Are you a fan of challenging mountains, wild and untouched forests and overnights in mountain huts? If so, this trip is just for you. The Rila Mountains are the highest on the Balkan Peninsula, rich in impressive peaks over 2000 m a.s.l. and over 190 gorgeous alpine lakes. During this trip you will pass The Seven Rila Lakes, often called the pearls of the mountain.
The ride is at an elevation between 1900 and 2700m a.s.l. passing by several remote mountain lakes offering breathtaking views. One of the highlights of the tour is the visit to the biggest and most important Orthodox monastery of Bulgaria - Rila Monastery. It was founded in the 9th century and has more than 1200 murals. Part of the riding goes on through highlands and lowlands with traditional Bulgarian agriculture.
Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every Saturday within the best period
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1.Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to Iskar Ranch at the foothills of Rila Mountains.
Day 2. This day is dedicated to the acquaintance among riders and horses. Thus it is quite well-balanced in order to strike up this friendship in the best possible way!
Along the largest dam in Bulgaria - Iskar, the ride leads across the rolling hills of the ridges of Sredna Gora and Rila Mountains reaching Borovets, where we stay overnight.
Day 3. Today we stick to the lower parts of the mountain. After breakfast we start riding along the stream of Beli Iskar River. Century-old pine forests and the white sparkling waters of the river make the ride a real delight. We head up to Govedartsi village and further on to the final stop for today - Mechit hut.
Day 4. The trail today passes through “Kobilino Branishte” reserve. It is quite possible to see here flocks of semi-wild horses, whose reaction to the ones you ride is quite unpredictable. However the attraction could be from both sides so pay attention! We reach Kirilova Poliana and follow the road along the stream of Rilska River to the renowned Rila Monastery where we stay overnight.
Day 5. After breakfast the ride goes after mountain paths through old beech woods to the peak parts of the Rila Mountains’ plateau at a height of 2600 m a.s.l. The alpine meadows and pastures here provide magnificent views over the Urdini and the Seven Rila lakes. This is one of the most exciting places in the mountains. After short ride among the circuses we continue further along the stream of Dzherman River to Lovna hut. Vada hut, where we stay overnight, is very close by.
Day 6. Today we leave Rila and ride down to the lowlands. Our trail passes through Lakatishka Rila where we will be rewarded with magnificent views towards the high alpine parts of the mountain. We reach Belchin Bania – a small village situated in the plains between Rila and Vitosha Mountains, famous for its hot mineral springs. We stay overnight at a hotel.
Day 7. Our final ride takes us back to Iskar Ranch, through Samokovska valley. Certain parts of the route are perfect for galloping, which would make our final riding day a real adventure. We spend our last evening together at the ranch.
Day 8. In the morning farewell breakfast and saying goodbye to the horses and the guides will put the end of this journey. Then you will be transferred to Sofia Airport for departure.
Extensions:
- Black Sea - This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.
Horses and equipment: Iskar Ranch has more than 40 horses - well-trained, patient and calm. East-Bulgarian half-breeds, Hanover and Arabic horses. Saddling is Western and military type.
Terrain: This trail is saturated with overcoming high altitudes, with lots of descends and ascends. It goes primarily along dirty roads and walking paths through woods (coniferous and beech forests) with gradual inclines. The alpine parts are rather flat and nice for riding. Galloping is not possible evrywhere (except within the meadows and pastures of the Iskar Ranch). Some parts of the alpine meadows are covered with high tuffs of green grass and peat bogs, requiring attention and time when passing them.
Accommodation: Three nights we spend in hunting hut in Iskar Ranch while the rest of the accommodation (4 nights) is arranged in mountain huts. Private facilities in Iskar Ranch are available on each floor, but for most of the mountain huts these are one and only for the whole building. Accommodation is based on FB.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
accommodation in Iskar Ranch (2 rooms share one bathroom; 2 nights), family run hotels with en-suite facilities (2 nights) and mountain huts with shared facilities (Shower may not be available; 3 nights)
- English-speaking riding guide
- luggage transfers
- pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport
Price Excludes:
- Tips;
- Alcohol and extra soft drinks;
- Personal expenses;
- Insurance
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Horse Riding
Ecotourism
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