The Rodopi Mountains are situated in the oldest part of the Balkans and boast some of the loveliest coniferous woods in the country. The landscape is gentle and rounded, consisting of high ridges and deep river valleys with gorges intermingling with river basins and valleys. Here one can also find 70 percent of the world minerals, as well as some 600 caves. Flora and fauna contain species that have become extinct in other European countries. In contrast with our tour of the Balkan Mountains, this tour will take you even higher, to around 2,000 m, or 6561 ft.
Most of the mileage is done on asphalt main roads, with relatively little traffic, that are well-suited for biking. Along them cyclists can see some old-style means of transportation: wooden carts pulled by horses, donkeys or cows. You may also meet some nomadic gypsies, picking mushrooms and berries in the woods, as well as some local Muslim inhabitants growing tobacco and potatoes, or herds of sheep or goats coming down from the mountain at the end of the day.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and accommodation in Sofia or Plovdiv depending on your arrival time. Please note that the starting point of the trip is between these two cities so you may meet the rest of the group on the morning of Day 2 prior to Stage 1 of the tour.
Day 2: The cycling starts few kilometers before the village of Sestrimo and up to Belmeken dam (2000 m) through old coniferous woods. In the afternoon the road passes the Iundola's mountain meadows before descending to the town of Velingrad, where we stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: We begin from Velingrad, passing through the picturesque landscape of Tsigov Chark coutryside by Batak dam to the town of Dospat. On the way we go round the blue-green waters of Goliam Beglik and Shiroka poliana dams before reaching the town of Dospat and its dam, where we stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: After breakfast the biking starts from the centre of Dospat via Borino town to the Buinovsko Gorge, which is also a gate to the next stop - the Yagodina Cave. Here we make a cave tour before going further to Trigrad village, passing among the 250 m high cliffs of the Trigrad Gorge. Here another sinister cave is expecting us - The Devil's Throat Cave, housing one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. We stay overnight in Trigrad in a family hotel.
Day 5: A pleasant descent along Trigradska River brings you to the village of Grohotno and the nature phenomenon "The Elephant" – a 10 m high rock formation. Then the biking continues upstream along the Shirokolushka River to the village of Shiroka Luka (1,060 m, or 3,477 ft). We stop here to savour the spirit of this architectural reserve, famous for its preserved houses dating back from the Bulgarian Revival Period. Eventually the trip ends at Smolyan Lakes. Transfer to Pamporovo resort for overnight.
Day 6: Cycling from Pamporovo in direction to the historic place Rozhen. After that you start climbing up to 1700m and a big picturesque meadow with junction which marks the beginning of a gentle downhill ride in direction to Laki town through “Momina voda” protected area. Nerby is the picturesque village of Borovo and the famous religious place with chapels and healing springs – Krastova Gora. Overnight in Borovo.
Day 7: The downhill ride continues along Jugovska River valley to the main road Smolyan-Plovdiv. Short transfer brings you to the Wonderfull Bridges rocky phenomenon for short sightseeing. The next stop is Bachkovo Monastery (the second largest in Bulgaria). The cycling ends in the town of Plovdiv.
Day 8: After breakfast you will be transferred to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
* Practical information: We use two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some tracks but only for a short while.
* Extension at the Black Sea Coast: We have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays to 4-star hotels in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight (prices vary between 100 and 400 Euro per person per week depending on the hotel category and the meal plan; transportation is included).
* Connecting the tour: in summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you approx. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For longer private transfers or rent a car services please check our offers from the menu “Rent-a-car and Transportation”.
* Accommodation: We stay in family-run hotels/guesthouses (days 1, 4, 6 and 7) and 3-star hotel (days 2, 3 and 5) with private facilities on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Departure dates:
01 May 2009 - 30 September 2009 - every saturday
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Equipped bike (without helmet!);
- Guide/driver with a supporting vehicle;
- Map, road book;
- Transfer from and to the airport;
- Accommodation and boarding as mentioned above;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Tips, entrance fees;
- Alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
single room supplement: 80 euro
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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