The Rodopi Mountains in southern Bulgaria are what many would call a mystery.
Historians believe that the Rodopi are the birthplace of the legendary musician Orpheus and his wife Eurydice, as well as the cradle of the Dionysus- cult. For most Bulgarians, it is the numerous caves from prehistoric time, the Roman roads and the beautiful medieval monasteries that account for the Rodopi’s charm. For others it is the picturesque mountains villages, their authentic lifestyle and the warm local hospitality. Or perhaps the mellow green fields and the reflection of the sun in the bright blue highland lakes. We give you an opportunity to make up your own mind about the mesmerizing atmosphere of the Rodopi – together with our horses we get as close to the heart of the Rodopi and to the authentic life of its people as possible.

Country region: Southern Bulgaria

Price without flight ticket: 690.00 EUR

Trip plan:
Day 1. Our guides welcome you at Sofia / Plovdiv Airport. Transfer to the small town of Devin in Rodopi mountains, the starting point of the tour. Dinner and overnight at the home of our local guide in Devin.
Day 2. We meet the horses and set off to our first riding day through a thick pine forest and along gorgeous open fields with spectacular views over. We reach the village of Borino, where we stay overnight.
/hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 3. The trail continues from Borino to the tiny village Chala and further to Buinovo vilage.
/hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 4. Today we visit Yagodina cave (optional) and continue through pine forests and potatoe fields to the village of Trigrad. Overnight in Trigrad by the famous Trigrad Gorge with 250m vertical cliffs.
/hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 5. We continue the exploration of the territories southwards from the village, making a loop-like ride along Trigradska River back to Trigrad.
/hours in the saddle: 4/
Day 6. In the morning we start early as the trek today is a bit longer. It will take us to the ancient Chairski Lakes, surrounded by meadows full with orchids in summer. Passing through the picturesque village of Mougla we end the ride above the village of Gela.
/hours in the saddle: 6/
Day 7. Time to get back. Following the ridges of Mursalitsa we reach the quarters of Devin, where the trek ends. In the afternoon we can relax at one of the mineral swimming pools in the city.
/hours in the saddle: 4/
Day 8. After breakfast we get a transfer to the airport in Sofia/ Plovdiv for departure.

Accomodation and food: We stay overnight at local guesthouses  and small  family-run hotels in rooms with private facilities. Breakfast, lunch pack & dinner included (first meal dinner on day 1, last meal breakfast on day

Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 85 EUR

Included in the price: accommodation in guesthouses and family-run pensions in en-suite rooms on fullboard; riding guide; English-speaking interpreter; saddled horse; luggage transfers from point to point; pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; VAT and all local taxes.

Excluded from the price: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); insurance; alcoholic drinks; entrance fees for the caves and procedures in the hot springs complex; tips; other personal expenses.

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).

Recommended travel period of the year: June – September

Group Size: min. 6