Rodopi Mountains, Bulgaria: On a Horseback In the

The region has a wealth of traditional architecture and folklore: en route we visit remote villages, old churches and one of Bulgaria's finest monasteries Bachkovo. According to mythology, this is the homeland of Dionysus, the God of wine. Today this is the area where a native grape variety Mavrud is cultivated. The robust Mavrud red wine can be sampled at the well-known wine cellar, included in our itinerary. Beautiful landscapes, picturesque small villages, exotic sites, great wines - come join us for an unforgettable holiday!

Day 1. Arrival
Our guide welcomes you at Sofia / Plovdiv Airport. Transfer to Plovdiv - the second biggest city in the country.

Day 2. Plovdiv - Brestovitsa- Plovdiv
A short transfer takes us to Brestovitsa, where we meet the horses. Today we make a loop-like ride, passing along the small town of Perushtitsa and back to Brestovitsa, to visit a local winery, where we have lunch and taste local wines. In the afternoon we head back to Plovdiv for a short stroll in the old quarters of the town and dinner.
/hours in the saddle: 3/

Day 3. Plovdiv - Brestovitsa - Vrahovrah
We start in Brestovitsa again, this time heading south and up in the mountains, to reach Varhovrah resort, where we stay overnight.
/hours in the saddle: 4-5/

Day 4. Vrahovrah - Persenk hut
We continue the ride, passing through several tiny villages, following Varhovrah ridge with great panorama views, to reach Persenk hut, where we stay overnight.
/hours in the saddle: 5/

Day 5. Persenk - Wonderful bridges - Bachkovo monastery - Orehovo village
The ride today takes us to Chudnite Mostove - a unique rock formation in the heart of the mountain. After lunch optional visit to Bachkovo Monastery. Continue to Orehovo village, where we stay overnight.
/hours in the saddle: 6 (4 for those visiting the monastery)

Day 6. Orehovo - Chernatitsa - Studenets
We head up towards Chernatitsa ridge, pass through deep woods and vast meadows, along Biala Cherkva and down to Studenets area where we stay overnight.
/hours in the saddle: 5-6/

Day 7. Leshten - Plovdiv
On our last ride we reach the meadows of Leshten, where we say goodbye to the horses, and have transfer to Plovdiv for a farewell dinner.
/hours in the saddle: 4/

Day 8. Departure
After breakfast we get a transfer to the airport in Sofia/ Plovdiv for departure.

Included in the price: â–º7 overnights in local guesthouses and mountain hotels in rooms with private facilities â–ºbreakfast, 6 lunch packs & 4 dinners included â–ºriding guide â–ºEnglish-speaking interpreter â–ºsaddled horse â–ºluggage transport â–ºgroup transfer from/to Sofia or Plovdiv airport (09.00 - 19.00) â–ºVAT and all local taxes.

Not included: â–º3 dinners and alcoholic drinks â–ºtips â–º Bachkovo visit (50 EUR per vehicle) â–º Private transfers: Sofia APT - Sofia center: 15 EUR (per vehicle); Plovdiv APT - Plovdiv center: 15 EUR (per vehicle); Sofia-Plovdiv or vv. 60 EUR (per vehicle)

Other expenses: Single room supplement: 85 EUR

Good to know:â–ºhorses: 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 100 kg. â–ºsaddles: Western as standard and English saddles on request. Riding helmet is not mandatory. â–ºextension at the Black Sea: You can combine your horseriding holiday with an extra week at the Black Sea coast in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc.â–ºThe beaches of Northern Greece (Halkidiki and Thassos) are even closer after the new check points in the Rhodope mountains were opened recently.

Recommended travel period of the year: May - October