Land of the Thracians

Bulgaria

Overview Description Horses & Riding Food & Accommodation Other Activities Travel Testimonials Itineraries

Special Offer!

€50 EUR Discount

Autumn discount of €50 EUR per person on the Sredna Gora Trail 24 September and 8 October 2022.

Offer ends Oct. 8, 2022

Overview

This beautiful new ride is the dream trail designed by our partner Bogdan Syarov, organiser of our trails in the Rhodope Mountains. The Thracian Valley is an ideal location for riding with smooth, picturesque terrain of rose and lavender fields which allow for a faster pace. The trail combines plen… read more

Highlights

Long canters through the Thracian Valley
One of Europe's best wine regions
Spa hotels to unwind after a day in the saddle
Sightseeing in Plovdiv - centre over 8000 years old
Passionate guide who is a qualified vet

Essential Facts

1 itinerary available
Max 8 riders per group
Average of 4 - 5 hours riding per day
Weight limit: 95kg / 210lbs / 15st.
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Description

This beautiful new ride is the dream trail designed by our partner Bogdan Syarov, organiser of our trails in the Rhodope Mountains. The Thracian Valley is an ideal location for riding with smooth, picturesque terrain of rose and lavender fields which allow for a faster pace. The trail combines plenty of canters and amazing scenery with ancient Thracian and Roman ruins, delicious wines and spa opportunities thanks to the healing mineral springs. Accommodations are comfortable throughout and you will often have access to a swimming pool, sauna or spa at your hotels.

Throughout this ride you will explore many of the region's wonders such as visiting the biggest mound-temple in the Balkan peninsula, dating back to the VI-IV century BC. The itinerary includes visits to the fascinating towns of Plovdiv, Hissar and Koprivshtitsa, riding in the Sredna Gora mountains and a look at the Thracian Cult Complex which dates back to the 4th century BC. A wine-tasting is also included - the Thracian Lowlands are one of the most highly recommended wine regions at present, with Wine Enthusiast magazine describing the region as a place where "archaeological wonders combine with modern wines in a travel fantasyland."

Your host and guide, Bogdan, is a qualified vet who has successfully been running popular trail rides in the Rhodopes. He is excited to add the 'Land of the Thracians' to his programme, allowing a different perspective on Bulgaria and its charms.

Horses & Riding

Tack

English style tack, primarily Wintec saddles and snaffle bridles.

Horses

A range including Eastern Bulgarian breeds, Trakehner and Shagya Arabian.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

Sredna Gora Trail is a trail ride

Ages

12+

Health

General good health recommended.

Weight

95kg / 210lbs / 15st.

Food & Accommodation

Food

All meals are included during the trail programmes and you can expect hearty local fare and the chance to try several traditional dishes. Meat and cheese are prevalent and bread is served with every meal, but vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.

Dinners are generally three courses and always start with the traditional salad of cucumber, tomatoes, onions, cheese and sometimes olives. Lunches are generally a picnic eaten from your saddlebag (including a sandwich, fruit, biscuit/cereal bar and water). A few times during the week you will eat at a bar in a small village or a restaurant.

Beer and wine are commonly available and delicious, but red wine is sometimes served chilled. Coffee, tea and juice are served with your breakfasts.

Accommodation

Accommodation during the trail is clean and comfortable, primarily in hotels where rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Most of the hotels have a spa or swimming pool. Single rooms are available.

A few of the accommodations have a WiFi connection.

Itineraries

Sredna Gora Trail Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

The programme is not really designed for non-riders but they could be accommodated and taken in the support vehicle to each accommodation. There are some good sight-seeing opportunities during the rides so please contact us if you have non-riders in your party.

Travel

Guests can fly into Sofia or Plovdiv. The tour starts in Plovdiv but most guests fly to Sofia as there are a lot of flights into and out of the capital city.

Transfers are included from the two airports at set times. You should ideally arrive into Sofia no later than 16:00, in order to allow time for sightseeing in Plovdiv. On departure day your flight should not leave Sofia before 12:00.

If you are coming into Plovdiv instead then please contact us for timings.

Testimonials

Anette W., May 19, 2022

Very good riding, nice nature, perfect accommodations, very good food, super nice company, very
engaged guide and good price.

Chavaunne T., May 17, 2022

Absolutely amazing, loved every minute! Forward going, safe horses, which were very well cared for. Beautiful and diverse scenery. Excellent guide, lovely accommodation, tasty food and delicious wine, plus a great group of people!

Chris W., Jan. 13, 2020

I absolutely loved it & fell in love with the country. Bogdan the owner is brilliant! He has planned the routes with great care & obviously loves his horses who are all very well looked after. He also has a great sense of humour & goes to great lengths to make sure all of his guests are happy. All of the horses are calm & easy to handle but have a turn of speed when required. We had some amazing long canters through the fields. I loved my horse Tiger who has a great personality!

Gerry, Nov. 6, 2019

First time to Bulgaria, we found the visit really interesting. Great group of riders to be with. Fun fast riding, contrating scenery; good guide.

Elena, Oct. 2, 2019

A fantastic adventure exploring vast meadows, grand woods, breathtaking views and enjoying tasty food in great company.

Cath M., April 30, 2019

Overall the ride and every component was VERY well organised, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable. Favourite memory? Diverse landscapes and riding terrain; very relaxed guide and well cared for horses. Bogdan is a lovely person! He is fun, trustworthy, enjoyable, knowledgeable and his English is fantastic! His wife Lyubomira is also delightful and supports the ride.

Itinerary & Pricing

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.
Minimum group size	2
Maximum group size	8
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

Pricing

£ $ €

2022 Sharing	£1225 $1485 €1450
2023 Sharing	£1310 $1585 €1550
Included	7 nights of accommodation in shared rooms, all meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day, 6 days of riding with an experienced guide and set-time group transfers from and to Sofia or Plovdiv airports.
Not included	Flights, personal travel insurance, drinks, tips or personal expenses.

Extras

£ $ €

2023 - Single Supplement	£127 $154 €150 Paid to Far and Ride
2022 - Single Supplement	£137 $166 €162 Paid to Far and Ride

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.

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Land of the Thracians