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TETEVEN, BALKAN MOUNTAINS ADVENTURES
Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every day from April to September (other dates also possible upon request).
SUMMARY
Teteven (415 m a.s.l.) is a small town situated in the valley of Vit River among Lisets, Vasiliovska and Lestvitsa Mountains close to the Central Balkan Ridge. Monuments discovered accidentally prove that this area has been populated since most ancient times. The Teteven region's nature is truly unique, fascinating, picturesque, exceptionally various, with a beautiful and interesting flora and fauna, providing great variety of trekking tours and diverse destinations. The broadest Beech forest belt in Bulgaria, one of the vastest protected beech massifs in Europe, is to be found in the region of Teteven in Boatin Biosphere Reserve. Century-old woods, steep, in some places even vertical rocks, meadows, waterfalls, caves… these are just some examples of the landmarks, that could be found here.
The trek allows changes in the program depending on the hikers fitness. Balanced tour with more sightseeing included in the itinerary outside the pure hiking essence. More leisure compared to the other centre-based walking vacations.
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 the city of Teteven in the Balkan Mountains (1,30 hrs drive), where we stay overnight. The starting points of the hikes are within 30min transfers from Teteven.
Day 2. This morning we embark towards Boatin Reserve. We have a transfer of about 30 min to get to the village of Divchovoto where the path starts. The track passes through the century-old Beech forests of the reserve descending over the other side of the hill to the region of Kostina, where one of Bulgaria's national heroes (Georgi Benkovski) was killed by the Turks. Short walk from here amongst gardens, meadows, villas and houses brings us to the village of Ribaritsa also known as the longest Bulgarian village. Then we have a transfer to Teteven (10 min). (3,5-4 hrs; uphill walk: 250 m; downhill walk: 530 m)
Day 3. Cherven peak (1,221 m) is the easternmost summit of the three peaks located on the northern side of Teteven. This giant is today's target. The path starts from Teteven and travels 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 the Beli Vit River. From there we continue along the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village. From the village it is a further two-hour walk downhill to Teteven (5 hrs; uphill walk: 700 m; downhill walk: 700 m)
Day 4. A day with diverse program, comprising visits to Sueva Dupka Cave (with 3 marvelous halls inside, considered to be the most beautiful ones in Bulgaria), Glozhene Monastery (housing icon more than 1000 years old) and an afternoon walk to the picturesque waterfalls Skoka (The Jump) and Haidushka poliana peak. (4 hrs; uphill walk:540 m; downhill walk: 540 m)
Day 5. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
 * The tour provides the opportunity more days to be added to the program if purchased in advance. These could be spent on self-guided walking in the area, more guided walks (on a higher altitude in the Balkan Mountains), guided sightseeing tours to famous places nearby (Sofia, Troyan Monastery, Koprivshtitsa (architectural reserve), Veliko Tyrnovo (the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom) etc.), cycling, birdwatching around Sofia (at Dragoman Marsh), swimming in the mineral pools of Shipkovo etc. Please ask for quotation for any of these possibilities.
 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
Accommodation:
We stay in a hotel in Teteven with en-suite facilities on HB (breakfast & dinner included).
Group size: Min. 2 persons
Single room supplement: 60 €
 The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above, transfer to/from Sofia Airport; transfers for the 3 trekking days; entrance fees for the cave and the monastery; English-speaking guide for 3 trekking days; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), tips; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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