The Fore-Balkan area of the Balkan mountains offers a unique and diverse landscape, dotted with tiny villages lost in greenness and flowers, offering visitors not only tranquility and calmness, but also the opportunity to experience the unique and cozy atmosphere of authentic Bulgarian villages. In this region, traditions are a big part of modern life.
Old water mills are still at work; fulling mills continue to wash colourful carpets; the famous "rakia" (brandy) is prepared right before you; Bulgarian housewives prepare unforgettably sweet jams made with wild berries; and the old farmers still make the famous Balkan brine cheese with sheep and goat's milk. And all this surrounded by the wild nature of the Central Balkan National Park and one of its nine green pearls – the biosphere reserve of Boatin, housing one of the largest belts of Beech forest.
Departure dates for 2010:
every day from March to October (minimum group size 2 pax)
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and transfer to Yamna village for overnight accommodation.
Day 2: Yamna is a typical village for the Fore-Balkan region – long and scattered among the small valleys and hills. After breakfast, you will head for another part of the village, where the first stage of the trek starts. As an introduction to the whole trip, the trek offers lots of typical landscapes and experiences – picturesque, vast meadows dotted with lots of old apple tree gardens, the ringing bells of grazing sheep and horses and so on. The path follows the ridge over the village and descends by a cave towards the outskirts of Cherni Vit village, renowned for its great dancers and traditional Bulgarian folklore singers. From there you transfer to the neighbouring village of Divchovoto for your overnight accommodation. Walking time: about 5 hrs.
Day 3: The track today passes through the century-old Beech forests of the Boatin Reserve, reaching the peak at 1,065 m, after an hour of gentle ascent. From there, it descends over the other side of the hill, reaching a forestry road that leads to the region of Kostina, where one of Bulgaria's national heroes (Georgi Benkovski) was killed by the Turks. From this point you walk 3 km along a peaceful asphalt road amongst gardens, meadows, villas and houses, arriving in the village of Ribaritsa, where you stay overnight. Walking time: about 3,5-4 hrs.
Day 4: Today you walk along Debeli Dial, the ridge surrounding Ribaritsa from the north and climb its highest peak Debeli dial (1150m). The path continues to Vasiliov Hut, but before that, you will turn right descending down the Osenovia rat ridge at the upper parts of Ribaritsa. On the way back to your hotel you have the opportunity to observe the way of life of local people and enjoy the idyll of a typical Balkan mountains village. Walking time: around 4.5 hrs.
Day 5: In the morning you will be transferred to the neighbouring town of Teteven. Check in into the hotel and you will have time for sightseeing and shopping. There are some sites of interest in the town that are worth visiting like the historical museum, the church “Vsiah Svetii”, the “St. Ilia” Monastery built in XIV century, the picture-gallery in the center of the town, the Revival houses (Bobevskata, Iorgovata and Hadzhi Ivanovata). An optional afternoon walk could be made to a local waterfall with extension to “Haidushka poliana” Peak (955 m a.s.l.). Walking time: around 4 hrs.
Day 6: Cherven peak (1,221 m) is the easternmost summit of the three peaks located on the northern side of Teteven. This giant is today's target. The path starts from Teteven and travels upwards through broad-leaved forests and vast meadows to the rocks of Cherven peak, offering a superb panoramic view over the town of Teteven and the valley of the Beli Vit river. From there we take the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village. From there it is a further two-hour walk downhill to Teteven. Walking time: around 5 hrs.
Day 7: After a short transfer to the village of Glozhene a short but steep trek through an old Beech forest lead you to the picturesque Glozhene Monastery, where you can see the 1000-year-old icon of St. George. From the monastery you continue on a path through the forest up to a saddle at around 1000m with great view to Tetven town and Vit river valley. From there you follow a nice grassy road surrounded by vast meadows, then enter the forest again on a nice single trach path which leads you to the remote Staro selo village. Then you have 3 more km on an old forest path to Goliam izvor village where you stay overnight. Walking time: about 5 hrs.
Day 8: After breakfast you transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
Accomodation and food: You will stay in 3*** family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6), 2** pension (day 2) and in a guesthouse with shared facilities (day 7). The meal plan is based on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Ordering lunchpack (at the amount of 5-6 Euro) for the longer trekking days will not always be possible directly from the hotel. You may need to by some light food from the local shops.
Luggage transport: Unnecessary luggage will be transported as follows:Day 1: Right after your arrival in Yamna the driver will continue with the unnecessary luggage to your hotel by Divchovoto, where you will stay on Day 2. So please keep just the things which you will need for the walk on Day 2.Day 3: Leave your luggage in the hotel. It will be taken to your hotel in Ribaritsa and will meet you there in the afternoon of that day.Day 5: In the morning you will be transferred together with your luggage to the hotel in Teteven, where you check in before going on a sightseeing trip.Day 7: Morning transfer to Glozhene is arranged. You start walking from there while your luggage continues with the driver to the guesthouse in Goliam Izvor, where you will spend the night.Day 8: Transfer to the airport.
Practical information: EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays to 4-star hotels in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight (prices vary between 100 and 400 Euro per person per week depending on the hotel category and the meal plan; transportation is included).
Necessary equipment: daypack (35 l); walking waterproof boots with suitable ankle support; sunscreen lotion; mobile phone (ESSENTIAL! Please in case you do not bring one let us know that – you will be given such just in case of emergency in the mountains). For full list with recommended items see the detailed trip dossier.
Tour difficulty: moderate
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation and boarding as described above;
- Detailed roadbook and map;
- all ground transfers;
- Luggage transfers as per program;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Tips, entrance fees;
- Drinks and other personal expenses.
single room supplement: 85 euro
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
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