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 © World Expeditions Travel Group - Michele Salazar 10/22/2019 4:08:14 PM Page 2 balkan mountains cycle 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 © World Expeditions Travel Group - Michele Salazar 10/22/2019 4:08:14 PM Page 3 balkan mountains cycle The cycling distances range from 43 to 78km/27 to 48.5mi over undulating to mountainous terrain.