What our customers say....
Just to say this was a fabulous trail ride - through a beautiful diverse landscape including fast riding on plains, winding through shady forest and some stunning vistas/climbs. Can easily compete with better known European destinations and in my view far surpasses them as is less spoiled by intensive tourism.There was plenty of fast riding and excellent logistics with care and attention to detail throughout. The standards of the hotels and spa facilities were much higher than my expectations of Bulgaria. This was an exhiliarating ride with luxurious recovery available just when needed. I would definitely go back for the national park ride. Helen
Itinerary
DAY 1 Saturday
We will meet and transfer from Sofia airport at 16:00 by minibus to Plovdiv (approx 1.5 hours). There is time for a walk around the centre of Plovdiv, considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria and the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Its historic centre is more than 8000 years old and there are traces of ancient civilization much older than the Romans. You can visit the Ethnographic Museum and one of the best preserved ancient amphitheatres. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel which is part of a very impressive show jumping complex.
DAY 2 Sunday: HISAR (hours riding: 5)
After breakfast , transfer to the starting point of our trek, the horses will have been transported here from their home in the Rhodopes and you will be matched with your trusty companion for the next 6 days. Today's destination is Hisarya. The most famous spa center in Bulgaria, unique because of its 22 healing mineral springs. As well as being a health resort, Hisarya is also full of archaeological finds from the Thracian times and the Roman Empire, so you can explore the Roman baths, aqueducts, bastions and fortified walls. Todays ride will be along flat fields and meadows allowing for canters and a picnic BBQ lunch beside the river. Tonight you stay at a luxury spa hotel with a mineral water swimming pool and sauna, massage and jacuzzi.
DAY 3 Monday: HISARYA to STAROSEL (hours riding:3-4)
Today's terrain is a mixture of hills and plains, the trail passes by fields and vineyards, meadows and oak forests. As we make our way to our overnight stop at a local winery, expect great wine tasting and superb cuisine plus you can indulge yourself with some spa treatments as well. On our way we will see historical sights like the best preserved Roman city wall in Bulgaria, as well as the city gate known as The Camels. Lunch will be a picnic from the saddlebags beside a beautiful lakes. Dinner and overnight stay is in Starosel at the winery and spa hotel. There is an option to do a tour of the wine cellar with wine tasting and nibbles.
DAY 4 Tuesday: KOPRIVSHTITSA (hours riding: 5)
Todays 5 hour ride takes us to the historic town of Koprivshtitsa which dates back to the Renaissance period. It is located in a picturesque valley alongside the Topolnitsa River in the heart of Sredna Gora. Lunch is at a resaurant on the way into the viallage. On arrival to Koprivshtitsa the authentic atmosphere of its cobbled streets will take you back in time. Tonights stay is in a contryside hotel with a spa.
DAY 5 Wednesday: VALLEY OF THE ROSES (hours riding: 4)
After breakfast,we will travel through an ancient protected Beech forest and climb "the peak of the Wolves". You'll guide your horse along the ridge of the mountain, with magnificent views of the "Valley of the Rose". Our destination for the night is at the foot of the mountain. Tonight you stay in a spa-hotel which offers massages and mineral water treatments.
DAY 6 Thursday: ZHITNITSA (hours: 4)
A favourite day for the guide as we ride along the shores of the largest lakes in the Thracian plains. This ride is full of long canters as we head for the spa hotel for the night.
Day 7 Friday: TSARATSOVO (hours: 4)
Today's ride is along the vineyards and rose fields returning to our start point at the riding centre. After the river crossing we will canter a few more times. Our overnight stay is in the jumping stable from the first night where you say goodbye to your horse. After lunch you can watch the training sessions in the arena or take a walk. Over dinner you can look back over the highlights of the week.
DAY 8 Saturday
After breakfast a transfer to Sofia airport, around 90 min or 120km by a minibus. Flights home should be no earlier than midday.
Prices
6 days riding and 7 nights accommodation plus all meals 2023 £1395 per rider 2024 £1515
Single room supplement £25 per night
Dates 2023 Price £1395pp
Aug 26 - Sept 2, 2023
Sept 9 - 16, 2023
Sept 23 - 30, 2023
Oct 7 - 14, 2023
Oct 21 - 28, 2023
Nov 4 - 11, 2023
Dates 2024 Price £1515pp
March 23 - 30 2024
April 06 - 13 2024
April 20 - 27 2024
May 04 - 11 2024
May 18 - 25 2024
June 01 - 08 2024
June 15 - 22 2024
June 29 - 06 July 2024
Aug 24 - 31 2024
Sept 07 - 14 2024
Sept 21 - 28 2024
October 05 - 12 2024
October 19 - 26 2024
November 02 - 09 2024
November 16 - 23 2024
If these dates don't suit you try our other Bulgarian trail rides: Rhodope Mountain Trail
For larger groups bespoke dates can be arranged.
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 confident and quite fit. You will be expected to brush and tack up your horses.
Weight Limit
95kg / 210lbs / 15st
Minimum group size: 2
Maximum group size: 8
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation during the trail is clean and comfortable, primarily in hotels where rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Single rooms are available.
Single rooms are available at a supplement of £25 per night for the trail.
The accommodations have a WiFi connection.
Accommodation and itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and availability.
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.
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 16:00, 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.