Penguin Travel Office Denmark: Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, Tlf. 33 21 51 00; Fax 33 21 51 50; e-mail: [email protected]

Dossier Ref. BGHR_05 Horseriding Holidays Trail Issued: January 2006

Horse riding in Bulgaria: from/to Ranch Difficulty grades: 2-3 Do you really want to explore Bulgaria - do This trail ride is a different way to explore the it on a horseback. country; its nature and culture. It is intended It’s simply one of the best ways to expe- for those of you who want to change the riding rience the country and the people. On the grounds or the short Saturday riding tour with horseback you will gain knowledge of the riding in the wild nature of South-Eastern Eu- nature, flora and fauna, historical sights, rope. The horse trek requires that you are used architecture etc. You will pass through Madzhare to riding and have some experience in riding in the most fantastic landscapes and you the open fields, on an unknown terrain and on will have the most impressious views. And Lovna Hut different horses. A different skill grade is neces- Seven Rila Lakes Mount at the same time you will meet the peo- Ribni Ezera Hut Zavratchitsa sary for the various tours. Here is a short descrip- ple were they are in the country side: In a tion of the difficulty grades we operate with: harmony between nature – horses and the Hut Grunchar Hut 1. For all those who have no or just a little ex- famous – still existing – Bulgarian hospi- perience. tality. 2. For those with experience relevant to 1-2 years of a riding school. You should have tried The Rila Trek Rila Mountains the different paces and individual tours in the Are you a fen of challenging mountains, open fields. wild and untouched forests and overnights 3. You have several years of experience and you in huts? If so, this trip is just for Season: Juli – august - september are well-trained in riding in all paces, on chal- you. The Rila Mountains are the highest on lenging terrains and you can ride horses with dif- the Balkan Peninsula, with lots of peaks Group size: Min 4 ferent characters. almost 3000 m. They are like a rough sea of mountain peaks, gorges and more than Tour type: IT+/IG/GT SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS 189 lakes. During this trip we pass The Our tours are divided in different tour types, re- - Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria Seven Rila Lakes, which lie just like pearls gardless of being guided or not or if someone and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount on a thread. travels alone or in a group. We have prepared Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. They occupy the prestig- Our toriding trek starts from Iskar Ranch, your vacation so that you can concentrate on ious 6-th place in the European “classification”, pass the popular ski resort of Borovets, new impressions and experiences, awaiting you preceded by , the , , where you will see the hunting residence all the time. Here is a description of this tour: the and the Etna volcano. of the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand. The ride - IT+: Individual tours with a guide: There is a - Rila Monastery lies in the very Rila Moun- continues at an elevation between 1900 local guide provided for the days of your stay. tains, at 1,147 meters above sea level. It is the and 2400m passing several remote moun- In this particular tour you will be met by a rep- most popular tourist site among all monasteries tain lakes offering breathtaking views. One resentative in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surround- of the highlights of the tour is the visit to - IG: International group tours: Multi-national ings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient his- the biggest and most important Orthodox tours with a guide accompanying you through- tory. The monastery was declared a national his- monastery of Bulgaria - Rila Monastery out the whole trip, meeting you at the airport torical monument in 1976, while in 1983 it was (1147 m). It was founded in the 9th centu- upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage. ry and has more than 1200 murals. If you for departure. You will have a riding guide from wish, you can also peek into the monastery Riding base Balkan through the trail with good ITINERARY knowledge of English. kitchen or a monk’s cell. Riding goes on Day 1. After welcoming you at Sofia Airport you through highlands and lowlands with tra- - GT: Group tours: The only difference is the group consists of mostly Danish riders. will be transferred to Iskar Ranch (60 km). This ditional Bulgarian agriculture. It ends at is the place where you will spend the biggest part Iskar Ranch. of your stay. /D/

Day 2. This day is dedicated to the acquaintance among riders and horses. Thus it is quite well- balanced in order to strike up this friendship in the best possible way! Along the largest dam in Bulgaria - Iskar, the ride leads across the rolling hills of the ridges of Sred- na Gora and Rila Mountains. After a short rise we reach Borovets (1350 m a.s.l.) - a mountain ski- resort. The horses remain here, while we have a transfer back and overnight in in the Iskar Ranch as we did yesterday. The distance between the Iskar Ranch and Borovets is about 30 km. /B+L+D/

Day 3. This will be an active riding day. After breakfast a visit to the Bulgarian king’s hunting hut in Bistritsa is planned (1380 m a.s.l.). Then we start riding to the mountain hut Zavratchitsa (2178 m a.s.l.) following the upstream of Prava River. On the way we pass through the gorges of few other mountain rivers, covered with dense belts of Dwarf mountain pine. In the

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Dossier Ref. BGHR_05 BULGARIA Horseriding Holidays Rila Mountains Trail Issued: January 2006

parts of the Rila Mountains’ plateau at a height of 2600 m a.s.l. The alpine meadows and pastures here provide magnificent views over the Urdini and the Seven Rila lakes. This is one of the most exciting places in the mountains. After short ride among the circuses we continue further along the stream of Dzherman River to Lovna hut(1654 m a.s.l.). Vada hut (1410 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight, is very close by. We pass few more tributaries of Iskar River in order to get there. /B+LP+D/

Day 7. In the morning descent leads along the Cherni Iskar River to the village and Goverdartsi (1160 m a.s.l.). The final destination for the day is the tiny village of Madzare where the horses remain. From here we will be trans- ferred again to Iskar Ranch for overnight. /B+L+D/

Day 8. In the morning farewell breakfast and saying goodbye to the horses and the guides will put the end of this journey. Then you will be transferred to the airport for departure. /B/ afternoon the ride continues to the circus of the /B+LP+D/ Maritchini lakes, lying at the foots of the high- ACCOMMODATION & FOOD est peak on the Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Day 5. In the morning we head north from The Rila Trek is based on 7 nights with full board Spectacular view is expecting us while riding to- Semkovo hut to the glacier mountain “pearls” as per above. (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; LP wards the final stop for today – Grunchar hut of Sinioto, Ribnoto, Smradlivoto and few other =Lunch package; P = Picnic, D = Dinner). Drink- (2178 m a.s.l.). Very close westwards is the “blue lakes. The path through the alpine meadows will ing is to be paid on spot in leva. eye” of Beli Iskar dam. take us to Ribni ezra hut (2230 m a.s..), which Three nights spent in Iskar Ranch, 4 nights en /B+LP+D/ lies among the springs of . It is very route in the mountains. You have access to a possible to see here flocks of semi-wild horses, bathroom almost every day (on the floor). Day 4. Today the ride from Grunchar hut leads whose reaction to the ones you ride is quite to the next accommodation in Semkovu hut unpredictable. However the attraction could be INCLUDED IN THE LANDARRANGEMENT (1740 m a.s.l.). The mountain path walks along from both sides so pay attention! From now on The luggage is transported in a supporting ve- several circuses and glacier lakes, situated by the the road follows the stream of Rilska River to hicle and the riding guide is accompanying the peaks Suha Vapa (2638 m a.s.l.) and Lopatishki Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.). We overnight in a party throughout the trek. Transfer from/to Sofia peak (2530 m a.s.l.). Around noon we reach the nearby pension. Airport to the ranch is also included. springs of Iskar River right above the Beli Iskar /B+LP+D/ dam. The route is traced to pass between heights ISKAR RANCH of 2200 and 2700 m a.s.l. We stay overnight in Day 6. After breakfast the ride goes after moun- Iskar Ranch lies 60 km south from Sofia and Semkovo hut. tain paths through old beech woods to the peak spreads over 4000 ha with big open meadows, fields, a forest and lakes. The ranch itself is like a big playing ground for riders - no cars, nearly no asphalt, lots of natural paths and plenty of nice horses. Iskar Ranch has more than 40 horses - well-trained, patient and calm. East-Bulgarian half-breeds, Hanover and Arabic horses. Saddling is Western and military type. The Riding guides know the mountains perfectly.

TERRAIN This trail is saturated with overcoming high al- titudes, with lots of descends and ascends. It goes primarily along dirty roads and walking paths through woods (coniferous and beech forests) with gradual inclines. The alpine parts are rather flat and nice for riding. Galloping is almost impossible (except within the meadows and pastures of the Iskar Ranch). Some parts of the alpine meadows are covered with high tuffs of green grass and peat bogs, requiring attention and time when passing them.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING Hard-toed boots with a medium heel; repellent (for mosquitoes, flies and ticks); riding pants or

2/3 ٠ [email protected] ٠ www.penguin.dk ٠ Fax 33 21 51 50 ٠ To book please call 33 21 51 00 Penguin Travel Office Denmark: Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, Tlf. 33 21 51 00; Fax 33 21 51 50; e-mail: [email protected]

Dossier Ref. BGHR_05 BULGARIA Horseriding Holidays Rila Mountains Trail Issued: January 2006 jeans ; gloves for hand protection; riding helmet; rain gear; lightweight windproof riding jacket; hat or cap for sun protection; sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm. Towel if you want to swim in the lakes. Detailed packing list will be provided prior to departure.

HEALTH INSURANCE & VACCINATION All riders must be in possession of a health in- surance valid for riding in the mountains. For vaccinations we recommend that you check for latest requirements with your doctor or health clinic. Some medical sources recommend vaccine against hepatitis A+B, diphtheria, thyfoid, tick borne encephalitis travelling in certain areas of Eastern , at specific times of the year.

PASSPORT & VISA EU citizens are allowed to entry Bulgaria without visa and stay as tourists for up to 90 days. It is recommended that your passport is valid at least up to 3 month longer than you plan to stay in Bulgaria. Other nationalities/ types of passports: Please contact nearest Bulgarian Embassy for re- quirements. Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Denmark: +45 39 64 24 80 (information about visa). In UK: +44 (020) 7584 9400 (Consular section). - ~ 550 km.; width - ~ 30-60 km.); (highest - Rila Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 nature Mountain - peak Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed reserves, over WEATHER Boundaries - N - ; E - (coast- 350 protected areas and 500 natural monu- Temperatures expected for the period May-Octo- line 378 km.); W - Yugoslavia, Macedonia; S - ments ber are between + 15 and +35C (rarely reaching Greece, Turkey; + 40 or even + 45 C). Noontime in July-August Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - 59,8 This trip dossier is made with the best intentions could sometimes be quite hot over open terri- %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 - 2000 to inform you properly in advance about what tories. Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. - 0,7 % you can expect. But things changes, unforeseen possible, being a bit prolonged during spring and Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. Min. situations can occur and Iskar Ranch keeps the late autumn. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) right to carry out the tour in the best and safest Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in the way. If you need further information pls. don’t EXTENSIONS lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the highlands hesitate to contact us. Yes, e.g. The Black Sea Coast. This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more an incredibly low price! Penguin Travel can offer a great variety of means of accommoda- tion - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water- sports facilities etc. - Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quar- ters and a specific atmosphere. - Lozenets - a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking or biking.

ABOUT BULGARIA Internet country code - .bg Time zone – UTC/GMT + 2 hrs. (summer time). Territory - 110 912 sq. km. Population - 7 538 000 (2003) Capital city - Sofia (1 182 698 people in 1992) Biggest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Rouse, Stara Zagora, , Pleven Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan Mountain: length 3/3 ٠ [email protected] ٠ www.penguin.dk ٠ Fax 33 21 51 50 ٠ To book please call 33 21 51 00