On the trail of the ancient Thracian civilization
This tour will reveal for you the archaeological monuments of the most ancient civilization in this part of the world. You will explore their mountain strongholds, peer into the rock tombs of Thracian leaders and walk around their legendary sanctuaries, some of which were built 7.000 years ago.
The tour includes visits to villages with authentic Rhodopean houses & meetings with the locals and to learn about their way of life. You will have time to enjoy the nature of the Rhodopes, visiting reserves, canyons and caves.
Day 1
Bourgas Airport –> Assenovgrad –> the Asen Fortress –> Villa Donna in the village of Liaskovo in the Rhodope mountains - 300 km by car for the day.
Transfer. Lunch and dinner. Accomodation.
Day 2
Villa Donna –> the rock formation Chudnite Mostove –> Persenk Peak –> Roman road –> the village of Orehovo –> Villa Donna (100 km by car for the day).
The journey around the Rhodopes starts with the visit to one of its symbols – the rock formation, known as Chidnite Mostove, which means the Wonder Bridges. After that we walk through centuries-old spruce forests to reach the highest peak in this part of the Rhodopes – the Persenk Peak. From here you can see not only the whole Rhodopi Mountains, but also Rila, Pirin and Mount Olympus in Greece. From the peak we walk down the stone road built by the ancient Thracians twenty-one centuries ago. We take a scenic route, passing by the village of Orehovo, and from there we return to Villa Donna.
Breakfast and dinner in Villa Donna, lunch – a picnic.
5 hours walk, with average effort.
Day 3
Villa Donna –> Krastova Gora (Cross Forest) –> Kormisosh Reserve –> bear-breeding farm –> Villa Donna (90 km by car for the day).
Krastova Gora is a symbol of Christianity, there is a monastery and many chapels there. A visit to the reserve for bears and wild goats – Kormisosh. The route passes over a panoramic ridge which offers you excellent opportunity to observe and take photographs of wild animals. In the breeding farm you can watch brown bears at a close distance.
Breakfast and dinner in Villa Donna, lunch – a picnic.
4 hours walk, with average effort.
Day 4
Villa Donna –> Biuk Tepe, Thracian sanctuary and fortress – Perperikon, Thracian sanctuary and fortress –> Studen Kladenets Lake (130 km by car for the day).
Cultural monuments of the ancient Thracians – the archaeological complex Biuk Tepe, a fortress, a sanctuary and cult rock niches, built centuries before the birth of Christ. After that we set off for the Thracian rock town – Perperikon, the building of which was started 7.000 years ago. The journey ends nearby Studen Kladenets Lake.
Breakfast - Villa Donna, lunch – at a restaurant in the town of Kardzali.
Dinner and accommodation - in a hotel complex at the lake shore.
Day 5
Studen Kladenets Lake –> Tatul, a Thracian sanctuary and rock tomb –> Ustra, a Thracian fortress –> architectural complex Zlatograd (120 km by car for the day).
The Thracian cult complex at the village of Tatul is a sanctuary with a carved tomb, shaped as a pyramid. From the Medieval fortress of Ustra it is a short trip to the architectural reserve of Zlatograd, in the most southern part of the Rhodopes. You will visit traditional houses and craftsmen’s workshops, whrere you can also buy local works of art.
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch – at a restaurant in the town of Dzebel.
Accommodation and dinner – at a family hotel in the town of Zlatograd.
4 hours walk, with average effort.
Day 6
Zlatograd –> the town of Smolyan –> Gela –> the villages of Karabalkan –> architectural reserve Shiroka Laka (90 km by car for the day).
An area with a well-preserved folklore and tradition. The first stop is in Smolyan, the capital of the Rhodopi Mountains. After that we will visit the old forests of Karabalkan with forgotten villages with houses like small strongholds. Here is the highest peak in the Rhodopes, mount Perelik, at the foot of which is the village of Gela with its endless green meadows and its annual gathering with Rhodopean songs and music. The day ends at the architectural reserve of Shiroka Laka.
Breakfast – at the hotel. Lunch – at a tavern in Shiroka Laka.
Accommodation and dinner - in a family hotel in Shiroka Laka.
Day 7
Shiroka Laka –> Biunovsko Gorge –> Yagodinska Cave –> Trigrad Gorge –> Diavolsko Garlo (Devil’s Throat) Cave –> architectural reserve Kosovo –> Bachkovo Monastery –> Villa Donna (110 km by car for the day).
A visit to the stunning canyons of the Buinovsko and Trigrad gorges. There we will visit the Yagodinska Cave – the longest in the Rhodopi Mountains and a treasure trove of wonderful formations, most interesting of which are the extremely rare cave pearls. We will also visit the Devil’s Throat Cave, where the wild mountain river disappears, just to reappear calmed and tamed several kilometers farther down. From there we set off for the peaks of the Middle Rhodopes and the architectural reserve of Kosovo. Next to the reserve is the last sight for the day – the Bachkovo Monastery, 10000 years old, the second most significant Christian center in Bulgaria.
Accommodation and dinner – in Villa Donna, Liaskovo. Wine tasting.
Day 8
Villa Donna –> Plovdiv City –> Bourgas (300 km by car for the day).
A visit to the city of Plovdiv – the cultural capital of Bulgaria, with stops at some antique shops. Transfer to Bourgas airport.
Breakfast – at Villa Donna.
Price per person: 480 EURO (342 GBP) with a minimum of 6 people required for the tour to proceed.
The price includes:
- 7 nights in two and three-star hotels, full board
- luxurious air-conditioned mini-bus
- experienced guide
- excellent interpreter
- all transport, including airport pick up & drop off
- insurance
- tasting of Rhodopean specialties
- wine tasting - local Bulgarian wines