Rates Note:

Transfer Option:

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the Iskar Hunting Reserve. Overnight at the Hunting Lodge.

Day 2: Today we set off along lake Iskar, the largest inland lake in Bulgaria.  We ride across the Samokov mountain range through rolling hills to our destination in Borovets. The horses stay here tonight and we transfer back to Iskar for overnight.

Day 3: Our first destination is Bistritza, home to the hunting seat of the Bulgarian Zaren. Next on our journey, we ride to Zavratchitza mountain hut (approx. 2,200 m). After lunch, we ride on mountain paths to Maritscheni National park. Overnight accommodation is in a mountain hut.

Day 4: Our ride today takes us on elevations of 2.200 to 2,700 m - along high mountain lakes and through villages that have demonstrated a long tradition of Christians and Moslems living in harmony. Overnight in the mountain village of Semkovo.

Day 5: Today's ride leads us through some of the most impressive valleys of the Balkan - from the canyon of the Iliyana River to the famous Monastery of Saint John of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery. Founded in the 10th century, this monastery has attracted Orthodox church pilgrims from around the world for centuries. Rila Monastery is a national historic monument and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. If you like, you can overnight in one of the monk’s cells.

Day 6: This morning we visit the cloister and the museum at the Monastery experiencing the stunning architecture and beautiful frescoes. The ride continues along mountain paths through vast forests to the high plateau of the mountain chain - about 2.600 meters.
Here you can enjoy fantastic views over the seven Rila lakes - incredibly beautiful.  Then the descent leads us through the Djerman river valley. Along the Pravi Iskar river we reach a mountain village- Govedartsi. Our final destination is the tiny village of Nadzhare, the horses get excited as they sense the stables are near! The horses remain here overnight and we transfer back to the Iskar hunt reservation.

Day 7: This morning we ride out along the Beli Iskar River to the town of Samokov – we have reached the starting point of our ride! We say good bye to our horses. Farewell dinner at the Iskar hunting lodge. We spend our last night in Bulgaria here.

Day 8: Transfer to Sofia and journey home.

subject to change

During spring the climate is continental. Summers are hot. The summer temperatures are about 28 degrees Celsius. Autumns are mild and wonderful covering the leafs of the trees with different colours. Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.

Accommodations are at the Iskar Ranch and at various mountain huts and guesthouses.  All meals are provided. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents -  EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).