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RHODOPE MOUNTAINS TOUR - ROUTE 1 |
The Rhodopes are one of the cradles of
European civilization. Pieces of the Roman roads connecting
Aegean towns with the Upper Thracian Valley can still be seen at
many places around the area - the village of Gela, the Persenk
Hut, the Chairski Lakes, etc - together with the ruins of
fortresses from the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom
near Assenovgrad and the village of Shiroka Luka.
Although inhabited for thousands of years, the Rhodopes still harbor in
their bosom wild places that seem to be untouched by humans. The
Rhodopes are one of the few mountain ranges in Europe where the
Brown Bear and Wolf still breeds. Old-growth forests are home to
deer, elk, fox, wild goat, and other rare European species.
The Eastern part of the Rhodopes is a true heaven for bird lovers
but the western part should not be overlooked as it contains over
200 species, many of them quite rare. The Trigrad Gorge is the
kingdom of the famed Wallcreeper - you can observe this wonderful
bird while sipping your coffee at the entrance to the Devil's
Throat Cave.
Dippers and King Fisher will dart around you as you walk along clear
creeks and streams. A Golden Eagle hovering high in the sky
presents an unforgettable sight. If you come to the Rhodopes
during spring you might hear the early-morning mating call of the
Capercaillie.
Lush, grassy meadows pop into mind when thinking of the Rhodopes. For
many centuries locals have kept herds of sheep, as a result of
which, they have created meadows outrests. These meadows now are
home to an abundance of rare flowers, many of which are not found
anywhere else on Earth. In early spring you can see the pink
petals of Silivriak (Heberlea rhodopaensis), the symbol of the
Rhodopes, which has the unique quality of being able to spring
back to life even after being pressed for years. Legend has it
that the flower bloomed out of the blood of Orpheus after he was
dismembered.
The Rhodopes are also well known for their mushrooms. Here you
can also pick yourself a multicolored bouquet of herbs; the most
fragrant thyme grows here.
If you are still not convinced that the Rhodopes are a slice of true,
wild nature, then the only other option that remains is for you
to come here and see it for yourself.
Our program is for 7 days/6 nights with the
following daily schedule:
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1st day
Arrival at Sofia
airport. Departure for Plovdiv.
Arrival in Plovdiv – the
second biggest city in Bulgaria. Accommodation at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour of the old quarter of the city – a place with
unique old houses dating from the Bulgarian Revival and preserved
19th century atmosphere. There are also remains from the
antiquity, including a second century Roman amphitheater. Dinner
at the hotel. Overnight.
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2nd day
Breakfast. Departure for the town of Chepelare. Stop at the
Assen’s fortress near the town of
Assenovgrad. The
fortress exists since the Thracian ages and has become
strategically important important in the Medieval ages. Stop at
the village of Bachkovo, where the second monastery (Bachkovo
monastery), both in size, and significance is situated. Visit
to the monastery. Stop also at the Wonderful bridges – a nature
phenomenon where guests become familiar with the with the power
of nature and the Rhodopean fauna. Arrival in
Chepelare. Dinner and
overnight.
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3rd day
Breakfast. Visit to the Cave Museum in Chepelare, where
tourists are acquainted with the way caves are formed, their
present and former inhabitants – animals and prehistoric people.
Walking tour Chepelare (1100 m) – Mt. Mechi Chal (1873 m) – the
resort of Pamporovo (1650 m). Along the tour a lot of splendid
views over Chepelare and the surrounding area of Pamporovo are
observed. Dinner and overnight in the resort.
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4th day
Breakfast. Walking tour Pamporovo – the village of Progled
(1455 m) – Rozhen Meadows (1650 m) – the village of Momchilovtsi
(1350 m). Near the Rozhen Meadows the National Astronomy
Observatory is situated. It is the 5th astronomy observatory in
Europe in power. There tourists receive a lot of interesting
information about the endless universe we live in. Progled and
Momchilovtsi are two typical Rhodopean villages. Dinner and
overnight at a Rhodopean family in Momchilovtsi (Guests taste
home-made dishes and listen to folk songs performed by the
hosts).
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5th day
Breakfast. Departure for
Smolyan – the administrative , cultural and historical center
of the region. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum and the
Planetarium. The museum contains exhibits representing the long
complex history of the Rhodopes. The programme at the Planetarium
consists of a video lecture about the cosmos and the earth.
Departure for the village of
Stoikite. Dinner and overnight in
Stoikite.
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6th day
Breakfast. Walking tour
Stoikite (1585 m) – Smolyan lakes (1716 m) –
Pamporovo. The lakes are
reached after the path passes through one of the most beautiful
part of the Rhodope mountains. The lakes are called the “emerald
eyes” of the mountains. They are located near the so-called
Orpheus’s rocks – an interesting rock formation. A legend says
that Orpheus, the mythical singer, lived nearby. The tourists are
taken to the top of Mt. Snezhanka (1926 m) by a lift or they
walk. Mt. Snezhanka is the starting point of most of the ski-runs
in Pamporovo. Dinner and
overnight in the resort.
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7th day
Breakfast. Departure for Sofia. Stop at the ethnographic
reserve village of Shiroka
luka. It dates from the Bulgarian Revival and has some old
interesting houses. Stop at the Iagidina Cave and the Devil’s
Throat – two of Bulgaria’s most beautiful and mystical caves. The
Devil’s Throat is located in the Trigrad Gorge – a deep canyon
which is under the protection of UNESCO. The Iagodina Cave is
abundant in splendid cave formations (including real pearls and
stone roses). Arrival in Sofia.
Departure.
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Note: The programme can be extended or shortened depending on
guests’ wish. It is also possible to include some extra events
PACKAGE PRICES :
THESE PRICES INCLUDE:
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