This Riding tour takes you through the Sredna Gora, a mountain range south of the Balkan Mountains in the heart of Bulgaria and the countryside of the Thracians in ancient times. In addition to the beautiful and varied landscapes, ancient historical monuments & architecture and cultural highlights, you will also be able to pamper your body and mind with various wellness and spa options in the hotels (wellness treatments at an extra charge). This is rounded off by the fresh, traditional cuisine and local wines served with your meals.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia and transfer to Hissar (180 km) to your spa hotel. Before dinner, there is time for a massage or a relaxing bath in the mineral pool. Welcome dinner and overnight stay in a spa hotel with pool, sauna, massage, and fitness facilities.

Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know your horses and saddle up for your first ride. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the foot of a mountain. In the afternoon, head towards Krasnovo on the southern foothills of the Sredna Gora, near a dam. Dinner and overnight stay in a spa hotel with mineral pool. Riding time approx. 4.5 hours.

Day 3: Breakfast at the guest house. Then you start your ride in Krasnovo, through rose gardens and up into the heart of the mountains. Lunch at a beautiful hut at an altitude of 1180m in old beech forests in the historic area of Konska Polyana, Kulata and Kanara with magnificent views. In the afternoon, you will ride through the deep beech forest and the beautiful open peaks of the mountain and end up near the town of Koprivshitsa. Today you will stay in a hotel located in the middle of the hills of the mountain. The hotel has a swimming pool, a whirlpool, and a sauna. Dinner with local dishes and wine. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 4: You will ride through an untouched forest until you reach the summit of the beautiful “Wolf” mountain – 1240 m high with a breathtaking panoramic view of the upper Thracian plain and the surrounding mountains. Picnic at a cozy wooden hut just a few kilometers below the “Wolf” summit. Before dinner, you will have time to relax with a massage and swim in the mineral water pool. Overnight stay in a hotel with hot mineral pool, sauna, and massage center. Dinner in the hotel's traditional restaurant. Riding time approx. 4.5 hours.

Day 5: After breakfast, you will go on a 2.5-hour horseback ride in the beautiful area of Strelcha. You will have lunch in a restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the Historical Museum in the town of Panagyurishte. In the afternoon, you will have time to shop and explore the charming galleries, craft shops, and cafés. Traditional dinner and overnight stay on a farm in 3-bed rooms with shared bathroom.

Day 6: Breakfast at the farm and departure. Today you will ride across rose fields, past vineyards and along several lakes. Picnic in a cherry orchard near the village of Krustevich. You will spend the night at a wine estate in Starosel. You can also take part in a wine tasting (not included, approx. 20 EUR per person). Riding time approx. 5 hours (approx. 28 km).

Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, you will visit the Thracian cult complex in Starosel, which was discovered in 2000 by the archaeological expedition of Dr. George Kitov. It is the largest preserved Thracian royal complex with a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe. The temple dates back to the 5th century BC. You will learn about the mysterious Thracians and their amazing cultural heritage and historical significance. Enjoy beautiful long gallops between the meadows near the largest lake in the Pyasachnik region with panoramic views of the mountains. Picnic on the meadows near the village of Panicheri. In the afternoon, you will ride through the forest, across meadows and along the lakes and arrive in Hisarya. You will be accommodated in a spa hotel with a mineral pool and sauna. Before dinner, you will visit the ruins of the Roman city of Diocletianopolis. This will be followed by a farewell dinner. Riding time approx. 4 hours.

Day 8: Breakfast and farewell to your guides and horses. Transfer to Sofia airport.

Subject to change.

Accomodation
You will stay in comfortable hotels and authentic country inns, many of which are run by families who will warmly welcome you with Bulgarian hospitality. You will experience some comfort along the way, as there is often a pool or hot tub available and massages are offered. Only one overnight stay will be in a country house in shared rooms with shared bathroom. If you would like to spend this night in a single room, a hotel room will be reserved for you in the nearby village (normal price with single room). If you reserve a single occupancy and sleep one night in a shared room at farm , you will receive a EUR 30 discount. Please specify when booking.

Saddle & Tack: English, western and endurance saddles. Riding helmet compulsory.

Experience: Confidence in all gaits and experienced on trails. The rider must groom their horses themselves and to tack up. Riding time between 4-6 hours. Weight limit: 95 kg.

Horses: Local warmblod and half-warmblood breeds. All very sociable and very reliable trail horses. Height between 150-165 cm.