ITINERARY:
Day 1
Arrival and transfer from Sofia airport at 14.00 hours (approx 2 hours) to the village of Belashtitsa, only 6 km from Plovdiv, considered to be the cultural capital of Bulgaria. Plus Plovdiv is Europes cultural capital for 2019. A city more than 8000 years old. We will visit the old town of Plovdiv, including the Ethnographic Museum and the Antique theatre which is one of the best preserved in the World.
Accommodation at a 3 star Family Hotel with a swimming pool
Day 2 (hours riding: 4)
After your first traditional Rhodope breakfast, you will be transfered to the starting point of the trail - Sredni Livadi Protected Area (aprox. 40 min). There you'll be introduced to one of our trusty horses, your companion for the next 6 days. Today’s trails will take us along ancient trails and stunning views to the village of Lilkovo. The ride will also take us to an old Roman road and ancient chapel from the 18th century, called Saint Atanas, where we will have our picnic lunch.
Accommodation at a 3 star Family Hotel
Day 3 (hours riding: 5)
After breakfast we will ride to the Village of Zabyrdo. This is a small mountain village standing 1400 m above sea level. It is famous for making traditional Rhodope cheese. We will also visit the rock phenomenon “Wonderful Bridges”, which is one of the top 100 tourist destinations in Bulgaria.
The overnight is in a family-operated guest house.
Day 4 (hours riding: 5)
Today we are heading for the Architectural and Folklore reserve, arriving there by horse back is like a cultural adventure from the 19th century. The village of Shiroka Laka is symbolic Bulgarian place where the cobblestoned streets and unique bazars make the visit unforgettable.
We will visit the Ethnographic Museum which is arranged as a house of a wealthy Rhodope family from the end of the 19th century and the Church of the Assumption which was built in 1834 in just 38 days by all the people of Shiroka Laka.
Accommodation for the night is in Family guest house.
Day 5 (hours riding: 5)
The journey continues into the heart of Mursalitsa National Park, an experience you will never forget! Riding along 'the valley of bells and songs' to the village of Trigrad. We will cross the vast Ilinden Meadows, which has the largest bagpipe festival in August in Bulgaria with over 15,000 visitors! We also ride by one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Rhodopes. The Chairi Lakes were formed by the sliding of an glaciers during the ice age. And finally visit the Drunken Forest, where the trees instead of growing vertically, grow in all directions and angles.
Accommodation for the night is in authentic revival age family operated hotel.
Day 6 (hours riding: 5)
After breakfast we ride to one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in Bulgaria called the Devil Throat, on our way to the cave we will also see Trigrad's Gorge.
Later we head back to 'the valley of the bells and songs' towards the village of Gela, repeating the most beautiful riding day of this trail.
Accommodation for the night is in Family guest house.
Day 7 (hours riding: 4)
The last riding day of this remarkable trail will take in some more spectacular scenary from the ancient Rhodopes. Riding the famous “Panoramic Road to Mount Snezhanka” for 21 km we will enjoy the beauty of this road. The Panoramic Road to Mount Snezhanka, takes us almost 2000 m. above sea level at the foot of Snezhanka Tower. The 360 degree view from the top of the tower reveals the beauty of all the Rhodopee mountains and parts of Aegean sea.
Accommodation at a 3 star Family Hotel
Day 8
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and depart for Sofia airport (aprox.3 hours ). On our way back we will have some time to visit the Bachkovo Monastery, which is actually the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria. Reaching the airport in time for midday flights onwards.
Prices
6 days riding and 7 night accommodation plus all meals £1200 per rider
Single room supplement £15 per night
2022
4 June - 11 June 2022
2 July - 9 July 2022
30 July - 6 August 2022
27 August - 3 September 2022
If these dates don't suit you try our other Bulgarian trail rides: Rhodope Mountain Trail and Spa & Ride the Thracian Valley
Horses
We use an excellent selection of horse breeds: Trakehner, Shagya Arabian, english Thoroughbred and East Bulgarian horses. Horses are 15hh to 17hh and have been selected for all abilities of rider. Our horses are friendly, good tempered, not afraid of vehicles and are comfortable in populated areas. We use professional English type of tack and can provide full riding equipment - protectors, helmets and boots. We always recommend that if you have your own fitted hat you should bring it.
For most nights of the trail the horses are tethered or corralled in fields nearby to your accommodation - they are used to this and it allows them to graze and to have some freedom of movement.
Riding Ability
Riders should be confident intermediate and above, happy to ride at walk, trot and canter in open country and for long distances. Some of the terrain is rough (and they sometimes trot over difficult ground) with trots and canters sometimes being fairly long. With this in mind, we only recommend the trail for riders who are quite fit.
Weight Limit
95kg / 210lbs / 15st
Minimum group size: 2
Maximum group size: 8
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation during the trail is simple but clean and comfortable, primarily in small hotels or guesthouses. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £105 for the trail.
Most nights the rooms are en-suite but please note that it's common in Bulgaria for the washing facilities to be 'wet room' in style, meaning that the room includes a toilet, sink and shower but the shower does not have a separate cubicle or curtain (there is a drain in the middle of the floor).
A few of the accommodations have a WiFi connection.
All meals are included during the trail and you can expect hearty local fare and the chance to try several traditional dishes. Meat and cheese are prevalent and bread is served with every meal, but vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.
Dinners are three courses and always start with the traditional salad of cucumber, tomatoes, onions, cheese and sometimes olives. Lunches are generally a picnic eaten from your saddlebag, including a sandwich, fruit, biscuit/cereal bar and water. A few times during the week you will eat at a bar in a small village.
Travel Information
Guests can fly into Sofia or Plovdiv. The tour starts in Plovdiv but most guests fly to Sofia as there are a lot of flights into and out of the capital city.
Transfers are included from the two airports at set times. You should ideally arrive into Sofia no later than 14:00, in order to allow time for sightseeing in Plovdiv. On departure day your flight should not leave Sofia before 12:00. If you are coming into Plovdiv instead then please contact us for timings.
If you fancy a trail ride closer to home we have UK trail rides in the Brecon Beacons and a Castle Trail Ride in Scotland.
For special offers and up to date news please go to our home page.
For tips regarding your holiday such as what to wear and riding ability, please visit the Travel Tips page.
We work hard to ensure that each customer has a great time on their holiday. Please see some riding holiday reviews here.
We have a large range of holidays to suit a range of riding abilities. Please see here for more information.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.