| Day 1 - The stunning capital - Sofia |
We meet at the airport in Sofia and are all introduced to the guide and greeted by the jeeps. From Sofia we venture East towards Devin on highways and quickly we see the traffic fading away as we reach agriculture farmlands and quaint villages. Our first off road experience sends us of the manmade highways to narrow routes up to the peaks of the Rhodope ranges. Surrounding us we see amazing canopies of fir trees and crystal blue lakes. The group arrives at a rural wine villages sandwiched between the stunning Trakia Valley. Here is where we will reside for the evening in the 4 star Orpheus Hotel.
| Day 2 - Devils Throat caves and cultural lunch with the locals. |
We awake early today and go for a morning hike in the nearby canyon next to Devin assisted by wooden bridges and rambling routes we stroll and take in the natural beauty of this serene place. Boarding the jeeps we are treated to thrilling off road via the municipality of Mugla onto Trigad along the way taking in the surrounding picturesque views. Arriving at Trigad we first do a foot tour of the infamous Devils Throat caves and wonder at the impressive stalagmites, stalactites and natural water ponds within. More slightly challenging off road follows until we arrive at the local rustic village of Yagondina where we will eat a hearty traditional lunch at a residents house followed by a tour of the nearby serene rounded valley and back to the jeeps to descend to Bansko for the evening and relax in our hotel.
| Day 3 - Challenging climb into the Pirin Ranges. |
We start the day with a brisk walk around the vast alpine lake Vigi within the Pirin mountainous range stopping for a tea break with a difference. Pirin is renowned for its vast fauna and its green forested areas. Next we board the jeeps and ascend to Oreliak Peak "2914m high" which is the highest peak within these ranges so we can see the area from an amazing perspective. Back to the hotel for a change of clothes and refreshments then our very special dinner is served in a local Machana restaurant filled with local delicacies and tasty main dishes.
| Day 4 - Rhodope Ranges & bear sanctuary visit. |
After breakfast we head out in a convoy of jeeps firstly to Rila Mountains to take in the natural beauty of these peaks then onto Belitsa which is a authentic pictorial village with some interesting histories but most of all its unique atmosphere. The group is treated to visit the park of dancing bears. This sanctuary was formed in 1999 by the Brigitte Bardot foundation and is the home to the last 3 remaining dancing bears were made liberated. More off road ensues, using beaten tracks we arrive at Belmeken renowned for its ecological environment and unique location between the plateau's of the Rila ranges and Rhodope mountains. After a short stop we start our return back to Sofia. On arrival in Sofia we prepare ourselves in the hotel for the final celebration dinner at a restaurant for the last evening.
| Day 5 - City tour of Sofia. |
Our final day consists of tours by foot without jeeps around the capital, we will visit such sites as the gothic Alexander Nevsky statues and Patriarchal Cathedral, the infamous yellow brick road that circles the town, the town hall "witnessing the exchange of duties for the authentic Georgian guards and the religious side of Georgia visiting a church, synagogue and mosque. We finish the day with some Bulgarian shopping sampling the cheeses and viewing the craft shops and stalls before our transfer to the airport.
***Pricing is based on group size please contact us for more details***
· Full board.
· Kia Sorento or their equivalent, with four passengers per SUV.
· All fuel.
· One “Goody Box” per SUV (containing snacks, supplies for making coffee, etc.)
· Transportation as required.
· Tips for local service providers.
· 3/4-star hotel occupancy.
· Mineral water everyday.
· Entrance to nature reserves, parks and entertainment performances.
· A professional all-terrain guide from Team Medraft.
· A local guide.
· Staff SUV.
· Flights to and from destination.
· Personal baggage and travel insurance appropriate to this kind of tour.
· Personal expenses (drinks with meals, souvenirs etc).
· Tip for Medraft guide.
· Visa and additional airport charges.
*** For more details call 02081500687 "UK number" alternatively email contact@medraft.com ***
