Balkan Mountains Cycle

balkan mountains cycle

A UTracks active holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It’s about walking or cycling the incredible trails of Europe and becoming completing immersed in your travel experience. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has been the leader in active European holidays. Our itineraries have always been creative, rewarding, and very affordable. With over 450 active trips across the continent, UTracks offers unique opportunities explore europe your way to discover an untrodden Europe that spans postcard‑perfect landscapes, centuries‑old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting gastronomic delights. You can choose to set your own pace on a flexible self guided journey or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a small group tour. We cater to all fitness abilities with our honest graded system that defines our trips from introductory to challenging. Plus we offer exceptional value with many inclusions on all our trips, allowing you more freedom to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of Europe. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2‑star or 4‑star, small group or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks helps you explore Europe exactly the way you want.

TRIP COST TRIP NAME: BALKAN MOUNTAINS CYCLE Romania Joining Sofia from : $1380 Serbia TRIP CODE: UBX Trip Concludes: Sofia Bulgaria TRIP DURATION: 8 DAYS Shipkovo Elena All prices are per person Sofia GRADE: MODERATE TO CHALLENGING ‑ 4 OPTIONS & Goliam SUPPLEMENTS Izvor Electric Bike ACTIVITY: GUIDED CYCLE Greece Turkey Supplement: $150 ACCOMMODATION: 7 NIGHTS FAMILY RUN HOTELS Single Supplement: $220 AND GUESTHOUSES

As the trip price is based on twinshare, DATE DETAILS: 2020 | 20 JUN - 27 JUN, 18 JUL - 25 JUL, 15 AUG - 22 AUG, a single supplement is payable if you are not sharing with a friend / 12 SEP - 19 SEP, 10 OCT - 17 OCT family member ‑ or a single traveller supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. highlights Note regarding single rooms ‑ The single supplement guarantees the Cycling through the green landscapes of the Forebalkan and the Central Balkan National Park privacy of your own room, however, Typical countryside scenery, villages and local everyday life of the Balkan mountains region rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same Visiting some of the most beautiful Bulgarian monasteries dating from 13‑15th century facilities as double/twin rooms. Spending time in the old capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom, Veliko Tarnovo *The single traveller surcharge is only Visiting 2 unique architectural reserves with traditional old style houses and beautifully decorated available on trips deemed suitable for solo travellers. It is usually more churches expensive than the single supplement Time at the open air ethnographic museum, Etura due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. the trip The Balkan Mountains are famous for lush green valleys, sheer cliffs and gentle rolling hills with sheep grazing peacefully in their pastures. Starting from the tiny village of Goliam Izvor there is enormous opportunity for unique cycling. Passing through the Central Balkan National Park, the narrow roads meander through valleys, forests and quaint villages that have not changed for centuries. Wooden carts pulled by horse or donkey are the norm and farmers still make hay with a pitchfork. Along the route you will visit several of the country’s most significant and historic Orthodox monasteries. Many churches with ancient icons and colourful murals are scattered throughout the region. The final cycling stage ends in Veliko Tarnovo ‑ one of the most charming Balkan towns and the former Bulgarian capital.

© World Expeditions Travel Group - Michele Salazar 10/22/2019 4:08:14 PM Page 1 balkan mountains cycle itinerary at a glance Day 1 Transfer from Sofia Airport to hotel Day 2 Transfer to Golyam Izvor, cycle to Ribaritsa via Glozhene Monastery (47km/29mi) Day 3 Via Bogoi Pass to Shipkovo with mineral springs and Troyan Monastery (77km/48mi) Day 4 Cycle to Etura ethnographic museum (61km/38mi) Day 5 Cycle to Bozhentsi architectural reserve via Tryavna (50km/31mi) Day 6 Transfer to Dryanovo Monastery, cycle to Elena (53km/33mi) Day 7 Cycle to Arbanasi, visit Veliko Turnovo and transfer to Plovdiv/Sofia (42km/26.5mi) Day 8 Trip ends with transfer to airport detailed itinerary DAY 1 Transfer from Sofia Airport to hotel There will be an arranged meeting at Sofia Airport followed by a transfer to Plovdiv or Sofia where we stay overnight. Arrival briefing and dinner. meals: NIL DAY 2 Transfer to Golyam Izvor, cycle to Ribaritsa via Glozhene Monastery (47km/29mi) An early transfer brings us to Golyam Izvor village where we commence cycling. We start cycling towards the town of Teteven and take an optional detour to visit the Glozhene monastery. As we reach Teteven we can have a short stop for a walk and visit the local historic museum and church, or go for a short bike and hike to a nearby eco trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Later we continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where we stay for the night. (detour to Glozhene monastery 27km/16.7mi) meals: B,D DAY 3 Via Bogoi Pass to Shipkovo with mineral springs and Troyan Monastery (77km/48mi) Today starts with a fairly challenging ascent from Ribaritsa village (630m / 2067ft) to the highest point for the day, Bogoi pass (1185m / 3888ft). From here the road leads you through the village of Shipkovo, where you can relax in the mineral water swimming pools, and on to the town of Troyan. After lunch in the town centre, visit the Oreshaka Pottery and Craft Exhibition nearby and the famous Troyan monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria and built in the Bulgarian Renaissance style. The road then weaves among the hills of the Central Fore-Balkan region to reach our accommodation for the night in Apriltsii village. meals: B,D DAY 4 Cycle to Etura ethnographic museum (61km/38mi) This morning you cycle from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. Enroute you will pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys. After an ascent followed by a pleasant downhill ride you will reach the town of Gabrovo and continue on to ‘Etura’, an open air ethnographic museum to Etura. We stay overnight in Etura. meals: B,D DAY 5 Cycle to Bozhentsi architectural reserve via Tryavna (50km/31mi) Today you start cycling from Gabrovo. After an ascent followed by a descent, you arrive in the beautiful town of Tryavna, where you can have lunch and spend some time sightseeing. Ups and downs through open terrain will lead you to the final stop for today, Bozhentsi, an architectural reserve of some 100 houses from the Bulgarian National Revival period. meals: B,D

DAY 6 Transfer to Dryanovo Monastery, cycle to Elena (53km/33mi) Today starts with a transfer to the Dryanovo monastery in the morning. You then start cycling from the Yalovo village turn-off. Kilifarevo Monastery is nearby so you make a short stop here before continuing alongside the Iovkovtsi dam to the town of Elena, the final destination for today. The road today mostly passes through pastures, cultivated fields and shrubs on low-lying hills, typical of this part of the Fore-Balkan. meals: B,D DAY 7 Cycle to Arbanasi, visit Veliko Turnovo and transfer to Plovdiv/Sofia (42km/26.5mi) From Elena we continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi architectural reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivated lands, shrubby hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. After some free time for rest and walks among the old houses of Arbanasi we have a lunch break and do a sightseeing tour in Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, drive to Sofia for overnight. meals: B DAY 8 Trip ends with transfer to airport Group transfer to Sofia airport where the trip concludes. meals: B inclusions 7 breakfasts ‑ continental breakfasts are served and will often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee & juices 5 dinners – these usually consist of 2‑3 courses using local ingredients. The meals may be taken at a local restaurant or in the hotel/guesthouse dining room 7 nights accommodation in family run hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with private facilities (possible shared facilities on day 3) English speaking tour leader who also drives support vehicle Rental of 24 speed mountain bike or 21 speed road touring bike with helmets & panniers Transfers described in the itinerary including from/to Sofia airport Detailed maps and route descriptions (per room booked) items not included Travel to and from Sofia All lunches, beverages and dinner on days 1 & 7 Items of a personal nature Entrance fees and guided tours of monasteries and monuments enroute Travel insurance getting there BY CAR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: www.viamichelin. com BY TRAIN Sofia can be reached from points throughout Europe. We are happy to assist with booking your rail travel arrangements. BY AIR The best way to arrive in Bulgaria is by flight. Sofia airport is the starting point forthis trip and there are numerous airlines which fly into the city. We are happy to assist with booking your flights. trip grading - moderate to challenging MODERATE TO CHALLENGING – GRADE 4

The cycling distances range from 43 to 78km/27 to 48.5mi over undulating to mountainous terrain. We use mostly two‑way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good to excellent level of fitness. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate comfortably. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn whilst cycling. trip organisation All cyclists receive a detailed roadbook and map. The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage checks several times a day that everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and giving talks at the most interesting sites en route. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Cyclists can always skip some harder stages using the support vehicle. equipment provided 24 Speed Mountain Bike You can choose (depending on availability) between a mountain bike or a road touring bike. The mountain bike is a hardtail performance mountain bike “RAM” with road tyres, 24 gears and 80mm front suspension fork. Helmet and a pannier will also be provided. Please confirm which bike you would like at the time of booking. 21 Speed Road Bike You can choose (depending on availability) between a mountain bike or a road touring bike. The road bike is a quality road touring bike “DRAG” with 21 gears, 28 inch rims and Shimano components. Helmet and a pannier will also be provided. Please confirm which bike you would like at the time of booking. Electric Bike An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less confident or fit cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capabilities. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‑free or allergen‑free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life‑threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‑administering these medications. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED Bulgaria VISAS Visas are not required for citizens of Australia, Britain, Canada, USA and New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days. For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.Please note that if you are travelling on to or from the Schengen area as part of your travels in Europe you can only stay in

these countries for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period. Please see http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home‑affairs/what‑we‑do/policies/borders‑and‑visas/ schengen/index_en.htm for more details. CLIMATE The trip runs between April and October during the European spring, summer & autumn. Temperatures range between 5‑18 degrees Celsius / 41‑64 degrees Fahrenheit in spring and autumn, and 15‑30 degrees Celsius / 59‑86 degrees Fahrenheit in summer (sometimes higher). MIN GROUP SIZE 4 MAX GROUP SIZE 12 MOBILITY REQUIREMENT This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Bike helmet, wet weather gear, sunscreen, jogging shoes and sun hat. (A detailed packing list is provided on booking). how to book To book a UTRACKS trip, complete our booking form which is found at the back of our brochure or can be downloaded from our website www.utracks.com. On completion, fax or post the form to your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office or Travel Agent along with full payment by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges apply for credit card payments). A deposit only is required for participants of guided trips. UTRACKS/World Expeditions has access to pre and post accommodation and competitive airfares to Europe. Call your nearest UTRACKS/World Expeditions office or travel agent for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance and additional accommodation. follow us https://www.facebook.com/UTracks https://www.instagram.com/utrackstravel/ https://twitter.com/UTracks_Travel There’s even more tips and ideas on our blog at http://www.utracks.com/discover

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IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office.

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