The Central Balkan National Park is located in the heart of Bulgaria, in the higher altitudes of the Balkan Mountains. Many rare and endangered animal species and plants are native to the diverse ecosystem, as well as some historical sites of cultural importance. The National Park includes nine nature reserves and is one of the largest and most sensitive protected areas in Europe. Parts of the park belong to the UNESCO Biosphere Protection Program and the PAN Parks Association. The landscape is varied and offers not only mountainous terrain but also flat stretches that offer beautiful trot and canter courses. The riding tour is offered in July and August. During this time the weather in the mountains is constant and pleasant for riding. You are accommodated in hotels and in the remote regions in mountain huts or tents.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia and transfer to Sevlievo (about 190 km). Dinner with discussion of the riding tour and overnight stay in a hotel with pool and sauna.

Day 2: Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the nearby stable where you will meet the horses. After arranging and preparing the horses you will start! On the first day there will be some opportunities to gallop at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. On the way you will have a picnic lunch in a meadow with a beautiful view. In the afternoon you will reach the village of Kastel, where today´s night camp will be set up. Dinner at the campfire. If you don´t want to camp, you can alternatively stay in a bungalow (please indicate this when booking!). Riding time about 5 hours.

Day 3: Breakfast at the campfire before you set off into the real wilderness of the Forest Mountains. In the idyllic mountain world you will also have the opportunity to bathe in the crystal clear water of the river Rositsa. There will also be a lunch picnic on the banks of the river, followed by a siesta. In the afternoon we will go either on foot or on horseback to the Luggut National Reserve where, with a little luck, you will be able to see numerous animals in their natural habitat. In the evening you will reach the village of Valevtsi, where you will spend the night in an inn. Dinner at the guesthouse. If you wish, you can then have a drink in the neighbouring summer bar. Riding time about 3.5 hours.

Day 4: After breakfast you start your ride to higher altitudes. The trail leads you uphill through over 100 year old birch forests along the Rositsa River. In warm weather you can take a refreshing bath in the river. You will reach a hut on the Mazalat, at an altitude of 1,520 meters, in the Peeshti Skali nature reserve. After the ride you will take a walk to the reserve. From the top of Mazalat you have a 360-degree view up to 60km away on a clear day. Overnight stay either in the hut in shared rooms (3, 5 or 8 persons) or outside in a tent. Riding time about 5 hours.

Day 5: Breakfast in the hut. Afterwards you undertake a small hike in the nature reserve Peeshti Skali. Lunch back in the hut. Afterwards you will ride on the ridge of the Balkan with beautiful views on both sides. You will finally reach the Uzana region, the geographical center of Bulgaria. Here you will find your current hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. Riding time about 3 hours.

Day 6: Today you will ride downhill to a large artificial lake, which serves as the water source of the town of Gabrovo. In the village of Mechkovtsi you will have your lunch break. Overnight stay in a charming inn near Gabrovo. Riding time about 6 hours.

Day 7: After breakfast you will first visit the open-air museum Etara. Here you can get an impression of the traditional Bulgarian architecture and the old handicraft customs of the region. The village has been rebuilt in the style of the 19th century, with functioning mills and facilities. Afterwards your last ride begins. You will now return to the stable. You will ride along the rock chain Vitata Stena. In a village at the foot of this mountain range you will have a rest before you arrive back at the stable in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Sevlievo. Riding time about 4,5 hours.

Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Subject to change without notice.

Accomodation

You will stay in hotels, small inns and in tents or simple huts (shared rooms).

Saddle & Tack: English, Western and long distance saddles. Compulsory wearing of riding helmet.

Experience: Comfortable in all gaits and experienced in all terrain (also in different terrain). On steep/mountainous passages the pace is a bit slower, on the flat/wide sections there are nice canter/trottoes. Minimum age 12 years. Average riding time per day: 3-5 hours. Maximum rider weight 95 kg.

Horses: Arabs, Shagya Arabs, Bulgarian races and Achal Tekkiner mixes. Stick measure between 150-165 cm.