High up in the Central Balkan National Park there is a place with rugged and impassable cliffs. A unique place with distinctive flora and fauna that have turned the place into a nature reserve. The Singing Rocks themselves are a set of unique natural formations that crown the ancient beech forest. When the wind blows in the right direction one can hear the “song” of the rocks and it was this phenomenon that has given the reserve its beautiful name. The trail offers a variety of landscapes and riding paces. The hilly terrain as well as the small plateaus on top of the hills offer fantastic opportunities for an unforgettable ride.

Tour Highlights
• Balkan Mountains (”Stara planina”) are 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! It is characterized by deep caves, steep slopes and canyons, high waterfalls, and clear fresh water streams. The National park boasts the highest waterfall in Bulgaria, the 125-m high Raiskoto Praskalo.
• Apriltsi is 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: 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 we take a leisure ride out of the town of Apriltsi in order to gain an intimate knowledge of the horses and their habits. We have a picnic near one of the rivers. After lunch and a rest we ride back to Riding base Balkan in different paces. We stay overnight in Apriltsi.
/Hours in the saddle: 4-5/
Day 3. The trail starts in the morning in a north-eastern direction through some remote villages. We make a short stop by a creek in order to eat our lunch. Later on in the afternoon, we reach the little monastery named after the neighbouring town of Batoshevo. It is the place where we stay overnight today.
/Hours in the saddle: 6/
Day 4. From the monastery the path takes us through the forest and by the picturesque villages of Stokite and Kupen. This is where the uphill part of our riding really begins. We have lunch on the way. Later on in the afternoon we reach the village of Todorcheta, our goal for today.
/Hours in the saddle: 7/
Day 5. Today’s ride begins right after breakfast and takes us further up the mountain through a thick old forest. We reach the mountain hut “Partizanska pesen”, where we have lunch. In the afternoon we ride west on the top of the Balkan range. We ride into the “Central Balkan National Park” and reach mountain hut “Mazalat”, where we spend the night.
/Hours in the saddle: 5-6/
Day 6. Today we ride in the “Singing rocks” reserve. If we are fortunate, there is a wind that lets us hear the song of the beautiful rock formations. There are two places where we need to get off the horses and lead them (both of them about 10-20 m long). We stay overnight in a mountain hut .
/Hours in the saddle: 7/
Day 7. After breakfast we ride in the northern direction and the circle ride is closed. We ride down the mountains, leave the national park and come down in riding base “Balkan” in Apriltsi, where the tour started.
/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 3 nights with accommodation in Apriltsi, 3 nights en route in the mountains, 1 night in a little monastery. Accommodation in 2 or 3 bedded rooms. There is a bathroom everywhere we overnight, but on some of the days the facilities are shared. The trail is based on full board. nMineral water is included at all meals, but other drinks are to be paid on the spot in leva.

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: 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: June 1 – October 31