A 9-Day Tour of the West Rhodopes
This tour offers the lover of natural wonders an unforgettable experience in the Central and Western Rhodopes. The greater part of the route is on the ridge of the mountains. You will experience the thrill of the true adventure in discovering the wild gorge of Slivov Dol with the highest waterfall in the Rhodopes named after the gorge; historical and rock phenomena; the spectacular Trigrad Gorge and Magareshki Dol Gorge; the caves near Iagodina, Trigrad, and Dobrostan.
The trip requires that the tourists are in good physical shape. Hiking each day is between 4 and 7 hours.
The entire trip is 11 Days, nine of which include hiking
Availability:
June 04 - June 14, 2007
August 06 - August 16, 2007
Day 1. Arrival in Varna. Hotel accommodations.
Day 2. Varna – Plovdiv – Batchkovo This day is a preparation for the trip. We will be accommodated in an eco-hotel in the village of Batchkovo offering a wide variety of Rhodopean specialties. In the evening we will visit the nearby Batchkovo Monastery.
Day 3. Batchkovo – Slivodolsko Padalo Waterfall – The Red Wall – Martziganitza Lodge In the morning, after breakfast, we will ride to the starting point of our trip – the Slivodolsko Dere Gulch. And then after a one hour hike we will get to the Slivodolsko Padalo Waterfall. The path follows the river upstream meandering through virgin deciduous forests, and will take us by several waterfalls, karstic springs, and impressive rock formations. We will pass through the Red Wall Reservation, inhabited by species of the flora and fauna of Bulgaria. After lunch we will walk for about 2 hours on the ridge of the Mountain to the Martziganitza Lodge, where we will spend the night. Hiking for the entire day is approximately 5 hours.
Day 4. Martziganitza – Belentash Plateau – Karadjov Stone -Krastova Gora – the Village of Borovo Today we will visit some of the most interesting sites scheduled for our trip. After breakfast we will start the hike to our first stop – the mystical plateau of Belentash (3 hours). The Plateau is 900 feet long and 150 feet high. There are holes and steps carved in the smooth stone. Archeologists are not certain whether the Plateau was a worship center, gold-processing facility, or a star map. Nevertheless, it has been proven that the place has powerful energy. We will have lunch near the Chotrova Fountain – about 20 minutes away from the Plateau. Then we will continue on route to the rock phenomenon Karadjov Stone (2 hours). Our path will pass by spectacular rock formations. Later, we will continue on the beautiful ridge through the region of Krastova Gora (1 hour) to the village of Borovo (2.5 miles). Accommodations and dinner are in the private hotel Borikite, where you will be able to enjoy the cozy atmosphere and Rhodopean specialties prepared by our kind hosts. Hiking for the entire day is approximately 6 ½ hours.
Day 5. The Shafran Cave – The Haidushki Poljani Lodge - Momina Voda – Momtchilovtzi In the morning we will visit the nearby powerful sites: Kamaka, Tzarkvata, and Angelovi Dupki. Along with the Shafran Cave and the numerous chapels on the mountain sides, they enhance the charm of the Rhodopean scenery. After that the bus will take us to the region of Haidushki Poliani, and from there, after an hour of hiking on the ridge, we will reach Momina Voda – one of the most beautiful Rhodopean regions. In twenty minutes on foot, we will be in the picturesque village of Momtchilovtzi. Accommodations are in a private hotel, where we will enjoy homemade Rhodopean specialties. Hiking for the entire day is approximately 4 ½ hours.
Day 6. Momtchilovtzi – The Town of Smoljan – Perelik Lodge – Ledniza Lodge In the morning the bus will take us to the highest ridge in the Rhodopes, between the Perelik and Goljam Snejznik tops. We will drive through the most beautiful Rhodopean town – the town of Smoljan, and then we will visit the architectural reservation in the Raikovo district. The starting point of today's hike is the region of the Perelik Lodge. The path to the Lednitza Lodge is picturesque. Houses and neighborhoods are scattered amongst beautiful meadows surrounded by the highest peaks of the Rhodopes. We will climb down to the Lednitza Lodge where we will spend the night. Hiking for the entire day is approximately 5 hours.
Day 7. Lednitza Lodge – The Village of Mugla - Piana Gora –The Town of Trigrad We leave the Lednitza Lodge for the Lednitza Cave near the town of Trigrad. Our path crosses over the ridge and provides a clear view of the Greek border. Then we will climb down to the village of Mugla (2 hours). Our path meanders through the Chairite Reservation: protected area featuring lakes, meadows, and spruce-tree forests. Our route takes us by the Piana Gora (The Drunken Forest) on an old Roman road to the town of Trigrad, where we will be accommodated. Hiking for the entire day is approximately 8 hours.
Day 8. Trigrad Gorge – Diavolsko Garlo Cave – Haramijska Cave – The Village of Iagodina Today we will visit one of the most remarkable natural creations in the Rhodopes – the Trigrad Gorge, about 1.3 miles from the village, where a wide valley turns into a narrow canyon between marble walls. The road passes through an 80-meter tunnel carved high in the rocks. This is one of the most beautiful views of the Gorge – 1,500 feet high and 900 feet deep. Immediately after the tunnel, we will see the precipitous cave Diavolsko Garlo. The name of the cave (Devil's Throat) comes from the shape of its entrance and the roar of the Trigrad River falling 126 feet down into the precipice. At the bottom of the precipice, the river passes through an enormous cavern and continues down creating multiple waterfalls. Later, in the Haramijska Cave, the experienced local guides offer an unforgettable adventure to those wishing to participate. It is about 900 feet away from the Diavolsko Garlo Cave and consists of 2 caves connected through a 108-foot precipice. In the afternoon we have another hour and a half on foot, and we will be in the village of Iagodina, where we will spend the night.
Day 9. The Iagodina Cave – Southern Rhodopes – Magareshki Dol – The Village of Borino The village of Iagodina is surrounded by beautiful meadows and mountain tops. There are many interesting karstic formations and caves meriting a visit on our way to the famous Iagodina Cave (1 hour of free time). There are two eco-trails in the region – the Southern Rhodopean Trail will provide you with a high dose of adrenalin while you cross the Magareshki Dol Gorge (4 hours from Borino).Accommodations are in a private hotel in the village of Borino.
Day 10. Borino – Varna This is our last day in the mountains. We depart to Varna. On our way back, we will visit the old Bulgarian Capital – Veliko Tarnovo. Accommodations in Varna.
Day 11. Departure.
Price: 660 EUR
Group Requirements: Minimum 8 People Maximum 12 People
Package Includes: Transfer to and from the airportTransportation by bus for the entire trip 10 Hotel accommodations in private houses, hotels, and mountain lodges 3 meals per dayFull guided tour in English and mountain guides
Additional Expenses: Flight Tickets
Upon making a reservation, each traveler will receive a list of recommended clothing and personal effects necessary for the trip.
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