genuine tours 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 MILESTONES
2013
The birth of the Hoia-Baciu Project marks a night of significant importance.
Introduction of the first Hoia-Baciu Project logo.
Establishment of the Hoia-Baciu Project's Facebook page.
Creation of the first page dedicated to nature and paranormal enthusiasts for outings in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
Nighttime exploration of the forest alongside Dacre Stoker (great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula), Aaron Sagers (Travel Channel), and Hans de Roos (Dutch photographer and writer) to unveil the mysteries of the forest.
Bob Woodruff and Christine Romo from ABC News venture into the Hoia-Baciu Forest for the first time.
2014
Hoia-Baciu Project is listed on TripAdvisor.
Mass outing with the locals in the Hoia-Baciu Forest during the Days of Cluj 2014 event (featuring Cristian Mureșanu from TVR Cluj).
Second mass outing with the locals in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
Introduction of a new visual identity for the Hoia-Baciu Project (logo).
Hoia-Baciu Project featured on TVR Cluj.
Initiation of the first Halloween activities by the Hoia-Baciu Project and Mystery Cluj, including treasure hunts, forest escape games, guided tours, and a mini yoga workshop in Poiana Rotundă.
2015
Hoia-Baciu Project's participation in the second edition of the Days of Cluj, offering guided tours and forest escape games.
Dacre Stoker officially became the ambassador of the Hoia-Baciu Project.
Hoia-Baciu Project receives funding of 5,850 lei from the Niște Oameni Association through the Sfera Donatorilor din Transilvania project. The funds are used for forest cleaning, a photo contest followed by an itinerant photo exhibition, and the creation of the first tourist map of the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
First tourist orientation workshop organized by the Hoia-Baciu Project.
First organized cleaning event by the Hoia-Baciu Project in the Hoia-Baciu Forest, sponsored by the Niște Oameni Association through the Sfera Donatorilor din Transilvania project.
Outing in the Hoia-Baciu Forest with guests attending the international marketing conference organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.
Outing in the Hoia-Baciu Forest with guests from the Apuseni Mountain Club.
An itinerant photo exhibition titled "What Does the Hoia-Baciu Forest Mean to Me?" was displayed at the Cultural Center and Baciu City Hall.
2016
An itinerant photo exhibition titled "What Does the Hoia-Baciu Forest Mean to Me?" was displayed at the Croitorilor Tower in Cluj-Napoca.
Hoia-Baciu Project participated in the filming for the release of the first trailer of the inaugural professional tourism documentary about the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
The itinerant photo exhibition "What Hoia-Baciu Forest Means to Me?" took place at Diverta Bookstore in Cluj-Napoca.
The itinerant photo exhibition "What Hoia-Baciu Forest Means to Me?" was held at the Florești Town Hall.
The launch of the second trailer for the first professional tourism documentary about the Hoia-Baciu Forest took place during the Cluj Days event, right in the forest itself.
The trailer for the first professional documentary about the Hoia-Baciu Forest was selected as a finalist in the Tres Courts International Short Film Festival.
The first tourist map of the Hoia-Baciu Forest was launched, accompanied by the ambassador of the Hoia-Baciu Project, Dacre Stoker.
A geomagnetic study was conducted in the Hoia-Baciu Forest using laboratory equipment, in collaboration with researchers in the field.
The Hoia-Baciu Project presented its initiative to students from the Geography Faculty at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.
Hoia-Baciu Project participated in the ONG Forum.
Hoia-Baciu Project was presented at the final event of the Zig Zag through Cluj program.
The first scientific article about niche tourism in the Hoia-Baciu Forest was published.
The first professional documentary about the Hoia-Baciu Forest was premiered at Cinema Dacia in Cluj-Napoca.
We have welcomed in the Hoia-Baciu Forest the crew of Fuji TV, from Japan.
2017
The Hoia-Baciu Forest was featured in tourist promotional materials for the destination Cluj-Napoca.
A series of three outdoor screenings of the tourism documentary "The Hoia-Baciu Forest - Truth or Legend?" took place in the Hoia-Baciu Forest during the Cluj-Napoca Days event in 2017.
Hoia-Baciu Project joined forces with the Transylvanian Diggers Association for a cleanup action in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
Paranormal Scholar conducted research and investigations in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
A television team from Russia, from the show "Here is not like there" on NTV Channel, visited the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
Chris Halton from Haunted Earth explored and documented the mysteries of the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
A new edition of the ONG Forum took place.
"Recycling Month 2017" featured eight finalist NGOs, awarded €2,000, with nearly 10 tons of recyclable waste delivered to the sponsor, Hamburger Recycling Romania.
A cleanup action took place at the end of Recycling Month 2017, involving 150 participants and collecting two waste containers of waste from the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park area.
The Guardian investigates the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
2018
Alain Kerjean from Paris and his team included the Hoia-Baciu Forest in a documentary about Transylvania.
Efforts to promote the Hoia-Baciu Forest in the tourist market of South Korea were undertaken.
We have won the title of "Eco-Friendly Tour Company of the Year, 2018", offered by the Travel & Hospitality Awards.
2019
The Hoia-Baciu Forest appears in Atlas Obscura - 2nd edition, the New York Times bestseller.
We have welcomed and offered support to the crew of Russian National Channel Ren TV.
We have done some research work in the field, together with Dacre Stoker, the great grand nephew of Bram Stoker, about the real location of Dracula's Castle, in the Calimani Mountains.
2020
We have guided the WAG TV UK crew through the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
ITV Studios Sweden is interested in shooting in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
2021
The Hoia-Baciu Forest is once again the subject of an article by The Independent.
2022
We have won the title of "Unique Tour Company of the Year, 2022", offered by the Travel & Hospitality Awards.
Zeit Online (Germany) visits the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
2023
A new episode of a reality show (for Discovery Channel), was filmed with our involvement, in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.
We have launched a night quest in the Hoia-Baciu Forest. It provides a chilly introduction to the history and stories of the forest, by using an app on your smartphone.
The team gave an interview about the Hoia-Baciu Forest to The Sun.
We have launched our fixer services to attract TV producers in the Hoia-Baciu Forest for documentaries, reality shows, and feature films.
The Hoia-Baciu Forest is the subject of an article in The Times of India.
Dorsey Film USA is interested in filming an episode in the Hoia-Baciu Forest.