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ORPHEUS MOUNTAINS SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Guaranteed departures for 2012:
Every day from 01 May to 30 October (Other dates also possible upon request)
SUMMARY
Passing through some of the most spectacular parts of the Rodopi Mountains (the Trigrad Gorge, the Devil's Throat Cave, the Miraculous Bridges etc.) this trip gives you the opportunity to explore the mountain without being escorted by a guide, relying just on your own abilities to handle exciting and surprising situations! The trail follows breath-taking views over high rocky cliffs, dense woods, alpine meadows and not the least tiny villages still housing the ancient spirit of times gone. Arranged accommodation and luggage transportation during the whole trip ensure the pleasure of unrestricted hiking through the wilderness of the native place of the mythical Orpheus!
Rodopi Mountains are probably the best place in Bulgaria for inn to inn walking holidays not only due to their natural and cultural merits but also because of the fact that the local hoteliers are already used to foreigners and the communication with them is more or less easier if you are hiking without a guide.
 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rodopi Mountains: The Rodopi Mountains (highest peak: Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula.
Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small village in the central part of the Rodopi Mountains.
Yagodina cave is among the longest caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000m mapped so far), considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them.
The Devil's Throat cave has its name from a legend. It tells that if you let something flow in the cave river it will never come out again. And there is a cave waterfall - one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m. high.
The Miraculous bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) are 2 unique rock formation (about 40 m. high) covering an area of 40,3 hectares.
Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery.
 ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Yagodina village for overnight (3,30hrs drive).
Day 2. Transfer to Yagodina cave. After visiting the cave you walk up to to Trigrad village where you stay overnight. walking time: 4hrs;
Day 3. The walk today starts from Trigrad village, continues through alpine meadows and old forests to Chairski Lakes and goes back to Trigrad downstream the deep rocky valley of Livadnitsa river. On the way back you pass through the stunning Trigrad gorge and can visit the Devil's throat cave. walking time: 6 hrs;
Day 4. Early morning transfer to Beden village will bring you to the starting point for the day. From here you walk on nice panoramic dirt road to reach Liaskovo village, where you will stay overnight. walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 5. After breakfast you start trekking from Liaskovo to “Skalnite mostove” hut through century-old coniferous woods and hidden meadows in-between. After visit of the Miraculous Bridges rock phenomena, you will have a short transfer to the village of Orehovo, where you stay overnight. walking time: 4 -5 hrs;
Day 6. Today you do a loop hike in the area of Orehovo. The route leads you to a beautiful river gorge with nice waterfalls, water cascades and rock formations. Overnight in Orehovo.
Walking time: 4 hrs
Day 7. Today you start with a hike leading you to Kosovo village and its old style houses. Then you will be transferred to Plovdiv via the Bachkovo Monastery (there we will make a short stop). In the afternoon you can go on a sightseeing tour in Plovdiv's Old Town, which still possesses ancient houses and monuments. You will stay overnight in Plovdiv. Walking time: 4 hrs;
Day 8. Depending on your departure time you will have transfer to Sofia, Burgas or Plovdiv Airport.
DETAILED ROAD BOOK AND MAP WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL
 EXTENSIONS
Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenets - a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.
Difficulty grade: B
Accommodation and food:
Small family-run pensions and guesthouses in en-suite rooms on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included) except for Day 1 and 7, when no dinner is provided.
Group size: Min. 2 persons.
Single room supplement: 85 €
 The price includes: accommodation in family-run pensions with en-suite facilities on halfboard (except day 7, when no dinner is provided); luggage transfers as follows: Day 2: from Yagodina cave to Trigrad ; Day 4 from Trigrad to Liaskovo (after leaving you in the village of Beden); Day 5: from Liaskovo to the village of Orehovo; Day 7: from Orehovo to Plovdiv together with you; pick up/drop off at Sofia, Burgas or Plovdiv airport; all ground transfers; roadbook in English; map; 24hrs phone assistance; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: tips, dinner on day 7 (free to choose in Plovdiv), entrance fees for the caves, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
Reservation System Code: BGRSELF
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