Penguin Travel

Explore the beaty and history of Balkan mountains on your own pace!

On this tour you bike along the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature, green valleys with sheep peacefully grazing on lush grass, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. You start the trip from the tiny Goliam Izvor village, passing by the Central Balkan National Park and ending up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages that look as they have been untouched for the past 200 years. You’ll see wooden carts pulled by a horse or donkey and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way.

Tour highlights:

♦ Glozhene Monastery - built in the 13-th century by the Ukrainian prince Glozh, housing an icon at the age of about 1000 years.
♦Bozhentsi village - an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival Period.
♦Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum - Master craftsmen fashion beautiful gold, silver, copper, leather and wooden articles right before your eyes from early morning until late at the night.
♦Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, being the 3-th largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.

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

Day 2. Goliam Izvor - Ribaritsa village
Early transfer brings you to Yablanitsa town where the cycling starts. You pass through town and then continue to Malak Izvor village, which is a starting point for a challenging 5 km uphill ride to Glozhene Monastery. Having visited the monastery you go downhill the same way and continue further to the scenic Teteven town. Here you can have a short stop for a walk and visit of the local historic museum and church or a short bike and hike trip to a nearby eco trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Then you continue with a 12 km ride upstream Vit river to Ribaritsa village, where you stay overnight. Cycling distance: 70 km

Day 3. Ribaritsa village - Apriltsi
Ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point of the day - Bogoi pass (1185m). From this pass the road goes all the way down to the town of Troyan passing through the village of Shipkovo where you can take a refreshing bath in the mineral water swimming pools. After lunch in Troyan town centre you can visit The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" and the famous Troyan monastery. You spend the night in Apriltsii village in the heart of Central Balkan mountains. Cycling distance: 74 km

Day 4. Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Sokolsky monastery - Etura
Cycling on isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. Enroute you pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys, visit Batoshevo monastery and have lunch in a local village pub. After an ascent follow by a nice downhill ride you reach Gabrovo town and continue to the "Etura" open-air ethnographic museum, as well as the beautiful Sokolski Monastery. You stay overnight next to Etura. Cycling distance: 55 km

Day 5. Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi
In the morning you cycle back to Gabrovo town. After an ascent followed by a steep descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time on sightseeing and lunch in the centre of this beautiful National Revival town. Ups and downs through open terrain and small villages will lead you to the final stop for today - Bozhentsi architectural reserve. Cycling distance: 52 km

Day 6. Bozhentsi - Elena
You cycle back for some 10 km and get on the main road leading you to Dryanovo monastery where you can stop for a visit. Then you continue to Dryanovo town and further to Kilifarevo monastery where you can have lunch. After an ascend in a forested area you reach the blue waters of Iovkovtsi dam and soon you descend to the beautiful and quiet town of Elena. Cycling distance: 77 km

Day 7. Elena - Arbanassi - Veliko Turnovo
From Elena you cycle to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi architectural reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivation lands, shrubby hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. You can spend some time for walks and rest among the old houses of Arbanasi and continue with a steep downhill ride to Veliko Tarnovo where you can visit Tsarevets fortress, the old town of Veliko Tarnovo and have lunch. In the afternoon you will be met by your driver and transferred to Plovdiv or Sofia for overnight. Cycling distance: 43 km

Day 8. Transfer to airport. Departure.
 

Included in the price: ►7 nights at family run hotels and guest houses ►rooms with private facilities (except on day 1,3) ►halfboard ( breakfasts & dinners included, except dinner on day 7) ►bike and helmet►map and roadbook ►transfers: from Sofia/Plovdiv airport to Golyam izvor village on day 2, Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia/Plovdiv on day 7, to Sofia/Plovdiv airport on day 8, 24 hours telephone assistance

Not included: ►flights ►travel insurance ► guide and supporting vehicle ► luggage transportation  ► technical support ►tips ►entrance fees ►dinner on day 7 ►lunches►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 bike on 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
♦ 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: april - october

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