Rodopi Rambles - 2010/11 Itinerary
8 days - from $800
• Experience the Rodopi Mountains, a land of myth & legend
• Visit little-seen villages, monasteries & landscapes
• A great insight into the people, with lots of local contact
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Ezerovo & the Arda River Valley
We stay in a family-run guesthouse in Ezerovo for this centre-based week - just perfect for our exploration of Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains. Locally owned by a family with a passion for the region, we are assured of a friendly welcome and can look forward to enjoying traditional Bulgarian hospitality and some great food each night as we return from our walks! We explore using old mountain paths; typical of the area and still used by shepherds today. This whole region is one of only a few wild places left in Europe, where man thankfully still has to compete with brown bears, wolves and eagles, and where a wide variety of rare wild-flowers, found nowhere else, still manage to survive - including the symbol of the Rodopi, the Orpheus flower (Haberlea rhodopensis). Almost untouched by tourism, cameo images of a fast disappearing Europe lie around every corner - each a wonderfully refreshing view into a life far removed from our own.
Rocks of Rodopi
From Yagodina we walk to the village of Trigrad with fine views along the way. We'll enjoy one of several lunches on this tour that we take with a local family - Rodopi food is superb local fare with Greek, Turkish and Slavic elements to it - before setting off to explore the impressive landscape around the village. Trigrad Gorge provides one of the most impressive views in the country; its huge walls rising up from the Trigradska River. The famous Devil's Throat Cave is just one of many caves that dot this karst limestone region and is possibly the most impressive: one which in addition has links with the legend of Orpheus. The regional centre of Smolyan has an interesting ethnographical exhibition which we'll also see during our stay.
Bachkovo Monastery & Sofia
Dating from the 11th century, Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest monastery in the country and the murals in the medieval refectory are renowned. We'll hike on a pilgrimage path to the 'holy water' and a rock chapel where an icon to which miracles are attributed was found. Finally we drive to Sofia to finish with an evening walking tour of the city's sights.
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Itinerary:
Day 1 Join the tour at Sofia airport and drive to Ezerovo. Days 2/6 Exploring the Rodopi Mountains Staying in a family-run guesthouse, we are assured of a friendly welcome and can look forward to enjoying traditional Bulgarian hospitality and great food each night! We explore on foot using old mountain paths still used by shepherds today. This whole region is one of only a few wild places left in Europe. Almost untouched by tourism, the area gives a wonderfully refreshing view into a life far removed from our own. Scenic highlights include Trigrad Gorge which provides one of the most impressive views in the country; its huge walls rising up from the Trigradska River, and the famous Devil's Throat Cave. Day 7 Bachkovo Monastery & Sofia Dating from the 11th century, Bachkovo is the second largest monastery in the country. We'll hike on a pilgrimage path to the rock chapel before driving to Sofia to finish with an evening walking tour. Day 8 Tour ends in Sofia.
Accommodations: 7nts family run guesthouse offering an insight into the traditions of the region with wholesome local food. Rooms are en-suite doubles and twins; 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner included.
Transport: Bus.
Comment: A great opportunity to explore an area that is fast becoming a magnet for walkers. Being centre-based all walks are optional. This trip is graded as easy to moderate.
Group: 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s).
Trip Reference: LBG2010
