Rila Riding Holiday (4 days, center based)
Rila is the highest mountain range of Bulgaria and the Balkans, with its highest peak being Musala at 2,925 m. The name Rila is allegedly of Thracian origin and is thought to mean “well-watered mountain”, owing to Rila’s abundance of glacial lakes (about 200) and hot springs in the faulty areas. Here you will find the charming mountain resort of Borovets, established at the end of 19th c. as a hunting area for the Bulgarian kings. Since then it has gradually developed into the friendly alpine ski resort that it is today. Situated at 1350 m above sea level on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains among age-old pine woods, Borovets is located at the foot of Musala peak. The resort is easily accessible by road, at a distance of 73 km from Sofia and 126 km from Plovdiv. The nearest town of Samokov is only 10 km away. But Borovets is not only a famous winter resort – it attracts tourists in the summer too with the many possibilities for hiking, horseriding, trekking etc. With this program we would like to offer you the unique possibility for an equestrian holiday among the beautiful nature of Rila Mountains.
DEPARTURE: EVERY THURSDAY
Price without flight ticket: 350 EUR
Trip plan:
Day 1: Arrival to Sofia. Meeting with a local representative and transfer to Borovets (about 1 hour). Accommodation in hotel Flora – this is our base for the next 3 nights as all starting points for the riders in the next days are within 5-minute walk from Flora Complex.
Day 2: We leave the hotel and head to the Varniko area and Hunting Well area. After we pass by Varovita Cheshma area we will stop for a break and lunch. We continue riding to Pashanitsa area, Malka Lukovitsa area and we end this tour at Flora Complex. Overnight at Flora Hotel. /riding: 7 hours/
Day 3: After breakfast we start riding towards Black Rock area and Gvardeiska Polyana area. At Chakur hut we will have break and lunch. The riding tour continues to Sitniakovo area and Borovets and ends at our complex. Overnight at hotel Flora. /riding: 7 hours/
Day 4: Today our aims are Malka Lukovitsa area and Golyam Giol, where we will stop for lunch. After that we will ride to Borovets passing by Shumnatitsa chalet to reach Flora Complex. After the end of the riding tour – transfer to Sofia for onward flight or possibility for one more night at Flora Hotel or accommodation in Sofia. /riding: 5 hours/
Accommodation and food: We stay overnight at the 4* hotel Flora. Breakfast and lunch pack included
Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 50 EUR
Included in the price: 3 nights at 4* hotel Flora with breakfast; lunch snacks; late check out on day 4; qualified English speaking riding guide; saddled horse; pick up/drop off at Sofia airport; VAT and all local taxes.
Excluded from the price: flight tickets, insurance; meals, not mentioned in the program; tips; other personal expenses; additional nights in Borovets or Sofia
Accommodation and food: We stay overnight at the 4* hotel Flora. Breakfast and lunch pack included
Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 50 EUR
Included in the price: 3 nights at 4* hotel Flora with breakfast; lunch snacks; late check out on day 4; qualified English speaking riding guide; saddled horse; pick up/drop off at Sofia airport; VAT and all local taxes.
Excluded from the price: flight tickets, insurance; meals, not mentioned in the program; tips; other personal expenses; additional nights in Borovets or Sofia
Practical information:
HORSES AND SADDLING: Saddling is Western, but English saddles are also available upon request. Most of the horses belong to the local East-Bulgarian breed with a mid-height of 1,50 cm, they are well known as thoughtful and tough, and are thus extremely well-adapted to the mountainous region of the Rodopi Mountains. The maximum weight limit of the riders is 95 kg.EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight. For more information please check “Vacation extensions” below. LOW_COST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA: please check: Wizz Air – http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe – http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet – http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings – http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air – http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle – http://www.norwegian.no/. In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself).
