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RHODOPE MOUNTAINS BIKE EXPLORER / Bulgaria
Rhodope Mountains Bike Explorer / Bulgaria
INTRODUCTION:
The largest and one of the oldest mountains in Bulgaria - Rhodope, homeland of the mythic hero Orpheus, boasts some of the country’s most attractive natural sights such as deep gorges, caves, big lakes and century old forests. Add to that the untouched mountain village life, culture and traditions of local people, rich folklore and you will get a colorful picture of a magical place that will enchant your minds forever. We put emphasis not only on biking alone but also on that unique feeling of exploring and learning about a new land, its people and culture and of course tasting local food specialties.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
♦ The Trigrad Gorge – impressive gorge with cliffs of more than 250 m high where rare species of birds can be spotted ♦ The Devil’s Throat Cave – enormous cave, hosting one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. The waters of Trigrad river falls from more than 40 m ♦ Chairski Lakes, protected area due to the presence of some rare plants, growing within the peat ♦ The Wonderful Bridges - two picturesque natural rock arches with a height of about 50m ♦ Bachkovo monastery, established in 11th century
♦ The Trigrad Gorge – impressive gorge with cliffs of more than 250 m high where rare species of birds can be spotted ♦ The Devil’s Throat Cave – enormous cave, hosting one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. The waters of Trigrad river falls from more than 40 m ♦ Chairski Lakes, protected area due to the presence of some rare plants, growing within the peat ♦ The Wonderful Bridges - two picturesque natural rock arches with a height of about 50m ♦ Bachkovo monastery, established in 11th century
DATES: Daily from 15 May to 15 Nov
DURATION: 8 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
DURATION: 8 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Full Board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included) ♦ 7 nights in 2-4 star family hotels with in-suite facilities ♦ snacks and fruits during ride days ♦ spa and pool facilities where available ♦ all ground transportation as per itinerary ♦ supporting vehicle throughout the trip ♦ mechanical support for the bikes ♦ professional English-speaking mountain bike guide and driver ♦ VAT and all local taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Flight tickets ♦ alcohol, soft drinks and other personal expenses ♦ entrance fees for museums ♦ tips
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
On this trip we use mainly dirt and gravel roads among vast meadows and forests with few steeper and more technical sections, good for improving your riding skills.
On this trip we use mainly dirt and gravel roads among vast meadows and forests with few steeper and more technical sections, good for improving your riding skills.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival in Sofia. Accommodation in the city centre. Info meeting and a welcome dinner.
DAY 2. Early transfer brings us to the blue waters of Beglika dam at 1500m. Today we take it easy and ride in the coniferous forests along the lake shores of Beglika and Shiroka Poliana dams. We spend the night in nice villas on the lake shore.
Biking distance: 35km, ascent/descent: 400/300m
DAY 3. After breakfast the tour commences with a gradual descent on a dirt road to Zmeica village. On the way we can stop at an ancient second century Roman bridge. The ride continues with uphill biking in a forested area which then goes through vast meadows and potato fields above Buinovo village- very near the Greek border, where we have lunch. In the afternoon we ride through another small village and then finish in Trigrad village, famous for its stunning gorges and the Devil's throat cave located nearby. Here we stay in a family hotel overlooking the village and for dinner we enjoy a tasty grilled trout accompanied with traditional homemade brandy.
Biking distance: 50km, ascend/descend:1100/1300m
DAY 4. One of the most scenic rides of the tour will first take us down through the majestic Trigrad gorge, with an option to visit The Devil's throat cave. Afterwards we do a long climb in a valley which takes us to the picturesque area of the natural Chairski lakes. Here we will enjoy a tasty lunch in a mountain hut. The ride continues with some more climbing and finishes with a long descent to Mugla village, settled deep in the mountain. There is an option for a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Local specialties are served for dinner.
Biking distance: 24km, ascend/descend: 700/700m
DAY 5. After a special breakfast we continue with a climb up to Prevala pass set in beautifully stretched vast pastures with grazing sheep. The route then continues to the so called "panoramic road" that traverses the highest parts of the Rodopi mountain and reveals stunning natural sights and panoramas. The ride ends with a thrilling descent all the way down to Smolyan town – the biggest town in the area. We dine in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
Biking distance: 40 km, ascend/descend: 1000/1300 m
DAY 6. Short transfer will bring us up to Pamporovo ski resort where the ride starts. Today we bike southward exploring the forests and ancient Roman roads of Chernatitsa ridge. We will also visit the stunning natural rock formations "The Wonderful Bridges". The ride ends with a 12 km long descent down to the picturesque village of Orehovo.
We stay in a family hotel and enjoy homemade food and live folklore music performed by the host.
Biking distance: 50 km, ascend/descend: 1100/1200 m
DAY 7. On the last day of our trip we will explore the picturesque Assenovgrad area, famous for its medieval fortress, many chapels and stunning views to the rocky valley of Chepelarska river. We can also make a short visit to the Bachkovo monastery (the second biggest in Bulgaria). In the afternoon we travel to Plovdiv (European capital of culture 2019) where we will have time to explore the charming 19-centuries-old town famous for its beautiful cobbled stone streets, colourful houses and charming people. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner.
Biking distance: 20 km, ascend/descend: 500/500 m
DAY 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
DAY 2. Early transfer brings us to the blue waters of Beglika dam at 1500m. Today we take it easy and ride in the coniferous forests along the lake shores of Beglika and Shiroka Poliana dams. We spend the night in nice villas on the lake shore.
Biking distance: 35km, ascent/descent: 400/300m
DAY 3. After breakfast the tour commences with a gradual descent on a dirt road to Zmeica village. On the way we can stop at an ancient second century Roman bridge. The ride continues with uphill biking in a forested area which then goes through vast meadows and potato fields above Buinovo village- very near the Greek border, where we have lunch. In the afternoon we ride through another small village and then finish in Trigrad village, famous for its stunning gorges and the Devil's throat cave located nearby. Here we stay in a family hotel overlooking the village and for dinner we enjoy a tasty grilled trout accompanied with traditional homemade brandy.
Biking distance: 50km, ascend/descend:1100/1300m
DAY 4. One of the most scenic rides of the tour will first take us down through the majestic Trigrad gorge, with an option to visit The Devil's throat cave. Afterwards we do a long climb in a valley which takes us to the picturesque area of the natural Chairski lakes. Here we will enjoy a tasty lunch in a mountain hut. The ride continues with some more climbing and finishes with a long descent to Mugla village, settled deep in the mountain. There is an option for a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Local specialties are served for dinner.
Biking distance: 24km, ascend/descend: 700/700m
DAY 5. After a special breakfast we continue with a climb up to Prevala pass set in beautifully stretched vast pastures with grazing sheep. The route then continues to the so called "panoramic road" that traverses the highest parts of the Rodopi mountain and reveals stunning natural sights and panoramas. The ride ends with a thrilling descent all the way down to Smolyan town – the biggest town in the area. We dine in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
Biking distance: 40 km, ascend/descend: 1000/1300 m
DAY 6. Short transfer will bring us up to Pamporovo ski resort where the ride starts. Today we bike southward exploring the forests and ancient Roman roads of Chernatitsa ridge. We will also visit the stunning natural rock formations "The Wonderful Bridges". The ride ends with a 12 km long descent down to the picturesque village of Orehovo.
We stay in a family hotel and enjoy homemade food and live folklore music performed by the host.
Biking distance: 50 km, ascend/descend: 1100/1200 m
DAY 7. On the last day of our trip we will explore the picturesque Assenovgrad area, famous for its medieval fortress, many chapels and stunning views to the rocky valley of Chepelarska river. We can also make a short visit to the Bachkovo monastery (the second biggest in Bulgaria). In the afternoon we travel to Plovdiv (European capital of culture 2019) where we will have time to explore the charming 19-centuries-old town famous for its beautiful cobbled stone streets, colourful houses and charming people. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner.
Biking distance: 20 km, ascend/descend: 500/500 m
DAY 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
