Othoman rule.In the monasteries are one of horse for the day 25 % canter, 25% trot, Introduction: the oldest and best preserved religious wall 50 % walk. Six days of riding in the Rodopes –the land of paintings. high peaks and deep river gorges, weird rock The riding starts in Brestovica and formations, lush meadows and dense forests. Itinerary: continues south direction into and up the The green and 225 km (139 mile) long Rhodopa mountain. After leaving the mountain ridge of the Rodopi Mountains is The trip starts from - the encient village and a short steep decline where situated in southern , with 20 percent major town in the tracian valley, famous with the horses walk we pass trough the of the range extending into Greece. The its seven hills and 5000 years of history. After beautiful meadows of the area of Leshten highest peak is around 2,000 m (6,561 ft) high, breakfast there is a short transfer to the enjoying gorgeous views both North to the with the average height around 800 m (2,624 Brestovica village, 20 km away from Plovdiv, Tracian valley and South towards the ft). With their pleasant climate the Rodopi located in the outskirts of the Rhodopa mountain ridges. Here as terrain is opend Mountains are the perfect place for horse riding mountain. The village of Brestovica is famous up and more even the horses can trot and , offering a variety of terrains in which one can with its tradition in the production of high canter again. We have lunch there by experience of all tipes of riding. Your horse will quality wine, and is the place where the the local shepards house injoing fresh walk in a small woody paths, it will trot on an horsestable and horses for our trip are made cheese and milk. From Leshten we ancient roman roads and it will gallop on a located. After a short introduction with the continue on towards the area of meadows wide open. The mountain will horses the riding begins. Our first aim for the Brjanovshtica resort and further up into enchant you with its pre-historic caves, day is one of the first Christian churches in the mountain until we reach Vrahovrah ancient Roman roads and bridges, fortresses the area, built by the Roman emperor resort where we stay for the night at the and churches. The region has a wealth of Anastasij in the 4 th century. He built it after hotel “Rhodopi” - 1300 meters above the traditional architecture and folklore: en route winning a battle over the local tracian tribe sea level. We have lunch packs for the we visit remote villages, old churches and one Bessi , with which he introduced the day. Dinner at Rhodopi hotel. 4,5-5 hours of Bulgaria’s finest monasteries Bachkovo. over the local population. We horse riding for the day. The walk of the According to mythology, this is the homeland of arrive by the Church riding over a beautiful horse for the day- 15 % canter, 25% trot, , the God of wine. Today this is the open area without any serious inclines and 70% walk. area where a native grape variety Mavrud is declines, perfect for the rider and the horse to cultivated. The robust Mavrud red wine can be get used with each other. The terrain allows After having breakfast we continue riding sampled at the well-known wine cellar Villa to go on trot or canter. The trip continues to on the Vrahovrah ridge further into the Vinifera, included in our itinerary. the small town of Perushtica , where we stop mountain , passing next and above the Beautiful landscapes, picturesque small at the local monument over the town, form village of Churen, Lilkovo and Sitovo. villages, exotic sites, great wines – come join where there is a great view over the tracian While we are riding we can enjoy us for an unforgettable holiday! valley. The monument was buil by the gorgeous panoramas, beautiful forests Special highlights: communists as a regard to the sacrifice of the and views towards one of the highest partisans in their struggle against the german peaks in the mountain - Modar. The ride The Miracle bridges –a natural phenomena in occupation. The trip continues above the of the day is on the ridge of the mountain the heart of the mountain and presents two town of Perushtica and back to Brestovica and is without any big ascents and stunning stone arches made from the collapse village where the riding for the day ends with descents. One can enjoj canter and trot . of a huge cave. wine tasting of some the best local wines and At the end of the day we reach the area of Bachkovo monastery - one of the biggest lunch at the Villa Vinifera winery. Trasfer peak Persenk( the second highest in the monasteries in Bulgaria, and the biggest in the back to Plovdiv, free time and dinner in the mountain) where we stay for the nigh into Rhodopa mountain. It has been built in the 12 old town. We are staying again in Plovdiv “Persenk Guest house”.We have lunch th. Century, and has been a bastion for the Guest House (www.plovdivguest.com). 5 packs for the day and dinner at “Persenk Bulgarian culture over the dark ages of the hours horse riding for the day. The walk of the Guest house”. 5 hours riding for the day. The walk of the horse for the day- 25-30 Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] % canter, 25-30% trot, 50-40% walk – included (first meal dinner on day 1, last meal We provide different varieties of tours as depending on the condition and the experience breakfast on day 8) hotels and the guest regards to their types and difficulty level of the group. houses: grades! After waking up again on an altitude Whether you will choose individual and above1300 m. and enjoying the beauty of the www.plovdivguest.com group tours with a guide or combined area around Persenk Guest house, we www.namerihotel.com/.../park-hotel- tours with a guide for some part of the trip continue towards the area of the Miracle rodopi-review.html depends on you. We emphasize on using bridges. The ride continues for about an hour www.uniquo.info/contacts.htm local experienced guides with knowledge further south on Chernatitsa ridge and then we www.hotelzdravetz.com of the local language, culture, history, art, make a short ascent up in order to go east etc. The tours are conducted in the toward the Miracle bridges. We continue riding Price of extra services: Single room English language. Guides in other while passing trough forests and meadows supplement: 85 EUR languages are available upon request. until we reach the natural phenomena of the Tour types Miracle bridges - two stunning stone arches Our tours are divided in different tour made from the collapse of a huge cave. We Included in the price: 7 overnights in types, regardless of being guided or not have lunch there. After lunch we have two guesthouses and family-run pensions in en- or if someone travels alone or in a group. options: one to continue riding for 2,5-3 hours suite rooms on fullboard; riding guide; We have prepared your vacation so that toward the village of Orehovo passing trough English-speaking interpreter; saddled horse; you can concentrate on new impressions the meadows of the area Kabata, and seeing luggage transfers from point to point; pick and experiences, awaiting you all the another natural phenomenon which is called , up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; VAT time. Here is a description of the various Vaklite dupki( a steap descent into a rounded and all local taxes. tours: gorge) . There is a descending from the area of IT+: Individual tours with a guide Kabata down to the village of Orehovo. Second Not included: Alcoholic drinks; tips; other The same as the Individual tours, with the option that we have is that we can leave the personal expenses. only difference that there is a local guide horses to the guide, take the waiting van and provided for some of the days. During the go 30 km down on asphalt road to see Best period: May – October days with a local guide most probably you Bachkovo monastery - one of the biggest will be together with other tourists. monasteries in Bulgaria, and the biggest in the ------Rhodopa mountain, which has been built in the Group size: 2- 6 persons Difficulty grades 12 th. century . The day ends up in Orehovo To prepare yourself for the best of your village in the UNIQO guest house, where we Tour difficulty: B vacation we recommend that you start enjoy great dinner and some good wine. planning it in an advance. Good physical Riding for the day – to the Miracle bridges 3 Vaccination: condition is required. In order to achieve it hours, to Orehovo 5 h .30 min. 15 % canter, Optional. See “General” for more information. we advise you to start walking, jogging or 30% trot, 65% walk. cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of Weather: times a week is also highly The riding today starts from Orehovo village. Temperatures expected for this period are recommended. You do not need much to We are going up towards the Chernatica ridge, between +15 and +25oC. Noontime could be get yourself in shape. And don't forget trough the meadows of Srednite livadi and quite exhausting for trekking or simple that the most important tip for an towards Bjala Cherkva area.After a short walking over open territories. Rainfalls or unforgettable active holiday is to choose a ascent we can enjoy gallops trough the short but heavy showers are possible, being a trip which corresponds to your physical meadows and as well as breathtaking views. bit prolonged during spring and late autumn condition! After reaching the area of Bjala Cherkva we make a descent on a soft road in the forest THE HORSES: A: Light until we reach the “ECO hotel Zdravec” where All of the horses are from the breed called No special experience is needed. we are staying for the night. There we can “Karakachanski horse”.This horse is a Everyone who is in condition to cope with enjoy the excellent spa and pool centre of the certified breed used in the mountains of the long Saturday walks in the forest can also hotel. We have lunch pack for the day. Dinner Balkan peninsular. It has been established by cope with these tours. As a rule the trips at the hotel. Riding for the day 4.5 -5 hours. 25 the shepherds in the mountains over the are short and at a low altitude. Often it is % canter, 25% trot, 50% walk. centuries. This horse is the best your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The fitted/accommodated/ to mountain terrain routes follow a hilly terrain without steep After having breakfast we continue our ride (rocks, steep paths, fallen trees, etc.). It is ascents and descents. Normally we walk descending trough pine and oak forests, until familiar with the local fauna and flora and is 3-5h a day. we reach the gorge of Pepelashka river, where not an easy job to scared . The horses from B: Moderate we have lunch by the rocks on a 150 meters this breed are not as tall as the eastern Most of you, who are used to walking cliff, while enjoying the splendid view. The ride Bulgarian horse, but they are very agile and during a long weekend, will be in continues on a soft road, great for gallops enduring, with elagant profile and a small condition to cope with a tour of this level. toward the village of Izvor and Hrabrino. We head, . All the horse we are having behave You should be in good health condition pass trough the village of Hrabrino and then we with each other really well and we are not and not too bad physical condition. We go down to Tamrash river which we cross experiencing any trouble with them walking , have successive days of longer and more trough an old Roman bridge. We continue up trotting or cantering together. difficult walking and days of lighter the hill until we reach again the meadows of walking. Some parts of the day routes are Leshten, where our horseirding ends. There is Equipment and clothing: done at a higher altitude. The paths are in a transfer to Plovdiv, where we have farewell Raincoats, polar flees, and light sport jackets. good condition. We walk for 5-7h a day. dinner with folklore program and music at the We provide helmets for the riders. We do no You are free to skip some walks and have restaurant “Megdana”. We are staying again at provide chaps, as they are no necessity with a rest. Plovdiv Guest House in the heart of the old the western saddles. ======town. We have lunch pack for the day. Riding Some spray against horse-fly can be of use in Extensions: Yes, Black Sea for the day – 4 hours. 15 % canter, 25% trot, the first, second and last day of the tour. This is a unique proposal, which gives 65% walk. The tack of the horses: we are using western you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for saddles for the tour. If you prefer an English one week more at the incredibly low price! Accomodation and food: saddle, we can also offer it. We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no We stay overnight at local guesthouses and GENERAL meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or small family-run hotels in rooms with private ======HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea facilities. Breakfast, lunch pack & dinner TOUR TYPES & GRADES Coast: Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with connection. However the trekking & cycling hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, tours are done in mountainous areas where water-sports facilities etc. the signal could be weak or even lacking from - Sozopol, Nessebar - small towns (founded by time to time. In such a situation you just need the ancient Greeks) with picturesque old to change your location a bit in order to find quarters and a specific atmosphere. available network. - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a ======beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests Electricity of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are normal. walking, biking or riding horses. Voltage is 220 watts. If you come from the ======U.S. or UK you need to purchase an adapter, Equipment and clothing: which is available only in Bulgarian cities and You should always remember that you must try biggest winter and sea resorts. to keep the weight of your hiking equipment ======down to a minimum. Your packed daypack Brief about Bulgaria should weigh no more than 10-15 kilograms. Territory - 110 912 sq. km. Recommended items: waterproof rucksack (60 Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 % ethnic l) & daypack (35 l); walking waterproof boots Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% Roma; rest – with suitable ankle support; light casual smaller minorities Russians, Armenians, shoes/sandals for walking and/or for travelling; , Jews, Karakachans etc.) gaiters; loose, casual trousers for trekking; Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper jacket; 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% windproof, waterproof outer shell garment Others. (breathable if possible!); hat for sun protection; Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in 2006) sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, lotion and lip balm; water bottle; torch Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven (headlamp); mobile phone; underwear (not Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan Mountain: cotton); mosquito repellent; trekking sticks. length - ~ 550 km.; width ~ 30-60 km.); ======(highest - Rila Mountain - peak Musala - 2 Vaccination: 925 m.a.s.l.) Tick-borne encephalitis, Marselle fever and Boundaries - North - Romania; East - Black Crimea haemorhagic fever is recommended by Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - Serbia, some medical sources if travelling in certain Macedonia; South - Greece, ; areas of Eastern Europe, at specific times of Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - the year. Check latest requirements with your 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 - travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. - ======0,7 % Money and personal expenses Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 nature You will need some extra money to cover parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed reserves, meals, drinks and extra trips not included in the over 350 protected areas and 500 natural tour price. Additional money for souvenirs and monuments personal things could also be spent. That is ======why it is always necessary to have Bulgarian Weather money in cash. Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. Min. The payments in Bulgaria are usually made in - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) "LEV" (BGN), which is the official currency. The Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in the exchange rate with EU and USD is quite lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the highlands changing sometimes, but approximately it is: Rainy days per month – May – 7; June – 8; BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,6-1. Credit Cards July – 6; August – 3; September – 6; (number could be used primarily in some supermarkets may be higher in the mountains) and restaurants in the biggest cities as well as Mean daily/night temperatures (up to 1000 m in the petrol stations. Usually it is marked on a.s.l.) - May + 22/12 °C; June + 26/16 °C; their front doors if Credit Cards are accepted. July + 28/17 °C; August + 26/15 °C; ATMs ("bankomates") are more frequent (again September + 23/13 °C; in the biggest towns only!). Traveler's cheques take quite a lot of time to handle and not each Altitudinal distribution of annual bank deals with them (in many cases it takes temperatures in Bulgaria even few days since their deposition in the bank!) - thus they are not recommended! Here are some examples of comparative costs in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range restaurants!): - Coffee – 0,3 Euro - Tea – 0,3 Euro - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,3-0,4 Weather Bulgaria

Euro 25 - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5-10 Euro 20

- Three-course lunch - 4-10 Euro 15 500 m a.s.l.

- Lunch pack - 2-3 Euro 1000 m a.s.l. 10 ======2000 m a.s.l.

Cell phone coverage 5 Currently the whole territory of Tem perature C ) ( Bulgaria is covered with a mobile 0 April June August October Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria -5 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone:Months +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]