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TRIGRAD, RODOPI MOUNTAINS ADVENTURES
Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every day from May to September (other dates also possible upon request).
SUMMARY
The green and 225 km long mountain ridge of the Rodopi Mountains is situated in South Bulgaria, 20% of the mountains being a part of Greece. The highest peak is around 2000 m high and the average height is around 800 m. Combined with the quite pleasant climate, the Rodopi Mountains is a perfect place for walking in a rolling landscape with caves from pre-historic times, ancient Roman roads and bridges, fortresses and churches. There are not many tourists, who have been along all the many walking paths and little villages where goats are not a part of the scenery but part of everyday life of the local people, a source of milk, meat and leather.
Rodopi Mountains are no doubt our best suggestion for a varied and relaxed leisure walking vacation and an introduction to the mountains of Bulgaria.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small village in the central part of the Rodopi Mountains. Being a border area, Trigrad has been closed for tourists for many years. As a place, Trigrad is famous for The Trigrad Gorge and the nearby limestone caves "Yagodina" and "The Devil's Throat".
Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Numerous houses preserving the typical Rodopean architecture, speech, songs and customs of local people have given the village the status of an architectural, ethnographic and folklore reserve.
Devin (716 m a.s.l.) - The town is mostly famous for its mineral springs known from ancient times.
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 the fact that if you let something flow in the cave river it never comes out again. There is a cave waterfall - one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m high.
Chairski lakes (1600 m a.s.l.) are formed by land sliding. They are declared protected area due to the presence of some rare plants, growing within the peat.
 ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Trigrad village in the Rodopi Mountains (3,30 hrs drive).
Day 2. After breakfast we start hiking towards Yagodina Cave, following the upper edges of Trigrad Gorge through old coniferous woods. The cave is among the longest ones in Bulgaria (with 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. Be prepared for temperatures of 6oC inside the cave during the cave tour. (3-4 hrs; uphill walk: 250 m; downhill walk: 650 m)
Day 3. Today we visit a village that has been closed for people until very recently due to its proximity to the Greek border. This walking combines forest tracks with an excellent river trail back to Trigrad. Climb through a well-shaded forest passing potato fields and crops. After admiring the views we descend to the quiet ambient village of Vodni Pad. The final stretch follows a delightful babbling stream, leading to the upper end of Trigrad Gorge. In the afternoon we visit the Devil’s Throat Cave housing a spectacular underground experience – the highest underground waterfall not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe, some 42m high. (4-5 hrs; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 450 m.)
Day 4. The hike to the ancient Chairski Lakes starts with a charming gentle ascent from the village 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 Caves and onward to Trigrad. (6-7hrs; uphill walk: 900 m; downhill walk: 700 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 (to the famous Smolyan or Devin eco-paths), guided sightseeing tours to famous places nearby (Shiroka Lyka (architectural reserve), Bachkovo Monastery, Plovdiv etc.), cycling, caving, swimming in the mineral pols of Devin 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 live in a family pension on HB (breakfast & dinner included) in rooms with en-suite facilities.
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 (Trigrad-Yagodina, Mougla-Trigrad); English-speaking guide for 3 trekking days; entrance fees for "Yagodina" cave and The Devil's Throat cave; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), guidance and transfer for the rest days outside the program; tips; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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