Penguin Travel

On this incredible biking adventure you will be immersed into the heart of the gorgeous Rodopi Mountains, which provide excellent conditions for mountain biking. Plenty of off-road tracks are waiting to be discovered amidst the greenery of the land of the mythical musician and singer Orpheus who entranced people, animals and plants with his magical music. On this tour you will be able to cycle on different terrains, dirt, macadam, and isolated asphalt roads and paths. Also you will be riding through forests, along deep gorges, on ridges and hillsides. Remote tiny villages with unique architecture and natural phenomena will add even more flavour to the tour. As well as, meet hospitable people, and experience local traditions and customs. 

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and transfer to Plovdiv for overnight.

Day 2.  Assen forrtess - Bachkovo monastery
Transfer deep into the mountains few kilometers after Studenets vacation area. Biking on dirt roads into the shades of a lush mixed forest until you reach the small Dobralak village. From there you ride on an isolated asphalt road until you reach the final point of today's cycling King Assen’s fortress built in the 11th-12th centuries. After visiting the fortress we go to the Bachkovo Monastery by car. Afterwards we will proceed to the overnight destination in the village of Brestnik at the foots of Rodopi Mountains.

Day 3. Persenk - Orehovo - Chepelare
Transfer to Lilkovo village. The cycling runs within the countryside Hadzhiitsa and further up - Popova Rock. The village of Hvoina is the last stop with a visit to Persenk hut and the village of Orehovo on the way. Transfer to the town of Chepelare, where we stay overnight.

Day 4. Wonderfull bridges - Deaf stones - Smolyan
Transfer to the rock phenomenon The Wonderful Bridges, then 1 km. further up to the Skalni mostove hut where the biking begins. Going further through old coniferous forest the track reaches Gluhite kamani (The Deaf Stones) nature phenomenon. At Izgrev hut you start a downhill biking to Zornitsa village all the way down to Chepelare. Transfer to the town of Smolian for overnight.

Day 5. Smolyan lakes - Pamporovo - Shiroka laka
Having visited the beautiful Smolyan Lakes you are transferred a few kilometers uphill to the starting point where you leave the asphalt road and hit a gravel track. In a short while you get to Studenets hut and Pamporovo ski-resort. From there you bike uphil to the highest point for the day Mechi Peak area at 1850 m a.s.l. From this point on you will be able to experience breath-taking mountain landscapes. Then comes a pleasent downhill ride through Kukuvitsa village and ending in Shiroka Luka - village - an architectural reserve. Overnight in Shiroka Luka.

Day 6. Gela- Mugla - Chairski lakes - Devil's throat cave - Trigrad
Transfer to Gela village where the cycling starts. You pass by Lednitsata hut and then through the small typical Rodopi villages Kassaka and Mugla. Afterwards you hit the road which turns in macadam and starts climbing before reaching the ancient Chairski lakes. From the lakes a downhill track leads you to the marvelous Trigrad Gorge where you finish with cycling and visit The Devil's Throat Cave. Nearby is Trigrad village where we stay overnight.

Day 7. Vodni pad - Yagodina cave
You do a loop on your bikes: Trigrad - Vodni Pad village - Trigrad. Then you continue with a downhill cycling to Yagodina Cave, situated within the Buinovsko Gorge. After visiting the cave you get on the supporting vehicle. On our way to Plovdiv we enjoy the superb views over the Vacha and Krichim dams. We stay overnight in the city of Plovdiv.

Day 8. Departure 
After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.

Included in the price:  ► accommodation in family-run hotels (days 3, 5 & 6) with private facilities and in guesthouses with en-suite facilities (the rest days; shared facilities only on day 4) ► 5 days on HB (breakfast & dinner included) 2 days on BB (day 1 and 7)  ► mountain bike and helmet ► guide/driver with a supporting vehicle►map and roadbook►all transportation incl airport transfers►luggage transfers►technical support for the bikes

Not included: ►flights►travel insurance►dinners on day 1 and 7 (free to choose in Sofia and Plovdiv)►lunches► tips►entrance fees►alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.

Other expenses: single room supplement: 80 euro
 
Goot to know:
►Bikes: hardtail mountain bike RAM HT 1 (for details see OUR BIKES)
►Terrain: The terrain is versatile. You will bike mostly on nice dirt and gravel roads, isolated asphalt roads and some forest paths. Biking is made on an altitude from 1200 to 1800 including elevation gain of up to 900m and downhill riding up to 1200m.
► Guide/driver:  there will be 1 guide with you throughout the tour who will leave you at the starting point every day (you'll be given a map and itinerary notes for every day) and will meet you at the end of the cycling day.
►You can extend the daily rides with some biking in the region of the accommodation place (upon request) ►Extension at the Black Sea coast - relax at the seaside - more information upon request

How to get there: For low cost flights to Bulgaria please check - Wizz Air, Easy Jet , Germanwings, Penguin Travel, Norwegian Air Shuttle , Cimber , Airberlin, Ryan Air

Recommended travel period of the year:   May - October

Necessary equipment: We strongly recommend you wearing a helmet during the cycling. You can bring your own helmet or use one of ours. Biking gloves, light knee pads, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. (for list with recommended items see “General” in the trip dossier).

Gallery