Rhodope Mountains Ride

Introduction
Mountains Bulgaria
The Rhodopes, occupying the southern part of Bulgaria and part of Greece,  are the homeland of the mythological singer Orpheus. This ride spends 6 days of riding in this enchanting mountain – the land of high peaks and deep river gorges, unique rock formations, lush meadows and dense forests. The western part of the Rhodopes where our ride takes place, offers a variety of terrains in which one can experience of all types of riding and paces. We visit remote villages, stay with local people enjoying their hospitality, local food and excellent wines. We spend also some time in Plovdiv - Europe's oldest inhabited city and 2019 European Capital of Culture.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations. You will be staying in 6 different locations total.

Description
You will stay overnight at local guesthouses and small family-run hotels in rooms with private facilities (except for maybe one night in Varhovrah – depends on accommodation).
WIFI will be available at all locations.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Sofia 
Night 2: Plovdiv
Night 3: Hunting lodge in Bryanovshtitsa 
Night 4: Guesthouse in Orehovo
Night 5: Guesthouse in Lyaskovo
Night 6: Hotel in Varhovruh
Night 7: Hotel in Sofia

Hotel in Sofia
You will be warmly welcomed in this small family hotel. There is a beautiful garden with many flowers, where guests can relax. The hotel has 15 rooms, all equipped with TV, telephone and bathroom with toilet, shower or bath. Internet is also available at this property.

Villa Yustina near Plovdiv
This lovely hotel was created in 2006. The owners also produce their own wine. The 10 guestrooms are modern and comfortable. Each room has a TV and private facilities. Wi-fi is also available onsite.
There is a pool and a small garden where you can relax in the evening.

Hunting lodge in Bryanovshtitsa 
Tonight, you sleep in a hunting lodge with simple but comfortable bedrooms with shared facilities.

Guesthouse in Orehovo
This Guest House offers 7 spacious bedrooms each with its own sanitary facilities and TV set. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

Guesthouse in Lyaskovo
This lovely guesthouse provides simple accommodations in private bedrooms that are fitted with a private bathroom and Wi-Fi access. It is possible to do laundry here for a small fee.

Hotel in Varhovruh
Surrounded by nature this hotel provides comfortable rooms featuring ensuite bathroom, Wi-Fi access and satellite TV.


Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share.


Meals
All breakfasts are included. Your package also includes 6 lunch packs (day 2 to 7) and 4 dinners (day 3 to 6).
The food is locally grown and home-style.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the rates.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


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.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Sofia
Transfer to our hotel in Sofia for overnight.
Meals included: None
Overnight at Hotel in Sofia

Day 2 (Sunday): Sofia - Brestovitsa - Plovdiv
After breakfast at the hotel, we are heading to our base Brestovitsa at the foot of the Rhodope mountain (15 km from Plovdiv). Here we will meet our horses and do a short loop-like ride. While riding, we will pass through meadows and forests.According to the season, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the ripe fruits in the area and meet the local people, who work in the fields. Sightseeing in Plovdiv in the afternoon.
Riding: ~3 hours
Meals included: B/L/-
Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 3 (Monday): Plovdiv - Leshtensko - Bryanovshtitsa Hut
After breakfast, we will start today's ride.We start climbing, with an option for trotting and cantering. An hour's riding later we reach the Leshtensko area, where we will enjoying the beautiful views on both sides of the trail. We will do 20 minutes to rest and water the horses in the beautiful canyon in the area. Then we head out through the forest to climb a small trail to the endpoint – Bryanovshtitsa hut. The ride lasts between 3 and 4 hours, with the option of extending one or two hours to the St. George area, which reveals a beautiful view over Plovdiv and the surrounding small towns and villages.
Riding: ~3-5 hours
Meals included: B/L/D
Overnight in Bryanovshtitsa hunting lodge, rooms with shared faciliies

Day 4 (Tuesday): Bryanovshtitsa Hut - Orehovo
Today we are heading to the village of Orehovo - one of the most picturesque ones in the mountain. Today's ride will take about 6 hours. On the way, we will stop for a lunch near the scenic region of Bash Mandra.
Riding: ~3-5)
Meals included: B/L/D
Overnight in Orehovo

Day 5 (Wednesday): Orehovo - Lyaskovo
Today we will ride through pine forests and vast meadows on our way to the village of Lyaskovo. We will take a short stop at the unique rock formation Chudnite Mostove (Miraculous Bridges).
Riding: ~6 hours
Meals included: B/L/D
Overnight in Lyaskovo in a local family-run guesthouse

Day 6 (Thursday): Lyaskovo - Vruhovruh
Today we are heading south and up in the mountains to the small resort of Varhovruh. Following the Varhovrah ridge, we will enjoy the great panorama views before reaching Persenk hut, where we will stop for lunch
Riding: 5-6 hours
Meals included: B/L/D
Overnight in Varhovruh

Day 7 (Friday): Vruhovruh - Villa Yustina -Sofia
Time to get back. First we are heading back to our base in Villa Yustina. Then we are continuing with a transfer back to Sofia where we will spend the night.
Riding: ~3 hours
Meals included: B/L/-
Overnight in Sofia

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (half hour drive).
Meals included: B/-/-


*B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
 

Rates and Dates for Rhodope Mountains Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Sofia
Airport: Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Transfer: Sofia International Airport (SOF)

Climate:
                                                    Plovdiv area

• Hard-toed boots with a heel
• Long jeans
• Gloves for hand protection
• Riding helmet (available to borrow, but please ask ahead of time)
• Spurs (only when necessary!)
• Fleece headband
• Lightweight windproof riding jacket
• Light casual shoes for walking and/or for travelling
• Loose, casual trousers
• Waterproof trousers
• Raincoat (must have)
• A set of T-shirts, sweatshirts and long sleeved shirts, preferably not cotton
• Warm shirt, possibly fleece and/or pullover
• Fleece windstopper jacket
• Windproof, waterproof outer shell garment (breathable if possible!)
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
• Repellent (for mosquitoes, flies and ticks)

• Personal basic first aid kit to include essential items
• Torch (head mounted preferable)
• Large handkerchief/bandana for neck
• Binocular
• AltimeterCompass
• Photo camera