Six days of riding in the Rodopes –the land of high peaks and deep river gorges, weird rock formations, lush meadows and dense forests. The region has a wealth of traditional architecture and folklore: en route we visit remote villages, old churches and one of Bulgaria’s finest monasteries Bachkovo. According to mythology, this is the homeland of Dionysus, the God of wine. Today this is the area where a native grape variety Mavrud is cultivated. The robust Mavrud red wine can be sampled at the well-known wine cellar Villa Vinifera, included in our itinerary.
DEPARTURE DATES: 19 May 9 and 23 June 7 and 21 July 4, 18 and 25 August 1, 15, 22 and 29 September 6 and 13 October Itinerary: Day 1. Our guide welcomes you at Sofia / Plovdiv Airport. Transfer to Plovdiv – the second biggest city in the country. Day 2. A short transfer takes us to Brestovitsa, where we meet the horses. Today we make a loop-like ride, passing along the small town of Perushtitsa and back to Brestovitsa, to visit a local winery, where we have lunch and taste local wines. In the afternoon we head back to Plovdiv for a short stroll in the old quarters of the town and dinner. /hours in the saddle: 3/ Day 3. We start in Brestovitsa again, this time heading south and up in the mountains, to reach Varhovrah resort, where we stay overnight. /hours in the saddle: 4-5/ Day 4. We continue the ride, passing through several tiny villages, following Varhovrah ridge with great panorama views, to reach Persenk hut, where we stay overnight. /hours in the saddle: 5/ Day 5. The ride today takes us to Chudnite Mostove – a unique rock formation in the heart of the mountain. After lunch we take the bus to visit Batchkovo Monastery. The horses will be waiting for us at Orehovo village, where we stay overnight. /hours in the saddle: 4/ Day 6. We head up towards Chernatitsa ridge, pass through deep woods and vast meadows, along Biala Cherkva and down to Studenets area where we stay overnight. /hours in the saddle: 5-6/ Day 7. On our last ride we reach the meadows of Leshten, where we say goodbye to the horses, and have transfer to Plovdiv for a farewell dinner. /hours in the saddle: 4/ Day 8. After breakfast we get a transfer to the airport in Sofia/ Plovdiv for departure. Accomodation and food: We stay overnight at local guesthouses and small family-run hotels in rooms with private facilities. Breakfast, lunch pack & dinner included (first meal dinner on day 1, last meal breakfast on day 8) Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 85 EUR Included in the price: 7 overnights in guesthouses and family-run pensions in en-suite rooms on fullboard; riding guide; English-speaking interpreter; saddled horse; luggage transfers from point to point; pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; VAT and all local taxes. Not included: Alcoholic drinks; tips; other personal expenses. Practical information: HORSES: Most of the horses belong to the local East-Bulgarian breed with a mid-height of 1,50 cm, they are well known as thoughtful and tough, and are thus extremely well-adapted to the mountainous region of the Rodopi Mountains. The maximum weight limit of the riders is 95 kg. Saddles: Western as standard and English saddles on request. Riding helmet is not mandatory. EXTENSIONS: You can combine your horseriding holiday with an extra week at the Black Sea coast in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. The beaches of Northern Greece (Halkidiki and Thassos) are even closer after the new check points in the Rhodope mountains were opened recently. Recommended travel period of the year: June - October Notes: Price Includes:
Also see tour packages in: Europe Bulgaria Outdoor: Land Rambler Horse Riding Caving Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend |
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