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7 Day Horse Riding Adventure in the Magical Mountains of Rila, Verila and Plana
Samokov, Village Dospey, Bulgaria
Mountain Horse Riding Tour Bulgaria
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in Bulgaria
Do you want to ride at the foot of the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula, Musala (2,925 meters)? Rila Ranch welcomes you to discover one of the best riding routes in Bulgaria. If you are a wildlife addict, this is your drug! The challenges are many; galloping through high mountain meadows, crossings the lush rivers and stunning scenery. Rila Ranch also offers you a good chance to taste natural eco-products and specialties. The best way to cross the three mountains (Rila, Verila and Plana) in five days is from the horseback. The horses are selected in order to satisfy the wishes of all riders. The animals are calm, intelligent, friendly, without bad habits.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 90 kilograms
- Horse height range: 1.49 meters - 1.65 meters
- Tack type: English high-quality saddles
- Horse breed: Arabian, Shagya Arab, Anglo-Arab and Crossbreed horses
Highlights
- 5-day riding on beautiful trails
- Crossing three mountains in 5 days
- Approximate daily riding time: 4 to 7 hours
- 6 nights' accommodation in cozy hotels and guest houses
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Breathtaking views all the time
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
5 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Bulgarian
Group size: 3-8 participants
Airport transfer included:
Sofia Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
15:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
You will be accommodated in cozy guest houses and hotels, one of them has hot mineral water. There are swimming pools and opportunities for spa treatments in Sapareva banya (the second night). Rooms are mostly double with an en-suite bathroom, only at Vada Hut rooms and bathroom are shared.
Almost all hotels are situated out of towns or villages, so you will be able to rest well in the peace and quiet of nature. You will stay at a guest house in Rila Ranch in Dospey village, on the first and the last night, at Vada Hut on the second night, at the camping Verila on the third night, guest house ‘’Belchinska gledka’’ on the fourth night and the fifth night at a cozy guesthouse in Plana mountain.
Program
Day 1: Arrival
Rila Ranch will welcome you at Sofia International Airport (SOF) and transfer you to Rancho Rila, where you will be accommodated in a cozy guest house for the first and last night. You will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with all inhabitants of the ranch. A delicious dinner and fine wine await you and together with your guide, you will discuss the details of the trekking.
Day 2: Dospey Village - Vada Hut
You will leave the ranch in Dospey village and will be racing to the valley of the Lakatitsa River, followed by the Zekeritsa locality, which offers an amazing view of the Rila Seven Lakes circus. After a short break, you head to the Vada Hut, where will be your first overnight stay. The ride during this day on a relatively soft terrain, 25 kilometers, altitude from 1,000 meters up to 1,700 meters above sea level.
Day 3: Vada Hut - Verila Campsite
After having breakfast and preparing the horses, you will head to Sapareva Banya, pass through Obesen kamak locality, ride along the ridge of Lakatishka Rila and not so long after that will descend to Sapareva Banya, where you will expect a mineral pool in which to relax. You will spend the night at the Verila Campsite. You will ride 20 kilometers, on a relatively soft terrain, altitude from 1,550 meters down to 980 meters above sea level.
Day 4: Verila Campsite - Belchin Village
Well rested, you will head to the southern slopes of Verila Mountain. After a short ascent, you will reach the ridge, from where you again have a view of the Rila Mountain. You will take a short break in a cozy hunting hut, then you will descend into the valley of the Palakaria River and shortly you will reach your final destination - the Belchin village. You will spend the night in a guest house. The riding is 25 kilometers, soft terrain, altitude from 980 meters up to 1415 meters above sea level.
Day 5: Belchin Village - Plana Village
From Belchin Village, you will ride to the Plana village, the riding will pass through open meadows and exciting forest trails. You will spend the night in a cozy guest house. The riding is 30-35 kilometers, soft terrain, altitude from 930 meters up to 1,250 meters above sea level.
Day 6: Plana Mountain - Rila Ranch
On your last day, you will have a quick riding on soft terrains in Plana Mountain and in the afternoon, you will arrive at the Rila Ranch. The riding that day is 30 kilometers, soft terrain, altitude from 1,250 meters down to 1,000 meters above sea level.
Day 7
After breakfast, departure to Sofia International Airport (SOF).
Horses
Rila Ranch has 12 horses of the breeds Shagya Arabs, pure-bred Arabs, Anglo-Arabs, and cross-bred horses, all well trained and calm.
The guides
The riding guides are experienced and professional and know all the horses and routes well. There will be two guides of professional riders, one leads the group and the other is following the group with a Jeep and all the luggage.
Location
Rila Ranch is located 60 kilometers from Sofia and three kilometers from Samokov. It is in a beautiful region with a gorgeous view of three mountains - Vitosha, Verily and Rila.
The town of Samokov is a gate to the highest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula - the Rila Mountains which peaks reach 2,925 meters (Musala). From this place goes pathways passing through the most picturesque parts of Rila Mountains - the Rila Seven Lakes, Musala peak, Malyovitsa peak, the Rila Monastery.
The town of Samokov is located in the northern foothills of the Rila Mountains, at 950 meters above sea level. The longest Bulgarian river - Iskar - flows through the city. Near the city is located Borovets International Resort.
In ancient times, Samokov was an important center for the production and processing of iron for the Ottoman Empire. During the Bulgarian National Revival, the town was a significant cultural and commercial center - the first icon school, the first printing house, and others were established there.
Distances
- Samokov, 3 kilometers
- Sofia, 60 kilometers
Food
This holiday includes breakfast, lunch and dinners, prepared from wholesome local produce, except for hard drinks. The hotels and houses provide breakfasts and dinners and they offer traditional local dishes. The midday meals are in the open-air during the passages and they consist of dry package, beer and water. Rila Ranch offers ecologically clean food, international and traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Visit Tsari Mali Grad - Ancient hilltop fortress
What's included
- 5 days of horse riding
- Assistance of 2 professional guides
- Luggage transfers
- Jeep vehicle support
- 6 nights' accommodation
- Daily meals and drinks
What's not included
- Hard drinks
- Mineral pool
How to get there
Recommended Airports
SOF
Sofia Airport
43 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Sofia International Airport (SOF). Transfer from and to this airport is included. Rila Ranch will pick you up at the airport.
Airport: Sofia Airport
Airport transfer included: Sofia Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 16.94% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 10 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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