Current as of: July 27, 2024 - 06:28
Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: Bulgaria
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
- 8 Days: Flight Inclusive
- 8 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TDB
- Carbon Footprint: 21kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Hike through wildlife-rich mountains and discover the rural culture and history of Bulgaria
The Rodopi Mountains are a hauntingly beautiful and mysterious region which, according to legend, were the home of the ancient Greek bard, Orpheus. Today they offer a refuge for many rare plants, brown bears, wolves, wild cats and a prolific number of butterflies and birds.
Discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of these remote peaks as we walk through a variety of landscapes, including ancient coniferous forests and rugged limestone gorges. We engage with local people who maintain their traditional rural existence, working the fields by hand and tending their livestock on the meadows and pastures.
At a Glance
- Six nights in a traditional rural settlement in Yagodina village, one night in a comfortable hotel in Sofia
- Six days of walking
- Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Altitude maximum: 7,180ft (2,188m); average: 4,430ft (1,350m)
- Travel by minibus
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
Highlights
- Explore stunning mountain landscapes with deep gorges, ancient forests and flowering meadows
- See unique flora, including many orchids and endemic species
- Look out for brown bears, wallcreepers and a variety of rare butterflies
- Experience daily life in a traditional Bulgarian village
- Enjoy delicious home-produced local cuisine
Is This Trip for You?
This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
There are walks between four and five hours, along traditional mountain trails, forest tracks and ancient Roman roads. Our varied programme of daily walks takes us through a mixture of silent forests and flower-filled meadows, and over some rocky karst terrain.
Although the pace is relatively leisurely, allowing time to enjoy the landscape and nature, take photographs and talk to the local people, the trip does involve moderately strenuous walking in mountainous terrain. Trails are rarely flat, and often rough and stony. To maximise your experience, come prepared for steep daily ascents as we climb over ridges; you should also be confident in descending steep paths over stones and tree roots as we drop into deep valleys and gorges.
NB: Exodus also offers an 8-day bear tracking holiday (Trip Code: WBB). On some dates it is possible to combine the two trips to make a fantastic 15-day wildlife adventure. Ask a member of our sales team for details.
Group
The trip is lead by an experienced local Bulgarian guide who will share their extensive knowledge about the nature and culture of the region.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Sofia; transfer to Yagodina
Fly to Sofia airport (Terminal 2), where we will be met by the leader and transferred to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next six nights.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Start Sofia Airport; transfer to Yagodina
The adventure begins at Terminal 2 in Sofia Airport (Terminal 2), where we meet the leader, before a transfer to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next six nights.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Kastrakli Nature Reserve and Chala village walk
Enjoy a day with two separate walks, each with a unique set of wildlife-spotting opportunities. A 15-minute drive after breakfast brings us to the trailhead of our first walk, a hike through the deep gorge and forests of Kastrakli Nature Reserve, renowned for orchids, butterflies and a growing population of Balkan chamois.
In the afternoon, after a 30-minute drive to the village of Chala, those still with energy for a second walk can follow a broad grassy ridge spur, offering spectacular views towards Yagodina, before dropping steeply into the Buinovo Gorge, where waits to drive us (10 minutes) back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
The Trigrad Karst Plateau
After breakfast, we drive to the neighbouring Trigrad gorge, where we make a short pause to scan the towering cliffs for the elusive wallcreeper, a delightful bird that flutters around like a butterfly on the rock faces, flashing strikingly crimson wings. We then spend the rest of the day hiking through the rugged heart of the Trigrad karst plateau. Following a maze of traditional trails and tracks, we thread our way through this wonderfully picturesque wilderness, rewarded by an ever-changing succession of landscapes and vistas. The region has been designated a Prime Butterfly Area, on account of the numerous rare species that can be found here. It also boasts outstanding flora, including many endemic species.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Traverse the highest peaks of the Rodopi Mountains
After breakfast, we set off in our bus for a 90-minute drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderfully panoramic hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First, we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak Mt. Golyam Perelik (7,188ft/2,191m), before ascending Mount Golyam Snezhnik (7,178ft/2,188m). Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, making a long descent to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mount Golyam Perelik, so instead the leader will arrange an alternative lower-altitude walk in the mountains south of Yagodina.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
In the footsteps of Orpheus
Having finished the previous day’s walk in the village of Gela, the supposed birthplace of Orpheus, we continue with the Orphic theme today, by following in his footsteps to the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary where Orpheus is believed to have met his death. As well as being steeped in a fascinating mix of myth and mystery, todays walk also offers some lovely remote walking, where we share our trail with wolves and deer, and can often hear the eerie cries of black woodpeckers echoing through the forest, adding to the excitement and magical atmosphere.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Hike in the Bulgaria-Greece border zone
A half-hour drive up the picturesque valley of the Buynovska Reka brings us to the village of Buynovo, where we start our walk. Today we wander amid the mountain meadows and forests along the border with Greece. Nowadays this is a tranquil region, peacefully roamed by wolves, bear, wild boar and roe deer, but during the Cold War it was known as the Zone of Death, a forbidden area patrolled by armed border guards ordered to prevent anyone trying to escape across the Iron Curtain into Greece. During our walk, we see remnants of the old border fence and former military bunkers, plus we learn more about this interesting, but dark, period of Bulgarian history.
Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)
Forest walk and riverside nature trail. Transfer to Sofia
Before making the long transfer back to the Bulgarian capital, we have the chance to enjoy two final short, but highly picturesque nature walks. Having had breakfast and said our farewells to the staff at the hotel, we set off on foot, picking up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for its great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to the river and road where we meet our bus, for a 45 minute drive to the town of Devin. Here we start our second walk of the day, following a delightful, specially-constructed nature trail along the valley of the Devinska Reka. As well as being extremely photogenic in its own right, the trail passes through another Prime Butterfly Area, offering the chance to see yet more rare and beautiful species. After a picnic lunch by the river, we then make our way back to the bus, before completing the final transfer (3 hours 30 minutes) back to Sofia.
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace (or similar)
Fly to London
Fly to London.
End Sofia
This trip draws to a close after breakfast. If you want to spend a bit more time in the city after our walking adventures, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Ascents, descents and distances: All ascents, descents and distances listed in the daily itinerary have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. However, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these Trips Notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Accommodation
Yagodina Family Hotel and Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace
Our base for six nights is Yagodina, a traditional rural village known for its self-sufficiency and hospitable inhabitants. Home to around 500 people, it is secluded in the Trigrad Karst region, one of the most remote parts of the Rodopi Mountains.
Here, we stay in the Yagodina Family Hotel, a small accommodation with comfortable twin and single rooms. It’s owned and run by a local family and most of the food (including milk, cheese, butter, jam and honey) is either home-produced or locally sourced.
Our final night is at Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace, a conveniently located four-star hotel in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. The 63-room accommodation is in the downtown area, close to city landmarks, including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It also has a restaurant serving French, Italian and Spanish dishes, plus a lobby bar with cocktails, coffee and more.
Single supplement from £ 235
Food & Drink
- Breakfast: Usually includes tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey and cheese, supplemented in Yagodina by fresh home-made yoghurt and traditional local specialities, such as katmi (thick pancakes) and rodopski klin (a rice-based dish).
- Lunch: Picnic lunches will be eaten in the mountains and typically comprise of bread, cheese, salami, salad, biscuits and fruit.
- Dinner: Will be taken in our hotel restaurant, and will normally include three courses comprising salad or vegetarian soup, followed by a main course, and a dessert of fruit, ice cream or cake/pudding. The cuisine reflects a mixture of Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish and Slavonic influences. We sample many traditional local specialities including smilyanski fasul (a delicious bean soup) and patatnik (grated potatoes, onions and cheese, seasoned with mint and other herbs). Jugs of tap water will be provided on the table with the evening meal. Bottled mineral water, soft drinks and alcohol are not included but can be purchased. There are also several local wines you may wish to try, including an excellent red Mavrud from vineyards on the northern slopes of the Rodopi.
- Vegetarians and vegan diets: Bulgaria produces excellent fresh vegetables and fruit, so vegetarians are usually well catered for, although in the mountains the variety may be limited to what is seasonally available. Eggs and dairy produce, especially cheese, form the staple part of the diet in the Rodopi region, and are included in most traditional meals, so vegans may find their daily menu more restricted and less varied.
- Gluten intolerance: Special gluten-free products are not available, so those with a wheat/gluten intolerance should, if needed, bring something to replace the local bread and pastries that make up the breakfasts and picnic lunches.
Transport
A private minibus will be used for all transport throughout the week. The roads in the Rodopi are typically small and winding mountain lanes, occasionally with rough surfaces. Most of the journeys are very picturesque and interesting. Average journeys are 30 minutes to 45 minutes, with a 90-minute drive when climbing Golyam Snezhnik on Day 5. The longer Sofia-Yagodina transfers at the start and end of the trip are approximately four hours, and broken up by a comfort stop at a motorway service station.
Weather & Seasonality
Spring and summer days are usually warm and sunny, with a refreshing mountain breeze that moderates temperatures; please note, changeable weather and cold temperatures can be encountered at any time in the mountains. Occasionally during spring and summer, there are sudden short storms, which means suitable waterproof clothing should be carried on all walks, and which may force minor amendments to the itinerary; however, there is often a prolonged period of settled weather after such storms. Later in autumn, overnight frosts and misty dawns typically give way to beautiful sunny days, but it is always worth keeping a pair of gloves and a spare warm layer in the pack for shadier paths or when picnicking on breezy rock outcrops.
Seasonal wildlife
During late spring and early summer, wildflowers in the Rodopi Mountains reach their peak, the meadows a patchwork of colour, and the edges of forest paths often sprout a selection of rare and beautiful orchids. As summer advances, the variety of butterflies becomes particularly striking. Come autumn, the deciduous trees change colour and the mountain landscapes are at their most photogenic, especially after a frosty night and with the typically golden morning sun. The forests and scrubs are full of wild fruits and nuts at this time of year, with many of the forest birds becoming more conspicuous as they actively feed up before the winter. If you’re lucky, autumn is also the time to see an unusual raptor migrating south along one of the gorges.
Many attractive fungi also appear on the forest floor and are harvested, not just by the locals, but by roe deer, Balkan chamois, wild boars, red squirrels and many other smaller rodents.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Yagodina
Airport: Sofia Airport (SOF)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 3hr 30min drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK.
You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. A taxi to the hotel costs about 595 Bulgarian lev (US$330) and there is no connecting public transport. Therefore, we highly recommend you join the group transfer from the airport.
Please note, the group meets for the transfer at Terminal 2, but many low-cost airlines fly into Terminal 1. There is a free airport shuttle bus connecting the two terminals, which departs every 30 minutes.
Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Backpack (25-30 litres)
- Comfortable walking boots
- Waterproofs
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Plastic sandwich boxes for picnic lunches
Environmental considerations: We believe in reducing our negative environmental impact wherever possible, even when nature calls. If no facilities are available, you may need to go behind a tree, bush or rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper behind, we recommend taking biodegradable bags with you. Once you have done your business, put the used paper in the bag and dispose when appropriate facilities are available.
Optional Equipment
- Walking poles
- Water purification tablets – water sources in Bulgaria are generally very good, but those who wish to purify their water should bring their own means
- Plastic sandwich boxes for picnic lunches
- Flip-flops/sandals – bathrooms in Bulgaria are typically wet rooms
- Books/after-dinner entertainment (for evenings in Yagodina, as the village is a small rural settlement and has no nightlife)
- Binoculars for birdwatching/wildlife observation
- Torch (flashlight)
Practical Information
Visa
Bulgaria
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/bulgaria
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/bulgaria
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bulgaria.html
Vaccinations and Health
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Ticks have been reported in this region and could possibly carry lyme disease, TBE and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself.
If you’re a UK citizen, please note that your UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid and offer the same cover as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) in the EU. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and in some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Once your EHIC has expired, replace it with a GHIC.
Local Time
Bulgaria's time zone: Europe/Sofia (UTC +03:00)
Electricity
Bulgaria's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and E (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Bulgaria's currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN)
ATM Availability
Although there are ATMs in the arrivals hall at Sofia Airport, there are no banks or ATMs in Yagodina. If you plan to use cash, obtain Bulgarian lev in advance (while still in your home country).
If ordering your Bulgarian currency, it’s better to request smaller denomination notes. Shops and restaurants in Bulgaria rarely have much small change and often refuse to accept larger denomination notes. Euros will not be accepted.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
During your stay in Hotel Yagodina, it is possible to ask for any drinks or other purchases you make whilst staying there to be put on tab for your room, and then pay this off by cash or card at the end of the week. As a guide, you may wish to budget the equivalent of approximately £85/US$110 to cover drinks with meals plus souvenirs such as local produce (such as honey, jams, herb teas and dried mushrooms).
Tipping
It is customary to tip staff in Bulgaria if you receive good service, although this is not compulsory. Most clients wish to tip the driver and staff at Hotel Yagodina. For the hotel staff we recommend approximately 20-30 Bulgarian lev (US$11-US$17) per person for the week, and 20 lev (US$11) per person for the week for the driver.
Tipping of leaders is entirely at your own discretion; however, if you wish to show your appreciation for his/her efforts, a tip of around 80 lev (US$45) per person for the week is suggested.
People, Places & Planet
At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.