Magurata cave – one of the longest caves Introduction: Lakatnik rocks – high white rock formations in (2500m) famous for its ancient in the gorge, one of the most famous rock drawings of people, animals and cult Unique combination of walking and places for climbing and speleology in rituals. mountain biking routes, revealing the Bulgaria. Chuprene – a biosphere reserve with best of the Western pristine nature and eco trails. landscapes, Karst formations, caves, Cherepish monastery – founded in 14th c. it gorges, waterfalls, monasteries, is picturesquely situated near the banks of Itinerary historical landmarks, eco-trails, rare Iskar river in the stunning surroundings of flora and fauna, and nature reserves. the white Liutibrod rocks Day 1. Meeting at airport. Transfer We explore on foot and on a bike Vratstata rock phenomenon – a rocky to the city centre for overnight. saddle the hidden trails in the alpine pass with 400m. high rock walls situated meadows of the mountains, the old near town. The most famous climbing Day 2. Beech forests, the sinister caves with area in Bulgaria with more then 140 climbing Transfer (50 km; 60 minutes) to Bov amazing stalactites and not the least routes. village. Hiking on the famous Vazov eko the local traditions, cuisine and habits. Ledenika cave – only 300m long but one of trail passing under one of the highest This is a truly unforgettable adventure, the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria with 10 waterfalls in Bulgaria – Bovska Skaklia varied in many ways and especially halls, numerous cave formation and icy (90m). The path climbs up to the edge of created to show you the best of this stalactites in winter time. the cliffs of Zasele village with splendid amazing part of the Balkan Varshetc - a small mountain town famous view towards Iskar valley. We get on the Mountains. for its healing mineral water springs, one of bikes from the center of the village and the oldest balneology resorts in Bulgaria start cycling on a nice isolated asphalt Special highlights: Klisura monastery – founded in the road for the next 10 km. We pass through 13th c. is one of the biggest monasteries in Zimevitsa and Zanoge village surrounded Iskar gorge – going all through the the region. by big meadows with panoramic views. Balkan mountains from south to north Kopren – mountainous area near the Soon the asphalt road turns into a gravel it is one of the most beautiful, deepest Serbian border with beautiful fast rivers, road and starts descending with great and longest (156km) river gorge in numerous waterfalls and cascades, views towards Lakatnik region. The Bulgaria with numerous rock abundant flora and fauna, interesting rock downhill ride finishes at the turning for formations, waterfalls, scattered formations and eco trails. Gubislav village. Note that there are few mountain villages and beautiful Chiprovtsi monastery – is one of the oldest steep sections with many stones on the nature. monasteries in Bulgaria founded in 10th gravel road. We bike on the main asphalt Nature Park Vrachanski Balkan – is century and played an important role in road for 1 km to Zhitoliub karst spring and a part of the Balkan mountains range approving the Christian religion in the the nearby small restaurant where we can proclaimed for a nature park to protect Bulgarian lands. have lunch. After that we do a short hike the typical karst relief, rich flora and Belogradchik rocks – natural sandstone to the splendid Lakatnik rocks. We admire fauna. phenomenon consisting of a group of many the view from above and descend back to Skaklia waterfalls – Bovska (90m) red rock figures up to 200 m high, the main road. Transfer (75 km; 1,20 min.) and Vratsa (140m) Skaklia are one of resembling living creatures. Like in a fairy to Vratsa for overnight with a quick stop at the highest and most majestic tale the medieval fortress Kaleto rises up at the picturesque Cherepish Monastery on waterfalls in Bulgaria the top of the rocks. the way. Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] /breakfast, dinner/ Hiking specifics: Difficulty grade: B/C Distance: 5 km, Uphill/downhill Day 5. Transfer (60km; 60 min.) to Kopren walking: 300/100 m, Time: 3h hut. Visist of the Lopushanski monastery on Best period: May – October Biking specifics: the way. Hiking on the beautiful Kopren eco- Distance: 18 km, Uphill/downhill trail with numerouse waterfalls and water Weather: walking: 200/600 m, Time: 3h cascades. The route climbs up on the river Temperatures expected for this period and /breakfast, dinner/ via some wooden stairs, then goes up area are between + 10 and + 30oC. Day 3. through stunning rocks to a beautiful Sometimes noontime could be a little Short transfer brings us to the meadow full with flowers and starts exhausting for cycling on open territories. beginning of the trail for Vratsa descending to the starting point. Lunch at Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are Skaklia waterfall (the highest Kopren hut. Biking on a nice dirt road possible, being a bit prolonged during impermanent waterfall in Bulgaria - through picturesque meadows and spring and late autumn. Mornings and 141m). The trail climbs on rocky path shepherds cottages to Chiprovtsi, famous for evenings are getting cooler. in dense vegetation to the foot of the producing traditional carpets. Overnight. cliff rock and the waterfall. From there Hiking specifics: Equipment and clothing: the climb continues up to the top of Distance: 5 km, Uphill/downhill walking: Cycling gloves, breathable clothes, the rocks with splendid views to 400/350 m, Time: 3.5h waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers, Vratsa town and field. We walk on Biking specifics: hiking shoes, day pack (15-20 l), sun grassy karst field and soon start Distance: 12 km, Uphill/downhill walking: glasses, sun hat. No other special descending steep in a nice beech 100/300 m, Time: 2h equipment needed for this tour (for full list forest to the Vratsata rock /breakfast, dinner/ with recommended items see “General”). phenomenon. From there we are NB! Biking without helmet is not transferred (15 km, 25 min) to Day 6. Transfer (50 km; 1 hour) to advisable. We strongly recommend you to Ledenika cave for a visit (40 min.). We Belogradchik town. Visit of Chiprovtsi bring your own helmet or use one of ours. can have lunch in a restaurant near monastery on the way. Visit of the the cave. Short transfer brings us to Belogradchik fortress and Belogradchik Walking specifics: we walk on nice Parshevitsa area at 1300m (there is a rocks phenomena. Biking around the trekking paths or eco trails with moderate hotel and diary for cheese and Belogradchik rocks on dirt roads and single to hard level of diffuculty and rocky terrain youghurt.) We get on the bikes and hit track paths. Accommodation and lunch in at some stages. Walking on the eco trails the gravel road for the next 12 km. Belogradchik. Transfer (25km; 30 min.) to includes climbing up and down wooden First we climb in a beech forest, then Magurata cave. Visit of the cave. Transfer stairs and footpaths. pass by some grassy slopes and start back to Belogradchik. Overnight. the downhill on nice meadows with Hiking specifics: Biking specifics: we use mainly dirt and great panoramas. We reach the small Distance: 2 km, Uphill/downhill walking: macadam roads and some asphalt roads. village Milanovo at 850m, where we 60/70 m, Time: 1h Routes are moderate to difficult with can have a short rest and some Biking specifics: short uphills and mainly flat and downhill drinks. We continue biking on asphalt Distance: 15 km, Uphill/downhill walking: biking. Short but steep descends on rocky road all the way down to 300/300 m, Time: 2h roads included. Most of the days offer an town at 400m for refreshing swim in /breakfast, dinner/ option for easier biking routes. the mineral water swimming pool and overnight. Day 7. Hike on an eco trail in Chuprene Bicycles: Hiking specifics: Reserve puts the end of the active part of For our mountain biking tour we provide Distance: 5 km, Uphill/downhill the tour. Transfer to Sofia for short brand new hardtail performance mountain walking: 300/350 m, Time: 3h sightseeing tour and overnight. bike with aluminum frame and the Biking specifics: /breakfast/ following components: Distance: 32 km, Uphill/downhill - 24 gears, “Sram” shifters and walking: 150/1000 m, Time: 3,5h Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for derailleur /breakfast, dinner/ departure. - Fork - “Rox shocks Dart 1” – 80 mm /breakfast/ travel Day 4. Transfer (35km; 45 min.) to - “Avid” V-brakes Petrohan pass. Visit of the beautiful Accommodation: - “Truvativ” crankset Klisurski monastery on the way. Family-run hotels and guesthouses with en- - “Mavic” 26” rims Biking from Petrohan pass to suite facilities on halfboard (breakfast & - “Truvativ” handlebar and stem town on a nice dirt road up dinner included, except for day 1 and 7 in to an altitude of 1650 m. with splendid Sofia). panoramas to the Western Balkan Ordering lunchpacks is available in each of The price includes: bike and helmet; mountains massifs. Lunch pack on the the hotels if necessary for the day tours (at English-speaking guide; driver with a way. Possible biking extension with 10 the amount of 5 Euro). supporting vehicle; transfers from/to Sofia km more up and down Berkovska airport and all transfers as per itinerary; river in the area of the beautiful Luggage transportation: accommodation and boarding as Haidushki waterfalls. Overnight in The unnecessary luggage stays in the mentioned above; VAT and all local taxes Berkovitsa. You should order a supporting vehicle, which makes the (entrance fees not included). lunchpack the day before or buy some transfers. You can skip some of the biking or food in advance. hiking parts if you decide to take a rest and The price does not include: tips, dinners Biking specifics: go with the supporting vehicle. on day 1 and 7 (free to choose in Sofia), Distance: 40 km, Uphill/downhill insurance, entrance fees, alcohol drinks, biking:300/1200 m, Time: 5h Tour type: GT cigarettes and other personal expenses

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] GENERAL - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with available only in Bulgarian cities and ======hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, biggest winter and sea resorts. TOUR TYPES & GRADES water-sports facilities etc. ======We provide different varieties of tours as - Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by Brief about Bulgaria regards to their types and difficulty grades! the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Territory - 110 912 sq. km. Whether you will choose individual and Quarters and a specific atmosphere. Population - 7 538 000 (83,9 % ethnic group tours with a guide or combined tours - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% Roma; rest with a guide for some part of the trip beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests – smaller minorities Russians, Armenians, depends on you. We emphasize on using of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go Vlachs, Jews, Karakachans etc.) local experienced guides with knowledge walking, biking or riding horses. Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, of the local language, culture, history, art, ======0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% etc. The tours are conducted in the Equipment and clothing: Others. English language. Guides in other Recommended items: good quality padded Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in languages are available upon request. cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; 2006) Tour types cycling shoes; fleece headband; fingerless Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Our tours are divided in different tour biking gloves; lightweight windproof biking Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, types, regardless of being guided or not or jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper Pleven if someone travels alone or in a group. We jacket; sunglasses with UV protection; Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan have prepared your vacation so that you sunscreen lotion and lip balm. Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width - ~ 30- can concentrate on new impressions and ======60 km.); (highest - Mountain - peak experiences, awaiting you all the time. Money and personal expenses Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) Here is a description of the various tours: You will need some extra money to cover Boundaries - North - Romania; East - meals, drinks and extra trips not included in the Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - GT: Group tours tour price. Additional money for souvenirs and Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, There is a guide accompanying you personal things could also be spent. That is Turkey; throughout the whole trip, meeting you at why it is always necessary to have Bulgarian Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - the airport upon arrival and leaving you at money in cash. 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 the airport again for departure. We use The payments in Bulgaria are usually made in - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. well-trained and experienced local people "LEV" (BGN), which is the official currency. The - 0,7 % with good knowledge of English. The exchange rate with EU and USD is quite Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 group size is normally 6-12 people, if not changing sometimes, but approximately it is: nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed specially mentioned. BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,3-1. Credit Cards reserves, over 350 protected areas and ------could be used primarily in some supermarkets 500 natural monuments Difficulty grades and restaurants in the biggest cities as well as ======To prepare yourself for the best of your in the petrol stations. Usually it is marked on Weather vacation we recommend that you start their front doors if Credit Cards are accepted. Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. planning it in an advance. Good physical ATMs ("bankomates") are more frequent (again Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) condition is required. In order to achieve it in the biggest towns only!). Traveler's cheques Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in we advise you to start walking, jogging or take quite a lot of time to handle and not each the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of bank deals with them (in many cases it takes highlands times a week is also highly recommended. even few days since their deposition in the Rainy days per month – May – 7; June – You do not need much to get yourself in bank!) - thus they are not recommended! 8; July – 6; August – 3; September – 6; shape. And don't forget that the most Here are some examples of comparative costs (number may be higher in the mountains) important tip for an unforgettable active in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range Mean daily/night temperatures (up to 1000 holiday is to choose a trip which restaurants!): m a.s.l.) - May – 22/12 °C; June – 26/16 corresponds to your physical condition! - Coffee – 0,3 Euro °C; July – 28/17 °C; August – 26/15 °C; B: Moderate - Tea – 0,3 Euro September – 23/13 °C; Most of you, who are used to - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro walking/mountain biking during a long - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro Altitudinal distribution of annual weekend, will be in condition to cope with - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,3-0,4 Euro temperatures in Bulgaria a tour of this level. You should be in good - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5-10 Euro health condition and not too bad physical - Three-course lunch -

condition. The paths are in good condition. 4-7 Euro Weather Bulgaria We walk/bike for 1-3h a day. You are free - Lunch pack - 2-3 to skip some walks and have a rest. Euro 25

C: Difficult - Tips – 10% of the 20 These tours include trekking/mountain restaurant bill 15 biking which is a little harder, normally on ======500 m a.s.l.

a challenging terrain (rocky paths with ======1000 m a.s.l. 10 wooden ladders,etc gravel roads with Cell phone coverage 2000 m a.s.l.

some steep sections) . We take it for Currently the whole 5 granted that you are in good condition and territory of Bulgaria is Temperature ) C ( fit. You should be physically prepared at covered with a mobile 0 home to get the maximum of the tour. connection. However April June August October ======the trekking & cycling -5 Months Extensions: Yes, Black Sea tours are done in This is a unique proposal, which gives you mountainous areas where the signal could be the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one weak or even lacking from time to time. In such week more at the incredibly low price! We a situation you just need to change your can offer a great variety of means of location 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 In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are normal. Voltage Coast: is 220 watts. If you come from the U.S. or UK you need to purchase an adapter, which is

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]