Rhodope, Bulgaria
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Arabic-Shagia, Eastern Bulgarian
Nature of horses:
Well schooled, balanced, horses for the experienced and the novice
Number of horses:
20
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16.3 hh
Weight limit:
100kg
Tack type:
Cavalry and English saddles
Pricing
Western Rhodopes Trail
Price of £660 per person
Wine Tasting Ride
Price of £685 per person
Eastern Rhodopes 13 day Trail
Groups of 5 to 8: £839 per person
Groups of 4: £899 per person
Groups of 2 - 3 : £980 per person
Prices are inclusive of: Professional guides for the entire route, 1 English speaking professional guide for a group of 5 riders and 2 guides for a group over 5 people, with an English guide that has first aid training.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Your hosts have a respect for nature and are committed to their love of animals. They breed horses at their stables in the western part of the Rhodope Mountains and from here they organise riding programmes with the help and support of the local community. You are able to meet these hospitable people and experience their every day lives.
With three years of experience and well organised programmes behind them your hosts provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy this encounter with nature and learn about a proud and ancient culture. The highly professional staff include a vet and internationally qualified instructors who will ensure your horse riding holiday in this unspoilt country will be one to remember.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is in two star family hotels and authentic Bulgarian homes
Organic, international and traditional Bulgarian cuisine, drinks included. Breakfast and dinner in the hotels and a picnic lunch taken on the trail.
Activities
Bird watching, fishing, photo safaris, visits to Neolithic and Thracian sanctuaries, wine tasting, mountaineering.
Further Details
Languages: English
Health requirements: None
Age limit: 14
Tuition: No
Included: Riding, full board accommodation, (first day dinner only and last day breakfast only) two guides, admission tickets to the visits described in the programme, transfers to and from the airport.
Not included: Flights
Travel Information
There are now several low cost flights going into Sofia. For the Fire Walking Ride you are transferred from Burgas airport which also has low cost flights from the UK.
Airport: Sofia
Alternative Airport: Burgas
Programmes
Western Rhodopes Trail
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During this ride you will have opportunity to experience the magic of the western part of the Rhodopes mountain which is totally unspoilt. You will begin your ride in the village of Trigrad riding through towns and villages where you will experience the traditional culture of Bulgaria. This is the land of Orpheus. Please note the itinerary may occasionally alter. Day One Arrive in the village of Trigrad. On the way to Trigrad you will pass through the thrilling Trigrad Gorge, seven kilometres long and with rocks high up to 250 metres. After the arrival in Trigrad the riders will meet the guides and the horses and will visit The Devil's gorge cave, which is 300 000 years old. According to the legend this is the place where Orpheus went down into the kingdom of shadows, in search of his beloved Euridica. Accommodation in the village of Trigrad. Day Two After breakfast - a ride from the village of Trigrad through a beautiful pine forest to the Videnitsa peak (1652m). On the very top of the peak the riders will examine a Thracian sanctuary and the ruins of an ancient Roman stronghold. From the peak you can enjoy the magnificent view toward Pirin and Slavyanka mountains and the Greek mountain of Bozdak. Lunch in a wooden shelter under the peak. A ride through the village of Zmeitsa to the town of Dospat. Accommodation in Dospat, at a cosy hotel with a very picturesque location, overlooking the dam and the mountain. Riding -about 5 hours. Day Three Breakfast in the hotel. A ride from the town of Dospat past the crystal waters of the Dospat lake, along the ridge of the Rhodopean part, called Zvezden Balkan (Star Mountain) to the Hissar gulch. Break and lunch in a wooden shelter, beautifully situated among the pine-trees. A ride via the small village of Pletena to the village of Dolen, which is a unique architectural preserve. Accommodation in the village of Dolen. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Four After breakfast - Ride from Dolen across the valley of Mesta river to the village of HJadki Dimovo. Enjoy a picnic lunch and accommodation in a cosy hotel. Day Five After breakfast - a ride through ancient woods on the North western slopes of Slavyanka reserve along an old caravan road to the village of Katsunki Lunch will be at the foot of the Ali Botush peak. Accommodation is in a family hotel at Katunski where you will have dinner. Day Six Back in the saddle you head long the valley of Zlatolisti Potok river passing the impressive Melnik Natural sand pyramids and you will get to the smallest historical town of Melnik which is a cultural and historical reserve. Lunch is in an authentic tavern - you can taste wine maturing in the cellar of the house which is cut into the rock. Leisure time and walk around time and dinner again in a tavern Day Seven After breakfast you will ride to a monastery daring from 13th century with well preserved wooden features. On your way back to Melnik you will enjoy your last ride across the peak above the monastery with unforgettable panoramic views. Day Eight After breakfast - saying good-bye to the guides and departure from the village of Melnik. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 8 days 7 nights 6 days of riding |
| Departure dates: | 6-13 September. 13-20 September, 27 September - 4 October, 4-11 October 2008 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Wine Tasting Ride
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Day One Arrive in the village of Trigrad. Accommodation at the family hotel "Silivryak". After the arrival the riders will meet with the guides and the horses. Day Two After breakfast - a ride from the village of Trigrad through a beautiful pine forest to the Videnitsa peak (1652 m). On the very top of the peak the riders will see a Thracian sanctuary and the ruins of an ancient Roman stronghold. A ride through the village of Zmeitsa to the town of Dospat. Accommodation in the town of Dospat, at a cosy hotel with a very picturesque location, overlooking the Dospat Lake and the mountain. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Three Breakfast at the hotel. A ride from the town of Dospat past the crystal waters of the Dospat Lake, along the ridge of the Rhodopean part, called Zvezden Balkan (Star Mountain) to the Hissar gulch. Break and lunch in a wooden shelter, beautifully situated among the pine-trees. A ride via the small village of Pletena to the village of Dolen, which is a unique architectural preserve. Accommodation in the village of Dolen: in about 250 years old house which has preserved the simplicity and cosiness of the authentic architecture and past time's atmosphere. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Four After breakfast - a ride from the village of Dolen through a valley of Mesta river to the village of Hadji Dimovo. Picnic lunch and a short break. Accommodation in the village of Hadji Dimovo. In the afternoon - free time for rest and sightseeing till dinner. Dinner with local meals and wine by the fireplace, you could hardly dream of a better end of the day. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Five After breakfast - a ride from village of Hadji Dimovo along the north-western slopes of Slavianka mountain, near the village of Nova Lovcha to the village of Paril. Accommodation in the village of Paril. In the afternoon - free time for rest and sightseeing. Enjoy a dinner in a warm and friendly atmosphere by the fireplace. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Six After breakfast - a ride from the village of Paril along the beautiful Paril's pass formed from Pirin and Slavyanka mountains ridge through the village of Petrovo to the village of Kalimantsi. Accommodation in the village of Kalimantsi. Dinner in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Seven After breakfast - a ride the from village of Kalimantsi to the famous Rojen monastery and after that to the town of Melnik. Lunch and a short break - in the vicinity of Rojen monastery. Acommodation in Melnik - in a typical old house - Lumparov's house. Here you will have some wine tasting and free time. Dinner in wine-cellar. Riding - about 5 hours. Day Eight After breakfast - a last good-bye to the guides and departure from the town of Melnik and transfer to Sofia Airport. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 8 days 7 nights 6 days of riding |
| Departure dates: | 16-23 August, 27 September-4 October 2008 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Eastern Rhodopes 13 day Trail
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The holiday offers a panoramic ride along the Rhodopi Mountain - West to East. At the heart of this experience is the authentic beauty of the mystical mountain of Orpheus. This southern range of Bulgaria’s mountains borders with Greece and boasts picturesque mountain crests, creeks and puzzling natural rock phenomenon. Thracian sanctuaries and megalithic monuments, ancient stone observatories, nature reserves that are rich in rare species of birds, deer and wild muflons, lie en route this horse ride. You will take a peek into the ancient times before the Romans and learn about the Thracians. The Greek historian Herodotus of 5th century BC, and perhaps the first historian known to us, wrote about the Thracians. The captivating features of this ride include; the changing and breathtaking scenery of the Rhodopi mountains as you ride from the West to the East part of the range, the Variety of Thracian sanctuaries, megalithic monuments and ancient stone observatories dating back to 4th millennium before our era, informal and spontaneous interaction with the local people, observing rare species, birds of prey and unique plants and not forgetting a full day's relaxation in the authentic sphere of Bulgaria’s ethnographic complex in Zlatograd. During this ride each rider is expected to take care of their own horse, to saddle it before they ride, to take off the saddle and groom the horse during rest periods and at the end of the day. All of these tasks are supervised by the guides. Day 1: You will arrive, being transfered from Sofia to Trigrad where you will spend the night at the family hotel. Travel time is a 6 hr bus/van transfer. When you arrive, you will meet the guides and the horses, then receive a warm welcome dinner at the tavern of the hotel. Day 2: Today you will ride for around 6 to 6.5 hrs from the Trigrad village, through Mogilitza to Bukata. Accommodation tonight is at the Rhodopi house. The day will start with a delicious breakfast on the panoramic terrace of the hotel. You will then ride on the mountain crest and through the nature reserve of Shabanitza, where you will experience an unforgettable view of ancient forests and of the soft slopes of the Rhodopi heights that unfolds before your eyes. The ride on the soft slope is fast. An open air, picnic lunch follows. In the afternoon you master a track up a steep slope. A narrow path of about 1 km takes you to the Kiselchovo village. Accommodation is arranged at an Rhodopi style family house. The evening meal takes place in the authentic dining room of the house. Day 3: You will travel from Bukata village to the Chepinzi, again riding for 6-6.5 hours. The night will be spent camping in tents near the waters of the Chepin River. The ride starts through pine-scented forests filled with the murmur of creeks and rivers. You will have an open air, picnic lunch and the evening meal is a barbecue by the camp fire. Day 4: Today you will travel from Chepinzi to Zlatograd where you will ride for 4-5 hrs. You will spend the night in a spacious, authentic house in the revival style of the 18th Century. The ride starts on the soft track of the mountain ridge along the border of Greece, making your way to the most southern town of Bulgaria, Zlatograd. A tour around the ethnographic complex of the old town lays down the sphere of the Revival period in the 18th Century. You can visit the workshops of various artists preserving the tradition of Bulgarian arts and crafts. An open air picnic lunch can be enjoyed and you will have dinner at a tavern. Day 5: Today is a relaxation and sightseeing day spent around Zlatograd, with a riding time of 2 hours. You will spend the night in a spacious, authentic house in the revival style of the 18th Century. You will have the chance to catch up on city life and spoil yourself. Lunch is enjoyed at the tavern in the complex and later you will have a fabulous dinner, along with a nice glass of wine in one of the authentic wine cellar restaurants. Day 6: Today you will travel from Zlatograd through Benkovski to the Podkova, riding for around 4-5 hours. The night is spent on a camping site with tents, which is set up close to river Vurbitza. The ride follows the riverbed of Vurbitza and passes Thracian megalithic monuments close to Benkovski. Horses and riders enjoy weaving through the crystal waters of the river. Again an open air lunch close to the river bank is enjoyed, with an evening meal by the camp fire. Day 7: Today you travel from Podkova, through Zvezdel to Nanovitza, riding for around 6 to 6.5 hrs. Tonight you will spend the night in a cosy mountain hut. In the morning you ride from Podkova, through Mount Strumni Rid and descend via the village of Ralitza to Zvezdel. A picnic lunch is set up and you will relax by a water spring and a well in the outskirts of the village. In the afternoon you ride to a tourist hostel in Nanovitza village. In the evening you reach the mountain hut at the foot of the spectacular Tatul hill and close to Nanovitza. An evening meal is arranged for you by the warm fireplace of the dining area. Day 8: You will leave Tatul and ride to Hunters Cabin, where the night is spent camping. Riding time is around 4-5 hours. After breakfast, you will visit the rock cult Orphic sanctuary of Tatul. You ride along the banks of Nanovitza River up to the ancient Thracian temple and up the hill to the stone sanctuary. This is followed by a relaxing and inspiring, archaeological sightseeing tour. This will grant you unforgettable impressions as you experience the ancient Thracian mystery rites and belief system. Here you have a chance to take unique photographs and hear amazing stories about the human knowledge of these times and expand the imagination. For lunch you will rest at the region of Harman Kaya. In the afternoon, the riding route passes the hunters’society, cold waterspring in the direction of the hunters’ cabin. This stretch will refresh your eyes with views of wild nature, deer and mouflons. You can revitalise yourself and horses by taking a swim in the comfortably warm waters of the dam. You share an evening meal and your days experiences by the camp fire. Day 9: You will leave Hunters cabin cold waterspring to travel through Boynik to Kaloyantzi with a riding time of around 4-5 hours. Tonight's accommodation is in a comfortable bungalow. After an open air breakfast, you ride off the hunters’ cabin up the South slope and over the crest of the mountain. You pass through Boynik and descend down a challenging mountain path to the dam wall of Studen Kladenetz. Lunch is down by the dam embankment and the afternoon ride continues on the soft slopes of the Southern damn wall. You ride on soft forest roads suitable for a fast ride. The night is spent in comfortable bungalows on the bank of the dam close to the village of Kaloyantzi. Day 10: Today the ride proceeds from Kaloyantzi village to the Thracian complex of Perperek, riding for around 4-5 hours. Tonight's accommodation, again will be in a bungalow. After breakfast, you will ride on soft forest roads by the River Perpereshka and across broad valleys, were there is a chance for an explosive gallop. As you approach the Thracian cult complex of Perperek, you enter the territory of three eras of archaeological and historical heritage. Sightseeing and a rest will follow the ride. Lunch is an open air picnic by the wooden pavilion and drinking spot of the Perpereshka River. After lunch you return to the bungalow and can opt for a bit of sunbathing or a boat trip to the island in the centre of the dam. Day 11: You will travel from Kaloyantzi to Madjarovo, riding for around 5-6 hours. The night is spent camping close to the heart of the nature reserve. The ride today is by the River bank of Arda. The area of Mardjarovo was formed over a long extinguished volcano. Arda River draws a picturesque rift as it forces its way through the volcanic rocks. The area is a nature reserve offering natural habitat to protected species like the white-headed African vulture and the Egyptian vulture. After the trip the, horses can bathe in the River's waters. The ride ends with a visit at the Nature protection centre of the Eastern Rhodopi in Madjarovo. Lunch is an open air picnic and the evening meal takes place in the garden of the nature reserves restaurant. Day 12: Riding goes from Madjarovo to Gorno pole, back to Madjarovo, with a riding time of around 3-4 hours. Again the night is spent in the accommodation of the Nature Reserve. The day begins with an ascending ride to the highest point of the ravine, Kovan Kaya. From this spot you face a breathtaking view. You then ride to the village of Gorno Pole over the crater of the extinct volcano. The River Arda cuts through its terrain housing rare birds. A swift ride down the dale and over picturesque forest roads and paths follows. You then pass through an ancient Thracian burial site and sanctuaries, admiring a prehistoric relief of a dancing coupe cut in the face of a rock dated 6-7 millennia before our time. This is the oldest graphic monument of this kind in Bulgaria. For lunch you return to base at the restaurant of the Nature reserve. In the afternoon you relax and see an art exhibition. Then lead by a specialised guide you get to observe the white-headed vultures at their feeding spots. You will later enjoy dinner in the garden restaurant, before heading back to the accommodation. Day 13: Day of departure. After breakfast you will transfer from Madjarovo to Sofia. You will receive a fond farewell from the guides and say goodbye to your horses before taking the bus transfer back to Sofia. |
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| Accommodation: | Is comfortably arranged for you in two star ** family hotels with a total of twelve nights, four of which in a tent, and eight in hotels and tourist housing. Accommodation is in single or two-bed bedrooms. |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above – the rider should be confident in the three main gaits and to be in control of the horse in all these on varying mountainous terrains. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 11 days, 5 - 7 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | 7-19 June; 19-31 July; 16-28 August; 6-18 September 2008 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |