An explosion of colourful Autumn dressing in a spectacular setting
Mystical Autumn in the
Rhodope Mountains
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
The Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains is one of those mysterious mountain chains, located in the deep south of Bulgaria close to the Greek and Turkish border. With deep caves, narrow gorges, steep cliffs, and an enormous variety of flora and fauna it is a “must have seen” area in Bulgaria. We have been many times in the Rhodope Mountains during several periods of the year, but the autumn in this area is just spectacular. An explosion of colorful autumn dressing, smoky and delicate foggy mornings in the mountains and in the fields, few people around and still fantastic dry weather with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius.
From the big ancient city of Plovdiv we dive deep into the Rhodope, with spectacular views, charming towns and traditional mountain villages, old monasteries, an enormous variety flora and fauna, wineries, natural phenomena, exciting hikes, a jeep safari to an extreme viewing point, a train ride on narrow gauge track, mineral pools and hot springs…. and so much more. Too much to tell you all in one short story.
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We Guarantee
You will not regret to join us on this tour. You will learn a lot about this delicate and mystical part of Bulgaria and you will fall in love with this area. In particular (amateur) photographers will have time of their life during this trip! So, bring your camera with you and enough battery and disk space. Sit back and enjoy and leave the rest to us!
ITINERARY
Day 1 (ca. 210 km)
Sofia – Bachkovo Monastery – Assen’s Fortress – Plovdiv
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Meeting at Metropolitan Hotel Sofia
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Brief morning introduction and tour departure
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Visit and guided tour (local guide) in Bachkovo Monastery (founded 1083)
2nd most important Monastery in Bulgaria -
Assen’s Fortress of the 11th century, located 279 meters high on a rock ridge
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Enjoy highly picturesque views around the medieval Fortress
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Plovdiv for “welcome” dinner (incl.) and overnight
Wander around in this vibrating city and enjoy the summer evening
Day 2 (ca. 145 KM)
Plovdiv City Guiding – Zagreus Winery – Vultures centre – “Horse Shoe Bend Arda River” – Madzharovo
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City walk through ancient Plovdiv with a local guide
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Visit to Zagreus winery near Plovdiv incl. lunch with a view (on the vineyard) Taste fantastic Bulgarian wines (4-5) of Zagreus, and enjoy the tour and explanation about the wine production
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Visit to the small information centre for vultures near Madzharovo
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Short trip to the place where we try to spot the majestic birds
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A view at the “Horse Shoe Bend” in the Arda River (
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Overnight in the small town of Madzharovo
Day 3 (ca. 275 KM)
Madzharovo – Kardzali - Chudnite Mostove Wonder Bridges – Shiroka Laka – Devin
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Leaving Madzharovo along the Arda River
Beautiful drive through the Rhodope mountains along the Arda river -
Drive to Chudnite Mostove Wonder Bridges, a natural phenomenon
Deep in the Rhodope Mountains you will find “Skalnite Mostove” -
Visit Shiroka Laka, a typical Rhodope Mountains town
Traditional Rhodope houses “hanging” on the mountain side -
Overnight in Devin, the spa capital of Bulgaria
A mineral hot spring town in the middle of Rhodope Mountains
Day 4 (ca. 80 KM)
Devin – Devil’s Throat Cave – Devil’s Path (Borino) – Devin
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Devil’s Throat Cave excursion
A guided tour in the impressive steep cave that looks like a huge underground Amphitheater. -
Hiking the Eco trail The Devil’s Path, a hike that will provide an unforgettable experience.
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Spectacular hike from ca. 3 hours via wooden stairs built on the side of high steep rocks following the river. Extremely picturesque…
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Overnight in Devin, the spa capital of Bulgaria
A mineral hot spring town in middle of Rhodope Mountains
Day 5 (ca. 50 KM)
Devin – Eagles Eye Point – surroundings of Devin - Devin
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Breath-taking jeep tour to Eagle’s Eye Point
Exciting Jeep ride and amazing viewpoint. -
Beautiful hike via Eco trail Struilitsa
Easy short hike through a beautiful gorge (canyon) -
Optional: instead of the short hike, a stay at the local swimming pool
Not included, but very refreshing -
Overnight in Devin, the spa capital of Bulgaria
A mineral hot spring town in the middle of Rhodope Mountains
Day 6 (ca. 220 KM)
Devin – Dolen – Dobrinishte – (narrow gauge train) to Velingrad
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Visit Dolen, a very authentic Rhodope Mountain village
One of the most picturesque mountain villages in Bulgaria -
Spectacular & traditional train ride from Dobrinishte to Velingrad
Amazing tour of 3.5 hours in one of the last narrow gauge trains of Europe, incl. “refreshment”. Experience how the locals travel… -
Overnight in a Spa hotel in Velingrad
One more mineral spa resort in Rhodope Mountains
Day 7 (ca. 165 KM)
Velingrad – “Free” morning - Carpet Factory – Sofia
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Enjoy morning hours in & around the swimming pool
Relaxing morning for a swim, sauna or massage (massage not incl.) -
Early afternoon - a visit to a local carpet factory, sells hand-made carpets all over the world, from the Royal Family in the UK to the sultans in the Emirates
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Afternoon drive to Capital of Bulgaria, Sofia
Walking tour with visits to the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, The Russian Church, The National Theatre and the Parliament. -
Farewell dinner in Sofia
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Overnight in Metropolitan hotel in Sofia
Day 8 (Sofia) - Transfer to the airport or stay some extra days in this surprising city
DEPARTURE DATES
21st Sept, 26th Oct and 09th Nov 2024
TOUR PRICE
€1295 (Double) €1560 (Single) per person
ADDITIONAL EXTRAS
Extra nights in Metropolitan Hotel in Sofia inc breakfast & transfer from/to airport
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DOUBLE ROOM €108 per night excl. VAT
SINGLE ROOM €93 per nigh excl. VAT
INCLUDED
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7 x overnights in single or double room
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7 x breakfasts
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Dinner/ Lunch on the days mentioned in the itinerary
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Guiding, transfers & parking costs
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All itinerary activities & entrances
NOT INCLUDED
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Flights to/from Bulgaria (or other transport)
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Optional tours/ activities/ entrances
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Dinners/ lunches not mentioned in the itinerary
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Personal expenses during the whole tour
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Tips