Penguin Travel

Amazing cycle trip in the heart of the mystic Rodopi mountains - home of Orpheus.

The Rodopi Mountains are situated in the oldest part of the Balkans and boast some of the loveliest coniferous woods in the country. The landscape is gentle and rounded, consisting of high ridges and deep river valleys with gorges intermingling with river basins and valleys. In contrast with our tour of the Balkan Mountains, this tour will take you even higher, to around 2,000 m, or 6561 ft. Most of the mileage is done on mountain roads, with relatively little traffic. Along them cyclists can see some old-style means of transportation: wooden carts pulled by horses, donkeys or cows. You may also meet some nomadic gypsies, picking mushrooms and berries in the woods, as well as some local Muslim inhabitants growing tobacco and potatoes, or herds of sheep or goats coming down from the mountain at the end of the day.

Tour highlights:

♦ Velingrad is the largest Bulgarian spa resort famous for its healing hot mineral waters.
♦ Yagodina cave is among the longest caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000m mapped so far), considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them.
♦ Shiroka Luka - numerous houses preserving the typical Rodopean architecture, speech, songs and customs of local people have given the village the status of an architectural, ethnographic and folklore reserve.
♦ The Miraculous bridges are 2 unique natural rock arches (about 40 m. high).
♦ Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery. 

Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at Sofia/Plovdiv airport and transfer to Sofia/Plovdiv city center for accommodation.

Day 2. Belmeken dam - Velingrad spa town
You are transfered to Sestrimo village where the cycling starts. You climb high up to Belmeken dam (2000 m) through old coniferous woods. Once on top you gou round the waters of the dam and start descending. The road passes the Iundola's mountain meadows and soon you reach to the spa town of Velingrad, where you stay overnight in a hotel with mineral water swimming pool. Cycling distance: 76 km

Day 3. Batak dam - Beglik dam - Dospat
You start from Velingrad, passing through the picturesque landscape of Tsigov Chark countryside at Batak damand go round  the blue-green waters of Goliam Beglik and Shiroka poliana dams. The cycling day ends with a panoramic descend  to the town of Dospat and its dam, where you stay overnight. Cycling distance: 72 km

Day 4. Yagodina cave - Devil's throat cave - Trigrad
The biking starts from Dospat via Borino town to the Buinovsko Gorge, which is also a gate to the next stop - the Yagodina Cave. Here you can make a cave tour and have lunch before going further to Trigrad village, passing among the 250 m high rock walls of  Trigrad Gorge. Here another sinister cave is expecting you - The Devil's Throat Cave, housing one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. Overnight in Trigrad in a family hotel. Cycling distance: 50 km

Day 5. Shiroka laka - Smolyan lakes - Smolyan
A pleasant descent along Trigradska River brings you to the village of Grohotno and the natural rock phenomenon "The Elephant". Then you continue upstream Shirokolushka River to the village of Shiroka Luka. You can stop here to savour the spirit of this architectural reserve, famous for its preserved houses dating back from the Bulgarian Revival Period. Later you climb up to Prevela pass (1700),  cycle down by the beautiful Smolyan lakes and finsh in Smolyan town, where you stay overnight. Cycling distance: 66 km

Day 6. Rozhen - Borovo
Cycling from Smolyan up to the historic place Rozhen. You continue climbing up to a big picturesque meadow at 1700m which marks the beginning of a gentle downhill ride in direction to Laki town through “Momina voda” protected area. Then you have a challenging ascend to the panoramic Borovo village where you stay tonight. Nearby is the famous religious place with chapels and healing springs – Krastova Gora. Cycling distance: 39 km

Day 7. The Miraculous bridges - Bachkovo monastery - Plovdiv
Today you start with a downhill ride along Jugovska River valley to the main road Smolyan-Plovdiv. Short transfer brings you to the Miraculous bridges rock phenomenon for short walk and sightseeing. The next stop is Bachkovo Monastery (the second largest in Bulgaria). Transfer to Plovdiv for overnight. Cycling distance: 80km

Day 8. Departure
After breakfast you will be transferred to Sofia or Plovdiv airport for departure.

Included in the price: ►accomodation in family-run hotels/guesthouses with private facilities►5 days on halfboard, 2 days on BB (day 1,7)►bike and helmet ►detailed map and roadbook► airport transfers ►transfer from Sofia/Plovdiv to Sestrimo village on day 2, transfer to Plovdiv on day 7, 24 hours telephone assistance

Not included: ►luggage transportation ►guide and supporting vehicle ►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; rent of a rear saddlebag: 10 euro/week

Good to know:
♦ Bikes: hardtail mountain bike or hybrid bike (for details see OUR BIKES)
♦ Roads: you will use mainly isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), we do not go off road.The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.
♦ Dress code in monasteries and churches - men are not allowed to enter in shorts and women should not expose their legs and shoulders.
♦ Extension at the Black Sea coast - relax at the seaside - more information upon request

How to get there: Wizz Air ; Easy Jet ; Germanwings; Penguin Travel ; Norwegian Air Shuttle ; Cimber; Airberlin; Ryan Air

We recommend trip in the period: May - October

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

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