RHODOPES MOUNTAIN TRAIL - BULGARIA
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Experience first hand the hospitality and life of Bulgarian villages. With their warm welcome and the surrounding beauty of the towering Rhodope Mountains, with its untouched nature, rare birds, wildlife and rich flora. In addition visit Bulgaria's second largest monastery, the Bachkovo Monastery. Eastern Europe and Bulgaria have a tradition of excellent horsemanship and the riding is at all paces where the terrain permits on responsive, fit horses bred in the area. Accommodation on this riding holiday is in simple guest houses with great character and a traditional welcome from local families.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - RHODOPES MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Day 1
Arrive in Sofia in the morning (latest arrival time 12 noon if possible) and transfer to the village of Trigrad. On the way to Trigrad the participants will pass through the thrilling Trigrad Gorge, 7 kilometres long and with rocks up to 250 metres high. After the arrival in Trigrad the riders will meet the guides and the horses and will visit The Devil's gorge cave, which is 300 000 years old. According to the legend this is the place where Orpheus went down into the kingdom of shadows, in search of his beloved Euridica. Overnight in Trigrad.
Day 2
After breakfast - ride from the village of Trigrad through a beautiful pine forest to the Videnitsa peak (1652m). On the very top of the peak the riders will explore a Thracian sanctuary and the ruins of an ancient Roman stronghold. From the peak you can enjoy the magnificent view toward Pirin and Slavyanka mountains and the Greek mountain of Bozdak. Lunch is in a wooden shelter under the peak. A ride through the village of Zmeitsa to the town of Dospat. Accommodation in Dospat, at a cozy hotel with a very picturesque location, overlooking the dam and the mountain. Here you have the opportunity to try your hadn at fishing. Riding -about 5 hours.
Day 3
Breakfast in the hotel. A ride from the town of Dospat past the crystal waters of the Dospat lake, along the ridge of the Rhodopean part, called Zvezden Balkan (Star Mountain) to the Hissar gulch. Break and lunch in a wooden shelter, beautifully situated among the pine-trees. A ride via the small village of Pletena to the village of Dolen, which is a unique architectural preserve. Accommodation in the village of Dolen. Riding - about 5 hours.
Day 4
After breakfast - a visit to a unique church from the 18th century in the village of Dolen. A short ride through centuries-old pine forests, riders will again explore the Thracian sanctuary and the ruins. In the
afternoon - free time for rest and sightseeing till dinner. Dinner with local dishes and wine by the fireplace, you could hardly dream of a better end to the day. Accommodation in the village of Dolen. Riding - about 3 hours.
Day 5
After breakfast - a ride from village of Dolen through the old pine forests, limpid mountain brooks and picturesque Rhodopean meadows to the village of Surnitsa. Lunch in a cosy atmosphere, tasting traditional dishes. You will have the possibility to taste a great variety of Bulgarian gourmet specialities and high-quality drinks. Dinner in a warm and friendly atmosphere by the fireplace. Accommodation is in the village of Surnitsa, situated at the shore of the Dospat Lake. Riding - about 5 hours.
Day 6
After breakfast - a ride from the village of Surnitsa alongside of the Dospat Lake. The riders and the horses will have lunch and break in a wooden shelter, near the preserve. A ride via the meadows, the rivers and the woods of the picturesque preserve Derezli to the village of Borino. Accommodation in Borino, at a family hotel. Dinner and rest. Riding - about 6 hours.
Day 7
After breakfast - a ride from the village of Borino through the untouched forests of the Svinski Dol preserve and Buinovo gorge to the Yagodinska cave. Lunch and break by the cool entrance of the cave. A ride through the village of Yagodina and the vast Yagodina meadows over the Trigrad gorge to the village of Trigrad. You will have time to say good-bye to the horses and will spend the night in the village of Trigrad. Dinner by the fireplace, sharing memories of the ride and the places visited. Riding - about 4,5 hours.
Day 8
After breakfast - say good-bye to the guides and departure from the village of Trigrad. On the way to the city of Sofia - the capital of Bulgaria - you will visit the Bachkovo Monastery "The Assumption" - the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the most remarkable Bulgarian cultural monuments. Please book your departure flight for after 17:00.
NOTES - RHODOPES MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Please note that there has been an inflation of about 15% in Bulgaria this year. This along with the drop in the value of the pound has made steep price rises inevitable. Prices for groups smaller than 4 at the time of booking (cost will be adjusted and reimbursed when more riders join the date):
2008:
3 riders - small group supplement £50
2009:
3 riders - small group supplement £84
SOFIA
Sofia is definitely worth a visit. We recommend a few nights to explore the old churches, antique markets with Soviet and WWII relics, art and ethnic museums as well as almost Viennese coffee and cake shops. The best place to stay is the Sveta Sofia hotel which is located in the heart of Sofia on the main pedestrian road. We can book additional nights in this hotel for £77 per double room, £68 per single room in 2008.
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation and meals starting with dinner the first night and ending with breakfast the last day, mineral water with meals, transfers, all riding as described, English speaking guide, back up vehicle.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, entrance fees for caves, museums, and other sightseeing, tips and items of a personal nature.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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