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THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE RHODOPES / Bulgaria
The Natural Wonders of the Rhodopes / Bulgaria
INTRODUCTION:
Spend a week wandering through the miracles of nature. This is a classic inn to inn self-guided walking holiday in the fairy Rhodope Mountains. Homeland of the mythological poet Orpheus and the ancient Thracians, this land full of history have to offer something special to any visitor. We offer you a fine selection of walks in spectacular natural settings with visits to unique nature phenomenon and inspiring cultural sites, including the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery and Plovdiv – one of the world's oldest cities, European capital of culture in 2019.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
The Eagle’s Eye view point, a steel platform 670 m above the picturesque Buynovsko gorge ♦ Yagodina Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Eastern Europe ♦ Trigrad Gorge and its over 250 m high cliffs, where rare species of birds can be spotted ♦ The Devil’s Throat Cave – enormous cave, hosting one of the tallest underground waterfalls in Europe. ♦ Chairski Lakes ♦ The Red Wall biosphere reserve - paradise for orchidsm ♦ Slivodolsko Padalo waterfall (49 m) ♦Sightseeing in Plovdiv, the oldest still inhabited city in Europe, according to several classifications ♦ Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083
DATES: Daily from 1 May to 20 September
DURATION: 8 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
DURATION: 8 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Pick up / drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv ♦ private local transfers as noted in the itinerary ♦ luggage transfers between the hotels as per itinerary ♦ accommodation in family run guest houses and 3 star hotels in double rooms with private facilities on HB basis (breakfast and dinner included) ♦ our detailed route notes, maps and local sightseeing information ♦ emergency hotline ♦ VAT and all local taxes
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival at Plovdiv or Sofia airport and transfer to Yagodina. On our way we pass through the longest gorge in Bulgaria – Buynovo.
DAY 2. Yagodina – Eagle’s Eye view point – Yagodina cave
Ascending St. Ilia peak (1508 m.a.s.l.) to the Eagles’s Eye view point will offer you a panoramic trail and breathtaking views from this steel platform rising 670 m above the picturesque Buynovsko gorge. It offers stunning views to both the Bulgarian and Greek Rhodope Mountains. You may be lucky to spot a golden eagle, wall creeper or chamoix, amongst the most attractive inhabitants of this part of the Rhodope. You head towards Yagodina cave, famous as the pearl of the Bulgarian caves due to its diversity of cave forms, including the unique cave pearls. After a guided cave tour you walk back to Yagodina village (1h).
Walking time: 4 – 5 hours
DAY 3. Yagodina – Trigrad Gorge – Devil’s Throat cave – Trigrad village
In the morning you leave the village on a picturesque country road. Soon the path enters the forest where woodpeckers and a beautiful flower, Morina Persica, may be spotted. You reach Trigrad village in about 3 hours and have time in the afternoon to visit the nearby Trigrad Gorge and the Devil’s Throat Cave. The gorge is impressive with its more than 250 meters high cliffs hosting wall creepers and crag martins. You may visit the Brown Bear museum or enjoy a drink with the locals on the square of the village.
Walking time: 3 – 4 hours
DAY 4. Loop walk to Chairski Lakes conservation area
Today you walk a circuit route which first part offers great views of Trigrad Gorge and the village of Trigrad. On the way, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the typical Rhodope country side. Around noon you reach the protected area of Chairski Lakes, where you may have lunch. On the way back you walk in the spectacular canyon of Chair Dere downstream Licadnitsa river. At the end of the route you pass through the spectacular Trigrad Gorge.
Walking time: 6 hours
DAY 5. Beden – Liaskovo village
After breakfast you check out and have about an hour transfer to Beden. The walk offers stunning views of the highest peaks of the mountain with a picturesque route in the century old coniferous forests until you reach Liaskovo village. In a family run guest house you may enjoy the delicious organic food and the hospitality of the Rhodope. You may have gaida (local back pipe) performance made by the host.
Walking time: 6 – 7 hours
DAY 6. Liaskovo - Gluhite kamani – the Miraculas Bridges- Orehovo village
Beautiful walk along some of the remote paths of the mountain. You pass through the Gluhite Kamani (the Deaf Stones) area and its unique rock formations. At the end you reach the highlight of the day – Chudnite mostove (the Marvelous Bridges) protected site. You have a short loop walk exploring the area of the rock phenomena and later have a short transfer to Orehovo.
Walking time: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
DAY 7. Slivodolsko padalo waterfall – Bachkovo monastery – Plovdiv
A morning transfer takes you to the Red Wall reserve, part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program since 1977, due to its rich biodiversity. You walk on a picturesque trail upstream Slivov Dol river and its numerous cascades. The century old beech tree forests of the Red Wall host more than 20 species of orchids including the unique lady’s-slipper orchid which can be seen only in this reserve. You reach one of the highest waterfalls of the Rhodopes – Slivodolsko Padalo (49 m) where you can stop for a refreshing rest under the mist of the waterfall. Later you visit Bachkovo monastery, amongst the largest and oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Europe. Transfer to Plovdiv.
Walking time: 2 – 3 hours
DAY. 8 Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv airport for departure.
DAY 2. Yagodina – Eagle’s Eye view point – Yagodina cave
Ascending St. Ilia peak (1508 m.a.s.l.) to the Eagles’s Eye view point will offer you a panoramic trail and breathtaking views from this steel platform rising 670 m above the picturesque Buynovsko gorge. It offers stunning views to both the Bulgarian and Greek Rhodope Mountains. You may be lucky to spot a golden eagle, wall creeper or chamoix, amongst the most attractive inhabitants of this part of the Rhodope. You head towards Yagodina cave, famous as the pearl of the Bulgarian caves due to its diversity of cave forms, including the unique cave pearls. After a guided cave tour you walk back to Yagodina village (1h).
Walking time: 4 – 5 hours
DAY 3. Yagodina – Trigrad Gorge – Devil’s Throat cave – Trigrad village
In the morning you leave the village on a picturesque country road. Soon the path enters the forest where woodpeckers and a beautiful flower, Morina Persica, may be spotted. You reach Trigrad village in about 3 hours and have time in the afternoon to visit the nearby Trigrad Gorge and the Devil’s Throat Cave. The gorge is impressive with its more than 250 meters high cliffs hosting wall creepers and crag martins. You may visit the Brown Bear museum or enjoy a drink with the locals on the square of the village.
Walking time: 3 – 4 hours
DAY 4. Loop walk to Chairski Lakes conservation area
Today you walk a circuit route which first part offers great views of Trigrad Gorge and the village of Trigrad. On the way, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the typical Rhodope country side. Around noon you reach the protected area of Chairski Lakes, where you may have lunch. On the way back you walk in the spectacular canyon of Chair Dere downstream Licadnitsa river. At the end of the route you pass through the spectacular Trigrad Gorge.
Walking time: 6 hours
DAY 5. Beden – Liaskovo village
After breakfast you check out and have about an hour transfer to Beden. The walk offers stunning views of the highest peaks of the mountain with a picturesque route in the century old coniferous forests until you reach Liaskovo village. In a family run guest house you may enjoy the delicious organic food and the hospitality of the Rhodope. You may have gaida (local back pipe) performance made by the host.
Walking time: 6 – 7 hours
DAY 6. Liaskovo - Gluhite kamani – the Miraculas Bridges- Orehovo village
Beautiful walk along some of the remote paths of the mountain. You pass through the Gluhite Kamani (the Deaf Stones) area and its unique rock formations. At the end you reach the highlight of the day – Chudnite mostove (the Marvelous Bridges) protected site. You have a short loop walk exploring the area of the rock phenomena and later have a short transfer to Orehovo.
Walking time: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
DAY 7. Slivodolsko padalo waterfall – Bachkovo monastery – Plovdiv
A morning transfer takes you to the Red Wall reserve, part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program since 1977, due to its rich biodiversity. You walk on a picturesque trail upstream Slivov Dol river and its numerous cascades. The century old beech tree forests of the Red Wall host more than 20 species of orchids including the unique lady’s-slipper orchid which can be seen only in this reserve. You reach one of the highest waterfalls of the Rhodopes – Slivodolsko Padalo (49 m) where you can stop for a refreshing rest under the mist of the waterfall. Later you visit Bachkovo monastery, amongst the largest and oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Europe. Transfer to Plovdiv.
Walking time: 2 – 3 hours
DAY. 8 Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv airport for departure.
