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Monastery Cycling Tour (Bulgaria) offered by supplier M05768 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 8 day(s) Group Size: 4 - 12 people Destination(s): Bulgaria   Specialty Categories: Bicycle Touring   Church Tours   Season: April - October Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 490 Euro (EUR) Maximum Per Person Price: 590 Euro (EUR)

This tour is not just a circuit of some of the most interesting Bulgarian monasteries. It is also a journey through Bulgaria's history, since all of the featured religious buildings are monuments to everything that happened in Bulgaria over the last 700 years or so. Along with the rich history you will submerge in the green hug of the mountains (“Balkana”) and admire its outstanding nature - beautiful waterfalls, caves, rock cliffs, forests, vast meadows, rivers and valleys combined with crop and potato fields. We bike along the Central part of the Balkan mountains exploring many scattered villages nestled among quiet valleys and beautiful green mountain landscapes. It seems that time has stopped here and life is quiet and peaceful - people still use the horse driven cart, look after their small herds of sheep, goats and cattle, cut the grass in the old fashion way, take care of their small vegetable gardens or just sit in front of their houses and have a chat with smiles on their faces.

DEPARTURE DATES:
28 April
19 May
02 June
21 July
11 and 18 August
15 and 29 September

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the architectural reserve of Arbanasi village and St Nicholas monastery where we stay the next two days. Dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant (mehana).

Day 2. Today we start with a visit of the picturesque Transfiguration monastery near Veliko Tarnovo. Then we get on the bikes and reach the beautiful Hotnitsa waterfall and eco trail. After a short walk we continue biking near Hotnista gorge until you reach the main road to Sofia. You get on the car for short transfer and start biking again to Buria (Storm) village. You bike among beautiful hilly landscapes with nice views to Dryanovo rock cliffs. You finish cycling near Dryanovo town. Then we go for sightseeing in Veliko Tarnovo and have transfer back to St. Nicholas monastery in Arbanasi.(cycling distance: 30 - 38 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 400/450m)

Day 3. Transfer to Dragizhevo village where you start biking. Enroute you pass by Merdanski Monastery and continue in direction to Plakovo and Kapinovo monastery. We stay overnight in the peaceful Kapinovo monastery and enjoy dinner in the lovely monastery yard. (cycling distance: 33 km (or 53km with possible extension) km; uphill/downhill cycling: 550/550m)

Day 4. After short transfer you start cycling through the villages Plakovo, Golemanite and Natsovtsi to Kilifarevo monastery. After lunch and a visit of the monastery you continue with a short but challenging ascent to Ialovo village. Then you cycle along Dryanovska River to Dryanovo town. From there you are transferred to Dryanovo monastery where we stay overnight. Optional visit of the nearby Bacho Kiro cave.
(cycling distance: 34 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 500/450m)

Day 5. In the morning we have a short transfer and then start cycling up and down to Bojentsi village where we spend some time for sightseeing. After a short transfer back you start cycling before Tsareva livada village on isolated village roads to National revival town of Tryavna, where we stay overnight. (cycling distance: 35 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 600/700m)

Day 6. Cycling from Tryavna up to a mountain pass and then downhill to Gabrovo. The next stop is the open-air ethnographic museum of Etura. Its 18-th-19-th century water driven machinery, crafts and lifestyle come alive before the eyes of the visitors. From here you have four more kilometers to the picturesque Sokolski Monastery, where we stay overnight. (cycling distance: 28 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 500/350m)

Day 7. After breakfast in Gabrovo town in typical Bulgarian bakery we go for a transfer to the historic Shipka pass and memorial. You get on the bikes for a 10 km up/down ride in beautiful beech forest to the historic Buzludza area. A supreme downhill ride on the Southern slopes of the mountains awaits us. You continue biking to Shipka town where we visit the richly decorated Shipka monastery and church. Transfer to Plovdiv, where we stay overnight. (cycling distance: 30 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 200/1000m)

Day 8. After breakfast transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure

Good to know:
- Bikes: hardtail mountain bike or hybrid bike (for details see OUR BIKES)
- Roads: we use mainly isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), we do not go off road
- Guide/driver: The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route
- Dress code in monasteries and churches - men are not allowed to enter in shorts and women should not expose their legs and shoulders.
- Extension at the Black Sea coast - relax at the seaside - more information upon request

We recommend trip in the period: April - October

Necessary equipment: We strongly recommend you wearing a helmet during the cycling. You can bring your own helmet or use one of ours. Cycling gloves, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. (for list with recommended items see “General” in the trip dossier)

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:
- bike and helmet
- Accomodation in monasteries (days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), family run hotels (days 5 ) with en-suite facilities, 6 days on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included), 1 day on BB (day 7)
- Guide/driver with a supporting vehicle
- Map, road book
- Transfer from/to the airport
- luggage transportation
- VAT and all local taxes.

Price Excludes:
- Tips, entrance fees
- Alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.

Single room supplement: 80 euro.

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Also see tour packages in:
Europe   Bulgaria   Outdoor: Land Rambler   Bicycle Touring   Church Tours  

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