Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1:  Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to Sevlievo, 190 km northeast from the capital. We meet the horses and match you to a suitable companion. We then join our guide for dinner at a cozy family hotel with a sauna and Swimming pool, which is located near the stables. Overnight.

Day 2:  Breakfast in the hotel. Visit by car to the Ethnographic complex of Etara near Gabrovo.  It is a 19th century village showcasing the main crafts developed at the time. Next we arrive at the stable and saddle up the horses and receive initial instructions from your guide.  We ride out towards Skalsko Village and Dryanovo Monastery, Southeast of Sevlievo. On the way you will ride through hills and beautiful forests with small creeks and lakes, crossing the Yantra River and a small rocky canyon.  Lunch in the beautiful meadow under the Skalsko Rocks.  Night in Dryanovo Monastery or nearby hotel.  About 5 hours riding.

Day 3:  Breakfast in the hotel. Visit of the Monastery and the cave “Bacho Kiro” above it. Ride from Dryanovo Monastery northward to the village of Ledenik. An interesting tower has been preserved which was built during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). Its first floor is a museum showing regional culture and traditions from the past. Hotel "Chiflika" in traditional style offers dinner and rooms for the night.  About 5 hours riding.

Day 4: Breakfast in hotel "Chiflika". By car we will go to Veliko Turnovo - the ancient capital of Bulgaria since the time of the second Bulgarian Kingdom.

Highlighted:
The ancient Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. The well-fortified hill has been the home of the Bulgarian tsar (king) and the aristocracy for two centuries. The castle and Orthodox churches that have survived from the Middle Ages represent an impressive history: The year 1185 began with omens. The winter happened to be so mild that the fruit trees all over Europe blossomed even in January. The Bulgarians connected this "God's Omen" with the hope of restoring their state, which had been subdued by the Romans 167 years ago.
Two brothers, Assen and Peter, lead the people to an armed uprising. Byzantine rule was swept away to the north of the Balkan Mountains. On April 9^th, 1205 the army of the Fourth Crusade took the capital of Byzantium-Constantinople and founded their own Latin Empire, led by the Count of Flanders, Boduen. Tsar Kaloyan (the younger brother of Assen and Peter) attempted to make peace with the knights, but they refused. An eventful clash occurred on April 14^th, 1205 near to Adrianopolis (present Edirne). The army of Count Louis was defeated and the Emperor Boduen was captured and taken to the capital Veliko Tarnovo, where he later died.

Day 4 Cont'd: Lunch at hotel "Chiflika" then off to the village of Emen.  You will ride along  the Yantra River and pass many beautiful fields and forests until you reach the country style hotel "Imenieto" equipped with a swimming pool.  Dinner and overnight at hotel.  About 4 hours of riding.

Day 6:  Breakfast in the guesthouse. The horses rest for most of the day and we venture off to sight-see. Visit by car to the remarkable Devetaki Cave, placed 15 km from Krushuna.  Lunch at the guesthouse.  Walking up to the amazing Kroushuna’s Waterfalls coming from the caves with the springs. You can swim in the small lakes under the waterfalls.  Just before the Sunset - ride for 1 and a half hours to the village of Kurpachevo on a beautiful path above the waterfalls.  Dinner and night at the guest house.

Highlighted:
Krushuna's waterfalls - A unique natural water cascade whose sparkling waterfalls consist of many offshoots and small basins. The region is green and wild with a large variety of plant and animal species. This picturesque area of limestone caves, streams and rivers and is a national park. The biggest cave, Boninska, contains the longest underground lake (800 m) in Bulgaria.

Day 7:  Breakfast in the guesthouse. We ride from Krushuna village to the vertical cave "Garvanitsa" on the plateau and then to the lake of Kramolin where we can swim ourselves or ride the horses in for a swim!  Lunch at the lake side.  Next we ride to the larger lake, formed by the Rositsa River.  From here both horse and rider are transported back to the stables and then the riders spend dinner and the night at a nearby hotel.  About 5 1/2 hours riding.

Day 8:  Breakfast in the hotel.  We leave for Sofia and the airport.
subject to change

Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Always lit by the sun Bulgaria has between 2200 and 2500 hours of sunlight per year. Average temperature (April - September): + 23 °C. The average yearly temperature is 14.7 °C. The climate is exceptionally favourable for growing vines, fruits and vegetables, and oil yielding rose for which Bulgaria has been renowned in Europe for centuries.

Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.  Temperatures average around 32°F (0°C) in the winter months. Along the Black Sea Coast the climate is maritime, the Mediterranean Sea cooling summer temperatures compared to the interior of the country.

Your accommodation is in authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere or in family hotels, in double rooms with toilet and shower. Swimming pools and sauna in some lodgings.. 

Meals: all-inclusive, except hard drinks. The hotels and houses provide the breakfasts and dinners and offer traditional local dishes. The midday meals are in the open-air during the rides and consist of hot food, wine and warm up drinks, all included in the price. We offer ecologically clean food, international and traditional Bulgarian cuisine, drinks included.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Both Western and English high quality saddles: Ortho-Flex, Podium, Barefoot and other good quality models.
Horses:		Shagya Arabs, East-Bulgarian breed, Anglo-Arabs and other warm blood horses - all well broken and calm. The height of the horses is from 150 to 165 cm.
Pace:		4 to 7 riding hours per day. Ranges from a walk on the steeper slopes to a faster pace on the open spaces, which are great for long canters. Usually 50 % walking, 25 % trotting and 25 % cantering. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Novice - High
Age:		Min 12	Max 75
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 8 riders

The riding guides are experienced and professional. They know all the horses and routes well. They have a sound knowledge and awareness of safety and speak English, German or French fluently. A guide follows the group in a jeep with a mobile phone connection.

Additional activities: bow-shooting, rowing in lake or down the river with a canoe, cultural tour around the historical landmarks, visit to Devetaki plateau caves and special party night.

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).