Introduction: Dospat is a sleepy hill town with a large The Miraculous bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) The Rodopi Mountains are situated in Pomak (Slav Muslim) population. are 2 unique natural rock bridges (about the oldest part of the Balkans and Yagodina Cave is among the longest 40 m. high) covering an area of 40,3 boast some of the loveliest coniferous caves in (more than 10 000m hectares. woods in the country. The landscape mapped so far), considered to be one of Bachkovo Monastery is the second is gentle and rounded, consisting of the most beautiful in Europe with its largest Bulgarian monastery. high ridges and deep river valleys with outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the gorges intermingling with river basins columns, ponds and cave pearls in them. second Bulgarian city in population and and valleys. Here one can also find The Devil's Throat Cave has its name size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of 70% of the world minerals, as well as from the fact that if you let something flow the oldest European towns some 600 caves. Flora and fauna in the cave river it never comes out again. contemporary to Troy and Mikena. contain species that have become There is a cave waterfall - one of the extinct in other European countries. In highest underground waterfalls in Europe, Itinerary: contrast with our tour of the Balkan 42 m high. Mountains, this tour will take you even Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small Day 1. Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport higher, to around 2,000 m, or 6561 ft. mountain village picturesquely situated in and spend the night in Sofia or Plovdiv Most of the mileage is done on the central part of the Rodopi Mountains. depending on your arrival time. Please asphalt main roads, with relatively little Devin (716 m a.s.l.) The town is mostly note that the starting point of the trip is traffic, that are well-suited for biking. famous for its mineral springs known from between these two cities so you may Along them cyclists can see some old- ancient times. meet the rest of the group on the style means of transportation: wooden Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Numerous morning of Day 2 prior to Stage 1 of the carts pulled by horses, donkeys or houses preserving the typical Rodopean tour. cows. You may also meet some architecture, speech, songs and customs nomadic gypsies, picking mushrooms of local people have given the village the Day 2. Transfer (1,15hrs) to the starting and berries in the woods, as well as status of an architectural, ethnographic point of the tour, some 10 km (6.2 miles) some local Muslim inhabitants and folklore reserve. away from Kostenets (1,000 m, or 3,280 growing tobacco and potatoes, or (1000 m a.s.l.) is the biggest ft). The road travels deep into herds of sheep or goats coming down town around, an administrative center of Mountains with the first village of from the mountain at the end of the the region. It is famous for the biggest Sestrimo appearing on the way. Further day. Planetarium with astronomic observatory up you continue to Belmeken dam on the Balkans and the beautiful natural through old coniferous woods, before Special highlights: surrounding including the famous Smolyan reaching the peak at 2,000 m, or 6561 Rodopi Mountains: The Rodopi lakes. ft. (the highest point of the whole tour). Mountains (highest peak: Golyam Cross forest situated near the The last few kilometers are quite steep Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest picturesque village of Borovo it is a holy so you may prefer to travel in the mountains on the Balkan Peninsula. place with lots of chapels and healing supporting vehicle for this section. After (800 m a.s.l.) is the largest streams, where according legends the 2 km (1.2 miles) of steep descent, the Bulgarian spa resort famous for its holy crucifixion cross has been brought blue eye of the Belmeken dam will healing hot mineral waters. and then buried. appear. The track then travels around Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] the banks of the dam, offering superb drink – Tsigov Chark and Shiroka Poliana reach the Smolyan Lakes region, where views over the Belmeken waters and dam. the supporting vehicle can either take the surrounding peaks. The Bulgarian Cycling specifics: you on or you can keep cycling to town national sports team complex is Distance: 71 km (44.1 miles); time: 5 hrs; of Smolyan(1,000 m), where you will situated here. Passing through the uphill cycling: 600m (1,968 ft); downhill stay overnight. Free time for a walk Yundola Pass meadows (the cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft) around the town. geographical border between Rila and /breakfast, dinner/ Throughout the stage the traffic is fairly Rodopi Mountains), a nice descent will Day 4. After breakfast the tour resumes in light and the road is in fairly good take you to the edge of the town of the centre of Dospat (1,200 m, or 3,937 ft), condition. There are two places Velingrad (71 km, or 44.1 miles from where the track climbs steeply for the next throughout the stage where you can find the start). Some 4 km (2.4 miles) 2 km (1.2 miles). After a short while, the a restaurant/café or grocery store – further on and you will reach the hotel road begins to descend, before continuing Shiroka Luka and Stoykite village. (situated at 745 m, or 2,444 ft), where its undulations through pastoral areas, a Cycling specifics: we stay overnight in a hotel with hot Roman bridge, spruce woods and potato Distance: 66 km (41 miles); time: 3.5 mineral water swimming pool. fields. The first bigger settlement along the hrs; uphill cycling: 950 m (3116 ft); From the beginning of the stage down road is the town of Borino (16 km, or 9.9 downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft) to the Yundola countryside the traffic miles, from the start), primarily inhabited /breakfast, dinner/ is very slow; you may see only a few by Muslims. This route affords beautiful cars on the way. From Yundola views over the central parts of the Rodopi Day 6. In the morning we set off from onwards the traffic gets a little heavier. Mountains, with the cycling accompanied the hotel in Smolyan in direction to the The road condition is good, with only by a natural phenomenon – the historic place Rozhen (1400m) few short sections of potholes. There Buynovsko Gorge, which also acts as the upstream Byala river passing by the are two spots on the stage where you gate to our next stop, the Yagodina Cave. small village of Sokolovtsi. We continue can find a restaurant/café or grocery Be prepared for the low temperature climbing up to 1700m and a big store – the aforementioned complex inside the cave (6o C) during our cave picturesque meadow with junction which by the Belmeken dam and in the tour, which will take about an hour. marks the beginning of a gentle downhill Iundola countryside. Afterwards you can have lunch in the ride in direction to Laki town through Cycling specifics: restaurant just opposite the cave, beyond “Momina voda” protected area. Nerby is Distance: 76 km (47.2 miles); time: the river. The road now continues to the picturesque village of Borovo and 5,30 hrs; uphill cycling: 500m (1,640 Trigrad village, passing between the 250 the famous religious place with chapels ft); downhill cycling: 1,300 m (4,265 ft) m (820 ft) high cliffs of the Trigrad Gorge and healing springs – Krastova Gora /breakfast, dinner/ (1,450 m, or 4,757 ft) Here another sinister (Cross forest) . Overnight in Borovo. cave – The Devil's Throat, housing one of Possible extension (8km) to Belitsa Day 3. Today's cycling begins at the the highest underground waterfalls in natural rock bridge. hotel in Velingrad (745 m, or 2,444 ft). Europe – awaits you. A kilometre or so Road conditions are good exept for You pass through the picturesque further on you will find the village of some short sections before Laki town. landscape of Tsigov Chark Trigrad, where you will stay overnight in a Traffic is very slow and you bike on countryside (with hotels, holiday huts small family hotel (1,200 m, or 3,937 ft). isolated road. You can have lunch in and restaurants) and then by the The traffic on this stage remains very light Laki town or Borovo village. Preparing a Batak dam. Leaving Batak, the road throughout. The road condition is good, lunch box the day before is also an starts rising steeply for the next 10 bar one section – several kilometers of option. km, or 6.2 miles, until reaching the downhill cycling before the Roman bridge. Cycling specifics: highest point of the stage – the There are two spots on the stage where Distance: 39 km (24.2 miles); time: countryside around Kartela (1,700 m, you can find a restaurant/café or grocery around 3,30 hrs; uphill cycling: 700 m or 5,577 ft). From this point on the store – Borino village and the Yagodina (1,312 ft); downhill cycling: 1300 m road descends for most of the way. Cave. (4265 ft). Some 8 km (4.9 miles) further on, the Cycling specifics: /breakfast, dinner/ road passes by the Beglika dam, Distance: 50 km (31 miles); time: 4 hrs; leading slightly uphill to the wall of the uphill cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft); downhill Day 7. The downhill ride continues Goliam Beglik dam. Some 45 km cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft) along the picturesgue Jugovska River (27.9 miles) from the start, you will /breakfast, dinner/ valley to the main road Smolyan- reach a section where the dam can Plovdiv. Short transfer brings you to the easily be viewed – and accessed Day 5. A pleasant descent along Wonderfull Bridges rocky phenomenon through the forest. It's a good spot for Trigradska River brings you to the village for short sightseeing. After that you a picnic and siesta in the fresh air. of Grohotno and the nature phenomenon cycle back downhill towards the road to After that the road takes you to "The Elephant" – a 10 m high rock Plovdiv. The next village on the way is another jewel in the Rodopi Mountains formation. Then the biking continues the spa centre of Narechenski Bani. – the Shiroka poliana dam – before upstream the Shirokolushka River to the After 5 km (3.1 miles) you reach the continuing on to the town of Dospat village of Shiroka Luka (1,060 m, or 3,477 second largest monastery in Bulgaria – where we stay overnight (1,200 m, or ft). We stop here to savour the spirit of this Bachkovo. Here we have lunch and the 3,937 ft). architectural reserve, famous for its cycling ends. After this, you travel by car The traffic on this route is fairly busy preserved houses dating back from the to Plovdiv for overnight. for the first 5 km (3.1 miles), before Bulgarian Revival Period and the National (80 km (or less depending on the becoming very quiet. The road surface folklore school. After lunch we continue group’s mood); uphill cycling: 650m; is generally good. There are several biking through the village of Stoykite, downhill cycling: 1250m) places throughout the stage where heading through some wonderful The road conditions of the first section you can stop for something to eat or coniferous forests which offering awesome are good with very slow traffic. The 16 views of the Rodopi Mountains. Then you km (9.9 mile) road from that point to The Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] Wonderful Bridges is very isolated – interesting sites en-route. Bikers can but offers biking amid lush greenery. always skip some harder stages using the 1. Hybrid bike – Drag Canyon Pro The road surface is generally in very supporting vehicle. Built for adventure and comfort they ride good condition. There are many lightweight on road while durable for off places throughout the stage where Road conditions: We use two-way roads road as well. Equipped with light aluminum you can pause for something to eat or (one band per direction) with an asphalt frame, front susupension fork (60 mm drink – the Wonder Bridges area, covering (the latter usually not brand travel), 28” rims, 24 gears, Shimano and Narechenski Bani, petrol stations on new!). The country roads are quite Suntor components, bottle cage and rear the way and so on. peaceful, sometimes without any cars. rack upon request. 2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1 Cycling specifics: The road surface in these areas may be Lightweight hardtail mountain bike with Distance: 80 km (50 miles); time: not very smooth at some stages. The aluminum frame suitable for off road biking about 5 hrs; uphill cycling: 100 or traffic might be a little bit heavier at some and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Rox shocks 650m (depending on the group’s sections but only for a short while. Dirt 1 front suspension (80 mm travel), mood); downhill cycling: 1,250 m Avid V-brakes, Truvativ crankset, Sram (4,100 ft) Tour type: IT + / GT shifters and derailleur, Mavic 26” rims. /breakfast / Difficulty grade: B, C Group size: Min. 4 persons Day 8. After breakfast you will be transferred to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport Best period: May – October The price includes: bike and helmet; for departure (transfer time: 20 min to English-speaking guide/driver with a Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia Weather: supporting vehicle; map; roadbook; Airport) Temperatures expected for this period are transfers from/to Sofia airport; o /breakfast/ between +10 and +30 C. Sometimes accommodation and boarding as noontime could be a little exhausting for mentioned above; VAT and all local Accommodation: cycling on open territories. Rainfalls or taxes (entrance fees not included). We stay in family-run hotels short but heavy showers are possible, /guesthouses with private facilities on being a bit prolonged during spring and The price does not include: tips, halfboard (7 breakfast & 5 dinners), no late autumn. dinners on day 1 and day 2 entrance dinners on day 1 and 7 (Sofia and fees, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other Plovdiv) Equipment and clothing: personal expenses. Cycling gloves, breathable clothes, Luggage transportation: waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. No Luggage is taken care of throughout other special equipment needed for this tour the whole trip. (for full list with recommended items see “General”). Additional tour info: NB! Biking without helmet is not advisable. All bikers receive a detailed roadbook We strongly recommend you to bring your and map. The guide with the own helmet or use one of ours. supporting vehicle and the luggage Bicycles: inside checks several times a day if Hybrid or mountain bike is provided by the everything is OK with the group, company. Helmets and handlebar bag with waiting by crossroads, accompanying map window are provided free of charge. them for breakfast, lunch and dinner Saddle bags are provided upon request and giving them talks by the most only.

GENERAL ======TOUR TYPES & GRADES Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] We provide different varieties of tours as of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go smaller minorities Russians, Armenians, regards to their types and difficulty grades! walking, biking or riding horses. Vlachs, Jews, Karakachans etc.) Whether you will choose individual and ======Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, group tours with a guide or combined tours Equipment and clothing: 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% with a guide for some part of the trip Recommended items: good quality padded Others. depends on you. We emphasize on using cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in local experienced guides with knowledge of cycling shoes; fleece headband; fingerless 2006) the local language, culture, history, art, etc. biking gloves; lightweight windproof biking Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, The tours are conducted in the English jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, language. Guides in other languages are jacket; sunglasses with UV protection; Pleven available upon request. sunscreen lotion and lip balm. Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan Tour types ======Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width - ~ 30- Our tours are divided in different tour types, Money and personal expenses 60 km.); (highest - Rila Mountain - peak regardless of being guided or not or if You will need some extra money to cover Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) someone travels alone or in a group. We meals, drinks and extra trips not included in the Boundaries - North - Romania; East - have prepared your vacation so that you can tour price. Additional money for souvenirs and Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - concentrate on new impressions and personal things could also be spent. That is Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here why it is always necessary to have Bulgarian Turkey; is a description of the various tours: money in cash. Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - IT+: Individual tours with a guide The payments in Bulgaria are usually made in 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 The same as the Individual tours, with the "LEV" (BGN), which is the official currency. The - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. only difference that there is a local guide exchange rate with EU and USD is quite - 0,7 % provided for some of the days. During the changing sometimes, but approximately it is: Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 days with a local guide most probably you BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,5-1. Credit Cards nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed will be together with other tourists. could be used primarily in some supermarkets reserves, over 350 protected areas and GT: Group tours and restaurants in the biggest cities as well as 500 natural monuments There is a guide accompanying you in the petrol stations. Usually it is marked on ======throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the their front doors if Credit Cards are accepted. Weather airport upon arrival and leaving you at the ATMs ("bankomates") are more frequent (again Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. airport again for departure. We use well- in the biggest towns only!). Traveler's cheques Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) trained and experienced local people with take quite a lot of time to handle and not each Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in good knowledge of English. The group size bank deals with them (in many cases it takes the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the is normally 6-12 people, if not specially even few days since their deposition in the highlands mentioned. bank!) - thus they are not recommended! Rainy days per month – May – 7; June – ------Here are some examples of comparative costs 8; July – 6; August – 3; September – 6; Difficulty grades in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range (number may be higher in the mountains) To prepare yourself for the best of your restaurants!): Mean daily/night temperatures (up to 1000 vacation we recommend that you start - Coffee – 0,3 Euro m a.s.l.) - May – 22/12 °C; June – 26/16 planning it in an advance. Good physical - Tea – 0,3 Euro °C; July – 28/17 °C; August – 26/15 °C; condition is required. In order to achieve it - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,7-1 Euro September – 23/13 °C; we advise you to start walking, jogging or - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,8 Euro cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro times a week is also highly recommended. - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5-10 Euro Altitudinal distribution of annual You do not need much to get yourself in - Three-course lunch - 4-7 Euro temperatures in Bulgaria shape. And don't forget that the most - Lunch pack - 3-5 Euro important tip for an unforgettable active - Tips – 10% of the holiday is to choose a trip which corresponds restaurant bill Weather Bulgaria to your physical condition! ======C: Difficult ======25 4, 5 – 5, 5 hours of cycling per day on Cell phone average. At some steep (but short) parts you coverage 20 may need to push your bike. These are Currently the whole 15 usually mountain biking tours along dirty territory of Bulgaria 500 m a.s.l. 1000 m a.s.l. roads and mountain paths. Bikers should be is covered with a 10 well prepared to face trails with climbs and mobile connection. 2000 m a.s.l. 5 bumpy parts from time to time. Some However the Temperature ) C ( physical preparations are essential before trekking & cycling 0 booking a tour with this grade. tours are done in April June August October

======mountainous areas -5 Extensions: Yes, Black Sea where the signal Months This is a unique proposal, which gives you could be weak or the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one even lacking from time to time. In such a week more at the incredibly low price! We situation you just need to change your location can offer a great variety of means of a bit in order to find available network. accommodation - from home stays (no ======meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) Electricity on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are normal. Voltage - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with is 220 watts. If you come from the U.S. or UK hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, you need to purchase an adapter, which is water-sports facilities etc. available only in Bulgarian cities and biggest - Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded winter and sea resorts. by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old ======Quarters and a specific atmosphere. Brief about Bulgaria - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a Territory - 110 912 sq. km. beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 % ethnic Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% Roma; rest – Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 4 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]