Introduction: Rodopi Mountains with their highest again. There is a cave waterfall - one On this incredible biking adventure you will peak Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are of the be immersed into the heart of the the oldest mountains on the Balkan highest underground waterfalls in gorgeous Rodopi Mountains, which Peninsula. Europe, 42 m high. provide excellent conditions for mountain (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small biking. Plenty of off-road tracks are waiting second Bulgarian city in population and village in the central part of the to be discovered amidst the greenery of size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of Rodopi Mountains, neighbouring to the land of the mythical musician and the oldest European towns contemporary Trigrad Gorge, famous for its 250 m singer Orpheus who entranced people, to Troy and Mikena. high cliffs animals and plants with his magical music. Bachkovo Monastery is the second Yagodina Cave is among the longest On this tour you will be able to cycle on largest Bulgarian monastery. caves in (more than 10 000 different terrains, dirt, macadam, and Chepelare (1100 m a.s.l.) is a ski resort m mapped so far), considered to be isolated asphalt roads and paths. Also you that has Bulgaria's only ski and one of the most beautiful in Europe will be riding through forests, along deep snowboard equipment factory. with its outstanding stalactites, gorges, on ridges and hillsides. Remote The Wonderful Bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) stalagmites, columns, ponds and tiny villages with unique architecture and are 2 unique rock formation (about 40 m cave pearls in them. natural phenomena will add even more high) covering an area of 40,3 hectares. Itinerary flavour to the tour. As well as, meet Pamporovo (1650 m a.s.l.) is a modern Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv hospitable people, and experience local ski resort in the heart of the Rodopi Airport and transfer to Plovdiv for traditions and customs. Mountains. overnight (2 hours from Sofia). The Rodopi Mountains with the highest Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Numerous /dinner/ peak Goliam Perelik at 2191 m a.s.l, are houses preserving the typical Rodopean Day 2. The morning starts with a the southernmost mountains in Bulgaria. architecture, speech, songs and customs transfer deep into the mountains few The mountains border with Greece and of local people have given the village the kilometers after Studenets vacation are known to be the widest massif in status of an architectural, ethnographic area. The starting point is around 35 Bulgaria. Geologically they are the oldest and folklore reserve. km south of Plovdiv, located at 1390 land on the Balkans. This area is Gela village (1500 m a.s.l.) is one of the m a.s.l. The route begins on a dirt abundant with coniferous woods. The most ancient settlements in the Rodopi road, slightly downhill. It goes into the landscape is soft and oval. It also consists Mountains, being more than 3300 years shades of a lush mixed forest. An of rolling hills, high ridges and deep river old. Gela is believed to be the birth place uphill ride follows and then another valleys snaking alongside river basins. of the legendary musician Orpheus. descent, until you arrive at a remote This massif is home to 70% of the world’s Chairski lakes (1600 m a.s.l.) are and quiet village – Dobralak. From minerals, as well as 600 caves. A wide formed by land sliding. They are here you’ll encounter an isolated variety of plant and animal species can be declared protected area due to the asphalt road until the end of the found only here in Europe. The climate is presence of some rare plants, growing cycling stage for the day. For the next mild and pleasant throughout the year with within the peat there. 8-10 km, on the right, you’ll be able to more than 275 sunny days. The summer The Devil's Throat Cave has its name enjoy beautiful panoramic views over temperatures are never too from the fact that if you let something the green Rodopi Mountains. Next high, and the winter ones never to low. flow in the cave river it never comes out there is a climb into the village of Special highlights: Iavrovo, and after another 11 km, Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] only downhill cycling until we come to the picturesque Zornitsa village. Cycling by some magnificent sweeping last stop of the day at 375 m a.s.l. Cycling down to Zornitsa and its 3 remote panoramic views. The road then finishes at King Assen’s fortress built in neighbourhoods is a real pleasure. At descends to Kasaka hamlet and the the 11th-12th centuries. King Assen was about 1700 m a.s l. you will be enjoying village of Mougla. The next natural one of the most magnificent kings from the some fantastic panoramic vistas over the landmarks are the serene Chairski Second Bulgarian Kingdom. After visiting Southern Rodopi. Few kilometres after Lakes. They are home to some rare the fortress we go to the Bachkovo Zornitsa you arrive at the main road plant species. After 12 km of downhill Monastery by car. Afterwards we will Plovdiv-Smolyan (1100 m a.s.l.). There cycling along Livadnitsa River you’ll proceed to the overnight destination in the you will be collected by the driver who meet the driver and finish the day at village of Brestnik at the foots of Rodopi will take you to accommodation in the 1040 m a.s.l. The drive will take us Mountains. town of Smolyan (37 km transfer). through the marvellous Trigrad Gorge Cycling specifics: Distance: 41,2 km Smolyan is the largest town in the with its 250 m high cliffs. A few (25,6 miles); uphill cycling: 500 m (1,640 Central Rodopi Mountains, and is kilometres further on we will stop to ft); downhill cycling: 1000 m (3,280 ft); situated in one of its most scenic areas. visit The Devil’s Throat Cave with its cycling time: 4 hrs Cycling specifics: Distance: 29 km (18 underground waterfall. This amazing /breakfast, dinner/ miles); uphill cycling: 350 m (1,148 ft); spectacle is actually one of the Day 3. You begin again on the support downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft); cycling highest underground waterfalls in vehicle travelling 29 km south of Plovdiv. time: 5 hrs Europe. Finally, we travel for another The starting point is where the asphalt /breakfast, dinner/ 2 km to our accommodation in the road ends few kilometres before Lilkovo Day 5. Having visited the beautiful village of Trigrad. village (at 900 m a.s.l.). After some gentle Smolyan Lakes we continue about 15 km Cycling specifics: Distance: 37 km uphill biking you arrive at the beginning of uphill to the starting point of the day - few (23 miles); uphill cycling: 600 m the hamlet of Plochnik. At this point the kilometres away from the highest peak of (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 850 m terrain changes to dirt road and leads the mountains – Goliam Perelik peak (2,788 ft); cycling time: 6 hrs directly to Lilkovo. Next you ascend until (2191 m a.s.l.) – a place where the /breakfast, dinner/ you arrive at an open space - the asphalt road ends at 1970 m a.s.l. In the Day 7. Before lunch you will ride a Hadzhiitsa countryside. Further up you beginning you cycle back downhill on the circuit route. First you start from the ascend to the Popova Rock countryside asphalt until you reach the main road hotel in Trigrad (1280 m a.s.l) to where you can stop for lunch. At the top of Smolyan – Stoykite. On the way you’ll be reach the village of Vodni Pad at a rise is Persenk hut (1750 m a.s.l) where surrounded by awesome panoramas. 1350 m a.s.l. and finally to come back you can have a coffee break. Then you Then the dirt track weaves through a to the hotel in Trigrad. The village of begin a downhill ride towards Orehovo dense forest. After a short while you Vodni Pad is situated near the Greek village. Once you reach the village of arrive at the Studenets hut and the border; you may see the border fence Orehovo you bike downstream alongside famous Pamporovo ski resort. Then the 200 m away from the village centre. the Oreshitsa River. The route follows the terrain changes as we join an isolated The track to the village climbs for the river until we finish at the village of Hvoina asphalt road. To reach the highest point first stage up to 1600 m a.s.l, and (at 700 m a.s.l.). From here you’ll be for the day you bike uphill for about 6 km then descends amidst meadows and collected by the driver and taken to the until you arrive at the Mechi Peak area at green forests. From Vodni Pad to town of Chepelare (21 km transfer). 1850 m a.s.l. From this point on you will Trigrad the track descends slightly Chepelare is Bulgaria’s highest town and be able to experience breath-taking following the route of the Trigrad is situated at a height of 1150 m.a.s.l. mountain landscapes. It is also from here River. You arrive at the hotel then Cycling specifics: Distance: 44,2 km that the dirt track goes mostly downhill, and cycle uphill for a while until you (27,5 miles); uphill cycling: 900 m (2,952 following the mountain ridge. Later on continue with only downhill biking to ft); downhill cycling: 1250 m (4,101 ft); you pass through the village of Yagodina Cave. After a cave tour you cycling time: 6 hrs Kukuvitsa. Once again you will descend will be taken by the supporting /breakfast, dinner/ for about 6 km until you arrive at the vehicle towards Plovdiv. The trip is Day 4. In the morning there will be a village of Shiroka Laka, where we stay around 90 km and on your way you transfer to the Skalni Mostove hut (at a overnight. At 1060 m a.s.l high in the will see superb views over the Vacha height of 1580 m a.s.l.). On the way to our mountains, the village of Shiroka Laka is and Dams. starting point we pass through the an architectural reserve with many Cycling specifics: Distance: 28,2 km Chudnite Mostove hut, where you’ll be houses from the Bulgarian revival period. (17,5 miles); uphill cycling: 350 m able to see the unique natural The village is also an ethnographical (1,148 ft); downhill cycling: 600 m phenomenon known as The Wonderful reserve of Bulgarian folklore and culture. (1,968 ft); cycling time: 4 hrs Bridges. The Wonderful Bridges are two Cycling specifics: Distance: 32 km /breakfast, dinner/ 43 m high rock bridges that you are able (19,9 miles); uphill cycling: 300 m (984 Day 8. After breakfast you will have to walk under along the river. After the ft); downhill cycling: 950 m (3,116 ft); transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for Skalni Mostove hut the dirt road goes cycling time: 4 hrs departure (transfer time: 20 min to uphill for 6 km through a lush and dense /breakfast, dinner/ Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia coniferous forest. Then you reach and Day 6. We will begin with a 6 km transfer Airport) bike along the ridge, getting to Gluhite to the village of Gela. The village is /breakfast/ Kamani (The Deaf Stones) and further up thought to be the birthplace of the Accommodation: to the highest point of the day at 1910 m legendary musician Orpheus. From here We stay in family-run hotels (days 3, a.s.l. As you continue further you arrive at we start biking uphill at 1550 m a.s.l. 5 & 6) with private facilities and in meadows and are able to see some Further up we’ll pass the Lednitsata hut. guesthouses with en-suite facilities superb view over the mountains. You can The road will take us almost to the top of (the rest days; shared facilities only stop for a short break at the Izgrev hut on the ridge where we bike at the highest on day 4) on HB (breakfast & dinner the way before continuing downhill on a altitude of the day (1845 m a.s.l.) The included). Ordering lunchpacks is dirt road, through the forest towards the track is smooth, even, and surrounded available in each of the hotels if Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] necessary for the day tours (at the amount if someone travels alone or in a group. We windstopper jacket; sunglasses with UV of 5-6 Euro). have prepared your vacation so that you can protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm. Luggage transportation: concentrate on new impressions and ======Luggage is taken care of throughout the experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here is Money and personal expenses a description of the various tours: IT+: You will need some extra money to cover whole trip. A small rucksack for carrying Individual tours with a guide The same as meals, drinks and extra trips not included personal items during the day is the Individual tours, with the only difference in the tour price. Additional money for necessary. There will be 1 guide with you that there is a local guide provided for some souvenirs and personal things could also throughout the tour who will leave you at of the days. During the days with a local be spent. That is why it is always the starting point every day (you'll be guide most probably you will be together with necessary to have Bulgarian money in given a map and itinerary notes for every other tourists. GT: Group tours There is a cash. day) and will meet you at the end of the guide accompanying you throughout the The payments in Bulgaria are usually cycling day. whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon made in "LEV" (BGN), which is the official Tour type: IT + / GT arrival and leaving you at the airport again for currency. The exchange rate with EU and departure. We use well-trained and USD is quite changing sometimes, but Difficulty grade: B (days 2, 4, 5 & 7) / C experienced local people with good approximately it is: BGN:EU - 2:1; (days 3 & 6) knowledge of English. The group size is BGN:USD - 1,7-1. Credit Cards could be Best period: May – September normally 6-12 people, if not specially used primarily in some supermarkets and Weather: mentioned. ------restaurants in the biggest cities as well as Temperatures expected for this period are ----- in the petrol stations. Usually it is marked between + 15 and +30oC. Sometimes Difficulty grades To prepare yourself for the on their front doors if Credit Cards are noontime could be a little exhausting for best of your vacation we recommend that you accepted. ATMs ("bankomates") are more cycling on open territories. Rainfalls or start planning it in an advance. Good physical frequent (again in the biggest towns short but heavy showers are possible, condition is required. In order to achieve it we only!). Traveler's cheques take quite a lot advise you to start walking, jogging or cycling of time to handle and not each bank deals being a bit prolonged during spring and everyday. Swimming a couple of times a with them (in many cases it takes even late autumn. week is also highly recommended. You do few days since their deposition in the Equipment and clothing: not need much to get yourself in shape. And bank!) - thus they are not recommended! Equipped mountain bikes and saddlebags don't forget that the most important tip for an Here are some examples of comparative (upon request) are provided by the unforgettable active holiday is to choose a trip costs in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range company. We don’t provide helmets for which corresponds to your physical condition! restaurants!): hygienic reasons. No special equipment B: Moderate 3,5-5 hours of cycling per day - Coffee – 0,3 Euro needed for this tour (for list with on average over hilly or flat terrain with only - Tea – 0,3 Euro recommended items see “General”). several steep parts (climbing max. 12 %) - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro which can be skipped if it’s a guided tour with - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro Bicycles: a supporting vehicle. All people used to - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,3-0,4 Euro For our mountain biking tour we provide cycling should be able to make this trip. - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5-10 quality, light and well-geared " SPRINT - However 30-50 km cycling per day is Euro Apolon " mountain bikes with the following recommended for some time before the start - Three-course lunch - 4-7 Euro characteristics: of the tour. - Lunch pack - 2-3 Euro - frame 26"x 19"( 21") Alloy 6061 C: Difficult 4, 5 – 5, 5 hours of cycling per ======- gear set – 21 gears SHIMANO day on average. At some steep (but short) Cell phone coverage TX30/RS31 parts you may need to push your bike. These Currently the whole territory of Bulgaria is - V-brakes are usually mountain biking tours along dirty covered with a mobile connection. roads and mountain paths. Bikers should be However the trekking & cycling tours are - front anti-shock well prepared to face trails with climbs and done in mountainous areas where the - rims - double wall HDP bumpy parts from time to time. Some physical signal could be weak or even lacking from - rear lights ( some of the bikes have front preparations are essential before booking a time to time. In such a situation you just lights as well) tour with this grade. need to change your location a bit in order - fork: ZOOM CH-381/60 mm travel ======to find available network. The price includes: equipped mountain Extensions: Yes, Black Sea ======bike (without helmet!), guide/driver with a This is a unique proposal, which gives you Electricity supporting vehicle, map, roadbook, the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are normal. transfer from/to the airport, week more at the incredibly low price! We can Voltage is 220 watts. If you come from the offer a great variety of means of U.S. or UK you need to purchase an accommodation and boarding as accommodation - from home stays (no meals) adapter, which is available only in mentioned above, VAT and all local taxes. to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Bulgarian cities and biggest winter and The price does not include: tips, Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: sea resorts. entrance fees, alcohol drinks, cigarettes - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with ======and other personal expenses hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, Brief about Bulgaria water-sports facilities etc. Territory - 110 912 sq. km. GENERAL - Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 % ======by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old ethnic Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% TOUR TYPES & GRADES Quarters and a specific atmosphere. Roma; rest – smaller minorities Russians, We provide different varieties of tours as - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a Armenians, Vlachs, Jews, Karakachans regards to their types and difficulty grades! beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests etc.) Whether you will choose individual and group of the Strandzha Mountains where you can Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, tours with a guide or combined tours with a go walking, biking or riding horses. 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% guide for some part of the trip depends on you. ======Others. We emphasize on using local experienced Equipment and clothing: Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in guides with knowledge of the local language, Recommended items: good quality padded 2006) culture, history, art, etc. The tours are cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, conducted in the English language. Guides in cycling shoes; fleece headband; fingerless Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, other languages are available upon request. biking gloves; lightweight windproof biking Pleven Tour types Our tours are divided in different jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan tour types, regardless of being guided or not or Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width - ~ Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] 30-60 km.); (highest - Rila Mountain - peak Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) Boundaries - North - Romania; East - Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, Turkey; Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. - 0,7 % Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed reserves, over 350 protected areas and 500 natural monuments ======Weather Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the highlands Rainy days per month – May – 7; June – 8; July – 6; August – 3; September – 6; (number may be higher in the mountains) Mean daily/night temperatures (up to 1000 m a.s.l.) - May – 22/12 °C; June – 26/16 °C; July – 28/17 °C; August – 26/15 °C; September – 23/13 °C;

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 4 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]