Horseback Riding in Bulgaria
BALKAN HERITAGE RIDE |
Riding through a meadow
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Your destination in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria will give you a glimpse of one of eastern Europe’s oldest civilizations. Riding through the countryside here is like taking a tour through an open-air museum.
Balkan culture is displayed in hand-decorated churches, carefully laid cobblestone, centuries-old monasteries, and enduring folklore. The scenic landscape of the Balkan Mountains where the ride takes place has an abundant rivers, lakes, mineral springs and mountains. Its plant and animal life is fertile.
Combined with its remarkable cultural, historical, ethnographic and architectural diversity, Bulgaria is unarguably an attractive and unforgettable destination for adventure travel on horseback.
Excellent trekking horses, quality tack, gorgeous terrain, delicious food, great staff, comfortable accommodations -- a first class Equitours experience. Highly recommended.
- Jane Kellogg, June 2011
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Plan your flights to arrive at the Sofia airport in the early morning. Once everyone has arrived you will be transferred by mini-van to the hunting lodge just outside of the small agricultural town of Etropole. This 100 km transfer will take approximately 1 hour. Settle into your room before gathering for a welcoming lunch. After lunch riders head to the stables to meet the horses. A short afternoon ride is scheduled to adjust tack and become familiar with your mounts. |
| Day 2: | Today’s trek will take you to the foot of Sveshti Plaz peak. This peak rises to 1,888 meters above sea level. Enjoy an open air lunch while admiring the pastoral beauty of this mountainous countryside. Each day you will experience trot, canters and some gallops. There will be time after riding to relax or explore the surrounding area on foot before gathering for dinner. |
| Day 3: | After a leisurely breakfast it’s time to tack up and head out for a full day on horseback. The morning ride takes you up steep slopes to the Kokalskoto Tourist House. Here you will stop for a leisurely lunch and short siesta. The afternoon’s return ride wanders through white pine, fir and spruce forests. At a distance you will see locals with strings of pack horses bringing in their winter firewood and herders tending small flocks of sheep. |
| Day 4: | Enjoy a morning ride before setting off in the minibus for a scenic drive to the little town of Koprivshtitsa, a unique town full of museums and authentic architecture dating back to the Bulgarian Renaissance period. Lunch will be at a local tavern. Explore the town on foot while your English speaking guide regales you with the local history and folklore. Return to Etropole in the late afternoon. |
| Day 5: | Head out on horseback to the Etropole Monastery. Located at the foot of Cherni peak, it is approximately 5 km north of Etropole. The monastery was first built in the 11th century but its present day construction dates back to 1858. Its cross-like form is said to be one of the most precious architectural monuments from the Bulgarian Renaissance period. Lunch will be near the monastery followed by a tour of the grounds. |
| Day 6: | A great day of riding with some long canters while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful countryside! |
| Day 7: | Your last day of riding winds up a mountain trail through a dense beech forest. At times it’s difficult to see sunlight through the heavy timber. Wildlife is plentiful in these woods; you are likely to see red stag and mouflon sheep as you enjoy lunch in a clearing near the top. The return ride takes you through small villages where you will see local residents tend to their evening chores; bringing in their cows for milking, feeding the pigs and chickens, and working in their gardens. Linger over dinner before saying goodbye to new found friends. |
| Day 8: | Following breakfast, guests are accompanied to the Sofia airport in time for departing flights. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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The edge of a farm along the trail
A quiet walk along tall trees
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 5 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-7 hours |
| Pace | Moderate |
| Tack | English or western |
| Horses | English/Arab crosses |
| Weight Limit | 200 lbs. |
| 2012 Dates | Saturday - Saturday late May through August |
| 2012 Price | May Was $1,225, now reduced to $1,095
June Was $1,245, now reduced to $1,150
July and August Was $1,290, now reduced to $1,190
Ride price is set, guaranteed and final at the time deposit is paid. |
| Single Supplement | $245 |
| Transfers | $50 |
| Additional Information | Call for our NEW 7 night progressive ride information. |
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