Meeting: Sofia
Airport:   Sofia International Airport (SOF)       Train station:   Sofia
Transfer: Sofia International Airport (SOF)    Distance: 10 km / 6 miles

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Sofia Airport (SOF). Transfer times are available anytime on the first and last day of the trip.
Transfers on days other than designated first and last day will be subject to a surcharge.

Tack:		Western, but there is English tack available on request. Riding helmet is not mandatory.
Horses:		Most of the horses belong to the local East-Bulgarian breed with a mid-height of 150 cm, they are well known as responsive, careful and tough mounts, and are thus extremely well-adapted to the mountainous region of the Rhodope Mountains.
Pace:		(6-7 hours in the saddle each day).Ranges from a walk on the steeper slopes and rough terrain to trots and canters on the open spaces. Rough estimate is 50 % walking, 25 % trotting and 25 % cantering. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 198 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 6 riders

Riding Level
The ride is suitable for confident intermediate riders. There will also be occasions where you need to dismount and lead your horse for short periods of time (20 – 30 min) – this can be both uphill as well as downhill so you will need to be reasonably fit.

Pace
This trip includes 6 days of riding in enchanting mountains, deep river gorges, lush meadows and dense forests. The trail offers a variety of terrains in which one can experience of all types of paces. We ride between 4 and 6 hours every day.

Horses 
Most of the horses are crossbreeds between the local East-Bulgarian and Karakachan with a mid-height of 150 cm. They are well known as thoughtful and tough, and are thus extremely well-adapted to the mountainous region of the Stara planina (Balkan).
They we are well behaved and are used to each other so you will not experience any trouble with them walking, trotting or cantering in a group together.
Though our horses are suitable for riding, saddling etc. they are still working horses and they are taken care of just like the typical free grazing horses in the region. This might be quite different from what a rider with an experience abroad must have seen, but please, keep in mind that this is how the local people have raised their horses for centuries. As a company that has always tried to help the small local communities in Bulgaria by bringing tourists to them, we would like to ask you to respect and understand these traditions and practices.


Passport and Visa Requirements: 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 on. more