Compare Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains by Exodus Travels vs Bulgaria Biking by Butterfield & Robinson
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,890 | $ 6,495 |
| Price Per Day | $ 236 | $ 928 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | Breakfast: Usually includes tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey and cheese, supplemented in Yagodina by fresh home-made yoghurt and traditional local specialities, such as katmi (thick pancakes) and rodopski klin (a rice-based dish). Lunch: Picnic lunches will be eaten in the mountains and typically comprise of bread, cheese, salami, salad, biscuits and fruit. Dinner: Will be taken in our hotel restaurant, and will normally include three courses comprising salad or vegetarian soup, followed by a main course, and a dessert of fruit, ice cream or cake/pudding. The cuisine reflects a mixture of Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish and Slavonic influences. We sample many traditional local specialities including smilyanski fasul (a delicious bean soup) and patatnik (grated potatoes, onions and cheese, seasoned with mint and other herbs). Jugs of tap water will be provided on the table with the evening meal. Bottled mineral water, soft drinks and alcohol are not included but can be purchased. There are also several local wines you may wish to try, including an excellent red Mavrud from vineyards on the northern slopes of the Rodopi. Vegetarians and Vegans: Bulgaria produces excellent fresh vegetables and fruit, so vegetarians are usually well catered for. However, it is extremely difficult for vegans, as dairy produce and eggs form the staple part of the diet in this region, and are central to the vast majority of meals. Please note, special gluten-free products are not available, so clients with a wheat/gluten intolerance should, if needed, bring with them something to replace the local bread and pastries that make up the breakfasts and picnic lunches. | N/A |
| Description |
The Rodopi Mountains are a hauntingly beautiful and mysterious region which, according to legend, were the home of the ancient Greek bard, Orpheus. Today they offer a refuge for many rare plants, brown bears, wolves, wild cats and a prolific number of butterflies and birds. Discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of these remote peaks as we walk through a variety of landscapes, including ancient coniferous forests and rugged limestone gorges. We engage with local people who maintain their traditional rural existence, working the fields by hand and tending their livestock on the meadows and pastures.Trek spectacular mountain landscapes in beautiful Bulgaria |
Found between the trade routes of Europe and Asia, Bulgaria has long been a crossroad of cultures—a fusion of Eastern Orthodox tradition, Byzantine art, Ottoman architecture and ever-present Pagan practices. This diversity is found in the landscape, too: a patchwork of farmland, alpine peaks, curious caves and rock formations that skirt the horizon. We'll immerse you in the local culture as we venture across unspoiled terrain, indulge in the region’s cuisine and pedal between misty mountains and ancient ruins. |
Day 1 Start Sofia Airport; transfer to Yagodina
The adventure begins at Terminal 2 in Sofia Airport (Terminal 2), where we meet the leader, before a transfer to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next six nights. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Walk from Zmeitsa along an ancient Roman road to Buinovo Gorge
Setting off on foot from the village of Zmeitsa, we follow an ancient Roman road through meadows, forests and fields, where we might see local people engaged in their traditional agricultural lifestyle. Finally, having descended a broad grassy ridge spur, with spectacular views over Yagodina, we drop steeply into the Buinovo Gorge where our minibus will be waiting. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 The Trigrad Karst Plateau
After breakfast, we drive to the neighbouring Trigrad gorge, where we make a short pause to scan the towering cliffs for the elusive wallcreeper, a delightful bird that flutters around like a butterfly on the rock faces, flashing strikingly crimson wings. We then spend the rest of the day hiking through the rugged heart of the Trigrad karst plateau. Following a maze of traditional trails and tracks, we thread our way through this wonderfully picturesque wilderness, rewarded by an ever-changing succession of landscapes and vistas. The region has been designated a Prime Butterfly Area, on account of the numerous rare species that can be found here. It also boasts outstanding flora, including many endemic species. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 Traverse the highest peaks of the Rodopi Mountains
After breakfast, we set off in our bus for a 90 minutes’ drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderfully panoramic hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First, we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak Mt. Golyam Perelik (2191m), before ascending Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), just two metres lower! Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, making a long descent to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mt. Golyam Perelik, so instead the leader will arrange an alternative lower-altitude walk in the mountains south of Yagodina. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 In the footsteps of Orpheus
Having finished the previous day’s walk in the village of Gela, the supposed birthplace of Orpheus, we continue with the Orphic theme today, by following in his footsteps to the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary where Orpheus is believed to have met his death. As well as being steeped in a fascinating mix of myth and mystery, todays walk also offers some lovely remote walking, where we share our trail with wolves and deer, and can often hear the eerie cries of black woodpeckers echoing through the forest, adding to the excitement and magical atmosphere. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 Mt Durdaga Circuit
For our final day in Yagodina, we make a full day's circular walk starting and finishing at our hotel. Our route makes a circuit of Mt. Durdaga, a high wooded peak that rises directly above the village. During the course of our walk, we pass through a large variety of habitats with extremely rich flora and fauna. During the first half of the day, we wander through forests and meadows, that are foraging regions for brown bears and wild boars. Later, in the afternoon, we then return to Yagodina along the line of a former Roman road. This runs high above the Trigrad Gorge, offering not only offers outstanding views but a wealth of wildflowers, as this is also one of the most renowned botanic trails in the country. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 Forest Walk & Riverside Nature Trail. Transfer to Sofia
Before making the long transfer back to the Bulgarian capital, we have the chance to enjoy two final short, but highly picturesque nature walks. Having had breakfast and said our farewells to the staff at the hotel, we set off on foot, picking up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for its great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to the river and road where we meet our bus, for a 45 minute drive to the town of Devin. Here we start our second walk of the day, following a delightful, specially-constructed nature trail along the valley of the Devinska Reka. As well as being extremely photogenic in its own right, the trail passes through another Prime Butterfly Area, offering the chance to see yet more rare and beautiful species. After a picnic lunch by the river, we then make our way back to the bus, before completing the final transfer (3 hours 30 minutes) back to Sofia. Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace (or similar)
Day 8 End Sofia
This trip draws to a close after breakfast. If you want to spend a bit more time in the city after our walking adventures, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Day 1:
After a scenic introduction to the landscape by bike, we'll wade into the history and culture with a vineyard visit and an immersive exploration of Plovdiv.
Day 2:
Ride from 'The Real Middle Forest' to the Rose Valley as we village hop to meet our charismatic and knowledgable local friends along the way.
Day 3:
Deep in the Rhodope Mountains, we'll cycle along a reservoir wall with incredible views (a teaser for our lunch experience) before we discover the unique bagpipe tradition.
Day 4:
As we ride through Gela today, we'll stop to embrace the local highlights and discover the delightful culinary traditions first hand with a cooking class.
Day 5:
Ride among diverse flora and fauna to a centuries-old Ottoman stone bridge before we land in the wine region of Melnik for a delightful tasting.
Day 6:
Explore surrounding vineyards and farmland by bike then, get a closer look at sandstone formations and the Rozhen Monastery on foot. Tonight, we'll celebrate our spectacular trip together.
Day 7:
Before we say farewell, we'll make one final visit to the must-see Rila Monastery (home to roughly 60 monks). From there we'll part ways, until next time!
