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Bulgarian Monasteries History Cycling Tour
Mountains
Bulgaria
This tour is not just a circuit of some of the most interesting Bulgarian monasteries. It is also a journey through Bulgaria s history, since all of the featured religious buildings are monuments to everything that happened in Bulgaria over the last 700 years or so. Along with the rich history you will submerge in the green hug of the mountains (“Balkana”) and admire its outstanding nature - beautiful waterfalls, caves, rock cliffs, forests, vast meadows, rivers and valleys combined with pastoral agriculture lands. We bike along the Central part of the Balkan mountains exploring many scattered villages nestled among quiet valleys and beautiful green mountain landscapes. It seems that time has stopped here and life is quiet and peaceful - people still use the horse driven cart, look after their small herds of sheep, goats and cattle, cut the grass in the old fashion way, take care of their small vegetable gardens or just sit in front of their houses and have a chat with smiles on their faces. You will also admire at the artistic imagination and masterpieces of local woodcarvers, icon painters and house builders while exploring well preserved National Revival houses, churches, craft shops from 18 – 19c. The Balkan mountains along with the monasteries and the people living here played a big and memorable role in the Bulgarian Revolutionary movement and struggle against the Ottoman empire. It is an area that has been a stronghold of Bulgarian spirit and culture through the years and still keeps the pride and traditions of Bulgarian people.Tour highlights:
♦ Arbanasi village is famous for its massive houses that resemble minor fortresses, several monasteries and old churches
♦ Dryanovo Monastery “St Archangel Michael” is situated in the gorge of Dryanovska River where limestone rocks rise high on all sides of the gorge as unapproachable forest walls.
♦ Tryavna has preserved its old town square, the only one left in the country, which has been proclaimed as a Monument of Architecture.
♦ Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum Master craftsmen fashion beautiful gold, silver, copper, leather and wooden articles right before your eyes from early morning until late at the night.
♦ Shipka monastery - built in the traditional style of 17th-century Russian cathedrals the monastery stands to the living memory of Russian soldiers and Bulgarian revolutionaries who died during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War.
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Biking Tour
Meeting:
Plovdiv
Airport:
Plovdiv / Sofia
Transfer:
Included from Plovdiv or Sofia
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accomodation in monasteries (days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), family run hotels (days 5 ) with en-suite facilities.6 days on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included), 1 day on BB (day 7). Bike and helmet. English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle. Map and road book, all local transfers, techical support for the bikes
| A | 2013 | 8 day trip, MAP | 8d / 7n | €490 | $640 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Sofia or Plovdiv airport is included on Day 1 at set times
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Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2013
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04/27
- 05/04
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2013
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05/18
- 05/25
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Expired
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| A |
2013
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06/01
- 06/08
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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07/20
- 07/27
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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08/10
- 08/17
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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08/17
- 08/24
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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09/14
- 09/21
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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09/28
- 10/05
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP
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4
/12
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Travel insurance, dinner on day 7 (free to choose in Plovdiv), lunches, gratuities, entrance fees, alcoholic drinks and other personal expenses.
Day 1. ArbanasiArrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the architectural reserve of Arbanasi village and St Nicholas monastery where we stay the next two days. Dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant (mehana).Day 2. Transfiguration monastery - Hotnitsa waterfall - Veliko TarnovoToday we start with a visit of the picturesque Transfiguration monastery near Veliko Tarnovo. Then we get on the bikes and reach the beautiful Hotnitsa waterfall and eco trail. After a short walk we continue biking near Hotnista gorge until you reach the main road to Sofia. You get on the car for short transfer and start biking again to Buria (Storm) village. You bike among beautiful hilly landscapes with nice views to Dryanovo rock cliffs. You finish cycling near Dryanovo town. Then we go for sightseeing in Veliko Tarnovo and have transfer back to St. Nicholas monastery in Arbanasi. The road condition is fairly good, with few exception with some bumps and potholes. There are several spots (village shops and cafes) throughout the stages where you can find something to eat or drink.
Cycling distance: 30 - 38 km, uphill cycling: 400 m downhill cycling: 450 m Day 3. Merdanski monastery - Kapinovo monasteryTransfer to Dragizhevo village where you start biking. Enroute you pass by Merdanski Monastery and continue in direction to Kapinovo village, where you can have a rest for a drink at a funny place combining in one a socialist style village shop and art gallery of a local artist. You continue to Velchevo village where you turn in direction to Plakovo and Kapinovo monastery. We stay overnight in the peaceful Kapinovo monastery and enjoy dinner in the lovely monastery yard. The road is mostly flat, going along meadows, pastures, lands under cultivation and shrubby hills. The traffic is mostly very slow. The road surface is generally good with some exceptions. Almost in every village throughout the stage can find something to eat or drink.
Cycling distance: 33 km (or 53km with possible extension to Zlataritsa); uphill cycling: 550m; downhill cycling: 550mDay 4. Kilifarevo monastery - Dryanovo monastery Transfer back to Velchevo village where you start cycling through the villages Plakovo, Golemanite and Natsovtsi to Kilifarevo monastery. After lunch and a visit of the monastery you continue with a short but challenging ascent to Ialovo village. Then you cycle along Dryanovska River to Dryanovo town. From there you are transferred to Dryanovo monastery where we stay overnight. Optional visit of the nearby Bacho Kiro cave. The road today gently undulates through meadows, pastures, farmland and shrub-covered hills. The traffic should remain light throughout the stage, with the exception of a few kilometers of main road leading to the Dryanovo Monastery. The road surface is fairly good, with just a few potholes.
Cycling distance: 34 km ; uphill cycling: 500 m; downhill cycling: 450 mDay 5. Bojentsi architectural reserve - TryavnaIn the morning we have a short transfer and then start cycling up and down to Bojentsi village (famous for its peaceful scenery of old houses and cobbled streets). Optional visit of 2 houses with ethnographic museums. After a short transfer back you start cycling before Tsareva livada village on isolated village roads to Tryavna town, where we stay overnight. In this little town the houses and yards, churches, streets and fountains and the square with the clock tower breathe the air of the National Revival period and its striving for beauty. Throughout the stage the traffic is very slow, The road surface is generally in good condition with few exceptions. Lunch can be made in the authentic atmosphere of Bozhentsi village.
Cycling distance: 35 km ; uphill cycling: 600 m; downhill cycling: 700 mDay 6. Gabrovo - Etura open air museum - Sokolski monastery You begin your day by cycling from Tryavna along the road to Gabrovo. During the first 8.6 km you will encounter an ascent of about 350 m, but the rest of the road then becomes flat and downhill. Your next stop will be the open-air ethnographic museum in Etura (some 8 km away from Gabrovo). Its 18th-19th Century period crafts and lifestyle come to life before the visitors. The various machines, arrangement of workshops and manual tools themselves are all authentic. From here you have 4 km more to cycle, which includes an 180m (590 ft) ascent to the Sokolski Monastery where we stay overnight.
The road today passes through some lush beech and mixed forests. The traffic is not heavy, but you need to watch the traffic in Gabrovo town. The road condition is very good. There are a couple of refreshment options on the stage – Gabrovo town and Etura district.
Cycling distance: 28 km; uphill cycling: 500m, downhill cycling: 350m
Day 7. Shipka monument - Shipka monastery - PlovdivAfter breakfast in Gabrovo town in typical Bulgarian bakery with traditional breakfast pastry (banitsa) we go for a transfer to the historic Shipka memorial on Stoletov peak on the Balkan mountains ridge. We admire at the view towards North and South Bulgaria and get on the bikes for a 10 km up/down ride in beautiful beech forest to the historic Buzludza area. A supreme downhill ride on the Southern slopes of the mountains awaits us. You continue biking to Shipka town where we visit the richly decorated Shipka monastery. Transfer to Plovdiv, where we stay overnight. The road conditions are generally good except the 11 km stage between Shipka and Buzludza (some bumpy sections with potholes).
Cycling distance: 30 km; uphill cycling: 200 m, downhill cycling: 1000 mDay 8. DepartureAfter breakfast transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure
Tour info:
All bikers receive a detailed roadbook and map. The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
Arbanasi village is famous for its massive houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high, solid walls and heavy
gates and secret hiding-places, but which are spacious and comfortable, richly decorated and furnished on the inside.
Veliko Turnovo (210 m
a.s.l.), being the former Bulgarian capital, is regally situated along
the historical hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora on the two
banks of Yantra River.
Petropavlovski Monastery “St. St. Peter and Paul” was founded in 10th century on the site of a Roman fort.
Merdanski Monastery The
Merdanski Monastery of “St. 40 Martyrs” is a part of the Veliko Turnovo
eparchy. The monastery was built in 13 century during the time of the
Second Bulgarian Kingdom and was renovated in 19 century.
Kapinovo Monastery
Recently restored with a lovely yard the monastery was founded in 1228 by Tsar Ivan Assen II
Kilifarevo Monastery "St Birth of Virgin Mary", built between 1348 and 1350, lies in the valley of the Belitsa River.
Dryanovo Monastery “St
Archangel Michael” is situated in the gorge of Dryanovska River where
limestone rocks rise high on all sides of the gorge as unapproachable
forest walls.
Bozhentsi - is an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival Period.
Tryavna has preserved its old town square, the only one left in the country, which has been proclaimed as a Monument of Architecture.
Etura Open-air
Ethnographic Museum Master craftsmen fashion beautiful gold, silver,
copper, leather and wooden articles right before your eyes from early
morning until late at the night.
Sokolski Monastery During
Ottoman times the monks offered succour to Bulgarian outlaws and used
to provide the local rebels with an assembly point during the Rising of
1876.
Shipka memorial - built on the main ridge of the Balkan mountains honors those who died
for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
Shipka monastery - built
in the traditional style of 17th-century Russian cathedrals the
monastery stands to the living memory of Russian soldiers and Bulgarian
revolutionaries who died during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War.
Plovdiv - the second
Bulgarian city in population and size after the capital, Plovdiv is
famous for the Old Town with charming houses decorated with colourful
ornaments.
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Meeting:
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Plovdiv
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Airport:
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Plovdiv / Sofia
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Transfer:
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Included from Plovdiv or Sofia
Group transfer from Plovdiv or Sofia airport included at set time once all guests arrival details have been sorted.
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Level:
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 Easy to Moderate
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Light / Moderate. Tour for bikers in good phisycal condition.
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Participants:
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Min
4
participants
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Max
12
participants
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Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All
bikers receive a detailed road book and map. The guide with the
supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if
everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying
them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving them talks by the most
interesting sites en-route. The guide is also responsible for the
technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder
stages using the supporting vehicle.
Road conditions: We
use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt
covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are
quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these
areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a
little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.
Bicycles:
Hybrid or mountain bike is provided by the company. Helmets and
handlebar bag with map window are provided free of charge. Saddle bags
are provided upon request only.
1. Hybrid bike – Drag Canyon Pro
Built
for adventure and comfort they ride lightweight on road while durable
for off road as well. Equipped with light aluminum frame, front
susupension fork (60 mm travel), 28” rims, 24 gears, Shimano and Suntor
components, bottle cage and rear rack upon request.
2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight
hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for off road biking
and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Rox shocks Dirt 1 front suspension (80
mm travel), Avid V-brakes, Truvativ crankset, Sram shifters and
derailleur, Mavic 26” rims.
Download PDF brochure on our bikes on the trips: Our Bikes
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Note: EU nationals are on. more
Equipment and clothing:
Cycling
gloves, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. No
other special equipment needed for this tour (for full list with
recommended items see “General”).
Biking without helmet is not advisable. We strongly recommend you to bring your own helmet or use one of ours.
Recommended items:
good
quality padded cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; cycling
shoes; fleece headband; fingerless biking gloves; lightweight windproof
biking jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper jacket;
sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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..view other reports for different trips
We stay in monasteries (days 1,2, 3, 4 and 6), guesthouse (day 7) and hotel (day 5) with private facilities, 6 days on HB (breakfast & dinner included), 1 day on BB (day 7).
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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--
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Horses:
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-
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Pace:
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Light / Moderate. Tour for bikers in good phisycal condition.
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Level:
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(1.5
to
3
out of 5) Easy to Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
4
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Max
12
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Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All
bikers receive a detailed road book and map. The guide with the
supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if
everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying
them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving them talks by the most
interesting sites en-route. The guide is also responsible for the
technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder
stages using the supporting vehicle.
Road conditions: We
use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt
covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are
quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these
areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a
little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.
Bicycles:
Hybrid or mountain bike is provided by the company. Helmets and
handlebar bag with map window are provided free of charge. Saddle bags
are provided upon request only.
1. Hybrid bike – Drag Canyon Pro
Built
for adventure and comfort they ride lightweight on road while durable
for off road as well. Equipped with light aluminum frame, front
susupension fork (60 mm travel), 28” rims, 24 gears, Shimano and Suntor
components, bottle cage and rear rack upon request.
2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight
hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for off road biking
and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Rox shocks Dirt 1 front suspension (80
mm travel), Avid V-brakes, Truvativ crankset, Sram shifters and
derailleur, Mavic 26” rims.
Download PDF brochure on our bikes on the trips: Our Bikes
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents - EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
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Bulgarian Monasteries History Cycling Tour
Tour Code:
ZZ-BGBK03
8 days /
7 nights
~$640.00
Dates: April to Oct
Level :
Difficulty Levels Explained
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1. |
Easy
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Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
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2. |
Easy to Moderate
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An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured
activity is recommended.
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3. |
Moderate
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Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with
some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and
you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
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4. |
Demanding
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You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or
ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain. |
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5. |
Strenuous
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Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc.. |
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Airport:
Plovdiv / Sofia
Location on Google Map
What To Bring
Download tour PDF 
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