Do you really want to explore Bulgaria - do it on a horseback. It’s simply one of the best ways to experience the country and the people. On the horseback you will gain knowledge of the nature, flora and fauna, historical sights, architecture etc. You will pass through the most fantastic landscapes and you will have the most impressing views. And at the same time you will meet the people were they are in the country side: In a harmony between nature – horses and the famous – still existing – Bulgarian hospitality.
Riding base “Balkan”: One week of riding in the heart of the Balkan Mountains. You ride out together with the local riding guides who are really eager to show their little part of Paradise in an area also called the Bulgarian Switzerland. Many natural spots as the Paradise chalet, the Paradise waterfall, a little monastery or fantastic rocky mountains are just a few examples of the treasures hidden and to be discovered during the daily rides. Every day has its own rides and not 2 days are the same. Usually you ride in the morning and in the afternoon from 4 to 6 or 7-8 hours a day – depending on your wishes and the tour of the day.
Also you can ride out in the mountains to the check point of the Central Balkan National Park. We can’t guarantee you that we have success every time as we are not riding in a zoo park, but we guarantee to give you a fair chance to see the wildlife as it really is. Usually we ride out very early and return for lunch or we leave town just before sunset. If you are interested it’s also possible to use a whole day only to follow the wild game. Of course the rhythm is a little bit different as we have to follow the rhythm of the wild and if you want to relax at a swimming pool in town in the afternoon it could be a supplement or you could rent a bike or hike in the area.
Departure dates:
01 January 2008 - 31 December 2008 - every saturday ; 03 May 2008 ; 10 May 2008 ; 17 May 2008 ; 20 September 2008 ;
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and transportation to the Riding base “Balkan” in Apriltsi at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains.
Day 2: In the morning of the first riding day you will meet “your” horse and friend for the week. After the first meeting you will be riding a leisure ride out of the town of Apriltsi in order to gain an intimate knowledge of your horse and its habits. The whole package is based on a stationary program in Riding base ”Balkan” and one-day trips towards different sights of interest. Here are some examples of riding tours:
- 18 km: Sightseeing riding around the town. In its full length Apriltsi is more than 12 km long and between the quarters you have the best landscape for various riding and a scenery in front of you, you didn’t knew existing.
- 25 km: Over the hill top of Ostrets and Peperi – under the Black Peak (1500 m a.s.l.) to a small monastery. Lunch in the monastery garden. Back to the riding base ”Balkan” through fields and meadows and along the river.
- 26 km: Up in the mountains to the highest placed bates for the wild in the area. You will ride in over 1100 m most of the day.
- 20 km: Riding over Vidima hut to the highest placed waterfall in Bulgaria “Praskaloto” (125 m), situated over 1350 m a.s.l. Another possibility is to ride up to one of the mountain chalets and have an overnight. Sunrise and sunset high in the mountains could be an experience for a lifetime.
Days 3-7: Center-based rides including one-day trips to different areas of interest.
Day 8: After breakfast we say good-bye to the horses and guides. Transfer to the airport for departure.
* 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! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays to 4-star hotels 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 (prices vary between 100 and 400 Euro per person per week depending on the hotel category and the meal plan; transportation is included). For more information please check "Vacation extensions" below.
* Connecting the tour: In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For longer private transfers or rent a car services please check our offers from the menu “Rent-a-car and Transportation”.
* The riding base: Riding base Balkan – The mountain village of Apriltsi is situated on the northern side of the Balkan Range about 180 km from Sofia. The riding base is placed in one of the small quarters of the village not far from the end of the road. Riding base “Balkan” is the name of an all-year-round riding base with the stables and the areas where the horses are relaxing on. Here the horses are grazing, here they are trained and taken good care of. The riding base is placed in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Central Balkan and with the most fantastic panorama behind the buildings.
* Horses and saddling: There are more than 25 horses in the riding base – all of them in good condition and trained to ride in the mountains. Most of the horses are of the Eastbulgarian breed and crossings with Arabians and local horses: The East Bulgarian breed is well known as tough, thoughtful and wise, and in harmony with the famous strength and power of the Arabian it gives a combination that fully satisfies the riders and the challenges in the nature. The average size is 160-165 cm. The saddles are Western (Australian or American). There are small saddlebags.
* Terrain: You have more than 30.000 hectares of wild nature at your disposal! The area of the Balkan Mountains is hilly, providing opportunities for both riding through woods and dirty roads and also for galloping along the meadows and pastures. Rocky areas and steep river valleys also occur. this enormous area provides unaltered possibilities for riding for all kinds of riders.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Transfers to/from Sofia or Plovdiv Airport;
- Equipped horse;
- Accommodation and boarding in guest houses by the base in double rooms with shared facilities (accommodation with en-suite facilities - Available upon additional charge – please ask);
- Full board;
- English-speaking guide.
Price Excludes:
- Tips;
- Alcohol drinks and other personal expenses;
- Maps;
- Additional daily excursions.
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Europe
Bulgaria
Horse Riding
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