The Fore-Balkan area of the Balkan mountains offers a unique and diverse landscape, dotted with tiny villages lost in greenness and flowers, offering visitors not only tranquility and calmness, but also the opportunity to experience the unique and cozy atmosphere of authentic Bulgarian villages. In this region, traditions are a big part of modern life.
Old water mills are still at work; fulling mills continue to wash colourful carpets; the famous "rakia" (brandy) is prepared right before you; Bulgarian housewives prepare unforgettably sweet jams made with wild berries; and the old farmers still make the famous Balkan brine cheese with sheep and goat's milk. And all this surrounded by the wild nature of the Central Balkan National Park and one of its nine green pearls – the biosphere reserve of Boatin, housing one of the largest belts of Beech forest.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and transfer to Yamna village for overnight accommodation.
Day 2: Yamna is a typical village for the Fore-Balkan region – long and scattered among the small valleys and hills. After breakfast, you will head for another part of the village, where the first stage of the trek starts. As an introduction to the whole trip, the trek offers lots of typical landscapes and experiences – picturesque, vast meadows dotted with lots of old apple tree gardens, the ringing bells of grazing sheep and horses and so on. The path follows the ridge over the village and descends by a cave towards the outskirts of Cherni Vit village, renowned for its great dancers and traditional Bulgarian folklore singers. From there you transfer to the neighbouring village of Divchovoto for your overnight
accommodation. Walking time: about 5 hrs.
Day 3: This morning you embark on arguably the most adventurous part of the tour. The track passes through the century-old Beech forests of the Boatin Reserve, reaching the peak at 1,065 m, after an hour of gentle ascent. From there, it descends over the other side of the hill, reaching a forestry road that leads to the region of Kostina, where one of Bulgaria's national heroes (Georgi Benkovski) was killed by the Turks. From this point you walk 3 km along a peaceful asphalt road amongst gardens, meadows, villas and houses, arriving in the village of Ribaritsa, where you stay overnight. Walking time: about 3,5-4 hrs.
Day 4: Today you walk along Debeli Dial, the ridge surrounding Ribaritsa from the north and climb its highest peak Debeli dial (1150m). The path continues to Vasiliov Hut, but before that, you will turn right descending down the Osenovia rat ridge at the upper parts of Ribaritsa. On the way back to your hotel you have the opportunity to observe the way of live of life of local people and to enjoy the idyll of a typical Balkan mountain village. Walking time: around 4.5 hrs.
Day 5: In the morning you will be transferred to the neighbouring town of Teteven. Check in into the hotel and you will have time for sightseeing and shopping. There are some sites of interest in the town that are worth visiting like the historical museum, the church “Vsiah Svetii” and the chapel next to it, the “St. Ilia” Monastery built in XIV century, the picture-gallery in the center of the town, the ancient houses (Bobevskata, Iorgovata and Hadzhi Ivanovata). An optional afternoon walk could be made to a local waterfall with extension to “Haidushka poliana” Peak (955 m a.s.l.). Walking time: around 4 hrs.
Day 6: Cherven peak (1,221 m) is the easternmost summit of the three peaks located on the northern side of Teteven. This giant is today's target. The path starts from Teteven and travels upwards through broad-leaved forests and vast meadows to the rocks of Cherven peak, offering a superb panoramic view over the town of Teteven and the valley of the Beli Vit river. From there we take the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village. From there it is a further two-hour walk downhill to Teteven. Walking time: around 5 hrs.
Day 7: After a short transfer to the village of Glozhene a short trek leads you to Morovitsa cave. The path from the cave continues through an old Beech forest to Glozhene Monastery, where you can see the 1000-year-old icon of St. George. From the monastery you will come across a dirt road leading to the pass between Goliam Izvor and Teteven, and then following the quiet road, you reach Goliam Izvor. Stay overnight in Goliam Izvor village. Walking time: about 4 hrs.
Day 8: After breakfast you transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation and boarding as described further down;
- Detailed roadbook and map;
- Transfer to/from Sofia and Plovdiv airport to Yamna;
- Luggage transfers as per program;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Tips, entrance fees;
- Drinks and other personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
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