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 here you will visit the Ethnographic Museum and the ancient theatre, one of the best-preserved still in existence. Dinner and overnight in a very comfortable hotel in Plovdiv itself.
Day 2 - Sunday - Tsaratsovo to Hisar
Riding: 5 - 6 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. The starting point of the trail is actually one of the biggest and most famous horse sport facilities in Bulgaria.
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 and a half hours with smooth fields allowing for good canters. Lunch will be a BBQ picnic beside a river served with wine.
Overnight tonight is at a spa hotel with mineral water pool, a sauna, massage centre and jacuzzi.
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.
Along the way you will visit the a spectacular Thracian complex with a temple mausoleum, the largest of its kind in south-east Europe. Situated in Starosel, this was only recently found and is still being excavated but allows you to learn more about the mysterious Thracian people, their amazing cultural heritage and their historic significance.
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 - 6 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 and you'll have a guided tour.
Tonight you'll sleep in a park hotel about 3km outside of the village.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Koprivshtitsa to Strelcha
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 there is the resort of Strelcha waiting for you - your spa hotel again offers massages and mineral water treatments. Riding time today is approximately five and lunch is eaten at a restaurant.
Overnight at a spa hotel.
Day 6 - Thursday - Strelcha to Belovtitsa Village
Riding: 4 hours
Today you will ride for around four hours, visiting the Thracian ritual temples around the city which date from between 4th - 6th centuries BC. 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 - Belovtitsa Village 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 in a 4* spa hotel with pool.
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 |
Oct. 23, 2021 - Oct. 30, 2021
Nov. 6, 2021 - Nov. 13, 2021
March 26, 2022 - April 2, 2022
April 9, 2022 - April 16, 2022
April 23, 2022 - April 30, 2022
May 7, 2022 - May 14, 2022
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
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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.
