Join me on this expedition to the wild North of Romania where we will record biophony and geophony in one of Europe’s last wildernesses. Winter is a time of dark and quiet here, which makes it perfect for recording interesting animal calls. Weather permitting, we might also record the sounds of thick ice at mountain lakes. Lastly, there are lovely rural soundscapes to record in the countryside.

Key facts

Group size - 3 attendees plus expedition leader
Dates - January 25-31 2026
Pickup/dropoff - Iasi airport, Romania (IAS)
Base - hotel in Pascani and/or Tg Neamt, Romania
Proficiency level - basic sound recording knowledge required
Equipment - bring your own, some kit available to borrow
Fitness level - moderate to intense physical activity expected
Fee - £1250 per person +VAT if you are in the UK
Fee includes lodging on a single basis, food, transportation, access
Fee does not include flights, visas, personal expenses, alcohol, tips
50% required to confirm attendance, balance due two weeks before the trip

Field work

We aim to spend daytime exploring the landscapes and recording, weather permitting. Days are short in January so we will try to maximise time in the field by leaving early in the morning and returning to base in the evening. We will be driving and hiking to reach our recording locations and we have local support from porters and rangers if needed. We will do animal tracking and species observation so we can understand their behaviours and capture their calls.

Discussions

Introduction to wildlife and nature sound recording
Listening in the field
Recording equipment basics
Attended vs unattended recording - drop rigs, tree ears
Field recording for sound design
Working with studios and brands

Key species

Northern raven - Corvus corax
Rook - Corvus frugilegus
Ural owl - Strix uralensis
Tawny owl - Strix aluco
Boreal owl - Aegolius funereus
Black woodpecker - Dryocopus martius
Golden eagle - Aquila chrysaetos
Red fox - Vulpes vulpes
Eurasian wolf - Canis lupus
European bison - Bison bonasus

What to bring

head torch
thermos flask
cold weather clothing
base layers, ideally merino wool
binoculars

Expedition leader

I am George Vlad and I have more than 15 years of experience as a field recordist and sound designer. I grew up in these landscapes and I have a very deep connection with the land here. I’ve worked on many high profile projects including Dune Part II, Mufasa the Lion King, Google Sound Matters for Pixel devices etc. I’ve had the privilege of recording in many parts of the world but I come back to Romania a few times every year. More info about me at https://mindful-audio.com/george-vlad-credits.

Disclaimer

Winters used to be wild and incredibly cold in Northern Romania. I remember walls of snow more than 2 metres high when I was a young child. Temperatures below -30C were not unheard of. Unfortunately in the last few decades this has changed dramatically, and weather has become more unpredictable. Statistically, the second half of January gives us the best chances for below-zero temperatures but that is not guaranteed. If the weather is warm, we will have to be flexible and adapt to the conditions on the ground. Warm weather might result in floods, muddy quagmires and difficult access. It might also mean more birdsong and wildlife activity though so it’s not all negative.

A note on recording wildlife and nature. The outdoors isn’t a zoo and wild animals are unpredictable. I have been exploring and recording in these landscapes for decades but there is never a guarantee of seeing/hearing certain species. Maximising time in the field and immersing ourselves in the landscape merely gives us the best chances of encounters. The rest is up to chance.

Questions/How to book

Email me through the contact form and I will get back to you. See you out there!

Winter expedition to Romania25-31 January 2026