The Rodopi Mountains in southern Bulgaria are what many would call a mystery. Historians believe that the Rodopi are the birthplace of the legendary musician Orpheus and his wife Eurydice, as well as the cradle of the Dionysus- cult. For most Bulgarians, it is the numerous caves from prehistoric time, the Roman roads and the beautiful medieval monasteries that account for the Rodopi’s charm.
For others it is the picturesque mountains villages, their authentic lifestyle and the warm local hospitality. Or perhaps the mellow green fields and the reflection of the sun in the bright blue highland lakes. We give you an opportunity to make up your own mind about the mesmerizing atmosphere of the Rodopi – together with our horses we get as close to the heart of the Rodopi and to the authentic life of its people as possible.
Departure dates: 14 June 2008 ; 21 June 2008 ; 12 July 2008 ; 19 July 2008 ; 16 August 2008 ; 23 August 2008 ; 01 June 2008 - 30 September 2008 - every Saturday.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Our guides welcome you at Sofia / Plovdiv Airport. Transfer to the small town of Devin in Rodopi mountains, the starting point of the tour. Dinner and overnight at the home of our local guide in Devin.
Day 2: In the morning we meet the horses and set off to our first riding day through a thick pine forest and along gorgeous open fields with spectacular views over some of The Rhodope mountain’s highest tops. After a two-hour ride we stop for a visit at one of the biggest caves in the region famous for remains of an ancient Neolithic village. After lunch we ride until we reach the village of Borino, where we stay overnight in a small family hotel.
Day 3: Today’s riding takes us over the high peaks north of the village. It is a couple of hours of uphill riding, but once we get to the top, we realize that the breathtaking view and the pleasant gallop along the vast green meadows are definitely worth it. Once we reach the foothill on the other side of the mountain, we stop for lunch and a short rest at a pleasant meadow by one of the numerous creeks in the area. About two more hours of riding take us to the next place for overnight - the cozy complex Kaval Tepe, overlooking the gorgeous Shiroka polyana dam.
Day 4: Today our trail takes us along the shores of three of the most beautiful dams of the Rodopi mountains: the massive Shiroka lyka- one of the biggest and most impressive dams in the Rodopi range, the rich in fish Toshkov chark – (this is where we stop for lunch and try out our fishing skills) and the bright blue Malyk Toshkov Chark.
Day 5: In the morning we continue riding along the shores of the beautiful Golyam Beglik dam. After lunch we pass through the small village of Sarnitsa and continue through some gorgeous green meadows until we reach our goal for the day - a cozy little hotel in the outskirts of the village. Riding: 5 hrs.
Day 6: Our riding today summarizes the best of our trip so far - we follow the shores of the Dospat dam and the meadows by the bank of the river Sarnitsa, take a short uphill and have our lunch while enjoying the great view from the Beslet top. Once we go down on the other side, we end up in a small village, where we can see remains of the old Thracian settlement of “Kozia kamyk”. Later on we leave our horses and take a bus for the last few kilometers to the highlight of our tour- the charming village of Kovachevitsa. We overnight at a small family-run hotel.
Day 7: The small village of Kovachevitsa is an architectural reserve with fully preserved old style Bulgarian Revival houses. In the morning we take a walk through the village to the Chapel St George, situated near the village. Upon returning we enjoy the hot springs in the neighbouring village of Ognyanovo, a great ending of a busy week. After lunch we get a transfer to Plovdiv. We stay overnight in Plovdiv Guest house in the old part of town.
Day 8: After breakfast we have some free time in the old quarter of Plovdiv (the cultural capital of Bulgaria) before going to the airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 5 days of riding on fully equipped horses;
- 7 overnights in guesthouses and family hotels;
- Full board from dinner on day 1 until breakfast on day 8;
- A local English-speaking guide;
- All transport according to itinerary;
- Luggage transport;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour);
- Insurance;
- Alcoholic drinks;
- Entrance and procedures in the hot springs complex;
- Tips;
- Other personal expenses.
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