Balkan Village Trek (8 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area)
Balkan Village Trek (8 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area)
8 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria
Visiting: Sofia, Glozhene Monastery, Golyam Izvor, Brusen, Cherni Vit, Teteven
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BGBLKRID
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 6
Age range:
16-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Art Galleries & Museums, Horse Riding Excursion, Sightseeing, Walking
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Many and varied are the mountains in Bulgaria, but Teteven Balkan combines the best of them all - picturesque valleys with sparkling rivers and ancient forests with hidden meadows, high ridges and tops, crowned with rocky peaks revealing spectacular views, and villages scattered at the foothills, where life is lived with an old rhythm. This part of Stara Planina is loved by tourists both for the preserved nature and for the pleasure of touching the authentic life of the local people: tasting home-made rakiya with home-made appetisers is an integral part of the experience. The trek runs in the relatively low part of Stara Planina - between 400 and 1100 m asl. You will ride along dirt roads and trails. The terrain is rugged and rocky in places, with an option to trot and canter. We spend between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle every day, and the duration of each ride in most of the days can be changed according to the abilities and will of the riders. Luggage is transported by car and the saddling is western or English.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive In Sofia
Location: Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer to our hotel for overnight. Airport transfer is included. -/-/-
Day 2. Golyam Izvor - Glozene Monastery-Golyam Izvor
Location: Glozhene Monastery, Golyam Izvor, Golyam Izvor
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The road passes through meadows and mixed forest. We will ascend the heights above the village where we will see the first beautiful view of the central ridge of Stara Planina and the town of Teteven surrounded by rocky peaks. Then, we will descend through an ancient beech forest at the end of which Glozhene Monastery is located, perched on a high rock, it reveals an even more spacious view of the Danube plain. We will see the monastery and find out about its 800 year old history. Then have a soup for lunch, made by the local staff. After, we take another route to come back to Goliam Izvor, where we will spend the night. (B/L/D)
Duration of the ride: ~ 4 - 5 hours
Day 3 : Around The Village Of Golyam Izvor
Location: Golyam Izvor
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start a village trek around Goliam Izvor and the nearby rolling hills. We will see some pretty houses and how the locals live. Then we will move onto some open plane areas, perfect for gallops with a nice view over the valley. B/L/D
Duration of ride: ~ 4 hours
Day 4 : Golyam Izvor - Brusen
Location: Brusen
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast
The route will take us on the other side of Goliam Izvor and along a small river, supplying the fields, perfect for long galops. Then we pass through the roma neighbourhood of Belianovec, before ascending into a pine forest. There we are going to have a nice packed lunch amongst the nature. After the woodlands, we will trekk through an open field again and finish at the outskirts of Brusen, where we leave the horses and stay at Naso guesthouse. If not too tired, we can make a car trip to Etropole Monastery and the waterfall nearby (30 min drive). B/-/-
Duration of ride: ~ 4-5 hours
Day 5 : Brusen - Cherni Vit
Location: Cherni Vit
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The start of the trail passes through mixed forests. Then we get on top of unwooded ridge with beautiful 360 degrees view of the nearby mountains. We will continue along the ridge really soaking in the scenery in the beautiful trek. After we will finally descent to the village of Cherni Vit. In the afternoon we will have a trip by car to Saeva Dupka cave , known for its beautiful formations. Overnight hotel in Teteven. B/-/-
Duration of ride: ~ 5 hours
Day 6 : Cherni Vit – Teteven
Location: Teteven
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The ride on this day starts from Cherni Vit leading us close to the the Boatin Reserve which is part of the Central Balkan National Park which protects the nature in the central part of Stara Planina. Overnight in Teteven. B/-/-
Duration of ride: ~ 5 hours
Day 7 : Teteven – Golyam Izvor. Back To Sofia
Location: Sofia
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start with a morning transfer to Cherni Vit village where we have left the horses the previous day. On that last day we have a little bit of forest, some hills, slopes and a beautiful ridge to go through. Then a last scenery of Goliam Izvor, lunch and a transfer back to Sofia for overnight at a hotel. B/-/-
Duration of ride: ~ 4-5 hours
Day 8 : Departure From Sofia
Location: Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Sofia airport for departure. B/-/-
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 hotel overnights with breakfast (two in Sofia and two in Teteven) rooms with private facilities; 3 in guest houses incl. breakfast (2 rooms sharing one toilet/bathroom)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Entrance Fees
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English speaking guide and local guide
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Saddled horses
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Luggage transport
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Fully Guided
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Local Taxes
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Meals
all meals according to the tour program
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
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Drinks with Meals
drinks and meals not mentioned in the program
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Personal expenses
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Insurance
Accommodation
4 hotel overnights with breakfast (two in Sofia and two in Teteven) rooms with private facilities; 3 in guest houses incl. breakfast (2 rooms sharing one toilet/bathroom)
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, they are included on te first and the last day.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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