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RHODOPE MOUNTAINS TOUR - ROUTE 3 |
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 resort of Pamporovo. Stop at the
Assen’s fortress near the town of
Assenovgrad. The
fortress exists since the Thracian ages and has become
strategically important in the Medieval ages. Stop at the village
of Bachkovo, where the second monastery (Bachkovo
monastery) in Bulgaria, 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 power of nature and the Rhodopean fauna. Arrival at
Pamporovo. Dinner and
overnight.
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3rd day
Breakfast. Walking tour
Pamporovo (1650 m) – Mt. Machi Chal (1873 m) – the town of
Chepelare (1100) - Pamporovo.
Along the tour a lot of splendid views over Pamporovo, Chepelare
and the surrounding area are observed. Visit to the Cave Museum
in Chepelare where tourists are acquainted with the way caves are
formed, their former and present inhabitants – animals and
prehistoric people. Return to
Pamporovo. Dinner and
overnight.
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4th day
Breakfast. Walking tour Pamporovo – Mt. Snezhanka (1926 m) –
Smolyan lakes (1716 m) – Pamporovo. Mt. Snezhanka is the highest
mount in the area and the starting point for most of the ski-runs
in Pamporovo. The trek passes by the so-called Orpheus’s rocks –
an ineresting rock formation. A legend says that Orpheus, the
mythical singer lived nearby. Just below the rocks the Smolian
lakes are located. They are known as the “emerald eyes” of the
mountains. Return to Pamporovo. Dinner and overnight.
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5th day
Breakfast. Walking tour Pamporovo – Rozhen Meadows (1650 m) –
the village of Progled (1455 m) – Pamporovo. Near the Rozhen
Meadows the National Astronomy Observatory is located. 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 is a typical Rhodopean village which
also only 3 km. away from the resort of Pamporovo it has
preserved its traditional way of life. Return to Pamporovo.
Dinner and overnight.
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6th day
Breakfast. Walking tour Pamporovo – the village of
Stoikite (1585 m) – the
village of Shiroka luka
(1335 m) – Pamporovo. The villages of Shiroka lucka and
Stoikite are two other
Rhodopean villages with interesting history.
Shiroka luka is an
open ethnographic museum with old houses dating from the
Bulgarian Revival. The history of the church sounds like a
legend. A visit ot one of the oldest houses which has belonged to
the richest shepherd in the village. Return to Pamporovo. Dinner
and overnight.
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7th day
Breakfast. Departure for
Sofia. Stop at the Iagodina 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 one
of its kind and 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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