Accommodation

Check-in Time:

15:00

Check-out Time:

12:00

First and last nights take place in the 3-star hotel that is part of the riding club. Single, double, or triple rooms are available according to the guest's request.

Second night is in a Makedonia hut as the end destination, located high in a mountain valley between the peaks. Shared rooms are available.

Program

Two long full days of horse riding

English-speaking guide
Saddlebags for meals, equipment, and personal belongings (light essentials please)

Meals:

First day - dinner
Last day - breakfast
The 2 riding days - all meals provided

Itinerary Schedule

Please note that both arrival and departure date are included in the duration days (Day 1 and 4). The riding days are only for two days which is Day 2 and 3. However, because the destination is far, an early start is required. And for this, the team needs to provide a night spent from the day before, as well as one night after the activity finishes so that you won't have flights that are too early or too late and intervening the activity.

Day 1: Arrival day

Check-in at the accommodation
Free time to meet the horses and explore the ranch
Dinner time

Day 2: First day of the ride

Early breakfast
Early start of the ride
Multiple stops for short breaks and a longer lunch break
1 or 2 steep locations to dismount and lead your horse
Arrive at destination - Makedonia hut
Brush down your horse and put the tack away. Feed the horses. Each rider takes care of their own horse during the trip. The guide is there to assist as needed.
Check-in at Makedonia hut
Dinner and free time to share impressions and photos of the ride

Day 3: Second day of the ride

Early breakfast
Groom and tack up your horse for riding
Multiple stops for short breaks and a longer lunch break
Arrive back at the ranch - brush down and shower your horse
Dinner and free time to share impressions and photos of the ride

Day 4: Departure day

Breakfast
Relax and explore (late check-out possible according to hotel availability)
Goodbye kisses for your horse
Departure

Included excursions

Two long days of horse riding on diverse mountain terrain.
Ride through Rila National Park.
Short break at Karakachan hut at 2000 m above sea level.
Visit and stay at Makedonia hut, located high in a valley between the mountain tops.

Instructors

Nadia Popova

Nadia is born and raised in Sofia. Did a lot of hiking and tourism in Bulgarian nature while growing up. Studied fine arts and English, and later Graphic design at university. Work with horses and riding tourism for 15 years, certified riding instructor, and an FEI Endurance judge. Experienced riding racehorses in the UK. Her biggest passion is animals and nature, also interested in sports - fencing, swimming, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc., and traveling around the world.

Philip Popov

Born in Bachevo, studied in Technical univercity of Sofia. Certified horse riding instructor and judge, professional climber, ski instructor. Has 30 years of equestrian experience. Interested in exotic birds, hiking and camping - traveled in all Bulgarian mountains. Inherited the love for animals from his mother, who is a zoo technician.

Rosen Liubenov

As a horse riding guide and a park ranger Rosen knows the mountain better than anyone. Great sense of humor and deep knowledge of the forest are some of his strong sides.

Location

The riding club is located on a southern hill among nature, with a mountain creek running on property and neighbouring Rila National Park.

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Food

Enjoy breakfast and dinner at the accommodation facilities. Accompany the horses for lunch break on a lush green meadow with a prepacked home-cooked meal and snacks.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water
Coffee
Tea
Soda
Alcoholic beverages

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Organic
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)

Ride on arrival and/or departure days
Support vehicle to bring extra luggage and equipment that you wish to bring on the trip, that does not fit on the horse - extra clothes, sleeping bag, or other items
Extra drinks or meals

Excursions to local attractions with transfer service available:

Dancing Bears Sanctuary in Belitsa
Mineral hot spring in Bania village
Bansko ski resort (also good to visit in summer)
Oldest pine tree on the Balkans - Baykushev's Mura
Rock climbing experience
Yoga class

Spa treatments

Massages and spa resorts with hot mineral water available for extra cost.

What's included

2 days of horse riding with 7-8 hours per day
Private English speaking guide
Helmet
Saddlebags for meals, equipment, and personal belongings (light weight essentials allowed)
3 nights nature accommodation
All meals with drinks and snacks

What's not included

Flight
Airport transfer available for an additional cost
Any other personal riding equipment such as boots, body protector, etc.
Extra drinks

How to get there

Recommended Airports

SOF

Sofia Airport

84 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 127 per person

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Sofia Airport (SOF).

Once landed at Sofia airport there are 4 options to arrive at the ranch:

Rent a car
Take a bus
Shuttle with www.traventuria.com
Request airport transfer from your host

Arrival / departure:

Official room check-in starts at 15:00, with the possibility of early check-in (according to hotel availability) or luggage storage in case of an early arrival. Official check-out is at 12:00 pm, with the option for a later check-out according to hotel availability. Luggage storage is also available to facilitate later departures.

Arrival by car

Rent a car:

Search in Google maps / another navigation system for "Rusaliite Adventure house" near Bachevo.
GPS:
N 41° 56' 15,0''
E 23° 25' 51,8''

Transfer from and to Sofia airport is available upon request and additional price:

1 - 2 passenger - 110 EUR
3 - 4 passengers - 150 EUR
5 - 8 passengers - 300 EUR

The prices are per direction.

Arrival by bus:

The most affordable way is to take a bus, the ticket is 9 EUR per direction. From the airport take a taxi or subway train to the Central bus station in Sofia and jump on a bus to the town of Razlog. Your host will pick you up from there. Please note that the last bus leaves at 16:45 from Sofia.

Traventuria.com shuttle - need to book in advance. Get a ticket to Razlog. Your host will pick you up from there.

Airport: Sofia Airport Airport transfer available:Sofia Airport (US$ 127 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.

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