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 Plovdiv - the encient village and a short steep decline where situated in southern Bulgaria, 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. Christianity 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, Dionysus, 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.