Day 1 - Saturday - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
You will be met at Sofia airport at 16:00 and transferred to Plovdiv city which is considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria. This afternoon you will explore Plovdiv, finding traces of civilisation much older even than the Romans. The historic centre is more than 8000 years old and if there is time you can visit the Ethnographic Museum and the ancient theatre, one of the best-preserved still in existence. Dinner and overnight at a hotel attached to a riding centre on the outskirts of the city.
Day 2 - Sunday - Tsaratsovo to Hisar
Riding: 5 hours
After breakfast you will be transferred to Tsaratsovo village from where you will start your journey. The horses will have been transported here already from their home in the Rhodopes.
Once you are matched with a suitable horse you will begin your ride towards Hisarya, the most famous spa centre in the country with 22 healing mineral springs. Aside from being a famous health resort, Hisarya is also notable for its history as it is full of archaeological findings dating back to Thracian times and even the Roman Empire. You can walk between Roman baths, aqueducts, bastions and fortified walls.
Today's ride is around five hours with smooth fields allowing for good canters.
Overnight tonight is at a spa hotel with indoor and outdoor seasonal pools, a hot spring bath, hot tub, sauna and steam room. Massages may also be available at extra cost.
Day 3 - Monday - Hisar to Starosel
Riding: 3 - 4 hours
Today's terrain is a combination of flat and hilly and the trail passes by fields and vineyards, meadows and oak forests. You make your way towards a wine cellar to enjoy a wine-tasting and some superb cuisine, as well as having the chance to indulge yourself in some spa treatments.
Today's ride time is around three and a half hours and lunch is a picnic from the saddlebags, eaten beside beautiful meadows. Dinner and overnight is in Starosel at a winery and spa hotel.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Starosel to Koprivshtitsa
Riding: 5 hours
Today's five hour ride takes you to the historic town of Koprivshtitsa which dates back to the Renaissance period. It is located in a picturesque valley alongside the Topolnitsa River, in the heart of Sashtinska Sredna Gora. You will eat lunch in a restaurant on your way to the village. On arrival to Koprivshtitsa the authentic atmosphere of its cobblestone streets will take you back in time.
Tonight you'll sleep in a park hotel with spa, about 3km outside of the village.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Koprivshtitsa to Aqua Thermi Spa
Riding: 5 hours
After breakfast you will ride along the ridge of the mountain with magnificent views of the famed 'Valley of the Roses'. At the foot of the mountain your spa hotel waits for you. The Aqua Thermi Spa complex again offers massages and mineral water treatments. Riding time today is approximately five hours and lunch is eaten at a restaurant.
Overnight at a spa hotel.
Day 6 - Thursday - Aqua Thermi Spa to Zhitnitsa
Riding: 4 hours
Today you will ride for around four hours. Lunch will be on the shores of Lake Belovitsa before continuing your ride in the afternoon. Tonight's hotel has a large spa and swimming pool so you can have a well-deserved rest.
Day 7 - Friday - Zhitnitsa to Tsaratsovo
Riding: 4 hours
On this last day of riding you will cover the smooth terrain of vineyards and rose fields on your way back to the riding centre. Your route includes crossing a beautiful river and passing by a rose oil factory - you will experience the scent of the famous Bulgarian rose for the last time on this trip. Lunch today is from your saddlebags.
The ride today lasts around four hours. Tonight you will sleep again at the same hotel as the first night, attached to the wonderful riding centre.
Day 8 - Saturday - Departure
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast there will be a transfer to Sofia for your trip home. The journey takes around 90 minutes (120km) by minibus.
NB. The itinerary may be modified for reasons of safety, weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Accommodation |
All nights spent in clean and comfortable hotels, in shared rooms with private bathrooms. Many hotels also have a spa. |
Experience |
Intermediate / Experienced
Riders should be confident intermediate and above, happy to ride at walk, trot and canter in open country and for long distances. With this in mind, we only recommend the trail for riders who are quite fit.
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Minimum group size |
2 |
Maximum group size |
8
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Departure windows |
May 21, 2022 - May 28, 2022
Sept. 10, 2022 - Sept. 17, 2022
Sept. 24, 2022 - Oct. 1, 2022
Oct. 8, 2022 - Oct. 15, 2022
Oct. 22, 2022 - Oct. 29, 2022
Nov. 5, 2022 - Nov. 12, 2022
March 25, 2023 - April 1, 2023
April 8, 2023 - April 15, 2023
April 22, 2023 - April 29, 2023
May 6, 2023 - May 13, 2023
May 20, 2023 - May 27, 2023
Sept. 9, 2023 - Sept. 16, 2023
Sept. 23, 2023 - Sept. 30, 2023
Oct. 7, 2023 - Oct. 14, 2023
Oct. 21, 2023 - Oct. 28, 2023
Nov. 4, 2023 - Nov. 11, 2023
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Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.