Two worlds, one day: monks above and wine below. I like the way this trip strings together Curchi Monastery and Old Orhei’s cave sites, then drops you into Cricova Winery 60–80 meters underground for a guided visit and tasting.

I love that the wine part isn’t an add-on—it’s built in, with a tour through Cricova’s sections and an included tasting of 3 wines plus nuts, biscuits, and water. One thing to consider: it’s a full day with a lot of time in transit and in the tunnels, so if you’re short on patience (or easy to rush), you may want to manage your expectations for pace.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Maximum 10 travelers: small-group feel, not a bus full of people.
• Three major stops, one flow: monastery complex, Old Orhei open-air history, then underground wine.
• Old Orhei hits multiple eras: cave monastery, ethnographic museum, and Shehr al-Djedid ruins.
• Cricova is a real underground city: the visit happens 60–80 meters down.
• Wine tasting is included: 3 types of wines plus nuts, biscuits, and water.
• Pick-up in Chisinau: you start at Radisson Blu Leogrand Leogrand and can be picked up at your address.

A Chisinau day trip that mixes faith, history, and underground wine

This is one of those Moldova itineraries that works because it doesn’t treat each stop like a quick photo stop. You get a guided flow from Curchi Monastery to the Old Orhei cave-and-ethnographic complex, and then to Cricova Winery, which is basically the world’s most famous cellar-labyrinth.

At 8 hours (about), you’re packing a lot in—but the pacing is designed so you can absorb each place without feeling like everything is a sprint. The small-group cap (10 people) also helps your guide keep control of the timeline and the group’s attention.

Curchi Monastery: a heritage site you’ll understand fast

You’ll head first to Manastirea Curchi, a monastery complex about 30 km from the Old Orhei area. Expect around 45 minutes here, with the admission ticket included.

What makes Curchi worth your time is the “why it matters” angle. The monastery is presented as a Moldovan religious and historical monument with over two centuries of background. In practice, that means you’re not just walking past buildings—you’re learning how the site fits into Moldova’s religious architecture and the long story behind it.

How to get the most out of Curchi

• Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in, because you’ll be moving around the complex.
• Give your guide permission to set context early. If you get the background, the architecture starts telling you its story.

Old Orhei’s cave monastery and open-air time machine

Next comes Old Orhei Archeological Complex, where you get about 1.5 hours on the ground (with admission included). This is one of the most atmospheric parts of the day.

Old Orhei is not just caves. You’re looking at an open-air historical complex with:

• the famous Cave Monastery
• the Butuceni Ethnographic Museum (from the beginning of the 20th century)
• ruins tied to the Tartars city Shehr al-Djedid (14th–16th centuries)

That mix is exactly why this stop works. You’re seeing how people lived, worshiped, and organized themselves across different periods—while staying in the same rugged natural setting.

A practical tip for this stop

Old Orhei is the kind of place where your brain wants to keep zooming in on details. If you’re the type who gets impatient when someone talks too long, tell yourself this is the “information-heavy” portion of the day and let it be worth it.

Cricova Winery: what 60–80 meters underground feels like

Then the trip takes you to Cricova Winery, which sits underground at a depth of 60–80 meters. Think of it as an underground kingdom with labyrinth-like corridors and wine sections.

You’ll spend about 2.5 hours here, including:

• a guided excursion through Cricova’s wine sections
• an included tasting

One key point: this is not only a “tasting room.” The visit is built around walking through the winery space, so you’re getting atmosphere plus explanation, not just sipping.

Why this visit is a highlight

Cricova is famous for a reason, but the value here is how the tour format turns the underground setting into something you can follow: the guide helps you understand what you’re looking at, and then the tasting gives you something concrete to connect it to.

The included wine tasting: what you’ll actually get

Your Cricova tasting is included in the tour and is structured around three wines. The tasting includes:

• 3 types of wines
• nuts
• biscuits
• water

This is a nice setup if you want variety without having to negotiate menus or prices. You’ll also likely be able to compare styles quickly—so even if you’re not a wine expert, you’ll leave with clearer impressions than if you’d just ordered a single glass on your own.

How to keep the tasting from feeling rushed

Some days and guides move at different speeds, and one guest described feeling rushed during their tasting, even feeling like they couldn’t finish at a comfortable pace. The fix is simple: arrive mentally ready to slow down, and if your tasting moment feels tight, ask the guide politely for a bit more time to enjoy your pour.

Language note

The overall tour can be offered in English, Italian, or Russian. At Cricova, language availability can vary, and there has been at least one case where the winery segment ran in Russian and basic translation was offered. If language matters a lot to you, confirm what language will be used for the Cricova portion before the day starts.

Timing and comfort: a long day, so plan for your body

This is an 8-hour day trip, with hotel pickup and a full schedule of driving plus three major stops. That means your comfort matters as much as the attractions.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Transit time adds up on rural roads. If you get motion sickness, consider sitting where the ride feels smoothest and bring whatever helps you personally.
• Bring a small layer. Underground spaces can feel cooler than you expect.
• Save your energy for Old Orhei and Cricova. These are the stops where walking and standing are most noticeable.

The upside is that the tour format is designed to avoid chaos. In the best moments, the guide walks with you through the sites and keeps the story connected—from monastery architecture to cave-monastery legends to the underground wine city.

Price and value: is $160 a good deal?

At $160 per person, this isn’t a budget “hop on and off” tour. It’s a full-day package with private transportation, entrance fees included, and wine tasting included.

So where does the value come from?

• You’re paying for convenience: pickup in Chisinau and round-trip transport.
• You’re paying for organization: tickets are handled and you’re not figuring out routes and timings between sites.
• You’re paying for the one “paid activity” that matters most here: Cricova’s guided visit plus tasting.

That said, value can change depending on your expectations. One guest felt the wine portion wasn’t worth the premium and suggested that, for a group, taking a taxi could be cheaper. Another guest felt the winery visit took too much time compared to the countryside.

My practical way to judge it

If you value a smooth day with included tickets and guided explanations, this price likely feels fair. If you’d rather control timing, linger longer outside, or you dislike group pacing in tunnels, you may want to compare the cost of doing Cricova + Old Orhei on your own with taxis and entry fees.

Lunch around Old Orhei: plan for food, not tickets

Lunch at Old Orhei is not included. You’ll get time for it at a local restaurant in the ethnic village area.

What I like about this arrangement is that it gives you a real break in the middle of the day. You’re not stuck in a rushed snack loop. You can also choose what kind of meal you want: sit-down Moldovan-style food, and then move on when you’re ready.

One guest specifically highlighted a lunch inside a cave system (Epoca De Piatra) as a cool midday stop, while another mentioned lunch at an eco resort setting (Eco Resort Butuceni). So if lunch location matters to you, ask what the day’s plan is when you meet your guide.

Guide quality can be the difference between good and unforgettable

Most of what makes this tour feel special comes down to the guide. The names that came through in firsthand stories include Slava, Nicolai, Gabriel, Corneliu, Ecaterina, Natalia, Valeri/Valerii—and several people praised their ability to explain Moldovan politics, history, and culture in a way that felt relevant, not just memorized facts.

In a couple of situations, the experience wasn’t smooth:

• One guest felt wine tasting was rushed and interaction with the winery staff wasn’t comfortable.
• Another felt communication was harder when the winery portion ran in Russian instead of English.
• One person reported a situation they felt contradicted an exclusive-private expectation, ending up on a more shared-van setup.

What you can do to protect your day

• When you book, ask whether the group really stays at the small size you expect (and how many people will be in your vehicle).
• If you’re language-sensitive, confirm the language for the Cricova portion.
• If you care about pace, say up front that you prefer slower tasting time and longer site exploring.

Those small questions tend to fix 80% of the “this wasn’t what I expected” problems.

Should you book this Cricova and Old Orhei tour?

I think you should book if you want a one-day sampler of Moldova that includes:

• monastery and cave history in Old Orhei
• a guided Cricova underground winery visit
• an included tasting with clear variety (3 wines plus snacks)

You should pause before booking if you strongly dislike long tunnel time, want complete control over timing, or you’re traveling with specific comfort needs (motion sickness is the big one). In that case, compare options and confirm group size and language for Cricova.

If you’re the flexible type who likes a guided day that actually connects the dots, this is a very solid way to see why Moldova feels different once you’re off the main road and underground in the wine city.

FAQ

Is wine tasting included?

Yes. Cricova’s wine tasting is included and consists of 3 types of wines plus nuts, biscuits, and water.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

What stops are included in the day?

You’ll visit Curchi Monastery, Old Orhei Archeological Complex, and Cricova Winery. Lunch time is planned at Old Orhei (lunch itself is not included).

Where does the pickup happen?

The meeting point is Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel in Chisinau, and you can also be picked up from your hotel or address in Chisinau if you share your exact location.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English, Italian, and Russian.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Old Orhei is not included, though there is time set aside for it.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included for the stops on the tour.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start, the amount paid is not refunded.

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