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Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Bulgaria
Intro to Bulgaria
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Land of the Thracians
Mountains
Bulgaria
Riding through antiquity - ancient Thracian sanctuaries and temples, antique Roman Imperial Residence and Bulgarian National Revival towns.
This mountain trail ride will take you through the Sredna Gora Mountains - the land of the Thracians, with its mineral sources, and plentiful roses and lavender. The goal of this carefully designed riding holiday is to relax and rejuvenate the body and senses, soul and mind. Offering a special combination of exploratory horseback riding with revitalizing spa treatments and refreshing massages this trip will heal and fulfill you on the path to discovery. Throughout you will enjoy delicious meals prepared from wholesome local produce and sample some of the famous Bulgarian wines. Gallop with us through the endless, lush meadows and ride through secluded oak and beech forests. And amongst the pristine nature of Sredna Gora Mountains you will discover the many wonderful and special archaeological, historical, and architectural landmarks hidden in these quiet mountains.
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Progressive Ride (no camping)
Suitable for riders over 210 lbs
Ride with Western Tack
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Meeting:
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Sofia airport
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Airport:
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Sofia airport
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Transfer:
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Included from Sofia airport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include:
7 nights accommodations in rural guesthouses and cozy family operated hotels, all your meals and beverages, 6 riding days with English speaking guide. 4-6 hours of riding per day, support vehicle with mobile phone connection.
| A | 2012 | 8 day trip, AP 6 riding days | 8d / 7n | €1200 | $1610 |
| Single supplement | €120 | $165 |
Group Leader: 30% Discount with group of 5+
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Sofia airport included at set time
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Rates do not include:
Hard alcoholic beverages, personal travel insurance (mandatory).
Day 1: Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to the town of Hissar, 180 km Southeast from the capital. The first night is in a SPA hotel with swimming pool, sauna, massage center and fitness room. Start your holiday with an introduction to your itinerary, have a first-hand look at the horses and equipment and choose a suitable equine partner for the week. Welcome dinner and overnight at the Hissar hotel.
Highlighted:
Hissar Health Resort - The Hissar Health Resort is situated almost in the centre of Bulgaria, on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain, 336 m above sea level.
Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of the town of Hissar. You will be escorted to visit the remains of the walled fortress town of the ancient Romans, Dioclecianopolis, the third largest town in the ancient province of Thrace and the best preserved of its kind in the entire Balkan Peninsula. Afterwards, we saddle up the horses and start our ride through the beautiful countryside around the village of Starosel. We stop for a picnic lunch nearby the village. In the afternoon we ride on to the village of Belovitsa on the southern slopes of the Sredna Gora Mountains. We will stay for dinner and an overnight at a family run hotel. About 3 1/2 hours of riding.
Highlighted:
The
first settlers of the small valley were Thracians from the Bessi tribe.
Eventually, the area was reached by Macedonians, but it was not until
Roman times when Hissar developed into a large town and resort, called
Dioclecianopolis, after the Roman emperor Dioclecian 284 - 305 AD.
The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town planning
- with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of gods and
goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas for Roman
aristocracy. To protect the town from enemy invasions, it was
surrounded with a wall raised by the skilful hands of Thracian
master-builders.
Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel. Starting from Belovitsa Village you will ride
through the fields and oak forests to the village of Starosel. This
village made a sensation in 2000 when the archaeological expedition
lead by Dr. George Kitov found "the largest preserved Thracian king
complex with a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe". A visit to the ancient Thracian temple which is still being excavated. Lunch and relax in the beautiful
meadow next to the temple. In the afternoon you will ride to the Belo
Kamene hut. Overnight will be in cozy rooms at the hut in
the middle of the forest. Dinner with local food and wine by the
fireplace. About 3 hrs of riding.
Highlighted:
The Thracian Cult Complex in Starsol, dates from the time of Thracian King
Sitalk. The rich findings in the stone-built tomb date from the end of
the fifth and the beginning of the fourth century BC. A main staircase
with monumental corridor, ritual landing and two chambers, leads to the
temple. The entrance is outlined with slabs with plastic and color
decoration. The inside area is a round, domed chamber with semi-columns
and color ornaments, where the initiated established connection with
gods. It is surrounded by a 263 yard long wall made out of some 4000 stone blocks and was hidden under a 20 m high mound of earth.
Day 4: Breakfast in the hut. We ride through the forest via the foot of Bogdan Peak (1603m.) to the Barricades Chalet. Lunch at a beautiful meadow next to a fresh mountain river. In the afternoon you will ride to the Bulgarian Revival town Koprivshtitsa which is a unique architectural preserve.
You will be accommodated overnight in an authentic century-old house. Dinner with wine tasting.
Approx 5 1/2 hrs of riding.
Highlighted:
The town of Koprivshtitsa is situated near to the Topolnitsa River at 1060 meters above the sea level. It is a museum town and unique settlement in Bulgaria which has preserved over 250 examples of the Bulgarian Revival Period architecture. The greatest wealth of architecture in Koprivshtitsa are its Revival Period houses with colorful courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates, disorderly built curved and narrow cobblestone little streets and plots, and numerous stone fountain contribut to the attractiveness of the little town.
Day 5: Breakfast at the house. We will go on a guided tour of Koprivshtitsa. We visit some of the most interesting museums in the town. Lunch at restaurant in town. After a refreshing break in the afternoon, prepare for a two-hour ride around Koprivshtitsa. Enjoy some free time for shopping and exploring the charming galleries, craftsman shops and coffee retreats. Dinner with wine tasting in the local pub in the centre of Koprivshtitsa. Overnight in Koprivshtitsa. About 2 hrs of riding.
Day 6: Breakfast at the house. We ride trough the beautiful untouched forest to the health resort of Strelcha. A picnic lunch in a beautiful wooden shelter situated among the oak trees. Overnight is in the SPA hotel. Before dinner you can experience beautifying, relaxing or pampering with spa treatments such as aquatic relaxation procedures or massages. Dinner in the traditional local pub.
About 4 1/2 hrs of riding.
Day 7: Before breakfast you can indulge in some more spa treatments. if you like. Breakfast at the hotel. We will gallop through the rose fields and have a picnic lunch. You will be accommodated again in the family house in Belovitsa. We can try some bareback riding down to the river to wash the horses. In the evening enjoy a Farewell dinner - gourmet food prepared in your honor by the hosts. About 4 1/2 hrs of riding.
Day 8: After breakfast you say good-bye to your horse and host. Visit to the town of Plovdiv and start back to Sofia. Depart for the Sofia Airport in time for your flight.
-Subject to changes!
Meeting:
Sofia airport
Airport:
Sofia airport
Transfer:
Included from Sofia airport
Distance:
190 km
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Tack:
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Western and English - Othoflex, Podium, Barefoot and other various good quality saddles.
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Horses:
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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.
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Pace:
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Varies from walking on the steep slopes to faster paces on the open spaces. Approx. 50% Walk,30% Trot, 10% Canter.There is 4 to 6 riding hours per day.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
14
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Max
75
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Weight:
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Max
240
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Two guides are with the riders (one of them with medical qualification). One leads the group and the second follows in a jeep with a mobile phone connection.
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
Additional ActivitesSPA treatments, swimming, wine tasting, visit the ancient Roman town Dioclecianopolis, the Thracian complex in Kazanluk, sightseeing.
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.
 
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Hidden Trails Travel Documents and Trip Voucher (contains important local tour contact info.) |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs |
| Riding boots (short) + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Rain coat |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Torch/ Flashlight |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra film or batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun protection 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.
..view other reports for different trips
In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere and in cozy family hotels.
Meals: ecologically clean food prepared from wholesome local produce; international and Bulgarian cuisine; drinks included (except hard drinks).
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
|
|
Western and English - Othoflex, Podium, Barefoot and other various good quality saddles.
|
|
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:
|
|
Varies from walking on the steep slopes to faster paces on the open spaces. Approx. 50% Walk,30% Trot, 10% Canter.There is 4 to 6 riding hours per day.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
|
|
Min
14
|
Max
75
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Weight:
|
|
Max
240
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Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
8 riders
|
|
Two guides are with the riders (one of them with medical qualification). One leads the group and the second follows in a jeep with a mobile phone connection.
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 |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
Additional Activites
SPA treatments, swimming, wine tasting, visit the ancient Roman town Dioclecianopolis, the Thracian complex in Kazanluk, sightseeing. |
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Land of the Thracians
Tour Code:
IT-BGRT03
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,610.00
Dates :
June to Oct
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Western and English - Othoflex, Podium...
Horses:
Shagya Arabs, East-Bulgarian breed, An...
Pace:
Varies from walking on the steep slope...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Airport:
Sofia airport
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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