The green and 225 km (139 mile) long mountain ridge of Rodopi Mountains is situated in southern Bulgaria, with 20 percent of the range extending into Greece. The highest peak is around 2,000 m (6,561 ft) high, with the average height around 800 m (2,624 ft). With their pleasant climate, Rodopi Mountains are the perfect place for hiking, offering walkers a rolling landscape with pre-historic caves, ancient Roman roads and bridges, fortresses and churches. Goats and sheep are not just a part of the scenery, they are a significant element of everyday life, providing the locals with milk, meat, wool, and leather. You pass through some of the most spectacular parts of the mountains, Trigrad Gorge, the Devil’s Throat Cave, Yagodina Cave amongst others. The trail affords breathtaking views over high rocky cliffs, woods, alpine meadows and the tiny villages where you can observe Bulgaria at its best, untainted by the influence of western society.
Guaranteed departures for 2010: Every day from May to October (other dates also possible upon request).
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Trigrad village in Rodopi Mountains (3,30 hrs drive).
Day 2. After breakfast we start walking towards Yagodina Cave, following the upper edges of Trigrad Gorge through old coniferous woods. The cave is among the longest ones in Bulgaria (with more than 10 000m mapped so far), considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them. Be prepared for temperatures of 6oC inside the cave during the cave tour.
Walking time: 3.5hrs; uphill walk: 250 m (820 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft)
Day 3. Today we visit a village that has been closed for people until very recently due to its proximity to the Greek border. This walk combines forest tracks with an excellent river trail back to Trigrad. Climb through a well-shaded forest passing potato fields and crops. After admiring the views we descend to the quiet ambient village of Vodni Pad. The final stretch follows a delightful babbling stream, leading to the upper end of Trigrad Gorge. In the afternoon we visit the Devil’s Throat Cave housing a spectacular underground experience – the highest underground waterfall in Europe, some 42m high.
Walking time: 5hrs; uphill walk: 400 m (1,312 ft); downhill walk: 450 m (1,476 ft)
Day 4. The walk to Chairski Lakes starts with a charming gentle ascent from the village to a forest trail leading into alpine meadows, full of flowers including orchids during the summer. The trail winds its way to the three Chairski Lakes dropping down into the Trigrad Gorge before tracing the Livadnitsa River and the 250m high cliffs to the Devil’s Throat Caves and onward to Trigrad.
Walking time: 6 hrs; uphill walk: 900m; downhill walk: 700m
Day 5. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
The tour provides the opportunity more days to be added to the program if purchased in advance. These could be spent on self-guided walking in the area, more guided walks (to the famous Smolyan or Devin eco-paths), guided sightseeing tours to famous places nearby (Shiroka Lyka (architectural reserve), Bachkovo Monastery, Plovdiv etc.), cycling, caving, swimming in the mineral pols of Devin etc. Please ask for quotation for any of these possibilities.
Accomodation and food: Family-run pension with en-suite facilities on hafboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Practical information: 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 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.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 4 overnights in a guesthouse with en-suite facilities on halfboard
- pick up/drop off at Plovdiv or Sofia airport and all ground transfers as per program
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees for "Yagodina" cave and The Devil's Throat cave
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour)
- Tips
- Alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses.
Single room supplement: 60 euro.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
