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ORPHEUS MOUNTAINS SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Guaranteed departures for 2010:
Every day from May to October. Other dates also possible upon request.
SUMMARY
Passing through some of the most spectacular parts of the Rodopi Mountains (the Trigrad Gorge, the Devil's Throat Cave, the Miraculous Bridges etc.) this trip gives you the opportunity to explore the mountain without being escorted by a guide, relying just on your own abilities to handle exciting and surprising situations! The trail follows breath-taking views over high rocky cliffs, dense woods, alpine meadows and not the least tiny villages still housing the ancient spirit of times gone. Arranged accommodation and luggage transportation during the whole trip ensure the pleasure of unrestricted hiking through the wilderness of the native place of the mythical Orpheus!
Rodopi Mountains are probably the best place in Bulgaria for inn to inn walking holidays not only due to their natural and cultural merits but also because of the fact that the local hoteliers are already used to foreigners and the communication with them is more or less easier if you are hiking without a guide.
 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rodopi Mountains: The Rodopi Mountains (highest peak: Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula.
Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small village in the central part of the Rodopi Mountains.
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.
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 a cave waterfall - one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m. high.
The Miraculous bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) 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. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Yagodina village for overnight (3,30hrs drive).
Day 2. Short walk leads you to Yagodina Cave (considered to be among the most beautiful in Bulgaria with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them), where you will be able to make a cave tour. Then following the upper edges of Trigrad Gorge the trail continues through coniferous woods to the village of Trigrad (1250m a.s.l.), where you stay for the next 3 nights. (15km; uphill walk: 600 m; downhill walk: 250 m)
Day 3. Hiking to the remote village of Vodni Pad, which has been closed for visitors until very recently due to its proximity to the Greek border. This stage provides good overview of the way of living for many of the local people, combined with the serenity in the coniferous forests and meandering rivers en route. (20 km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 450 m).
Day 4. The walk to the ancient Chairski Lakes starts with a gentle ascent from Trigrad to a forest trail leading into alpine meadows, full of flowers (including orchids during the summer). The trail winds its way to the three Chairski Lakes dropping down into the Trigrad Gorge before tracing the Livadnitsa River and the 250m high cliffs to the Devil’s Throat Cave and onwards to Trigrad. (22km; uphill walk: 900 m; downhill walk: 700 m.)
Day 5. Early morning transfer to Beden village brings you to the starting point for the day. From here you have to reach Liaskovo village, where you will stay overnight. The forest trail to the ridge of the Dry Peak weaves through coniferous forests, picturesque hills and rolling meadows full of bright flowers in the summer time. The views from the top at 1508m are magnificent. (24 km; uphill walk: 350 m; downhill walk: 315 m)
Day 6. Walk from Liaskovo to “Skalnite mostove” hut (1620 m a.s.l.) through century-old coniferous woods and hidden meadows in-between. Visit to the rocky phenomenon “Miraculous Bridges” and transfer to the village of Kosovo for overnight. (13 km; uphill walk - 635 m; downhill walk - 200 m).
Day 7. Short stroll around the stone houses of the village. Transfer through Bachkovo Monastery (short stop there) to Plovdiv for overnight. In the afternoon you can go for a sightseeing tour in the Old Town of Plovdiv, still housing the spirit of the Revival Period.
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2hrs 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
Accommodation:
Small family-run pensions and guesthouses with en-suite rooms on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included) except for Day 7, when no dinner is provided. Luggage is taken care of throughout the tour.
Group size: Min. 2 persons.
Single room supplement: 85 €
 The price includes: all ground transfers as per itinerary including pick up and drop off at Sofia airport; detailed roadbook in English and map; luggage transfers; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: tips, entrance fees for caves and museums, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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