Bulgaria Nature Tours

Eco Tourism in the ORPHEUS MOUNTAIN

Exotic Tours in Bulgaria

8 days tour in the Rhodopes Mountains

2009

An exotic trip to the Rhodope Mountains, where the mythical singer Orpheus was born. Visit the mysterious ancient town of Perperikon, the devil’s cave, enjoy optional horse riding and jeep safari among incredibly beautiful wild nature at the Southern border of Bulgaria are expected to be.

Best period: May-October

Day 1:  Sofia – City of 8500 years
Arrival in Sofia. City tour of the Bulgarian capital: “Saint Alexander Nevski” Cathedral – the biggest Orthodox temple on the Balkan Peninsular, the rotunda-church Saint George and the Forum of the ancient city, the Saint Sofia Basilica, which had given its name to the city, the Royal Palace, the Parliament and the historical and cultural center of the capital.
Optional: Dinner at a restaurant in the typical Bulgarian folk style. Excellent cuisine, rich selection of wines and folklore programme.

Day 2: Rila Monastery and the city of the sand pyramids

In the afternoon departure for Devin spa resort in the Rhodopes Mountains. The road passes through a picturesque canyon along a big lake. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at Devin**** spa hotel.           
The SPA center offers open swimming pool, therapeutic swimming pools with mineral water, Jacuzzi, underwater massage therapies, bath “Vichy”, cabinets for remedial and cosmetic massages and procedures, physiotherapy, vibro sauna, inhalations and kinesis therapy, sauna and solarium, fitness.

Day 3: The Bulgarian Hollywood and the Devil Throat

After breakfast – visit of the Kovachevitsa village in the Rhodopes Mountains, with its unique architecture and traditions, famous as the Bulgarian Hollywood because of the lots of movies shot there. Departure for the artificial dam of Dospat, where you are going to have boat trip in the waters of the “Rhodopes Sea”. In the afternoon – visit of the natural phenomenon Trigrad Gorge (the height of the rocks exceeds 200 meters) and the Devil Throat Cave with the underground lake at more than 40 meters from the entrance of the cave. The passing of the cave is extreme – due to the legends this is the place, where the mythical singer Orpheus had entered in the underground world of God Hades to look for his lover Evridika. And one more attraction is coming next – a boat trip through the underground lake in the cave.

Day 4: On Horses in the World of Legends

Day 5: One Rhodope Song Conquered the Cosmos

Day 6: Jeep Safari amongst the Wild Nature
Breakfast. We had prepared for you new adventure – jeep safari in the Rhodopes almost to the Bulgarian-Greek boundary. 17 years ago this region was not accessible, because of the boundary zone, but now it is not only open to the tourists, but it preserves virgin nature with rich bio-variety. The trip is with powerful Russian jeeps and includes picnic-barbeque amongst the forests and opportunity to make photos of wild animals in their natural area of living. Later in the afternoon – departure for Zlatograd. This small town is situated few kilometres away from the Bulgarian-Greek border. Here you are going to visit the ethnographic complex, which represents alive the way of living of the Bulgarians from XIX century.

Day 7: Perperikon – the Temple of God Dionysus, where the victory of Alexander the Great was predicted
Breakfast. We are to enter in the…antique history of Bulgaria. You are going to see the ancient Thrace town of Perperikon, the temple of the Thracian god of the wine – Dionysus. Herodotus had announced that it had been here when the priestess of the ancient city predicted to Alexander the Great that he is going to capture the world. Such prediction she had given to the father of the Octavian August, too, that his son is going to be the founder of the great Roman Empire. Afterwards – visit of Plovdiv, where in the old part of the city, you are going to see the ancient amphitheater, the oldest church “St. st. Constantine and Helena”, one of the most beautiful houses from the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance, the Roman stadium, etc. Departure to Sofia.  Accommodation, dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.

* US$ rate varies depending on exchange rate

Tour prices include:

• 7 half boards (overnight, breakfast and dinner).

• Picnic during the horse riding and jeep safari.

• A/C vehicle with driver during the whole trip.

• Boat trip in Dospat lake and in “Devil’s throat” cave

• Horse riding to the Chairskite lakes

• Jeep safari

• Cheese tasting in Smilyan village

• Parking fees and road taxes.

• All entrance fees for the museums, churches and all attractions in the program

• Professional guide throughout and local mountain leaders.

Tour prices don’t include:

• Other meals than stated.

• Beverages.

• Photo/video fees at sites, museums, etc.

• Gratuities of any kind.

Optional:

• Folklore dinner in Sofia – 30 EUR per person

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