov was very nice and well located to wander into town for the evening. Well recommended and would use again if visiting the region.

Highly recommend Florin if you are doing 3 days in Transylvania

TravelMaker

Excellent tour. Fabulous guide. Valentine is very knowledgeable about the history and background of all the historic sites and cities visited. No rush, no fuss! We enjoyed our time on this tour. Highly recommended!

What a great trip. Eddie was an excellent guide. Had a great time.

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TRANSYLVANIA TOURS FROM BUCHAREST

Book one of the tours and enjoy the best of Transylvania.

We guarantee you an amazing experience!

UNESCO SITES IN ROMANIA 2 WEEKS

Enjoy a 2-week itinerary in Romania and discover its best-known attractions!

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HAUNTED ROMANIA TOUR 4 DAYS

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Explore another face of Bucharest, the hidden one.

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Savor the best private tours in Romania with Secret Romania travel agency

Welcome to Secret Romania travel agency , your trustful partner when it comes to visiting our beautiful country! We offer a wide range of private tours in Romania, day trips from Bucharest and vacations in Transylvania.

This way, you can discover the best-known attractions, but also the secret places of this beautiful country. It is a magic land full of legends and dark history!

Choose one of our Romania tours or let us customize the perfect trip for you! We guarantee you a memorable travel experience!

Secret Romania is one of the first Romanian travel agencies specialized in creating experiences for those who want to enjoy this hidden gem of Europe.

We are a travel agency based in Bucharest , founded in 2014. After welcoming more than 2000 tourists and leading more than 300 tours in Romania, our experience can help all those searching for a tour operator in Romania or a DMC as local partner.

• Bucharest guided tours 2024
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• 7 stairs canyon
• Bellu Manor
• Bicaz Gorge & Red Lake
• Bran Castle
• Carta Monastery
• Cisnadie fortified church
• Cluj Napoca
• Cluj-Napoca
• Constanta Old Town
• Corbu Beach
• Corvin Castle
• Danube Delta
• Dobrogea Gorge
• Fagaras Citadel
• Horezu Monastery
• Iulia Hasdeu Castle
• Lacerta Winery
• Mamaia Resort
• Merry Cemetery
• Muddy volcanoes
• Painted monasteries of Bucovina
• Peles Castle
• Prahova Salt Mine
• Sucevita, Moldovita, Voronet Monasteries
• Sunny Beach Resort
• The living stones
• Transalpina
• Transfagarasan
• Transylvania
• Turda Salt Mine
• Viscri Fortified Church
• Romania & Bulgaria

10 days in Romania itinerary

2 weeks in Romania Unesco tour

2 weeks Romania & Bulgaria itinerary – UNESCO tour

3 days in Transylvania medieval tour

4 days in Transylvania itinerary

5 days in Romania itinerary

Are you ready to explore romania let's start planning your dream holiday, testimonials from clients.

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

Do you want to book one of our tours in Romania? This is what you will get:

Local expertise, amazing itineraries, safety & carefree travel, professional tour guides, unforgettable experiences, recent blog posts from the romania travel blog:.

Looking for inspiration to discover Romania in a fun and interesting way? Check these article containing important information and details for those who want to know more about how to travel to Romania.

10 Tips to choose the best tour in Romania for you

Teambuilding in Romania: 10 ideas for your event

Transylvania holidays – 7 Ideas to Try in 2024

8 Attractions in Bucegi Mountains to visit

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Romania Tours & Vacations

A place of mythic legends and dark tales, modern-day Romania impresses with its fine collection of ancient monasteries, age-old churches and character-filled castles.

But it's the unexpected delights that also shine bright. Majestic mountains, forests made for hiking, a sophisticated capital brimming with architectural beauty and chic coastal resorts ensure Romania has plenty of aces up its sleeve.

Our Romania trips

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Budapest to Bucharest

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Romania at a glance

Capital city.

Bucharest (population 2.4 million)

22.2 million

(GMT+02:00) Athens, Bucharest, Istanbul

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Romania

Best time to visit romania.

July and August are the busiest months for tourists all over Europe because the weather is at its warmest. May and June are some of the best months to visit Romania, followed by September and early October as the weather is usually fine and the sites are less crowded than during peak season. Spring and autumn are considered optimal times for birdwatching in the Danube Delta. Romania has harsh winters, with most tourists choosing to travel to the ski resorts. Snow lingers as late as mid-May, and the hiking season doesn't begin in earnest until June. The resorts along the Black Sea coast get busy in late June and stay packed until mid-August. It tends to rain more in March, April, October and November.

Geography and environment

Bordered by   Bulgaria ,   Serbia ,   Ukraine ,   Hungary   and   Moldova , Romania also has a stretch of coastline along the Black Sea. Much of Romania's terrain is mountainous with the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian Alps occupying parts of the central and northern regions. Home to a large number of glacial and karstic lakes, rivers and lagoons, Romania's splendid scenery will take many by surprise. Considerable amounts of arable land, orchards, vineyards, rural pastures and farmland are significant features of Romania's countryside.

Top 5 Classic Castles of Romania

1. bran castle.

Possibly Romania's best known castle, Transylvania's Bran Castle is linked to the legend of Dracula, although somewhat tenuously. Regardless, tourists flock in to see the heritage art, historic treasures and secret passages that all good castles are made of. A short trip from Brasov, this interesting attraction should be high on every traveler's list.

2. Hunyad Castle

Watch towers? Check. Drawbridge? Check. Dark History? Check. Hunyad Castle has all the classic hallmarks of a typical European castle. Once the prison of notorious Vlad the Impaler, Hunyad Castle's unique Gothic-Renaissance style is a result of extensive restoration after years of neglect.

3. Fagaras Castle

This ancient fortress and castle may lack the opulence of others, but is worthy of admiration for its enduring powers. Still surrounded by the moat which protected it for centuries, Fagaras Castle is a wonderful example of effective fortification - with enormous walls and towers built to withstand war and invasion.

4. Peles Castle

Nestled within the Carpathian Mountains, this gorgeous castle straight out of a fairytale is the perfect example of palatial bliss. With 30 bathrooms, an impressive collection of fine art, an extensive armor collection, manicured gardens, marble fireplaces and imposing statues, Peles Castle is one of Romania's grandest.

5. Pelisor Castle

Located within the Peles Castle complex, this castle is most famous for its decadent room made of gilded gold. Featuring Art Nouveau-style furnishings and art, plush interiors and an oak paneled lobby, Pelisor Castle certainly works its old-world charm.

Further reading

Romania travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Is tipping customary in Romania?

Tipping is expected by service workers who generally earn low wages and rely on tips for their livelihood. A tip of around 10% is sufficient for taxi drivers, wait and hotel staff but feel free to tip more for good service.

What is the internet access like in Romania?

Travelers will be able to access the internet at cyber cafes and hotels in Romania's cities. Regional and rural areas may have less internet access but, overall, Romania is well connected to the web.

Can I use my cell phone while in Romania?

Cell phone coverage is good in most parts of Romania but mountainous and remote areas may have patchy coverage. Be sure to activate global roaming on your phone before leaving home if you wish to use your cell.

What are the toilets like in Romania?

Most toilets in Romania are of the flushable variety. Public toilets are quite scarce in Romania and expect to pay a small fee when visiting one, as is standard practice in many other European countries.

Can I drink the water in Romania?

The tap water in Romania is considered safe to drink in most parts of the country unless otherwise marked. Ask your leader if you're unsure of the water quality of the region you're traveling in.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Romania?

Major credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels, restaurants, boutiques and shops. Smaller retailers like family-run restaurants, market stalls and small shops may not accept credit cards so always carry enough cash to cover smaller purchases.

What is ATM access like in Romania?

Travelers will be able to find ATMs throughout most of Romania, especially in large cities and tourist areas.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

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Danube Delta

For bird watching lovers and everyone else.

Private Tour in Romania in 3 Days [ details ]

The land of traditions and of the UNESCO Wooden Churches

[ details ]

Transylvania

Prince charles` favorite place of romania, fall in love with transylvania, discover the treasures behind the carpathian mountains, private tours.

City break in Transylvania and Bucovina regions - PRIVATE TOUR in 4 days

When you visit Romania you should consider the unique Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. On our way heading north we shall have a great opportunity to discover Transylvania and its Fortified Churches too.

Maramures - traditions and UNESCO Wooden Churches - PRIVATE TOUR in 8 days

Private tours in Maramures , you simply have to imagine yourself climbing into a horse-drawn time machine and heading back some centuries...

Romania simply surprising - the Grand Tour - PRIVATE TOUR in 14 days

Our Grand tour of Romania will take you in a trip for 2 weeks into the famous land of Transylvania, the land of still living traditions in Maramures, the holy land of Bucovina, the unique biodiversity of Danube Delta but also the vibrant Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Fairy tales of Transylvania & Painted Churches of Bucovina - PRIVATE TOUR in 8 days

UNESCO world heritage included on their list a number of 7 of the Fortified Churches and 8 of the Painted Monasteries. We can also organize a traditional lunch in a local lady`s house to make your trip complete.

Transylvania - KING Charles III` favorite place of Romania - PRIVATE TOUR in 7 days

KING Charles III simply felt in love with this special part of Romania right after his first tour in Transylvania. To really discover Transylvania we shall follow his paths that he has taken starting with 1998.

Christmas Markets in Transylvania & Bucharest - PRIVATE TOUR in 4 days

When you visit Romania around Christmas time you need to take a tour in Transylvania and not miss the medieval towns like the charming Sibiu or the hidden treasures of Transylvania, the Fortified Churches

Danube Delta - for bird watching lovers and everyone else - PRIVATE TOUR in 3 days

A very special private guided tour is certainly the Danube Delta tour. It is the only natural reservation of Romania which is part of UNESCO World Heritage list. It can be also one of the best outdoor activities.

Fall in Love with the special region of Transylvania - PRIVATE TOUR in 3 days

This tour in Transylvania is the simplest way to see why Romania is special. The Saxon villages and their Fortified Churches, the castles, the medieval towns and the Carpathian mountains are all included.

10 Reasons to Visit Romania

All these reasons among many others make Romania one of the still perfect destinations to visit!

Reviews & Photos

"A great week with Mihai" - May 2018

It is hard to overstate what a great tour guide Mihai is. We went on a 7-Day tour of the countryside and visited many of the famous sites. Driver safety was followed at all times and we were never at risk.

"A great experience, do not miss it !" - Aug 2016

If you pick one and only one tour in Romania, make sure it is this one! Mr. Mihai Caprarescu is extremely polite and professional.

"Fantastic tour through beautiful Romania" - Apr 2016

At the beginning of April we were spending some days in Bucharest. As we also wanted to see some of the castles outside Bucharest, we were looking for a tour to take us to these sights in Walachia and Trassilvania.

"WOW what a spectacular trip!" - Aug 2021

Mihai arranged a seven day tour for us and it exceeded expectations. I have traveled to many places around the world (and typically do not write reviews) and had many guides but Mihai is the best.

Private tours in Romania

I am Mihai and I am here to welcome you in Romania as your personal tour guide. I am eager to explore with you my beautiful country, offering you a unique travel experience.

 If you are interested in a private tour in Romania....

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Why a Private Tour?

Dear Traveller,

I think there are few simple things that shall help you decide if you want to take a Private Tour in Romania or not. And also help you choose the right Private Tour company/Private Guide.

Tours Videos

Turda Salt Mine

Journey with the "Mocanita" Steam Train in Maramures

Transylvanian traditional dinner at the Sheep station

The making of haystack in Maramures

• Transylvania
• Dobrogea and Danube Delta
• Walking and hiking
• Wine and food
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• Custom tour

Please find below the list of our most popular Romania tours

Use the main menu to filter the tours by city , region or activity . Looking for a tailor-made experience that perfectly matches your unique preferences? Challenge us to create you dream trip to Romania!

Tour of Transylvania from Bucharest

The private tour of Transylvania from Bucharest: unveil the mystery and discover Transylvania as it is: a land with medieval towns and castles, picturesque villages or breathtaking natural views.

Transylvania walking holidays: the tour of the most beautiful villages in Romania

Transylvania walking holidays: discover the charm of rural life on foot, during our private trip through the most beautiful villages in Transylvania

Hiking tour of Transylvania from Bucharest or Brasov

Transylvania hiking tour from Bucharest: walk with us on the best hiking trails of Romania. Discover the beauty of the Transylvanian Carpathian mountains in a 7 days hiking tour

The private tour of Romania from Bucharest

The complete private tour of Romania from Bucharest covering Transylvania, Maramures and Bucovina. Explore beautiful Romania in a small group tour. See Transylvania castles and medieval towns, Bucovina painted monasteries or Maramures wooden churches.

Transylvania & the Carpathian mountains walking holidays

Walking and hiking holiday in the villages of Transylvania and the Carpathian mountains. 6 days private trip with English speaking guide.

Transylvania wine tour

The wine tour of Transylvania. Taste the best wines of Transylvania and explore its main touristic attractions in just 3 days.

2024 Dracula tour

Discover Romania with this Dracula-themed tour. Learn the facts and the stories behind the legend. Visit Dracula's castle and all the Transylvania-related places in this trip starting from Bucharest.

Romania walking and hiking tours

Romania walking holidays, a private small group tour: discover Romania actively, hike in the mountains, walk in the countryside, meet the people and enjoy the local cuisine. Travel around the country choosing our bespoke itinerary …

Guided walks in the Romanian countryside

Discover Romania countryside with a series of guided walks in Romanian villages from Transylvania, Maramures and Bucovina. Enjoy the unaltered bucolic landscape and taste the local cuisine.

The food and wine tour of Transylvania

The food and wine tour of Transylvania is a private trip including vineyards visits, wine, champagne and brandy tastings, traditional food, local ingredients and the best touristic attractions.

The artisan route: discover Transylvania through authentic experiences

The most authentic from our list of Romania tours: a small group tour, specially designed for tourists willing to visit Transylvania with a hand-on approach: learn to cook, visit farmers, craftsmen or small factories.

The private tour of Romania from Cluj-Napoca

The private tour of Romania starting from Cluj. Visit Maramures and Transylvania with our custom made travel package.

Romania Christmas Markets tour

Feel the magic of Christmas in Romania. Tour the best Christmas markets in Transylvania and Bucharest. Discover Transylvania's medieval towns and castles adorned in winter clothes

Transylvania tour from Sibiu

Explore Transylvania from Sibiu. Discover Sibiu, Bran and Corvin Castle, Transfagarasan highway and Sighisoara. Travel around Transylvania, visit medieval cities, fortified churches or UNESCO heritage sites.

On the route of gold and isolated hamlets in Apuseni mountains

Private trip to Apuseni mountains from Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca or Timisoara. Discover the gold route, the isolated hamlets and the natural marvels of the Apuseni Mountains.

Transylvania tour from Brasov

5 days private tour of Transylvania from Brasov. Explore the best of Transylvania: castles and fortresses, mountain villages, medieval towns, fortified churches and the most amazing road in the world.

Romania photo tour

Romania can be a heaven for the photographers as it has so much to offer: different natural landscape, preserved traditions, diverse architecture.

Transylvania and Maramures photo tour

Transylvania and Maramures photo tour. A private 8 days tour covering Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, the Carpathian mountains and the Romanian countryside.

The private tour of Romania from Timisoara

Discover Romania in a 12 days trip starting in Timisoara, Budapest or Belgrade. English speaking guide, comfortable air-conditioned minivan.

Transylvania winter trip

Enjoy the winter wonderland in Transylvania with our private winter trip starting from Brasov. Experience the husky sledging, hiking in snow, bear watching or ice hotel exploration. Visit Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Bran Castle and Peles …

Transylvania tour from Timisoara

The private Transylvania tour from Timisoara is perfect for travellers who are starting their trip to Transylvania from western Romania.

The private tour of Transylvania from Cluj-Napoca

The private tour of Transylvania from Cluj-Napoca. A 5-day round trip exploring the best touristic attractions of Transylvania: Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Bran Castle or Transfagarasan.

Danube Delta and Dobrogea trip from Bucharest

A private tour for tourists willing to discover the rich history of Dobrogea, enjoy the best wines and its ethnic cuisine and explore the aquatic paradise of the Danube Delta.

Christmas photo tour in Romania

Christmas photo tour in Romania: Maramures and Transylvania. 6 days private tour starting in Cluj-Napoca and finishing in Sibiu.

The hiking tour of Transylvania from Cluj-Napoca

Explore the best of the Carpathians and the Transylvanian countryside in a 9-day hiking trip starting from Cluj-Napoca

The food and wine tour of Romania

This trip is for foodie travellers willing to discover Romania through culinary experiences. Travel throughout our beautiful country, learn about its rich history, admire the scenic landscapes, explore the best wines, indulge yourself in the …

Tour of Transylvania and Maramures from Cluj-Napoca

The private tour of Transylvania and Maramures starting from Cluj-Napoca. Explore Sibiu, Brasov and Oradea, visit Corvin and Bran Castle, admire the best mountain road in the world and witness the rural life in Maramures

Transylvanian Meadows Unveiled: Wildflower Delights Tour

Transylvania wildflowers tour: 3 days to uncover the charm of the region's most picturesque villages, marvel at the enchanting hay meadows of the Apuseni Mountains, and traverse Romania's spectacular mountain roads in search of wild …

The great Transylvanian escape

The great Transylvanian escape is an experience offering a tranquil respite from the the anxieties of of urban life. As the name suggests, the trip is a travel experience in the Transylvanian countryside, far …

The Royal Trail: Tracing King Charles’ Steps in Transylvania

Embark on a 3-Day Royal Expedition as we retrace the footsteps of King Charles in Transylvania.

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Romania Guided Tours

embark on an unforgettable journey and explore Romania’s true essence with our hand-picked tours:

• learn about the complexity of Romanian culture,
• discover at a slow pace the charm of the Romanian countryside and mountains,
• savor the local cuisine,
• wander in medieval towns and castles.

Romania Guided Tours Travel Agency - about us

Our Romania tours have been reviewed by more than 150 guests. You can see our reviews on Google here or on Tripadvisor here .

Tour operator from Transylvania, Romania

We are based in Sibiu, Transylvania , and we are organising tours in our country since 2013. We are organising usually small private tours, the group size can be from one person (solo travellers, you are welcomed here 🙂 ) to up to 20 persons. We are working for individual groups but we are open to create custom tours for the business travel segment.

Travel agency

We are a fully licensed travel agency by the Romanian Ministry of Tourism . We can organise complete travel packages in Romania, including assistance from a local guide, transportation and accommodation or we can offer just one of these services.

Romania tours

We are specialised in doing tours in Romania. But for our tourists for whom the Romania tour is just a part of a larger trip, we can provide transfers to or from the neighbouring countries, like Hungary, Serbia or Bulgaria. Transylvania tour from Timisoara can start from Budapest, or the Romania tour from Bucharest can start in Sofia.

Inbound Romanian tour operator

As an inbound tour operator (or incoming tour operator) we are specialised in organising tours for tourists from outside Romania planning to visit our beautiful country.

Sustainable tourism

We are trying to do business sustainably. We are a member of the Association for Ecotourism in Romania (AER) and in our daily activities we try to implement the good practices promoted by the association:

• we support the interest of the local people, trying to promote tours in the Romania’s rural areas , directing revenues to small local businesses.
• at the same time, we are doing this trying to preserve the cultural heritage, organising authentic travel experiences
• we try to take care of the environment, from daily gestures like recycling or using public transportation, to more long term actions
• for example, every year, we redirect 20% of the profit tax to NGOs organising reforestation actions.

Private tours

Our trips are only private tours. Our guests are members of the same group of friends or family. Even our walking tours are private, we are not organising shared tours. Especially in this period, we believe that a small private tour is the way to still do tourism in a safe way.

Custom tours

You can find on our website some of the standard tours we are doing, but if you are planning to visit Romania and looking for something specially tailored for you, please let us know. We love to be challenged! 🙂

Escorted tours

Our tourist packages include specialized tourist assistance from a very knowledgeable and experienced local tourist guide. The guide will be with the group all the time to be able to respond to requests quickly and in a professional way.

Licenses and authorisations

Romania Guided Tours travel agency is fully authorised by Romanian Ministry of Tourism to organise trips and vacation packages in Romania or abroad. We operate under Tourism License number 194, which can be seen here

Romania Guided Tours Travel Agency is operating under Romanian and EU law. According to EU directive in travel packages, all the amounts paid to us are guaranteed by an Insolvency policy, listed here .

Transportation

Romania Guided Tours is licensed by Romanian Transport Authority to transport tourists . We own a brand new Volkswagen Caravelle especially designed for small group tours. The van has AC on every raw of seats and enough space for luggage.

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With enchanting villages and fairytale castles perched high in the mountains and meadows, we'll show you why Romania is much more than the medieval land of Dracula.

Explore the Belle-Époque atmosphere of Bucharest

Once known as the ‘Little Paris of the East’, Bucharest’s streets are dotted with beautiful Belle-Époque architecture. Our Local Specialists will take you beyond the famous landmarks such as the Arcul de Triumf, to discover historic architecture built in a time before the World Wars.

Take a shot of the local Pálinka

Pálinka (or Țuică) is a traditional fruit brandy hailing from the Middle Ages. In Romania, it’s made with fermented plums and enjoyed as a shot before meals and a toast at celebrations. We’ll show you the best places to enjoy a taste of the country’s favorite national drink.

See the immense Palace of the Parliament

Towering to a height of 84 meters and weighing over four billion kilograms, the Palace of Parliament is enormous. Located in Bucharest, it’s the world’s heaviest building and the second-largest administrative building (after the Pentagon). We’ll take you on an insider tour, with more than 3,000 rooms to explore.

Venture deep into the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia

Sinaia is a gorgeous mountain town, where you’ll discover pretty Peleș Castle, built by a former King in the late 19th century, and the ancient Sinaia Monastery, built in 169Whether you go hiking in the alpine forests or skiing the snowy slopes, Sinaia is refreshing retreat into nature.

Travel to Braşov and visit Bran Castle

Bran Castle is a national monument and one of the most impressive Romania attractions. Perched high on a rock, this grand castle was built in 1377 and is often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. Today, it’s a museum showcasing the art and furniture collection of Queen Marie.

Our top 5 things to do in Romania

When you take a trip to Romania with Trafalgar, we’ll reveal all the best things to do in Romania, from exploring the Carpathian Mountains to visiting ancient Bran Castle.

National Museum of Art of Romania

Located in the Royal Palace in Bucharest, the National Museum of Art of Romania houses an extensive collection of art by Romanian and international artists. Many of the pieces were collected by the Romanian royal family, including works by Rembrandt, El Greco and Monet.

Museum of the Romanian Peasant

Housed in a red brick building from 1912, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant displays the history and culture of the Romanian countryside from the past four centuries. It contains over 100,000 items, including terracotta pottery, religious icons, traditional clothing and hand-painted Easter eggs.

MNAC National Museum of Contemporary Art

The National Museum of Contemporary showcases the works of Romania’s greatest contemporary artists along with international artworks. It’s located in a glass wing of the Palace of Parliament, one of the world’s largest administrative buildings, and the top floor of the building has a great lookout over Bucharest.

Best museums in Romania

A Romania holiday with Trafalgar takes you to the country’s top museums, with extensive collections of Romanian art and an excellent display of Romanian peasant history.

These Romanian cabbage rolls are one of Romania’s most-loved national dishes. They’re made from sour cabbage filled with beef, pork, bacon, rice and fresh herbs, baked in tomato juice until golden, and best served with a side of sour cream.

Head to a summer picnic in Romania and you’re sure to find mici cooking on a hot charcoal grill. These small skinless sausages or made from ground lamb, beef or pork and mixed with garlic and spices. Served with fresh bread and mustard, mici is a favourite of Romanian cuisine.

Ciorba de Burta

Ciorba de Burta is a traditional Romanian soup, made with beef tripe, garlic and sour cream. It’s wonderfully creamy and sour from a splash of vinegar, and you can find it in almost any restaurant in Romania. Our Local Specialists will show you the best places to sample this local delicacy.

Best food in Romania

One of the best parts of a Romania tour package with Trafalgar is the delicious Romanian cuisine, featuring juicy meats, sour soups, and plenty of garlic and fresh herbs.

What to pack for Romania

It’s useful to learn a few phrases in Romanian, the national language of Romania. It’s highly appreciated by the locals, and any effort will earn you a lot of smiles.

Using Euros for cash payment is generally not accepted in Romania. It’s best to come prepared with Romanian leu, the official currency of Romania.

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re trekking through the mountains or roaming the cobbled streets, you’ll need a comfortable pair of shoes on your trip to Romania.

Adaptor plug

In Romania, the power plugs and sockets are of type F, with standard European 2-pin plugs. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Waterproof coat

Romania can experience rain throughout the year, so come prepared with a raincoat or a small umbrella.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and reusable toiletry bottles.

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Prepare yourself for a new experience

We solve the most complex requests

A family owned business for 25 years

Custom tours

We do everything we can for our clients

Our travel agency GEORGE TURISM is represented by a small but professional and dedicated team with a 20-year experience in organizing trips to Romania.

Our varied offer includes several trips to the most beautiful and interesting regions of Romania.

Your travel wishes can come true

From cultural to religious trips, business to active trips, you are definitely going to find what you are looking for. If you have special requests we’ll be happy to address them; our offer is tailored to your specific needs.

Of course, we will make all the arrangements for accommodation, board, transportation, guiding costs, entrance fees, festivities and events etc., but we can gladly organize meetings with people, in order for you to also get to know the people and not only a part of the country. And let’s not forget the culinary highlights that Romania has to offer: you get to enjoy meals served in exclusive venues and restaurants or traditional dishes in farmhouses, wine tasting at wineries and picnics on sheep farms. All in all, we make sure you have a memorable vacation in Romania.

Why George Turism?

Custom Tours

24/7 Assistence

Flexibility

Unforgettable Experience

Our Experience

Our varied offer includes several trips to the most beautiful and interesting regions of Romania. From cultural to religious trips, business to active trips, you are definitely going to find what you are looking for. If you have special requests we’ll be happy to address them; our offer is tailored to your specific needs.

We can make all arrangements for accommodation, board, transportation, guiding costs, entrance fees, festivities and events etc., but we can gladly organize meetings with people, in order for you to also get to know the people and not only a part of the country.

ROMANIA TOURS

        Experience our Romania tour packages: Designed by local experts for small groups, we provide tailor-made trips and unique Romania vacation packages.

Choose your next adventure

• Small group tours of Romania
• Private tours of Romania
• Private day trips in Romania
• City tours in Romania

Small groups (max. 10)

Tour leaders, expert destination advice, bucharest, cluj, iasi and brasov, most popular tours.

• schedule 25/10/2025

Classic Romania Tour

• schedule 31/10/2025

Travel to Romania - Best Attractions in 10 Days

• schedule 22/06/2024

Turda Salt Mine, Corvin Castle and Alba Fortress...

Peles & cantacuzino castles: cultural day trip &..., private bucharest communist tour | entree fees..., amazing romania - seven day private tour from..., small group romania tours.

• schedule 19/02/2025

4-day Transylvania Castle Tour from Bucharest

Private romania holidays, transylvania dracula tour - 8 day trip beyond the..., 8-day romania tour from budapest to bucharest, six days tour from cluj-napoca - discover..., private romania day trips, day trip to the unesco painted monasteries from..., city tours in romania, cluj-napoca city tour, jewish heritage city tour in iasi, featured articles, is romania safe, romanian mythology - 3 legends you might not have..., vlad the impaler - the ruthless ruler of wallachia, romania travel guide, unlock romania's rich history and awe-inspiring landscapes.

VISIT ROMANIA

Your trustful partner since 1994.

VISIT ROMANIA was founded in 1994 as a complex trade company. Our travel agency’s main asset is its global presence in the travel market by promoting and providing ROMANIA and the  Balkans  destination to customers from all around the world.

VISIT ROMANIA is committed to develop a long-term partnership and we hope that our integrated approach to your travel needs is demonstrated by the wide range of services that we provide. This is how we customize our services based on YOUR needs!

The themes of our travel products

A type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination.

A type of tourist activity that is characterized by the visitor's experience related to gastronomy and products and related activities during the trip.

Tailor-made programs

Do you have in mind your own customized tour of Romania and/or the Balkans? Please tell us about what you are interested in and we'll answer you right away!

Organizing sports events

VISIT ROMANIA has an impressive experience in organizing sports events. During the past years, we have been the local supplier for several football teams.

Testimonials

Our customers and our partners become our friends! Please, read real thoughts from real people.

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Founder of Style Co.

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Emily Clark

Owner of Creative Ltd.

contact[at]touringromania.com

Whatsapp : 0040.743 476.539

Skype me! Touring Romania

Discover Medieval Transylvania and Enjoy the Splendors of Budapest, Vienna and Prague!

Price from 2300 euro per person.

Two Week Outstanding Private Guided Tour in Europe! [ details ]

Best of Romania: Explore Medieval Transylvania and Maramures!

8 day private tour from 1100 euro per person.

[ details ]

Off the Beaten Path in Transylvania and Maramures

Private tour for 12 days from 1375 euro, live like a king - king charles iii favourite places in transylvania, 8 days private tour.

From € 550.00

Enjoy magic of christmas in transylvania 5 days private guided tour.

Experience the magic of Christmas on a 4-night guided tour around Transylvania

From € 1075.00

Winter experience in transylvania - one week private guided tour.

Transylvania is charming during winter as well and offers memorable experiences.

From € 1300.00

Off the beaten path: transylvania and maramures in 11 days - private tour.

Immerse yourself into the countryside of Transylvania and Maramures on a 11-night Private Guided Tour

From € 1150.00

Live like a king - charles iii favorite places in romania - private guided tour - 8 days.

It was enough for King Charles III to come to Romania once and more precisely in Transylvania with whom he irremediably fell in love. The King of Great Britain actually participated in the rebirth of the Saxon villages.

Videos from Our Tours

Tour in Danube Delta

2017 Easter in Maramures - Fantastic Fairy Tale

Visit Painted Churches from Bucovina

Touring Romania - Documentary for BBC - Danube Delta 2017

Tripadvisor.com

We are proud to recive Tripadvisor Certificate of Excelence !

Thank you to all our guests!

Why touring with us?

•  Your safety is Top Priority for us ! 
•  only you and your group - no shared tours
•  explore "off the beaten tracks" places, not crowded 
•  small boutique accommodations
•  every day disinfection of the vehicle we use 

  "I am George , your tourguide in Romania ! I will do my best to offer you an unique experience in my beautiful country !"

Destinations

Private Guided Tours in Romania - New Adventures!

After 7 years doing Private Tours in Romania, I have to say that I am glad that more and more guests are choosing Romania for their travel destination in Europe.

TRANSYLVANIA

An open-air museum of preserved saxon legacy

DANUBE DELTA - UNESCO NATURAL SITE

A wildlife lover’s paradise

"Amazing day at the Danube Delta!"

Best day of our holiday! [...]

"Our day tour through amazing Transylvania"

We enjoyed the travel, discovered so many nice villages like Biertan, Malancrav or Viscri [...]

Great Tour, Great Country & Great Tour Guide!!

I can honestly say that I have never felt safer on a trip in my life, even at night walking in the city streets! [...]

“Great Experience”

Driving through the Romania countryside will afford numerous opportunities of interacting with locals in both road markets and small villages [...]

Why Romania?

Romania. Tales and places. This is the very essence of our company. We will accompany you, in a private tour, in wonderful Romanian places, either famous or unknown, and we will reveal the mysteries of these places, by means of the stories we know from the inhabitants regarding their day-to-day life, about their ancestors and traditions.

WATCH BELOW GREAT VIDEOS ABOUT ROMANIA:

Discovering Romania - Wild Carpathia (Mountains of Transylvania) Discovering Romania - Wild Carpathia II Discovering Romania - Wild Carpathia III: WILD FOREVER

Why would you choose a private tour in Romania with us?

Come with us on a Private Guided Tour in Romania!

Spring has come and the travel season in Romania is in full power. May is practically the beginning of the tourist season in Romania when the weather starts to be very pleasant. The days are long, the temperatures are pleasant and it is not crowded. [...]

Travelling again is safe!

On Jan 29th, 2021, European Union gave authorization for the 3rd vaccine against Covid 19. After Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna, AstraZeneca received the OK from EMA to deliver their vaccine to European Union citizens. [...]

What to do in Bucharest: Day Trip from Bucharest to Mogosoaia Palace!

A day trip from Bucharest can be to Mogosoaia Palace. Located at a 40-minute drive from Bucharest, the Mogosoaia Palace is located in a beautiful park. [...]

One Day Tours

Short Tours

• Our private tours

Only one free day ? No problem ! We'll show you few splendors of Romania: Bran and Peles Famous Castles, Brasov, Sibiu or Sighisoara Medieval Cities or the Fascinating Wild Danube Delta

• Famous Castles of Romania in One Day - Private Guided Tour → From 100.00€
• Wildlife in Danube Delta - One Day Guided Tour from Bucharest → From 135.00€
• One Day in the Sky: Transfagarasan Highway - Private Guided Tour → From 80.00€
• Discover Bucharest - Private Guided Tour → From 75.00€
• Communism Bucharest Tour → From 70.00€

With 2 free days, you'll have the chance to enjoy more of the Medieval Transylvania, amazing Transfagarasan Road or the Wildlife from Danube Delta, the only natural place from Romania in Unesco World Hertage

• Wildlife Adventure in Danube Delta - Guided Tour in 2 Days from Bucharest → From 375.00€
• Famous Castles of Romania - Private Guided Tour - 2 days → From 250.00€
• Top Gear Favorite Road: Transfagarasan - Private Guided Tour - 2 days → From 225.00€
• Charming Sibiu - Private Guided Tour - 2 days → From 220.00€
• Sighisoara: Pearl of Transylvania - Private Guided Tour - 2 days → From 210.00€

Excelent opportunity to discover better Transylvania, Danube Delta, Black Sea or even Bucovina of the Painted Monasteries. 3 or 4 days will give you enough time to enjoy beautiful places of Romania

• Discover Transylvania - Private Guided Tour - 4 days (Brasov - Sighisoara - Sibiu) → From 495.00€
• Wildlife Adventure in Danube Delta - Guided Tour in 3 Days → From 425.00€
• Three Days in the Sky - Amazing Roads of Romania: Transalpina and Transfagarasan - Private Guided Tour - 3 days → From 350.00€
• Summer City-Break: Danube Delta and Black Sea! → From 350.00€
• Bucovina Monasteries, Via Transylvania - Private Guided Tour - 4 days → From 450.00€
• Enjoy Magic of Christmas in Transylvania 5 Days Private Guided Tour → From 550.00€

This is the best way to explore Romania ! We designed tours up to 2 weeks to cover all beautiful Romania. Medieval Transylvania, Traditional Maramures, Spiritual Bucovina or Wild Danube Delta are witing for you !

• Winter Experience in Transylvania - One Week Private Guided Tour → From 1075.00€
• Explore Transylvania in One Week - Private Tour → From 875.00€
• Off the Beaten Path: Transylvania and Maramures in 11 Days - Private Tour → From 1300.00€
• Explore Wildlife from Danube Delta - Private Tour → From 700.00€
• Discover Transylvania and Wildlife of Danube Delta - 7 Days Private Guided Tour → From 1100.00€
• Great Tour of Romania - 2 Weeks Private Tour → From 1900.00€
• Discover Medieval Transylvania and Enjoy the Splendors of 3 Central-European Capitals: Budapest, Vienna and Prague! → From 2200.00€
• Bucovina and Transylvania Treasures - Private Guided Tour - 8 days → From 950.00€
• Best of Romania: Transylvania and Maramures - Private Guided Tour in 8 Days → From 1100.00€
• Discover Maramures - A Journey Back in Time → From 850.00€
• A journey back in time: Countryside Life from Transylvania and Maramures → From 1650.00€
• Saxon Legacy in Transylvania - Private Guided Tour - 8 days → From 975.00€
• Discover Your Roots - Jewish Heritage in Romania - Private Tour in 2 weeks → From 1075.00€
• Live like a King - Charles III Favorite Places in Romania - Private Guided Tour - 8 days → From 1150.00€
• Enjoy Romania in One Week - Private Guided Tour - 7 days → From 1050.00€
• Amazing Roads of Romania: Transfagarasan and Transalpina in 5 days - Private Guided Tour → From 595.00€
• Private Tour From May 1st until May 8th, 2024 → From 1250.00€

Our Partners

10 Best Romania Tour Operators 2024 [Unbiased & With Reviews]

10 best romania tour operators 2024.

Are you planning to visit Romania, but unsure which tour provider to select? Now, you no longer have to waste time searching the internet and filling out dozens of contact forms. Simply fill out ONE form, we’ll send it off to multiple tour providers and they’ll contact YOU! You’ll be able to compare rates and find the lowest cost tour for the most affordable trip abroad.

Get Free Quotes From 10 Best Romania Tour Operators

Have you been looking for a fulfilling and fun-filled tour to Romania? Would you like to visit beautiful and famous attractions in Romania? Would you like to have a life-changing Romania tour experience with a professional and cost-effective tour agency?

Romania is a breathtaking country with famous attractions from Bucharest to Transylvania. It is home to over 20 architectural castles, including the Bran Dracula Castle, home to Romania’s Queen Mary, and the most popular destination for international tourists. Other Romanian charms include the Black Church, Clock Tower, Arch of Triumph, and Balea Lake. The authentic Romanian culture and traditional cuisine are world-class, with unique seasonal festivals that also attract thousands of tourists to Romania each year.

After you decide on a vacation to Romania, the next step is to look for the best Romania tour company, which is not an easy task. Once you begin to investigate different tour operators, you will discover that you have many options available. Vetting and analyzing all these companies involves a lot of time, which in the end, you may choose the wrong company and lose your time and money. TravellersQuest wants your tour to be fun, life-changing, and adventurous.

We strongly believe that wrong and inadequate research could lead you to spend thousands of dollars on a lackluster tour operator in Romania. Because of these concerns, we have researched and present to you the top 10 best tour companies in Romania with no strings attached!

Here is an unbiased list of the Top 10 most reputable Romania tour companies.

Table Jan 30, 2024

Active Travel

Founded in 2007, Active Travel is one of the best top-rated tour operators in Romania, offering specialized unique small group and private tours. The company’s objective is to design responsible, eco-friendly, and sustainable tours so that tourists can have fulfilling and life-changing experiences. To achieve this goal, the company employs professional and friendly tour guides that will show you all of Romania’s popular sights and attractions.

Active Travel Best Romania Tour Packages

Active Travel offers a wide selection of tour packages for you to choose from. If you are looking for an authentic tour of the countryside, their  Transfagarasan Highway and Mountain Hiking Tour  gives you the opportunity to see the Balea Lake, Vidraru Dam, and real Vlad Tepes while climbing 1,480 concrete stairs.

During the Romania  Countryside Photo Tour , you will watch bears, deer, and boars in the Piatra Craiului National Park while immersing yourself in the traditional local culture.

For cycling enthusiasts, you can enjoy the Maramures and  Transylvania Heritage Cycling Tour  and discover the Baia Mare. Strap in for an authentic Romanian experience as you travel through small towns and medieval wooden villages.

Active Travel Reviews

As a leading tour company in Romania, Active Travel’s unrelenting efforts have not gone unnoticed. They have 1,554 reviews on TripAdvisor and are ranked at the top as #1 of 126 Tours & Activities in Brasov. Their excellent service has earned them the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A recent client of theirs wrote:

We went with Charlie. From the beginning everything was clear and simple. Was on time. It was an unforgettable day… Khaled A

Read all reviews of Active Travel on TripAdvisor .

Discover the beauty of Spain by joining one of the 10 Best Spain Tour Operators , ensuring a memorable travel experience.

Timisoara City Tours

With their dynamic and enthusiastic group of tour guides, Timisoara City Tours eagerly welcomes you to the enchanting destinations of Timisoara and Romania. With over 12 years of experience, this company will enhance your travel experience by offering unique insights into Romania. They offer personalized service and are extremely attentive their customers’ needs. With one of the leading travel agencies in Romania by your side, you can embark on a fulfilling and stress-free journey across the Romanian countryside.

Timisoara City Tours Best Romania Tour Packages

Timisoara City Tours relish in providing their travelers with highly detailed and engaging tour packages and travel itineraries. You can start with their Classic Tour of Timisoara for a tour of the city’s highlights. Travel through their bustling urban center and see the baroque style churches and houses, Turkish baths and their Central Mosque.

Also, you can deepen your understanding of the city through their Timisoara Grand Tour . You will move through old neighborhoods of Fabric, Elisabetin and Josefin while admiring factories, museums and secession style houses.

Discover local Romanian gastronomy on their Timisoara’s Food Tour where you’ll indulge in a 4 course menu with mici, sarmale and papansi. Finish the tour with a glass of local wine.

Timisoara City Tours Reviews

Timisoara City Tours has made quite an impact in the tourism industry of Timisoara as well as overall Romania. This Romanian tour operator has 619 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 38 Tours & Activities in Timisoara. A past customer wrote:

Perfect way to get to know the beautiful historical centre of Timisoara. Serghei was a brilliant guide – friendly, approachable and loads of interesting local knowledge… Lauren R

Read all reviews of Timisoara City Tours on TripAdvisor .

Discovery Transylvania

Discovery Transylvania is an award-winning, licensed travel agency in Romania that provides personalized tours while respecting the clients’ wishes. They have over 10 years of experience in the industry and their passion for service is second to none. They put great emphasis on quality of service, customer care and reliability. The company has a team of highly efficient and professional tour guides and they want to share the beauty and culture of Romania with you!

Discovery Transylvania Best Romania Tour Packages

Delve into Romanian history and explore its vibrant culture through Discovery Transylvania’s tour packages. You can book their Land of Fagaras Day Tour which will provide you an opportunity to discover the majestic Romanian countryside. Visit the Fagaras Fortress, and then travel to Sambata & Sambata de Sus to see the old Brancoveanu Monastery.

If you want a more adventurous option, see their Ciucas Peak Hiking Tour . This 3-4 hours hike will have you admiring the scenery at the top of Ciucas. Enjoy a short picnic lunch and start your descent.

For an interesting historical tour, consider their Tour of Sibiu . You will discover the grandeur of this Old Saxon Town with its defensive fortifications while also spending some time at the Burkenthal National Museum.

Discovery Transylvania Reviews

Discovery Transylvania has earned many praises from their customers for being one of the best travel agencies in Romania. With 395 reviews on TripAdvisor, they are ranked as #1 of 21 Food & Drink in Brasov. A satisfied customer said this about them:

Such a fun and informative tour, we learned a lot and the views are breathtaking. You read about the castles but nobody mentions the locations. Everything was great… Hannah B

Read all reviews of Discovery Transylvania on TripAdvisor .

Embark on a magical adventure in Greece by choosing from our list of the 10 Best Greece Tour Operators , ensuring an enriching travel experience.

Nicolas Experience Tours

Nicolas Experience Tours invites you on a journey that will nourish your spirits while supplying you with unforgettable memories of Romania. As one of the highest-reviewed tour companies in Romania, Nicolas Experience Tours provides specialized tours and extended tour packages of their beautiful country. Nicolas Miroiu, the founder, lets you choose your own adventure in Romania while he tags along to make sure you have an absolutely splendid time.

Nicolas Experience Tours Best Romania Tour Packages

The company will craft you customizable travel itineraries that suit your budget, time and interests. Go on their Bucharest Half Day Tour where expert tour guides will show you the city’s highlights in less than 6 hours. You will see the Palace of Parliament, Victory Avenue, Revolution Square and their Old City Center on this tour.

Also, opt for their Dracula Castle Group Tour and tour some of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Start with Peles Castle and the Bravos City Center and eventually discover the Dracula Castle of Bram Stoker’s popular fiction.

For an extended trip, you can book their 3D Transylvania Tour . See popular sights like Snagov Monastery, Dracula’s Castle, Brasov City and Sibiu City at your own pace in this expertly designed tour package.

Nicolas Experience Tours Reviews

Nicolas Experience Tours has many satisfactory customer reviews under its belt. As a leading tour operator in Romania, they have 343 reviews and are ranked as #1 of 449 Tours & Activities in Bucharest. They were also awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A past client wrote:

I highly recommend Nicolas Tours to anyone looking to see & learn as much as possible about Romania within a short timeframe. Nicolas is responsive… Laura A

Read all reviews of Nicolas Experience Tours on TripAdvisor .

Unearth the cultural treasures of Belgium by choosing one of the 10 Best Belgium Tour Operators , providing expert guidance.

Timisoara Tour Guide

Founded by “the girl with the red umbrella”, Timisoara Tour Guide is an excellent tour operator in Romania that provides a wide variety of services from tours and transfers to accommodations. Their tours are operated with safety, comfort and plenty of laughter in mind. The founder, Alexandra, is an expert tour guide, translator and genealogy researcher. Her passion runs deep when it comes to Romania and she wants to share her beautiful country with all her customers.

Timisoara Tour Guide Best Romania Tour Packages

The company provides some of the best tour packages when it comes to sightseeing tours and food tours. You can go on their Timisoara City Tour and explore the magnificent city with all of its best attractions. On your way, you will learn how the anti-communist revolution took place while visiting the Victory, Union and Liberty Squares.

The company offers a very unique service in the form of genealogy tours . Find your ancestors and trace your lineage back to historical times in this well-researched tour.

Lastly, take their Day Trip to Transylvania and Corvin Castle where you will see Densus Church, a Dinosaur Park and the magnificent Corvin Castle. Return to Timisoara for a late-night dinner and an end to your tour.

Timisoara Tour Guide Reviews

Timisoara Tour Guide’s authentic and delicately-crafted services have been liked by many tourists visiting Romania. This Romanian travel agency has over 400 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 11 Food & Drink in Timisoara. They have also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. This is what a customer said about them:

I warmly recommend Mrs Alexandra Irimia for a guided tour of Timisoara, a city with a fascinating multicultural history. The guide speaks excellent English… AndreiZamfirescu

Read all reviews of Timisoara Tour Guide on TripAdvisor .

Touring Romania

Touring Romania is a private Romanian tour operator formed in 2014. Since its inception, the company has conducted hundreds of trips around Romania. The company was founded by George, a trained journalist as well as a licensed guide with a passion for traveling. Touring Romania offers safe, life-changing, and affordable tours around the beautiful country. The guides are enthusiastic and professional with plenty of experience to design bespoke tours in Romania with itineraries tailored to your preferences.

Touring Romania Best Romania Tour Packages

Whether you are a solo traveler or traveling with friends and family, Touring Romania’s beautifully designed tour packages are made to suit all your interests. When you join the  Famous Castles of Romania Tour , you will have the chance to visit two famous attractions, the Peles Castel in Sinaia and the Bran Castle, famously referred to as the Dracula Castle.

The great  Wildlife Adventure Danube Tour  is a two-day guided excursion, taking you to the Danube Lake in a boat ride to watch birds, immerse in the countryside culture, and eat local fish and cuisine.

Go on an excellent road trip on their One Day in the Sky tour package. Travel along the Transfagarasan Highway with stops at the Vidraru Lake & Dam and at Sibiu. You will return to Bucharest with you guide by evening.

Touring Romania Reviews

With over 250 reviews on TripAdvisor, Touring Romania is one of the best-rated tour operators in Romania. They are ranked as #1 of 165 Outdoor Activities in Bucharest and have also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A satisfied customer wrote:

We had a fantastic time with George, he is an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble for George and he made sure he accommodated… Joe V

Read all reviews of Touring Romania on TripAdvisor.

Explore the unique landscapes of Russia with our recommendations for the 10 Best Russia Tour Operators , promising an adventurous journey.

Walkabout Free Tours

Walkabout Free Tours is a travel agency in Romania operated by passionate individuals with over fifteen years of experience in the field. This award-winning company provides you with an enriching and unforgettable experience. With them, you get to discover the best sites of Romania interactively. They are known for their exceptional activities and excursions, bespoke itineraries, affordable prices, outstanding customer service, and fun and friendly tour guides.

Walkabout Free Tours Best Romania Tour Packages

Walkabout Free Tours has no shortage of tour packages and you can go on any walking tour you like! Join them on their Story of Bucharest tour for the experience of a lifetime. You will catch up on 500 years of history in Bucharest while seeing popular sights like the Palace of Parliament, Victory Avenue, National History Museum and the National Bank.

Explore how life was in communist Romania through their Communist Bucharest Tour . Learn about Romania’s 42 year-long communist history while seeing monuments like the Palace of Justice, Communist Party Headquarters and many more!

Customize your vacation to Bucharest with their special private tour packages . Choose the language, time and points of interests for you to go at your own leisure!

Walkabout Free Tours Reviews

As the highest-reviewed tour company in Romania, Walkabout Free Tours boasts an impressive client satisfaction rate. With 2,841 reviews on TripAdvisor, they are ranked as #3 of 449 Tours & Activities in Bucharest. They were awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. See what a customer that recently toured with them wrote:

Our knowledgable and humorous guide Elena took us on the Story of Bucharest tour. It was truly an excellent introduction to Bucharest, covering 500 years of history… Samira

Read all reviews of Walkabout Free Tours on TripAdvisor .

Cluj Guided Tours

Aiming to highlight the importance of tourist heritage in Romania, Cluj Guided Tours began as a non-profit tour organization in 2013. While they may have started as a small company, they have quickly risen to become one of the largest and top-rated tour operators in Romania. They believe in preserving the local culture and heritage of their country through responsible tourism. Their tour guides are extremely well-trained and are masters of their craft.

Cluj Guided Tours Best Romania Tour Packages

Cluj Guided Tours will bring you the very best that Romania has to offer through their multiple tour packages. Start with their Free City Tour of Cluj-Napoca for a splendid day of exploring the authentic culture of Transylvania. Discover its bustling nightlife and also visit the Romanian National Theater in this tour.

Next up, you can go on a day tour of Turda Salt Mine and Cheile Turzi . Explore one of the most unique salt mines of Europe while taking in breathtaking views of the Turda Gorges.

For nature lovers, you can go on a trip to the Transylvanian Delta . Explore the architectural marvels of Cluj and move on to the serene countryside where you will enjoy some quiet time with Mother Nature.

Cluj Guided Tours Reviews

This one-of-a-kind tour company in Romania has firmly established itself at the very top of the tourism industry through its exemplary services. With over 400 reviews, they are ranked as #2 of 60 Tours & Activities in Cluj-Napoca. They have also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A past client of theirs wrote:

We had a great time with the very informative guide! You could tell he genuinely cared about sharing the history of not only Cluj but Romania as well… Daniel R

Read all reviews of Cluj Guided Tours on TripAdvisor .

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Ireland by joining one of the 10 Best Ireland Tour Operators , ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey.

Bike the City

Taking a step back from mass tourism by offering alternatives to traditional tours, Bike the City provides one-of-a-kind experiences in Romania. Founded by Alex D, the company combines travel, adventure, and activities with a focus on local communities. The guides are passionate, friendly, and professional and will take you through the city on private bike excursions, ensuring that you do not miss any exciting parts. In addition, the company is highly rated by multiple agencies and is known as one of the best tour companies in Romania.

Bike the City Best Romania Tour Packages

With Bike the City providing well-crafted tour packages, you can heartily explore the beautiful scenery of Romania. Go on one of their most popular tours, the Dracula Castle Tour . Entertain yourself with the magnificent castle of Vlad the Impaler from Bram Stoker’s fiction and also explore the Prahova Valley for a chance at winter sports.

You can also take the  Bucharest Communist Romania Bike Tour  and learn about the communist regime in Romania that left most of Central and Eastern Europe in economic and political turmoil.

To better understand Romania, do not miss out on the  Bucharest Highlights Tour , a relaxing bike ride to over 70% of the city’s attractions with a local guide explaining and narrating the history of every spot you will visit on the expedition.

Bike the City Reviews

Their unique approach to tourism has led them to become one of the most popular tour companies in Romania. Their 490 reviews have earned them the spot of being #6 of 165 Outdoor Activities in Bucharest. A traveler talking about their services wrote:

Lucia was such a knowledgeable guide and the tour covered about 5k and took in all the main culture points… Nichola1411

Read all reviews of Bike the City on TripAdvisor .

When in Bucharest

When in Bucharest ’s exclusively designed tours will take you on an enriching experience of Bucharest with a local Romanian tour guide. Founded by Alina, this Romanian travel agency takes pride in tailoring each tour to fit the interests and pace of every traveler they welcome to Bucharest. Each of When in Bucharest’s local guides holds a deep love and passion for their hometown. They invite you on a truly special tour filled with entertainment, traveling and a chance to make a lifetime of memories!

When in Bucharest Best Romania Tour Packages

You will definitely find a trip that suits your needs among the numerous tour packages that When in Bucharest offers. Connect to the local culture of Bucharest with their 8 hour Bucharest Day Tour . Visit the Romanian Athenaeum, indulge in authentic Balkan flavor and appreciate the masterful architecture of the city in this interactive tour.

Take an off-the-beaten-path exploration opportunity in their Hidden Bucharest Tour . You will tour local landmarks like the Carturesti Bookshop and Verona Garden while engaging with locals.

Lastly, their Wine Tasting in Old Town tour package offers you a private tour that includes Romanian wine tasting and in-depth information about their thousand year old history.

When in Bucharest Reviews

When in Bucharest is an award-winning travel agency in Romania with over 364 reviews on TripAdvisor. They are ranked as #8 of 449 Tours & Activities in Bucharest. A past customer of theirs wrote:

Alina was an amazing tour guide and shared with us a huge amount of information about Romanian Jewish history and the current Jewish footprint in Bucharest… Flyer492450

Read all reviews of When in Bucharest on TripAdvisor .

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Turkey by choosing one of the 10 Turkey Best Tour Operators , ensuring a seamless and exciting journey.

It costs about $800 to $1200 for a round trip of Romania including accommodation and tour fees. If you are only looking for a place to stay then hotel prices can range from a cheap $20 per night to up to $200 for a luxury hotel room.

The best time to visit Romania is between the months of May and September. The pleasant yet cool weather will make for excellent sightseeing tours to the magnificent castles and fortresses present in the Romanian countryside.

Romania’s most popular attraction is probably the Bram Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. It is the setting for the popular fiction novel ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker. Besides this, there is the vibrant capital city of Budapest, and other historical castles like the Peles Castle and the Corvin Castle.

Romania is famous for its traditional Romanian cheese and cured meat. Specific Romanian delicacies include the Ciorba de fasole cu afumatura, zacusca, sarmlae and tochitura.

If you’re looking to visit Romania in their festive season, opt for the first day of winter as Romanians will be celebrating their National Day. This day is filled with festivities celebrating the union of Transylvania with Romania.

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3 CASTLES – 1 FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

Most wanted tour! 2 days in Transylvania!

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9 DAY ROMANIAN TAILOR-MADE TOUR

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UNFORGETABLE EXPERIENCE! BOAT RIDE FROM BUCHAREST! HALF-DAY

Enjoy an unforgettable experience with your family or friends on BOAT-RIDE FROM BUCHAREST tour. Prosecco, refreshments and amazing landscapes.

Transfagarasan Highway Tour and Brown Bears

It`s a wonderful tour full of new experiences.

Pick-up in the morning from the hotel, the guide will show you Curtea de Arges Monastery, Poenari Citadel - the real castle of Dracula ( outside ), Vidraru Dam, brown bears, Capra Waterfall, Balea Lake. The tour takes 12 hours. In the end, you return to the hotel.

TOUR 6 DAYS – TRANSYLVANIA – FROM BUCHAREST

event ALL YEAR ROUND ( except 24th-26th December and 30th Dec. - 03 Jan. ) schedule 6 days

1 PERSON = 1638 EURO*

2-3 PERSONS = 1350 EURO/PERSON

4-7 PERSONS = 999 EURO/PERSON

Supplement for single room = 300 euro/person/5 nights

Upgrade to 4* hotel = 60 euro/person/night

*- The supplement for a single room is already included in 1638 euro.

RROMA EXPERIENCE TOUR includes dinner and free conversation with our hosts in the English language. We don`t translate because our host has very good English. PRICE OF OPTIONAL TOUR: 250 EURO/GROUP

TOUR 4 DAYS – TRANSYLVANIA – FROM BUCHAREST

event ALL YEAR ROUND ( except 24th-26th December and 30th Dec. - 03 Jan. ) schedule 4 days

1 PERSON = 1300 EURO

2- 3 PERSONS = 850 EURO/PERSON

4  - 7 PERSONS = 690 EURO/PERSON

Supplement for single room = 110 euro/person/3 nights

Upgrade to 4* hotel =60 euro/person/1 night

Our team is formed just from professional authorized guides speaking Italian and English language.

VIP TRAVEL wants to share with you all our knowledge about Romania, to understand it, all the information about history, mythology, art, and architecture, just to fall in love with our country and to wish to return.

We worked in the travel industry in the last 10 years as professional authorized guides and we traveled in all corners of Romania, gaining experience, especially in organizing cultural trips for families, friends, or large groups. We also worked and still work with the biggest tour operators from Europe, the USA, Australia, and Asia.

In the past 5 years, we have worked with many cruises that are coming to Romania on the Danube River.

We want to promote the beauty of our country, we`re in love with our country and we want to share with you all about Romania, that`s why we`ve created tours specially designed for everybody.

To have more opportunities we have created: short tours ( 1-3 days ), average tours ( 4-6 days ) long tours ( 7-10 days ), wildlife tours in the heart of the mountain, communist tours, Dracula tours, or birdwatching tours in Delta Danube, cultural tours and hiking tours.

We can adapt to all kinds of situations, if you have something else in mind just send us a message and we`ll create the perfect tour for you,  we are polite, safe drivers with no car incident.

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Explore the Magic of Brasov

Had a wonderful time. Excellent guide who was friendly and very knowledgeable. Really enjoyed seeing the fortified churches and learning how they used to live.

4 of us went on a bespoke tour of Transylvania organised by Holiday to Romania and Vlad Cernaianu. We had an excellent, well informed, guide who drove us around in a spacious comfortable people carrier. Our trip was a mix of what we knew we wanted to do and what Vlad wisely recommended which proved the perfect mix. We found Romania to be the most lovely country with extensive forests and wildlife areas and charming cities – especially Sibiu and Sighisoara – and were seriously impressed by the renovation of older buildings and associated attention to detail. The cities were clean and well maintained with plenty of outdoor entertainment as well as some ‘folk’ events. The local wine was excellent and the food fine but nothing special. We thoroughly recommend Transylvania and Holiday to Romania as company to organise this for you. Vlad replied very promptly to our enquiries and communicated well to ensure we had the holiday we had hoped for.

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Welcome to Romania

Romania, authentic, amazing, awesome and so much fun, if you are looking for a great trip, that will take you back in time, through centuries of culture, history, traditions, we are your perfect partners..

Bucharest City Tour

Peles Royal Palace & Bran Dracula’s Castle

Dracula Tour of Transylvania

Grand Tour Of Romania

For over 10 years  CLICK2TRAVEL  has been catering to the travel community of North America, Europe and the Middle East, offering amazing tours inside Romania or combined with neighboring countries: Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Italy or anywhere in the world the client asks us.

• Two Castles in One Day Tour – 12 hours
• Bucharest City Tour by Night – 1.5 hours
• Bucharest City Tour & Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours
• Bucharest Evening Tour & Traditional Dinner – 3 hours
• Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours
• Half-Day Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours
• The Last Days of Communism Tour – 4 hours
• Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery Tour – 5 hours
• Wines of Wallachia Tasting Tour – 8 hours
• One Day Tour from Bucharest to Constanta (the ancient city of Tomis) – 10 hours
• The Real Dracula Tour – 11 hours
• Experience Bulgaria Tour – 11 hours
• Transylvania Break Tour – 2 days
• Danube Delta Tour – 2 days
• Transfagarasan & Medieval City of Sibiu Tour – 2 days
• Medieval Transylvania Tour – 3 days
• Private Half-Day City Tour of Bucharest – 5 hours
• Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Bucharest – 8 hours
• Slanic Salt Mine & Wine Tasting Tour – 8 hours
• Peles Royal Castle & Wine Tasting Tour – 9 hours
• In the Footsteps of Dracula Tour – 11 hours
• Private Trip to Peles Castle & Bran Dracula Castle – 12 hours
• One Day Tour to Bulgaria – 11 hours
• The Black Sea & Danube Delta Tour – 2 days
• Medieval City of Brasov Tour (Kronstadt) – 2 days
• Medieval City of Sibiu Tour (Hermannstadt) – 2 days
• Bucovina & Transylvania Tour – 3 days
• Romanian UNESCO Heritage Tour – 4 days
• Magic Transylvania Tour – 4 days
• Transylvanian Medieval Castles & Fortified Churches Tour – 4 days
• Maramures, Bucovina & Danube Delta Tour – 5 days
• Transylvania – 12 tours
• Bucharest – 9 tours
• Muntenia Wallachia – 8 tours
• Danube Delta – 3 tours
• Bucovina – 3 tours
• Bulgaria – 2 tours
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Popular Tours

Two Castles in One Day Tour

Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting

Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner

Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest

The Last Days of Communism Tour

Wines of Wallachia Tasting Tour

Transylvania Break Tour from Bucharest

Popular destinations.

Transylvania

Muntenia Wallachia

Danube Delta

Discover transylvania.

*Fantastic trip from Bucharest with Peles Castle, Bran (Dracula’s) Castle, Brasov & the Medieval Citadel of Sighisoara included.

Our Recommendations

Transylvanian Medieval Castles & Fortified Churches Tour

Magic Transylvania Tour

Romanian UNESCO Heritage Tour

The Black Sea & Danube Delta Tour

Traveling inspiration, what to see in romania.

Customer Reviews

A brilliant, informative, and very fun day trip to Transylvania!

I went to Bucharest as a solo female traveler and wanted to find some way to be able to experience Transylvania without all of the hard work of catching trains! This was perfect.

Wonderful guide…..outstanding history lesson!

This trip was amazing and Serban, as a guide and driver was unsurpassed. This was one of the most pleasant and informational tours we have ever done.

An exciting, insightful experience

Our guide was extremely nice and knowledgeable. She gave us an excellent historical background of the region and the sites that we visited. She provided us with excellent photos of the castles, and had several good recommendations for how to spend our free time in Brasov.

giornata fantastica grazie anche a una guida fantastica

utto funziona, tutto è gestito e organizzato, né tempi morti ne dispersioni, simpatia e contenuti, devo davvero ringraziare la nostra guida per la fantastica opportunità che ci ha dato: avvicinarci non solo a dei luoghi ma a una cultura a una storia a delle tradizioni…

Day well spent

This was a private tour for us (family of 17). The guide Boogie was one of the best I have come across. Very interactive and pleasant personality. He made our trip fun. Rightly paced, comfortable bus, extra perks /accommodations to suit our likings. Smiling face inspite of delay late in the day.

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• Bucharest Travel Agent

As a leading travel agency in Bucharest, Exploring Tourism aims to make your visit truly unforgettable. Our expert Bucharest travel agent know all about its vibrant culture, history, and hidden gems, ensuring that you experience all it has to offer during your stay here. When you choose us as your travel agency in Bucharest, you gain access to our extensive knowledge and expertise. Every traveler is unique; therefore, we take the time to listen carefully to your preferences and interests before creating tailored itineraries that best meet your needs. No matter whether it is history, food, or adventure you seek, we have something in Bucharest just right for you!

Our travel agent in Bucharest will take care of organizing all aspects of your trip, from booking flights and accommodations to organizing guided tours and activities. We collaborate closely with a network of trusted partners and local tour operators in Bucharest to create an authentic and immersive experience for you in Bucharest. From exploring historical landmarks to indulging in culinary delights, we will take you on a journey that showcases the true essence of Bucharest.

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• Section 5 - Leishmaniasis, Visceral
• Section 5 - Onchocerciasis / River Blindness

CDC Yellow Book 2024

Author(s): Kathrine Tan, Francisca Abanyie

Infectious Agent

Transmission, epidemiology, clinical presentation.

INFECTIOUS AGENT:  Plasmodium spp.

Multiple countries in Africa, the Americas, and Asia

TRAVELER CATEGORIES AT GREATEST RISK FOR EXPOSURE & INFECTION

PREVENTION METHODS

Avoid insect bites

Use malaria chemoprophylaxis

DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

• 770-488-7788 (M–F 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern)
• 770-488-7100 (after hours)

Parasitological diagnosis: DPDx

Malaria in humans is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium , including Plasmodium falciparum , P. malariae , P. ovale , and P. vivax . In addition, zoonotic forms have been documented as causes of human infections and some deaths, especially P. knowlesi , a parasite of Old World (Eastern Hemisphere) monkeys, in Southeast Asia.

Plasmodium species are transmitted by the bite of an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Occasionally, transmission occurs by blood transfusion, needle sharing, nosocomially, organ transplantation, or vertically from mother to fetus. Malaria transmission occurs in large areas of Africa, Latin America, and parts of the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, the South Pacific, and in Asia including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East ( Map 5-12 , Map 5-13 , and Map 5-14 ).

Map 5-12 Malaria-endemic destinations in the Americas & the Caribbean

View Larger Figure

Malaria-endemic destinations are labeled using black font; destinations not endemic for malaria are labeled using gray font. Countries with areas endemic for malaria are shaded completely even if transmission occurs only in a small part of the country. For more specific within-country malaria transmission information, see Section 2, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country .

Map 5-13 Malaria-endemic destinations in Africa & the Middle East

Map 5-14 Malaria-endemic destinations in Asia & Oceania

Malaria is a major international public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) World Malaria Report 2019, >90 countries reported ≈228 million infections and ≈405,000 deaths in 2018. Travelers going to malaria-endemic countries are at risk of contracting the disease, and almost all the ≈2,000 cases of malaria that occur each year in the United States are imported.

The risk of acquiring malaria differs substantially from traveler to traveler and from region to region, even within a single country. This variability is a function of the intensity of transmission within the various regions and the itinerary, duration, season, and type of travel. Risk also varies by travelers’ adherence to mosquito precautions and prophylaxis recommendations. In 2016, 2,078 cases of malaria (including 7 deaths) were diagnosed in the United States and its territories and were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of cases for which country of acquisition was known, 85% were acquired in Africa, 9% in Asia, 5% in the Caribbean and the Americas, and 1% in Oceania or the Eastern Mediterranean. Of US residents with malaria who reported a reason for travel, 69% were visiting friends and relatives.

Information about malaria transmission in specific countries is derived from various sources, including WHO (see Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country ). The information presented here was accurate at the time of publication; the risk for malaria can change rapidly and from year to year, however, because of changes in local weather conditions, mosquito vector density, and prevalence of infection. See updated information CDC website.

Malaria is characterized by fever and influenza- like symptoms, including chills, headache, myalgias, and malaise; symptoms can occur intermittently. In severe disease, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, mental confusion, seizures, coma, and death can occur. Malaria symptoms can develop as early as 7 days after being bitten by an infectious mosquito in a malaria-endemic area and as late as several months or more after exposure. Suspected or confirmed malaria, especially P. falciparum , is a medical emergency requiring urgent intervention, because clinical deterioration can occur rapidly and unpredictably. See Box 5-10 for frequently asked clinical questions.

Box 5-10 Frequently asked clinical questions

How do i address concerns about side effects from prophylaxis.

• Prophylaxis can be started earlier if the traveler has concerns about tolerating a particular medication. For example, mefloquine can be started 3–4 weeks in advance to allow potential adverse events to occur before travel. If unacceptable side effects develop, the clinician has time to change the medication before the traveler’s departure.
• The drugs used for antimalarial prophylaxis are generally well tolerated. Side effects can occur, however. Minor side effects usually do not require stopping the drug. Clinicians should determine if symptoms are related to the medicine and make a medication change if needed.

WHAT SHOULD A TRAVELER DO IF THEY MISS A DOSE OF PROPHYLAXIS?

• Compared with drugs with short half-lives, which are taken daily, drugs with longer half-lives, which are taken weekly, offer the advantage of a wider margin of error if the traveler is late with a dose.
• For a weekly drug, prophylactic blood levels can remain adequate if the dose is only 1–2 days late. If this is the case, the traveler can take a dose as soon as possible, then resume weekly doses on the originally scheduled day. If the traveler is >2 days late, blood levels might not be adequate. The traveler should take a dose as soon as possible. The weekly doses should resume at this new day of the week (the next dose is 1 week later, then weekly thereafter).
• For a daily drug, if the traveler is 1–2 days late, protective blood levels are less likely to be maintained. The traveler should take a dose as soon as possible and resume the daily schedule at the new time of day.

WHAT HAPPENS IF TOO HIGH A DOSE OF PROPHYLAXIS IS TAKEN?

• Overdose of antimalarial drugs, particularly chloroquine, can be fatal. Medications should be stored in childproof containers out of reach of infants and children.

ISN’T MALARIA A TREATABLE DISEASE? WHY NOT CARRY A TREATMENT DOSE OF ANTIMALARIALS INSTEAD OF TAKING MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS?

• Malaria could be fatal even when treated, which is why prevention is always preferable to treating infections after they occur.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF FEVER DEVELOPS WHILE TRAVELING IN A MALARIA-ENDEMIC AREA?

• Malaria and other potentially life-threatening infections acquired during travel could be fatal if treatment is delayed. Travelers should promptly seek medical help and continue to take malaria prophylaxis while in the malaria-endemic area.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF A TRAVELER WHO TOOK MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS DEVELOPS FEVER AFTER RETURNING FROM THEIR TRIP?

• Malaria prophylaxis, while highly effective, is not 100% effective. Travelers should be advised to seek medical care immediately if fever develops, report their travel history, get tested for malaria, and get treated promptly if infection is confirmed.
• Malaria smear or a rapid diagnostic test must be performed, and results obtained immediately (within a few hours). These tests should not be sent out to reference laboratories that take days to weeks to return results. Empiric treatment with antimalarial drugs is not recommended because the malaria smear provides critical information for appropriate treatment. If a patient has an illness suggestive of severe malaria and a compatible travel history in an area where malaria transmission occurs, and malaria testing is not immediately available, start treatment as soon as possible, even before the diagnosis is established. See CDC recommendations for malaria treatment .

Travelers with symptoms of malaria should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if still traveling. Consider malaria in any patient with a febrile illness who has recently returned from a malaria-endemic country. Diagnostic assistance is available from state public health laboratories or CDC. The CDC malaria laboratory can assist in speciating malaria by blood smear microscopy, or confirm species by PCR testing. The CDC laboratory also can assess malaria parasites for mutations that confer resistance to medications. Serologic testing , used in certain situations (e.g., case investigations), can also be done by CDC laboratories.

In the United States, malaria is a notifiable disease. Health care providers must report cases of malaria diagnosed via microscopy or PCR in the United States and its territories to local or state health departments. See more information on reporting malaria .

Blood Smear Microscopy

Blood smear microscopy remains the most important method for malaria diagnosis. Microscopy can provide immediate information about the presence of parasites, allow quantification of the density of the infection, and allow determination of the species of the malaria parasite—all of which are necessary for providing the most appropriate treatment. Tests should be performed immediately when ordered by a health care provider, and microscopy results should be available as soon as possible, ≤24 hours of the patient’s presentation. Assistance with speciation of malaria on smears is available from state health departments or CDC.

In resource-limited settings, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, overdiagnosis and the rate of false-positive microscopy for malaria can be high; warn travelers that a local diagnosis of malaria could be incorrect. In such cases, acutely ill travelers should seek the best available medical services and continue their prophylaxis regimen until they have a definitive diagnosis.

Rapid Diagnostic Testing

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria detect antigens derived from malaria parasites. Malaria RDTs are immunochromatographic tests that most often use a dipstick or cassette format and provide results in 2–15 minutes. RDTs offer a useful alternative to microscopy in situations where reliable microscopic diagnosis is not immediately available. Although RDTs can detect malaria antigens within minutes, they have several limitations. RDTs cannot distinguish between all Plasmodium species that affect humans, they might be less sensitive than expert microscopy or PCR for diagnosis, they cannot quantify parasitemia, and an RDT-positive test result might persist for days or weeks after an infection has been treated and cleared. Thus, RDTs are not useful for assessing response to therapy. Furthermore, in some areas, mutations are increasingly being observed in malaria parasites, resulting in an absence of the malaria antigen usually detected by many RDTs, including the only RDT used in the United States. The absence of this parasite antigen in peripheral blood can lead to false-negative RDT test results.

Both positive and negative RDT results must always be confirmed by microscopy. Microscopy confirmation of the RDT result should occur as soon as possible, because the information on the presence, density, and parasite species is critical for optimal management of malaria. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an RDT (the BinaxNOW Malaria test) for hospital and commercial laboratory use; the test is not approved for use by clinicians or patients. Laboratories that do not provide in-house, on-the-spot microscopy services should maintain a stock of malaria RDTs so that they will be able to perform immediate malaria diagnostic testing when needed.

PCR Testing

PCR tests also are available to detect malaria parasites. These tests are more sensitive than routine microscopy, but results are not usually available as quickly as microscopy results, thus limiting the utility of PCR for acute diagnosis and initial clinical management. Use of PCR testing is encouraged to confirm the species of malaria parasite and detect mixed infections.

Malaria can be treated effectively if treatment begins early in the disease; delaying therapy, however, can have serious or even fatal consequences. Specific treatment options depend on the species of malaria, the severity of infection, the likelihood of drug resistance (based on where the infection was acquired), the patient’s age, and whether the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.

See detailed CDC recommendations for malaria treatment . For assistance with the diagnosis or treatment of malaria, call the CDC Malaria Hotline (770-488-7788 or toll-free at 855-856-4713) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. After hours, on weekends, or on holidays, call the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 and ask the operator to contact the subject matter expert on call for the Malaria Branch. In addition, consult a clinician specializing in travel or tropical medicine or infectious diseases.

Travelers who decline to take prophylaxis, who choose a suboptimal drug regimen (e.g., chloroquine in an area with chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum ), or who require a less-than-optimal drug regimen for medical reasons are at increased risk for acquiring malaria and then needing prompt treatment while abroad. Medications not used in the United States to treat malaria (e.g., halofantrine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) are widely available abroad. CDC does not recommend halofantrine for treatment because of documented adverse cardiac events, including deaths. These adverse events have occurred in people with and without preexisting cardiac problems, and both in the presence and absence of other antimalarial drugs. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is not recommended because of widespread drug-resistant Plasmodium .

Reliable Supply of Malaria Treatment

Some travelers who take effective prophylaxis but who will be in remote areas might decide, in consultation with their travel health provider, to also carry a reliable supply of a full course of an approved malaria treatment regimen. In the event a traveler carrying a reliable supply is diagnosed with malaria, they will have immediate access to an approved treatment.

CDC recommends that the reliable supply be acquired in the United States, so clinicians can consider the traveler’s other medical conditions or medications when selecting an antimalarial drug and to avoid the possibility of travelers obtaining counterfeit drugs in the local pharmacy or market, or depleting local resources. In rare instances when access to medical care is not available and the traveler develops a febrile illness consistent with malaria, the reliable supply medication can be self-administered presumptively. Advise travelers that self-treatment of a possible malarial infection is only a temporary measure, and that prompt medical evaluation is imperative.

Two malaria treatment regimens available in the United States can be prescribed as a reliable supply for self-treatment: atovaquone-proguanil and artemether-lumefantrine. To treat malaria, CDC recommends against using the same (or related) drug that has been taken for prophylaxis. For example, atovaquone-proguanil can be used as a reliable supply medication by travelers who are not taking atovaquone-proguanil for prophylaxis. See Table 5-26 for dosing recommendations.

Table 5-26 Reliable supply regimens for malaria treatment 1

PEDIATRIC DOSE

ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL 2 Adult tablets:

• Atovaquone 250 mg
• Proguanil 100 mg

Pediatric tablets:

• Atovaquone 62.5 mg
• Proguanil 25 mg

4 adult tablets taken orally (as a single daily dose) for 3 consecutive days

Weight-based daily dose taken orally (as a single daily dose) for 3 consecutive days

5–8 kg: 2 pediatric tablets 9–10 kg: 3 pediatric tablets 11–20 kg: 1 adult tablet 21–30 kg: 2 adult tablets 31–40 kg: 3 adult tablets >41 kg: 4 adult tablets

Contraindicated in people with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min).

Not recommended for people taking atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis.

Not recommended for children weighing <5 kg, or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding infants weighing <5 kg.

ARTEMETHER-LUMEFANTRINE 2 One tablet

• Artemether 20 mg
• Lumefantrine 120 mg

ADULT & PEDIATRIC DOSE

Weight-based treatment schedule for both adult and pediatric patients. Patients should take an initial dose, followed by a second dose 8 hours later, then 1 dose twice a day for the next 2 days (total of 6 oral doses over 3 days).

5 kg to <15 kg: 1 tablet per dose 15 kg to <25 kg: 2 tablets per dose 25 kg to <35 kg: 3 tablets per dose ≥35 kg: 4 tablets per dose

Not recommended for people taking mefloquine prophylaxis.

Not recommended for children weighing <5 kg, or people breastfeeding infants weighing <5 kg.

1 A reliable supply is a complete course of an approved malaria treatment regimen obtained in the United States before travel. A reliable supply is not counterfeit or substandard; will not interact adversely with the patient’s other medicines, including malaria chemoprophylaxis; will not deplete local resources in the destination country.

2 If used for presumptive self-treatment, patients should seek medical care as soon as possible.

Malaria prevention consists of a combination of mosquito avoidance measures and chemoprophylaxis. Prevention measures must address all malaria species in the travel area and apply to both short-term and long-term travelers. Although highly efficacious, interventions are not 100% effective, so all febrile persons returning from malaria-endemic areas should be tested for malaria even if they took chemoprophylaxis.

Preventing malaria involves striking a balance between effectiveness and safety: ensuring that all people at risk for infection use the recommended prevention measures, and preventing rare occurrences of adverse effects. Conduct an individual risk assessment for every traveler by collecting a detailed travel itinerary, including countries, specific areas to be visited in those countries (e.g., cities, rural areas, both), types of accommodation, season, and style of travel. Modify the risk assessment depending on traveler characteristics (e.g., pregnancy, underlying health conditions) and malaria characteristics at the destination (e.g., intensity of transmission, local parasite resistance to drugs). Depending on the level of risk, it might be appropriate to recommend no specific interventions, mosquito avoidance measures only, or mosquito avoidance measures plus chemoprophylaxis.

Several factors increase a traveler’s risk for malaria. Travel, even for short periods of time, to areas with intense malaria transmission can result in infection. Malaria transmission is not distributed homogeneously throughout a country, so review the exact itinerary to determine if travel will occur in highly endemic areas. In countries where malaria is seasonal, travel during peak transmission season also increases risk. Travelers going to rural areas or staying in accommodations without screens or air conditioning also will be at greater risk. The greatest risk for malaria is associated with first- and second-generation immigrants living in nonendemic countries who return to their countries of origin to visit friends and relatives (VFRs). VFR travelers might perceive themselves to be at no risk because they grew up in a malaria-endemic country and consider themselves immune to the disease. Tolerance acquired through continuous exposure to malaria is quickly lost, however; consider VFRs to have the same risk as other nonimmune travelers (see Sec. 9, Ch. 9, Visiting Friends & Relatives: VFR Travel ). Also remind travelers that they could become infected even if they had malaria before, and they still need to take preventive measures.

Mosquito Avoidance Measures

Because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn. Travelers can reduce contact with mosquitoes by remaining in enclosed air-conditioned rooms or well-screened areas, sleeping under mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated), using an effective insecticide spray or mosquito coils in living and sleeping areas during evening and nighttime hours, and wearing clothes that cover most of the body.

All travelers should use an effective mosquito repellent, such as those that contain DEET (see Sec. 4, Ch. 6, Mosquitoes, Ticks & Other Arthropods ). Repellents should be applied to exposed parts of the skin. If travelers are also wearing sunscreen, they should apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. In addition to using a topical insect repellent, a permethrin-containing product can be applied to mosquito nets and clothing for additional protection against mosquitoes. Mosquito repellant–impregnated clothing also is available.

Chemoprophylaxis

Choosing a drug to prevent malaria.

All recommended primary prophylaxis regimens involve taking a medicine before, during, and after travel to an area with malaria. Beginning the drug before travel allows the antimalarial agent to be in the blood before the traveler is exposed to malaria parasites. In choosing a prophylaxis regimen before travel, the traveler and the travel health provider should consider several factors, including the presence of antimalarial drug resistance in the area of travel, length of travel, the patient’s other medical conditions, allergy history, other medications prescribed or already being taken (to assess possible drug interactions), potential side effects, and the cost of the antimalarial. Long-term travelers, defined as people who travel for ≥6 months, have additional considerations (see Box 5-11 ). Table 5-27 lists some of the benefits and limitations of medicines used for malaria prophylaxis; see additional information about choosing a malaria prophylaxis regimen .

Recommendations for drugs to prevent malaria by country of travel can be found in Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country . Recommended drugs for each country are listed in alphabetical order and have comparable efficacy in that country. When >1 drug is recommended,  Table 5-27  can help with the decision-making process. No antimalarial drug is 100% protective; therefore, travelers must combine prophylaxis with mosquito avoidance and personal protective measures (e.g., insect repellent, long sleeves, long pants, sleeping in a mosquito-free setting, using an insecticide-treated mosquito net).

Table 5-27 Malaria chemoprophylaxis: prescribing considerations

REASONS TO CONSIDER USING THIS DRUG

REASONS TO CONSIDER AVOIDING THIS DRUG

ATOVAQUONE-PROGUANIL

Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 1–2 days before travel.

Some people prefer to take a daily medicine.

Good choice for shorter trips because the traveler takes the medicine for only 7 days after leaving malaria-endemic area, rather than for 4 weeks.

Well tolerated and side effects uncommon.

Pediatric tablets are available and might be more convenient.

Cannot be used by people who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding a child that weighs <5 kg.

Cannot be taken by people with severe renal impairment.

Tends to be more expensive than some of the other options, especially for long trips.

Some people (including children) would rather not take medicine every day.

CHLOROQUINE

Some people would rather take medicine weekly.

Good choice for long trips because it is taken only weekly.

Some people are already taking hydroxychloroquine chronically for rheumatologic conditions; in those instances, they might not have to take an additional medicine.

Can be used in all trimesters of pregnancy.

Cannot be used in areas with chloroquine or mefloquine resistance.

Can exacerbate psoriasis.

Some people would rather not take a weekly medication.

For short trips, some people would rather not take medication for another 4 weeks after leaving malaria-endemic areas.

Not a good choice for last-minute travelers, because drug needs to be started 1–2 weeks before travel.

DOXYCYCLINE

Tends to be the least expensive antimalarial drug.

People already taking doxycycline chronically to prevent acne do not have to take an additional medicine.

Doxycycline also can prevent other infections (e.g., rickettsial infections, leptospirosis); thus, might be preferred by people planning to camp, hike, and swim in fresh water where risk is high

Cannot be used by people who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding a child, or by children aged <8 years.

Some people would rather not take medicine every day.

People prone to getting vaginal yeast infections when taking antibiotics might prefer taking a different medicine.

People might want to avoid the increased risk of sun sensitivity.

Some people are concerned about the potential of getting an upset stomach from doxycycline.

Can be used in all trimesters of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Cannot be used in areas with mefloquine-resistant Plasmodium spp.

Cannot be used in patients with certain psychiatric conditions; some travelers without psychiatric conditions would prefer not taking a medication with known neuropsychiatric side effects.

Cannot be used in patients with a seizure disorder.

Not recommended for people with cardiac conduction abnormalities.

Not a good choice for last-minute travelers because drug needs to be started ≥2 weeks before travel.

One of the most effective drugs for prevention of P. vivax; thus, a good choice for travel to places with >90% P. vivax .

Good choice for shorter trips because the traveler takes the medicine for 7 days after leaving a malaria-endemic area, rather than for 4 weeks.

Cannot be used in patients with G6PD deficiency.

Cannot be used in patients who have not been tested for G6PD deficiency.

Costs and delays associated with getting a quantitative G6PD test might prohibit testing; however, the test only has to be done once. After a normal G6PD level is verified and documented, the test does not have to be repeated the next time primaquine or tafenoquine is considered.

Cannot be used by people who are pregnant.

Cannot be used by people who are breastfeeding unless the infant has also been tested for G6PD deficiency.

Some people are concerned about the potential of getting an upset stomach from primaquine.

TAFENOQUINE

One of the most effective drugs for prevention of P. vivax malaria but also prevents P. falciparum .

Good choice for shorter trips because the traveler takes the medicine once, 1 week after leaving malaria-endemic area, rather than for 4 weeks.

Good for last-minute travelers because the drug is started 3 days before travel.

Cannot be used in people with G6PD deficiency.

Costs and delays associated with getting a quantitative G6PD test might prohibit testing; however, the test only has to be done once. After a normal G6PD level is verified and documented, the test does not have to be repeated the next time tafenoquine or primaquine is considered.

Cannot be used by children.

Not recommended for patients with psychotic disorders.

Abbreviations: G6PD, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase

Box 5-11 Malaria prevention & prophylaxis considerations for the long-term traveler (travel >6 months)

Considerations.

• Malaria prevention measures are the same for both short- and long-term travelers.
• Longer stays mean longer duration of exposure and increased risk of acquiring malaria.
• Travelers’ attention to mosquito avoidance can wane over time.
• Travelers might not adhere to a lengthy course of malaria prophylaxis due to forgetfulness, fear of side effects, and the possible declining sense of risk and need over time.
• Travelers might move between highly endemic or low endemic areas within a country or region.
• Travelers might have a decreased sense of risk and concern about malaria after engaging in local conversations and lore, particularly regarding malaria immunity over time.
• Travelers who become ill with malaria in countries with limited access and quality of health care might not receive appropriate or effective treatment.

ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR LONG-TERM TRAVELERS

• Travelers should not count on being able to obtain safe, reliable malaria prophylaxis medication abroad; strongly advise that before leaving the United States they purchase enough medication to last them for the entire duration of their travel to malaria-endemic areas.
• Emphasize continued adherence to and safety of malaria prophylaxis drugs.
• Develop a plan for seeking immediate care when ill with fever, including where to get promptly tested and treated for malaria.
• Advise travelers to purchase travel insurance, including contingencies for medical evacuation.
• Consider having a reliable supply of a treatment dose of antimalarial drugs available in case malaria is diagnosed while traveling.

Medications Used for Prophylaxis

Atovaquone-proguanil.

Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is a fixed combination of the drugs atovaquone and proguanil. Prophylaxis should begin 1–2 days before travel to malaria-endemic areas; the medication should then be taken daily, at the same time each day, while in the malaria-endemic areas, and daily for 7 days after leaving the endemic areas (see Table 5-28 for recommended dosages). Atovaquone-proguanil is well tolerated, and side effects are rare. The most common adverse effects reported in people using atovaquone-proguanil for prophylaxis or treatment are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Atovaquone-proguanil is not recommended for prophylaxis in children weighing <5 kg (11 lb), pregnant people, people breastfeeding infants <5 kg, or patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min). Proguanil can increase the effect of warfarin, so travelers might need international normalized ratio monitoring or adjustment of warfarin dosage. No data are available, however, regarding the clinical impact of taking atovaquone-proguanil and warfarin at the same time.

Table 5-28 Malaria chemoprophylaxis: dosing information

INDICATIONS

DOSING / CONTRAINDICATIONS / PRECAUTIONS

Prophylaxis in all malaria-endemic areas

Adult tablets:

1 adult tablet taken orally, 1×/day

Weight-based daily dosing schedule (taken orally, 1×/day) 5 kg to <8 kg: 1/2 pediatric tablet 8 kg to <10 kg: 3/4 pediatric tablet 10 kg to <20 kg: 1 pediatric tablet 20 kg to <30 kg: 2 pediatric tablets 30 kg to <40 kg: 3 pediatric tablets ≥40 kg: 1 adult tablet

Begin taking 1–2 days before travel to malaria-endemic areas.

Take 1×/day, at the same time each day, while in malaria-endemic areas. Continue taking 1×/day for an additional 7 days after leaving endemic areas.

Take with food or a milky drink.

A pharmacist might need to prepare and dispense partial tablet doses in individual capsules, as described in the text.

Prophylaxis only in areas with chloroquine-sensitive malaria

300 mg base (500 mg salt) taken orally, once a week

5 mg/kg base (8.3 mg/kg salt), up to a maximum dose of 300 mg base (500 mg salt), taken orally, 1×/week

Begin taking 1–2 weeks before travel to malaria-endemic areas.

Take 1×/week, on the same day each week, while in malaria-endemic areas.

Continue taking 1×/week for another 4 weeks after leaving endemic areas.

100 mg taken orally, 1×/day

≥8 years of age: 2.2 mg/kg, up to a maximum dose of 100 mg, taken orally, 1×/day

Take 1×/day, at the same time each day, while in malaria-endemic areas. Continue taking 1×/day for another 4 weeks after leaving endemic areas.

Contraindicated in children aged <8 years and in people who are pregnant.

HYDROXY-CHLOROQUINE

An alternative to chloroquine for prophylaxis only in areas with chloroquine-sensitive malaria

310 mg base (400 mg salt) taken orally, 1×/week

5 mg/kg base (6.5 mg/kg salt), up to a maximum dose of 310 mg base (400 mg salt), taken orally, 1×/week

Prophylaxis in areas with mefloquine-sensitive malaria

228 mg base (250 mg salt) taken orally, 1×/week

Weight-based weekly dosing schedule (taken orally, 1×/week) ≤9 kg: 4.6 mg/kg base (5 mg/kg salt) >9–19 kg: 1/4 tablet >19–30 kg: 1/2 tablet >30–45 kg: 3/4 tablet >45 kg: 1 tablet

Begin taking ≥2 weeks before travel to malaria-endemic areas.

Contraindicated in people allergic to mefloquine or related compounds (quinidine, quinine) and in people with active depression, a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, other major psychiatric disorders, or seizures.

Use with caution in people with psychiatric disturbances or a previous history of depression.

PRIMAQUINE 1

Prophylaxis for short-duration travel to areas with principally P. vivax . Terminal prophylaxis (presumptive antirelapse therapy) to decrease the risk for relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale .

30 mg base (52.6 mg salt) taken orally, 1×/day. Same dose used for both primary and terminal prophylaxis; duration of therapy differs.

0.5 mg/kg base (0.8 mg/kg salt), up to maximum dose of 30 mg base (52.6 mg salt), taken orally, 1×/day Same dose for used both primary and terminal prophylaxis; duration of therapy differs.

Terminal prophylaxis indicated for people with prolonged exposure to P. ovale , P. vivax , or both. Take daily for 14 days after departure from the malaria-endemic area.

Contraindicated in people with G6PD deficiency.

Also contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless the breastfed infant has a documented normal G6PD level.

TAFENOQUINE 1

200 mg orally

Not indicated for use in children

Begin taking 3 days before travel to malaria-endemic areas. Take 1×/week, on the same day each week, while in malaria-endemic areas. Take 1 additional dose 1 week after leaving endemic areas. Contraindicated in people with G6PD deficiency. Also contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless the breastfed infant has a documented normal G6PD level.

1 Before prescribing primaquine or tafenoquine to any patient, document a normal G6PD level using a quantitative test.

Chloroquine & Hydroxychloroquine

Chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil) can be used to prevent malaria only in destinations where chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium spp. are not active (see Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country ). Prophylaxis should begin 1–2 weeks before travel to malaria-endemic areas. Travelers should continue taking the drug once a week, on the same day of the week, during travel in malaria-endemic areas, and for 4 weeks after they leave endemic areas (see  Table 5-28  for recommended dosages).

Reported side effects of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine include blurred vision, dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, insomnia, and pruritus, but generally, these effects do not require travelers to discontinue the drug. High doses of chloroquine (e.g., those used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) have been associated with retinopathy; this serious side effect appears to be extremely unlikely when chloroquine is used for routine weekly malaria prophylaxis. Chloroquine and related compounds reportedly can exacerbate psoriasis. People who experience uncomfortable side effects after taking chloroquine might tolerate the drug better by taking it with meals. As an alternative, a traveler experiencing side effects might better tolerate the related compound, hydroxychloroquine sulfate.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline prophylaxis should begin 1–2 days before travel to malaria-endemic areas. Doxycycline should then be taken once a day, at the same time each day, during travel in malaria-endemic areas and daily for 4 weeks after the traveler leaves endemic areas. Insufficient data exist on the antimalarial prophylactic efficacy of related compounds (e.g., minocycline, commonly prescribed for the treatment of acne). People on a long-term regimen of minocycline who need malaria prophylaxis should stop taking minocycline 1–2 days before travel and start doxycycline instead. Minocycline can be restarted after the full course of doxycycline is completed (see  Table 5-28  for recommended dosages).

Doxycycline can cause photosensitivity, usually manifested as an exaggerated sunburn reaction. The risk for such a reaction can be minimized by avoiding prolonged, direct exposure to the sun and by using sunscreen (see Sec. 4, Ch. 1, Sun Exposure ). In addition, doxycycline use is associated with an increased frequency of vaginal yeast infections.

Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting) can be minimized by taking the drug with a meal or by specifically prescribing doxycycline monohydrate or the enteric-coated doxycycline hyclate, rather than the generic doxycycline hyclate, which is often less expensive. To reduce the risk for esophagitis, advise travelers to swallow the medicine with sufficient fluids and to avoid taking doxycycline shortly before going to bed.

Doxycycline is contraindicated in people with an allergy to tetracyclines, in pregnant people, and in infants and children aged <8 years. Vaccination with the oral typhoid vaccine Ty21a should be completed ≥24 hours before taking a dose of doxycycline.

Mefloquine prophylaxis should begin ≥2 weeks before travel to malaria-endemic areas. Travelers should continue taking the drug weekly, on the same day each week, during travel in malaria-endemic areas and for 4 weeks after leaving endemic areas (see Table 5-28 for recommended dosages).

At prophylactic doses, mefloquine has been associated with rare but serious adverse reactions (e.g., psychosis, seizures); these reactions are more frequent with the higher doses used for treatment. Other side effects reported in prophylaxis studies include abnormal dreams, anxiety disorder, depression, dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, insomnia, and visual disturbances. Other neuropsychiatric disorders occasionally reported include aggressive behavior, agitation or restlessness, confusion, encephalopathy, forgetfulness, hallucinations, mood changes, panic attacks, paranoia, and sensory and motor neuropathies (e.g., ataxia, paresthesia, tremors). On occasion, psychiatric symptoms have been reported to continue long after mefloquine has been stopped. FDA also includes a boxed warning about rare reports of persistent dizziness after mefloquine use.

Mefloquine is contraindicated for travelers with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or related compounds (e.g., quinidine, quinine) and in people with active depression, a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia and other major psychiatric disorders, or seizures. Mefloquine should be avoided in people with psychiatric disturbances or a history of depression.

A review of available data suggests that mefloquine can be used safely in people concurrently taking beta-blockers if they have no underlying arrhythmia. Mefloquine is not recommended for people with cardiac conduction abnormalities, however. Any traveler receiving a prescription for mefloquine must also receive a copy of the FDA medication guide  [PDF].

Primaquine can cause potentially life-threatening hemolysis in people with glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Rule out G6PD deficiency with a quantitative laboratory test before prescribing primaquine to patients.

Primaquine phosphate has 2 distinct uses for malaria prevention in people with normal G6PD levels: primary prophylaxis in areas with primarily P. vivax , and terminal prophylaxis for travelers who have had prolonged exposure in malaria-endemic areas. Among people with normal G6PD levels taking primaquine, the most common adverse event is gastrointestinal upset; this occurs most commonly if the drug is taken on an empty stomach, and can be minimized or eliminated if it is taken with food.

Primary Prophylaxis

When taken for primary prophylaxis, primaquine should be taken 1–2 days before travel to malaria-endemic areas, daily (at the same time each day) while in the malaria-endemic area, and daily for 7 days after leaving the area (see Table 5-28 for recommended dosages).

Terminal Prophylaxis

In addition to primary prophylaxis, terminal prophylaxis (also known as presumptive antirelapse therapy) generally is indicated for long-term travelers (e.g., military personnel, missionaries, Peace Corps volunteers) with prolonged exposure to P. ovale or P. vivax malaria. Terminal prophylaxis involves taking primaquine toward the end of the exposure period (or immediately thereafter) for the presumptive purpose of eliminating hypnozoites (dormant liver stages) of P. ovale or P. vivax , thereby preventing relapses or delayed-onset clinical presentations of malaria. Because most malaria-endemic areas of the world (except the Caribbean) have ≥1 species of relapsing malaria, travelers to these areas have some risk for acquiring either P. ovale or P. vivax , although the actual risk for an individual traveler is difficult to define.

When indicated, travelers should take primaquine for 14 days after leaving a malaria-endemic area, concurrently with their primary prophylaxis medication. If chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine are used for primary prophylaxis, prescribe primaquine for travelers to take during the last 2 weeks of postexposure prophylaxis. When atovaquone-proguanil is used for primary prophylaxis, travelers can take primaquine during the final 7 days of atovaquone-proguanil, and then for an additional 7 days. If concurrent administration of primary and terminal prophylaxis is not feasible, instruct travelers to take primaquine after completing their primary prophylaxis medication. Primary prophylaxis with primaquine or with tafenoquine (see the following section) obviates the need for terminal prophylaxis.

Tafenoquine

Tafenoquine can cause potentially life-threatening hemolysis in people with G6PD deficiency. Rule out G6PD deficiency with a quantitative laboratory test before prescribing tafenoquine to patients.

Tafenoquine (Arakoda 100 mg tablets) can be used to prevent malaria in adults (see  Table 5-28  for recommended dosages). Travelers should take a daily loading dose of tafenoquine for 3 days before leaving for a malaria-endemic area; starting 7 days after the loading dose is complete, they should take a weekly maintenance dose while in the malaria-endemic area; then take a final dose in the week after leaving the malaria-endemic area. Doses should be taken on the same day each week.

Tafenoquine is contraindicated in pregnant people and during breastfeeding. Avoid prescribing tafenoquine for people with a history of psychotic disorder; rare psychiatric adverse events have been observed in people with a history of psychotic disorder using higher doses of tafenoquine. The most common adverse events reported with use of tafenoquine are dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and clinically insignificant decreases in hemoglobin. Tafenoquine should be taken with food.

As of 2020, CDC no longer recommends tafenoquine for terminal prophylaxis of P. ovale or P. vivax malaria.

Prophylaxis for Infants, Children & Adolescents

All children traveling to malaria-endemic areas should use recommended prevention measures, which often include taking an antimalarial drug. In the United States, antimalarial drugs are not available in liquid formulation and can taste bitter. Calculate pediatric doses carefully according to the patient’s body weight, but never exceed the adult dose. Pharmacists can pulverize tablets and prepare gelatin capsules for each measured dose. If a child is unable to swallow capsules or tablets, parents should prepare the child’s medication dose by breaking open the gelatin capsule or crushing the pill and mixing the drug with a small amount of something sweet (e.g., condensed milk, chocolate syrup, chocolate spread) to ensure the entire dose is delivered to the child. Giving the dose on a full stomach can minimize stomach upset and vomiting.

Atovaquone-proguanil can be used as prophylaxis for infants and children weighing ≥5 kg (11 lb); prophylactic dosing for children weighing <11 kg (24 lb) constitutes off-label use in the United States. Chloroquine and mefloquine are options for infants and children of all ages and weights, depending on drug resistance at the destination. Doxycycline can be used for children aged ≥8 years. Primaquine can be used for children who are not G6PD-deficient and who are traveling to areas with principally P. vivax. Pediatric dosing regimens are included in Table 5-28 .

Prophylaxis During Pregnancy

Malaria infection can be more severe in pregnant than in nonpregnant people. Malaria increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth; thus, because no prophylaxis regimen is completely effective, advise people who are pregnant or likely to become pregnant to avoid travel to areas with malaria transmission if possible (see Sec. 7, Ch. 1, Pregnant Travelers ). If travel to a malaria-endemic area cannot be deferred, an effective prophylaxis regimen and mosquito avoidance measures are essential.

Pregnant people traveling to areas where chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum has not been reported can take chloroquine prophylaxis. Chloroquine has not been found to have harmful effects on the fetus when used in the recommended doses for malaria prophylaxis; therefore, pregnancy is not a contraindication for malaria prophylaxis with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.

For travel to areas with known chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium , mefloquine is the only medication recommended for malaria prophylaxis during pregnancy. Studies of mefloquine use during pregnancy have found no indication of adverse effects on the fetus.

Atovaquone-proguanil is not recommended for use during pregnancy because of limited availability of data on its safety, and because other options are available. If other antimalarial drug options are not feasible, however, clinicians and patients should weigh the options, risks, and benefits of using atovaquone-proguanil to make the best decision for the patient. Doxycycline is contraindicated for malaria prophylaxis during pregnancy because of the risk for adverse effects seen with tetracycline, a related drug, on the fetus. These adverse effects include discoloration and dysplasia of the teeth and inhibition of bone growth. Neither primaquine nor tafenoquine should be used during pregnancy; both drugs can be passed transplacentally to a G6PD-deficient fetus and cause hemolytic anemia in utero.

People planning to become pregnant can use the same medications recommended for use during pregnancy (chloroquine or mefloquine, depending on the area of travel). CDC does not make recommendations about delaying pregnancy after the use of malaria prophylaxis medicines. If the traveler or their health care provider wishes to decrease the amount of antimalarial drug in the body before conception, however, Table 5-29 provides information on the half-lives of the recommended malaria prophylaxis medicines. After 2 half-lives, ≈25% of the drug remains in the body, ≈6% remains after 4 half-lives, and ≈2% remains after 6 half-lives.

Table 5-29 Malaria chemoprophylaxis: half-lives

Prophylaxis during breastfeeding.

The quantities of antimalarial drugs excreted in the breast milk of lactating people are insufficient to provide adequate protection to nursing infants. Therefore, infants who require prophylaxis should receive the recommended dosages of antimalarial drugs listed in Table 5-28 . Because chloroquine and mefloquine can be prescribed safely to infants, infants also can be safely exposed to the small amounts excreted in breast milk. Data about the use of doxycycline in lactating people are very limited; most experts, however, consider the theoretical possibility of adverse events to the infant to be remote.

Although no information is available on the amount of primaquine or tafenoquine that enters human breast milk, test both the person breastfeeding and the infant for G6PD deficiency before initiating chemoprophylaxis with either one of these drugs. Because data are not yet available on the safety of atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis in infants weighing <5 kg (11 lb), CDC does not recommend this drug to prevent malaria in people who are breastfeeding infants weighing <5 kg. Atovaquone-proguanil can, however, be used to treat people who are breastfeeding infants of any weight when the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the infant (e.g., treating a breastfeeding person who has acquired P. falciparum malaria in an area of multidrug-resistant strains and who cannot tolerate other treatment options).

Travel to Areas with Chloroquine-Resistant Malaria

Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum is found in all parts of the world except the Caribbean and countries west of the Panama Canal. Although chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum predominates in Africa, it is found in combination with chloroquine-sensitive P. vivax malaria in South America and Asia. Chloroquine-resistant P. vivax has been confirmed only in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. For destinations with known chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium spp., in addition to mosquito avoidance measures, prescribe atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine as prophylaxis.

Travel to Areas with Chloroquine-Sensitive Malaria

Areas with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium spp. include many Latin American countries where malaria predominantly is caused by P. vivax . Chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum is present in the Caribbean and Central American countries west of the Panama Canal. For destinations with known chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium spp., in addition to mosquito avoidance measures, the many effective prophylaxis options include chloroquine, atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, and tafenoquine. In countries where P. vivax predominates, primaquine is also an option.

Travel to Areas With Mefloquine-Resistant Malaria

Mefloquine-resistant P. falciparum has been confirmed in Southeast Asia on the borders of Thailand with Burma (Myanmar) and Cambodia, in the western provinces of Cambodia, in the eastern states of Burma on the border between Burma and China, along the borders of Burma and Laos, and in southern Vietnam. For destinations with known mefloquine-resistant Plasmodium spp., in addition to mosquito avoidance measures, prophylaxis options are atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, and tafenoquine.

Travel to Areas With Limited Malaria Transmission

For destinations where malaria cases occur sporadically and risk for infection to travelers is considered low, CDC recommends that travelers use mosquito avoidance measures only, and no chemoprophylaxis (see Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country ).

Changing Medications as a Result of Side Effects During Prophylaxis

Medications recommended for malaria prophylaxis have different modes of action that affect the parasites at different stages of the life cycle. Thus, if the medication needs to be changed because of side effects before a full course has been completed, some special considerations exist (see Table 5-30 ).

Table 5-30 Malaria chemoprophylaxis: changing medications due to side effects

Obtaining medications overseas.

Medications recommended for malaria prophylaxis might be available at overseas destinations. Combinations of these medications and additional drugs that are not recommended might be commonly prescribed and used in other countries, however. Strongly discourage travelers from obtaining prophylaxis medications while abroad. The quality of these products is not known; products might be produced under substandard manufacturing practices, be counterfeit, contain contaminants, not be protective, or be dangerous. Additional information on medications obtained while traveling can be found in Sec. 6, Ch. 3, . . . perspectives: Avoiding Poorly Regulated Medicines & Medical Products During Travel , and on the FDA website .

Blood Donation After Travel to Malaria-Endemic Areas

People who have been in an area where malaria transmission occurs should defer donating blood after returning from the malaria-endemic area to prevent transmission of malaria through blood transfusion (see Table 5-31 ).

Risk assessments can differ between travel health providers and blood banks. A travel health provider advising a traveler going to a country with relatively low malaria transmission for a short period of time and engaging in low-risk behaviors might suggest the traveler use only mosquito bite precautions and no prophylaxis. Upon the traveler’s return, however, a blood bank might still choose to defer blood donations from that traveler for 1 year because of travel to an area where transmission occurs.

Table 5-31 US Food and Drug Administration recommendations for deferring blood donation in people returning from malaria-endemic areas

CDC website: Malaria

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Kathrine R. Tan, Paul M. Arguin

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