The Orpheus Mountains Self-guided Trek (Bulgaria)
The trail follows breath-taking views over high rocky cliffs, dense woods, alpine meadows and tiny villages still housing the ancient spirit of times gone.
Passing through some of the most spectacular parts of Rodopi Mountains (Trigrad Gorge, the Devil's Throat Cave, the Miraculous Bridges etc.) the trip ensures the pleasure of unrestricted walking through the wilderness of the native place of the mythical Orpheus!
Tour Highlights:
♦ Rodopi Mountains The Rodopi Mountains (with highest peak: Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula;
♦ 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;
♦ The Devil's Throat Cave has its name from a legend. It tells that if you let something flow in the cave river it will never come out again. And there is one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m high;
♦ The Miraculous bridges are 2 unique rock formation (about 40 m. high) covering an area of 40,3 hectares;
♦ Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery;
Itinerary:
Day 1. Plovdiv
Arrival at Sofia, Plovdiv or Burgas airport and transfer to Plovdiv for accommodation in the old town.
Day 2. Plovdiv - Yagodina cave - Trigrad village
Transfer to Yagodina cave. After visiting the cave you walk up to to Trigrad village where you stay overnight. Walking time: 4hrs.
Day 3. Trigrad village - Chairski Lakes - Trigrad gorge - Trigrad village
The walk today starts from Trigrad village, continues through alpine meadows and old forests to Chairski Lakes and goes back to Trigrad downstream the deep rocky valley of Livadnitsa river. On the way back you pass through the stunning Trigrad gorge and can visit the Devil's throat cave. Walking time: 6 hrs.
Day 4. Beden village - Liaskovo village
Early morning transfer to Beden village will bring you to the starting point for the day. From here you walk on nice panoramic dirt road to reach Liaskovo village, where you will stay overnight. Walking time: 6-7 hrs.
Day 5. Liaskovo - Miraculous Bridges - Orehovo village
After breakfast you start trekking from Liaskovo to “Skalnite mostove” hut through century-old coniferous woods and hidden meadows in-between. After visit of the Miraculous Bridges rock phenomena, you will have a short transfer to the village of Orehovo, where you stay overnight. Walking time: 4 -5 hrs.
Day 6. Loop hike around Orehovo village
Today you do a loop hike in the area of Orehovo. The route leads you to a beautiful river gorge with nice waterfalls, water cascades and rock formations. Overnight in Orehovo. Walking time: 4 hrs.
Day 7. Orehovo village - Kosovo village - Bachkovo Monastery - Plovdiv
Today you start with a hike leading you to Kosovo village and its old style houses. Then you will be transferred to Plovdiv via the Bachkovo Monastery (there we will make a short stop). In the afternoon you can go on a sightseeing tour in Plovdiv's Old Town, which still possesses ancient houses and monuments. You will stay overnight in Plovdiv. Walking time: 5 hrs.
Day 8. Departure
Depending on your departure time you will have transfer to Sofia, Burgas or Plovdiv Airport.
Included in the price: ► Accommodation in family-run pensions with en-suite facilities on halfboard (except Day 1 and Day 7, when no dinner is provided)► Luggage transfers as follows: Day 2: from Yagodina cave to Trigrad ► Day 4 from Trigrad to Liaskovo (after leaving you in the village of Beden)► Day 5: from Liaskovo to the village of Orehovo► Day 7: from Orehovo to Plovdiv together with you► Pick up/drop off at Sofia, Burgas or Plovdiv airport► all ground transfers► Road book in English► Map► 24hrs phone assistance► VAT and all local taxes.
Not included: ► Tips ► Dinners on Day 1 and Day 7 (free to choose in Plovdiv)► Entrance fees for the caves► alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
Other expenses: Single room supplement: 85 EUR;
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 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. In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For detailed information and prices, please look at the trip dossier.
We recommend trip in the period: May - October
Comment: The tour can be also done as mountain bike trip (for experienced bikers only)
Links to additional information:
http://www.walkingbulgaria.com
Vacation Extensions:
Sozopol (Bulgaria)
Sunny Beach (Bulgaria)
Lozenets (Bulgaria)
Nessebar (Bulgaria)
Varna / Golden Sands (Bulgaria)
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