Do you have the courage to be challenged in a rough terrain? Do you want to be impressed by brilliant horse skills? If yes, this trail is something for you.
The trail passes by the Northern Hell reserve (Severen Dzhendem), famous for its game abundance, inaccessible rocks and dense forests of several hundred years old Beech trees, deep ravines and countless waterfalls. After the ascent to Mt. Botev we continue down on the other side of the mountains to Paradise hut, famous for the highest waterfalls in the Balkans – the Paradise waterfalls (124,5 m), washing the vertical rocks just above the hut. The exposure of this rock formation stand in sharp contrast to an almost unbelievable magic silence, which continues all the way down to the small monastery at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. The way back crosses again the ridge of the mountains, leading this time to the Central Balkan National Park. The peak parts there offer stunning views over both southern and northern Bulgaria. The trip ends in our riding base by Apriltsi.

Tour Highlights
• Balkan Mountains (”Stara planina”) – the longest (550 km), the biggest of all mountains in Bulgaria (highest peak: Mt.Botev 2376 m. a.s.l.)
• The Central Balkan National Park – the land of untouched wildlife and wilderness!
• The Valley of Roses – this place has been producing the priceless attar of roses for centuries .
• Apriltsi -  a small town, situated at the foot of the Central Balkan Range. The town is rich in history and incredible with its nature and landmarks.

Country region: Balkan Mountains

Price without flight ticket: 899.00 EUR

Trip plan:
Day 1. Meeting with the rep from Riding base Balkan at the airport and drive to the mountains (the transfer takes about 3 hours).
Day 2. In the morning you will meet the horses we have chosen and trained specially for this trail. Our ride today is to “Mandrata” on the top ridge of Balkan Mountains – riding off the beaten horse riding tracks.
/Hours in the saddle: 4-5/
Day 3. We ride along the magic Severen Djendem Reserve and our preparations to this trail are tested. The say “the mountains divide the country in two parts” will be so very evident to you after today. Hopefully we’ll reach the summit in the afternoon and from there we have only 30 minutes of steep downhill riding to the shelter where we stay overnight.
/Hours in the saddle: 6-7/
Day 4. Today’s ride is from “Hell to Paradise” – literally spoken (may be). We’ll ride about 15 km in about 5 hours and we will ride through the Djendemja Reserve before in the afternoon we will reach the big mountain hut Hizha Rai.
/Hours in the saddle: 5-6/
Day 5. From this alluring place we ride downhill through the old wood and to the open meadows at the foothill of the Balkan Mountains where the Valley of Roses starts. During the whole day you will experience the magic atmosphere of this area and the horses will show you what down hill riding means!
/Hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 6. We start at the monastery meadows and continue riding along the foothill of the Balkan Mountains. The trail brings us back into the “Central Balkan National Park” and in an altitude of about 1250 m we stay overnight in the Hizha Triglav.
/Hours in the saddle: 5-6/
Day 7. After breakfast we ride in the northern direction and the circle ride is closed and we end in Riding base Balkan.
/Hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 8. After breakfast we say good-bye to the horses and guides. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Accomodation and food: The 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.nFirst and last overnight are in a good 3-star hotel in a double /triple room with shower and toilet on the floor. In the mountains we overnight in shelters (one night in a dorm), mountain huts and a mountain monastery. Sleeping bag is not needed as you will get a pillow and blankets. You will have access to warm water and a shower all days, but please note that electricity and water supply is limited and the bathing facilities are quite primitive.

Luggage transport: From day 3 in the morning to day 5 in the evening you have only the luggage our packing horses can have on their bag. (Limited baggage allowance). The rest of your luggage is safe behind the monastery walls.

Price of extra services: -

Included in the price: Transfers to/from Sofia or Plovdiv Airport; equipped horse; accommodation and boarding in guesthouses and mountain huts as per program; fullboard; English-speaking guide; luggage transportation from point to point

Excluded from the price: insurance, tips, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses

Practical information: HORSES AND SADDLING: For this trail ride we only use our rather small horses with proven skills in extreme riding situations. They are in top condition for this trail. Most of the them 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. For the trail you’ll ride on western saddles (Australian or American). There are small saddlebags available. 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: June – September