Are you dreaming of a ride along ancient trails over impressive mountains, through waste mountain pass, along running water and roar waterfall? And further in the wonderful mountain scenery crossing the pasture to small hidden and forgotten villages? On the Balkan Trail we ride over the Balkan Range – through the Central Balkan National Park and the lower mountains of Sredna Gora and in between we ride through the famous Valley of Roses – not only a name but a spectaculous scenerary of roses and the most fantastick scent of roses.

Tour Highlights
• A ride over two mountains, bringing new challenges, new terrains, and new experiences every day
• The Central Balkan National Park – the land of untouched wildlife and wilderness, characterized by deep caves, steep slopes and canyons, high waterfalls, and clear fresh water streams.
• The Valley of Roses – this place has been producing the priceless attar of roses for centuries, which has been the means of livelihood of the native people for centuries.
• Visits to Apriltsi and Kalofer – ancient Bulgarian towns with typical architecture and impressive history.

Country region: Balkan Mountains

Price without flight ticket: 840.00 EUR

Trip plan:
Day 1. Arrival at the airport and transportation to the riding base “Balkan” in Apriltsi situated at the foothills of the Balkan mountains.
Day 2. In the morning you will meet “your” horse and friend for the week. After the first meeting you will make a leisure ride out of the town of Apriltsi in order to gain an intimate knowledge of your horse and its habits. After lunch the trek starts going up in the mountains to the first chalet.
/Hours in the saddle: around 3/
Day 3. The ride continues through the Central Balkan National Park close to Mount Botev thus providing a superb view towards the Thrace Plain. After 6-7 hours ride the day ends in a small monastery where the riders and horses will find a rest for the night.
/Hours in the saddle: 7-8/
Day 4. From the monastery the ride continues through the neighboring small town and through the “Valley of Roses” . After nearly 5 hours we reach the Sredna Gora Mountains where we overnight in the chalet Svezhen.
/Hours in the saddle: 5-6/
Day 5. The whole day is dedicated to riding in the terrains around the Riding centre “The Valley of Roses”. Play and fun with the horses combined with needed relax at the edge of a small lake – a really exciting experience. In the fantastic meadows you have all possibilities to break into trot or gallop or to be a pathfinder together with the riding guide in the remote surroundings to the village of Svezhen.
/Hours in the saddle: 4-5/
Day 6. In the morning we head north following other hidden trails and after some 7 hours we reach the place where we stay overnight.
/Hours in the saddle: 7-8/
Day 7. It is about time to ride back over the mountains to our starting point – Apriltsi. After 6 hours ride we finally see the stables and the ring marking the end of the journey.
/Hours in the saddle: 7-8/
Day 8. After breakfast we say good-bye to the horses and guides. Transfer to airport for departure.

Accomodation and food: The Balkan Trail is based on 7 nights with full board. Mineral water is included at all meals, but other drinks are to be paid on spot in leva.nTwo nights in private houses in Apriltsi, 4 nights en route in the mountains and 1 night in a monastery up in the mountains. Accommodation in 2 or 3 bedded rooms. You have access to a bathroom every day (on the floor).

Price of extra services: -

Included in the price: accommodation in guesthouses (days 1 and 7), small monastery (day 3) and mountain huts (rest of the days) all with shared facilities on fullboard; pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; equipped horse; English-speaking guide; luggage transportation from point to point.

Excluded from the price: tips, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses, maps, additional daily excursions

Practical information: HORSES AND SADDLING: There are more than 25 horses in the riding base – all of them in good condition and trained to ride in the mountains. Most of the horses are of the Eastbulgarian breed and crossings with Arabians and local horses : The East Bulgarian breed is well known as tough, thoughtful and wise, and in harmony with the famous strength and power of the Arabian it gives a combination that fully satisfies the riders and the challenges in the nature. The average size is 160-165 cm. The saddles are Western (Australian or American). There are small saddlebags. 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). For detailed information and prices, please look at the trip dossier.

Recommended travel period of the year: May 1 – October 15