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BALKAN MOUNTAINS SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every day from May to September. Other dates also possible upon request.
SUMMARY
The Fore-Balkan area of the Balkan Mountains is unique with its diverse landscape and tiny villages lost in greenness and flowers, offering not only tranquillity and calmness, but also opportunity to feel the unique authentic atmosphere and coziness of the Bulgarian village. In this region the traditions are kept alive even in recent days. Old water mills are still working, the fulling mills are still washing the colorful carpets, the famous "rakia" (brandy) is prepared right before you in a copper, housewives prepare the unforgettably sweet jams of wild berries and the old farmers are still making the well-known Balkan brine cheese prepared both from sheep and goat milk. And all this surrounded by the wild nature of the National Park Central Balkan and one of its nine green pearls - the biosphere reserve of Boatin, housing one of the vastest tree belts of Beech forests.
We recommend this "inn to inn" vacation to hikers with previous experience in self-guided walks who are used to more adventurous trails as no really "well-marked Alpine-style paths" occur and from time to time you will have to walk between two marked paths using only the route notes (meaning that you have to find your own way using only directions as reference point for up to 100-300m over not marked terrain). However the daily walks are short providing enough time to make sure you stay on the right path. The itinerary also provides possibilities to explore other areas along the trail if the described ones are not enough to fulfill your walking needs.
 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Central Balkan National Park (716 sq. km) was established for the conservation of the unique nature of the Central Balkan Mountains. One-third of the Park's territory comprises nine reserves, four of them - Boatin, Tsarichina, Steneto and Dzhendema are part of the world Biosphere Reserves Network under the UNESCO "Man and Biosphere" Program.
Ribaritsa village is a beautiful mountain resort with numerous little country houses and villas, which according to latest measurement has the biggest concentration of oxygen in the air in Bulgaria.
Glozhene Monastery was built in the 13-th century by the Ukrainian prince Glozh, housing an icon at the age of about 1000 years.
"Sueva dupka" Cave, considered to be probably the most-beautiful cave in Bulgaria, was named after the two brothers Seyuo and Sayuo, who hid themselves there from the Turks during the yoke.
 ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Yamna village in the Balkan Mountains (1,30hrs drive).
Day 2. Yamna is a typical village for this part of the mountains - long and scattered among the small valleys and hills. As an introduction the hiking today provides lots of typical landscapes and experiences - picturesque, vast meadows spotted with lots old apple tree gardens, ringing bells of grazing sheep and horses etc. The path follows the ridge over the village and goes descending to the outskirts of the village Cherni Vit. The transfer car waits here to bring you to the hotel in Divchovoto village. (17 km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 600 m)
Day 3. Time to explore Boatin Reserve. The path goes through the century-old Beech forests of Boatin (above 800 m a.s.l.) and descends over the other side of the hill to the region of "Kostina", where one of the Bulgarian national heroes has been killed by the Turks. From this point a short walk along gardens, meadows, villas and houses of local people brings you in the village of Ribaritsa, where you stay overnight (at 545 m a.s.l.). (10.5 km; uphill walk: 250 m; downhill walk: 530 m)
Day 4. Today you will walk along "Debeli Dial" - the ridge surrounding Ribaritsa from North. The path continues to Vasiliov Hut but before that you will turn right descending at the upper parts of Ribaritsa, which is actually the longest village in Bulgaria (12 km long). On the way back to your hotel you will have the opportunity to see the way of life of the local people and to enjoy the idyll of a typical Balkan Mountains village. (14 km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 400 m)
Day 5. Short transfer to the neighbouring town of Teteven (415 m a.s.l.). Check in into the hotel and time at leisure for sightseeing and shopping (opportunity to visit the historical museum, the church "Vsiah Svetii" and the chapel next to it, the "St. Ilia" Monastery built in XIV century, the picture-gallery in the centre of the town etc.). An optional afternoon walk could be made to a local waterfall with extension to "Haidushka poliana" Peak (955 m a.s.l.). (13 km; uphill 540 m; downhill walk: 540 m)
Day 6. Cherven Peak (1221 m a.s.l.) is the easternmost of the three peaks raised above the northern side of Teteven. The hiking starts from Teteven and goes 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 Beli Vit River. From there you take the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village and further down to Teteven. (13 km; uphill walk: 700 m; downhill walk: 700 m)
Day 7. After a short transfer to the village of Glozhene a nice hike expects you through old Beech forest to Glozhene Monastery, where you can see the 1000 years old icon of St. George. From the monastery there is a dirty road leading to the pass between Goliam Izvor and Teteven and then following the peaceful road you get down to Goliam Izvor (450 m a.s.l.). (13 km; uphill: 400 m; downhill walk: 350 m)
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (1,30hrs drive).
DETAILED ROAD BOOK AND MAP WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL
 EXTENSIONS
Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenets - a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.
Difficulty grade: B, C (day 6 only)
Best period: May-September
Accommodation:
Family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) and in a guesthouse with shared facilities (day 7). The meal plan is based on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is taken car of throughout the tour.
Single room supplement: 85 €
 The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; detailed roadbook and map; all ground transfers as per itinerary including pick up and drop off at Sofia airport; luggage transfers; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: tips; entrance fees; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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