Genuine tours in the Hoia-Baciu Forest since 2013
ABOUT HOIA-BACIU PROJECT
As the main initiative of Romania - Your Lifetime Experience (RYLEx) NGO, we aim to pique the interest of those fascinated by paranormal activities and dark tourism.
In the recent years, the Hoia-Baciu Forest has gained international recognition as one of the world's most haunted forests, even earning a spot on BBC Channel's list of the top 5 haunted forests.
With our articles, captivating photo tours at night, and other specially curated events, our mission is to shed light on the mysteries of the forest and provide a platform for exploration and discovery.
Hoia-Baciu Project is a labor of love, driven by a passionate and dedicated team. Since 2013, we have been your trusted guides in the Hoia-Baciu Woods, offering authentic day & night tours, organizing scientific meetings, escape games, scavenger hunts, and spine-chilling experiences.
Through responsible and sustainable tourism, we can generate awareness about the environmental challenges faced by the Hoia-Baciu Forest (illegal deforestation, the unchecked spread of urban areas, and the unlawful dumping of waste).
By choosing to visit the Hoia-Baciu Forest and engaging in sustainable tourism activities, you become an active participant in its conservation. Let's join forces and ensure a brighter future for the Hoia-Baciu Forest. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Hoia-Baciu Project wouldn't be available for you without the support of:
ILLO TEMPORE
A group of pupils and students which are sharing the same passion: the local myths. Their wish is to reborn these myths in the youth consciousness through thematic projects.
NIȘTE OAMENI
Support organization for good causes.
HOIA-BACIU PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
The Hoia-Baciu Project was born, marking a night of significant importance
Launched the first logo and the official Facebook page
Created a platform for nature and paranormal enthusiasts to explore the forest together
Nighttime exploration with Dacre Stoker (great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker), Aaron Sagers (Travel Channel), and Hans de Roos (Dutch writer), unveiling the mysteries of Hoia-Baciu Forest
Bob Woodruff and Christine Romo from ABC News ventured into the forest for the first time
Hoia-Baciu Project became listed on TripAdvisor
Two mass outings with locals during Cluj Days, featuring Cristian Mureșanu (TVR Cluj)
Introduced a new visual identity (logo)
Hoia-Baciu Project featured on national television (TVR Cluj)
Organized the first Halloween activities with Mystery Cluj Group: treasure hunts, escape games, guided tours, and a yoga workshop in Poiana Rotundă
Participated in Cluj-Napoca City Days with guided tours and forest escape games
Dacre Stoker officially joined as the project's ambassador
Received private funding from Niște Oameni NGO - Sfera Donatorilor din Transilvania project for forest cleaning, for organizing a photo contest, followed by an itinerant photo exhibition, and for the design & printing of the first free map of the forest for tourists and visitors (2000 copies)
Hosted the first tourist orientation workshop and forest cleanup
Guided guests of an international marketing conference organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Babeș-Bolyai University and a group of the Apuseni Mountain Club
Launched the itinerant photo exhibition "What Does the Hoia-Baciu Forest Mean to Me?" at Baciu village's Cultural Center and Commune
The photo exhibition traveled to multiple venues: The Tailors' Tower, Diverta Bookstore (both in Cluj-Napoca), and Florești Commune
Released two trailers for the first Romanian professional documentary about the Hoia-Baciu Forest, which premiered in Dacia Cinema and the forest itself, during the Cluj-Napoca City Days
One of the trailers was selected as a finalist in the Tres Courts International Short Film Festival
Conducted a geomagnetic study in the Hoia-Baciu Forest, using laboratory equipment, in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute of Geomagnetism
Presented the project to students from the Faculty of Geography (Babeș-Bolyai University), NGO Forum participants, and the participants of Zig-Zag through Cluj Program
Published the first scientific article on niche tourism in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Hosted Fuji TV crew from Japan
Featured the Hoia-Baciu Forest in Cluj-Napoca's tourism promotional materials
Organized three outdoor screenings of "The Hoia-Baciu Forest – Truth or Legend?" in the Hoia-Baciu Forest, during the Cluj-Napoca City Days
Partnered with Transylvanian Diggers Association for a forest cleanup
Hosted (paranormal) research/investigation* by:
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Paranormal Scholar and media visits from Russia, Haunted Earth, The Guardian, and The Independent
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A Russian television crew, for the show "Here is not like there" on NTV Channel
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The Independent journalists
* to promote the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Presented the project to the participants of the new NGO Forum organized in Cluj-Napoca by the French Cultural Center
We organized the Recycling Month 2017, awarding eight finalist NGOs with €2,000, for nearly 10 tons of recyclable waste delivered to the sponsor, Hamburger Recycling Romania
Another cleanup action took place at the end of Recycling Month 2017, involving 150 participants and collecting two containers of waste from the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park area
Collaborated with Alain Kerjean for a documentary about Transylvania, including the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Expanded the promotion of the Hoia-Baciu Forest to South Korea
Won "Eco-Friendly Tour Company of the Year" by Travel & Hospitality Awards
The Hoia-Baciu Forest was featured in Atlas Obscura – 2nd Edition (the New York Times bestseller)
Assisted Russian National Channel, Ren TV crew
Conducted field research with Dacre Stoker on Dracula's Castle location in the Călimani Mountains
Guided the UK WAG TV crew through the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Attracted interest from ITV Studios Sweden in shooting in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Maggie Rulli (ABC News) explored Hoia-Baciu Forest and Dracula folklore
The Independent published a new article featuring the forest
We won the title of Unique Tour Company of the Year, offered by the Travel & Hospitality Awards
We released a new travel map of the Hoia-Baciu Forest, in collaboration with Cluj-Napoca Tourist Information Center (2000 copies)
Hosted Zeit Online from Germany
Collaborated on Destination X episode filmed in the Hoia-Baciu Forest (for Discovery Channel)
Launched a night quest using a smartphone app
Made available online (on YouTube), free of charge, the documentary about the forest "The Hoia-Baciu Forest - Truth or Legend?"
Gave interviews to The Sun
Featured in The Times of India
Introduced fixer services for TV productions (documentaries, reality shows, and feature films)
Hosted and attracted film directors in the forest to scout filming locations (in the Hoia-Baciu Forest)
Dorsey Film USA is interested in filming an episode in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Julia vs. Joey episode was shot in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
We won the title of Tailor Made Tour Company of the Year in Romania, offered by the Travel & Hospitality Awards
Paranormal investigator Susan Slaughter is visiting the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
Gunso filmed in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Tallinn auto show episode (with two Ford Sierras traveling through Europe) was filmed in the Hoia-Baciu Forest
Paranormal investigator Aaron Sagers did a paranormal investigation in the Hoia-Baciu Forest