7 Day Wild Riding Holiday in Rila National Park, Bulgaria
Horse Riding Holiday in Bulgaria
Join Rusaliite and escape to the hеart of the magnificent Pirin and Rila National Parks in Bulgaria's highest mountains on horseback. Each day will take you on a unique trail to explore nature, wildlife, and local history. Nothing can replace the pleasure of riding on the mountain with beautiful views, fresh air, the quiet walk of the horse, or wild canter through green meadows and clear streams, discovering the secrets of the ancient forest. Savor your unforgettable horse riding holiday and make your dreams will come true!
Key Information
- Rider weight limit: 85 kilograms
- Horse Height Range: 1.45 meters - 1.75 meters
- Tack Type: English and Western
- Horse Breed: Arab, English-Arab, Eastern Bulgarian, Karakachan, and Painted
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- 4 - 6 hours of riding daily
- Ride in Rila and Pirin National parks
- 7 days ride in nature, different trails every day
- 6 nights accommodation in a cozy private room with mountain or nature view
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with organic local products
- Visit historical nature sights
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Types
6 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Horse riding
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Restaurant
- Conference room
- Free parking
- Tour assistance
- Wireless internet
You will be staying at the cozy hotel “Rusaliite” which is a part of Adventure House Rusaliite resort. This is an ideal place for relaxing after horse riding or skiing. The Adventure House Rusaliite is situated in the midst of three mountains and two national parks - Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope on a territory of 1.2 hectares, close to a crystal clear mountain stream, where starts a trail to Rusaliite peak.
The Adventure House Rusaliite is a suitable place for sport, recreation, entertainment, and outdoor activities. The summer garden hosts a playground for children, a mini wildlife reserve with exotic animals, and a barbeque on the riverbank. The hotel offers twin rooms, suites, family rooms, a conference hall, a large common terrace, and a restaurant where traditional Bulgarian organic food is served. There is free parking and a Wi-Fi connection on the hotel territory.
Program
Bulgaria is famous for its diverse nature and big wild mountains. Enjoy riding on the colorful trails of the Pirin and Rila Nature Parks in the two highest mountains of Bulgaria. This vacation is ideal for both single and group bookings as the groups will be kept small and create a warm friendly atmosphere. You will meet like-minded people and have new friends by the end of your stay.
Rusaliite Adventure Holidays aims to provide a value for a horse riding vacation that feels like a dream come true. All your needs will be well taken care of so that you can enjoy a stress-free holiday in the heart of the mountain.
Superb riding location
The terrain is diverse - steep hills and flat gallop meadows, twisting forest trails, and wide opened landscapes that reveal the character of the magnificent hills around. You will explore the wildlife and learn about our flora and fauna and the history of the land from our guides.
The horses
Rusaliite currently has 15 well-trained horses of the breeds English-Arab, Arab, East Bulgarian, Karakachan, and Painted. The horses are kept free in large paddocks that include meadows, a small forest, and a creek. In winter they sleep inside their warm cozy stable. Their horses are part of their family and their happy natural life is a priority. Most of their horses are born there and form a united family group.
Sample schedule
Day 1: Arrival
- Check-in
- Settle in your room, have a meal, and ride if time allows
Typical day
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Ride starts (4 - 6 hours)
- Lunch can be brought to have on a break during the ride or return to the hotel, have lunch and go for an afternoon ride
- 16:00 - 17:00 Ride finishes
- 19:00 Dinner
This is the regular schedule, but Rusaliite is open to guests' requests if they have a specific arrangement in mind. The Rusaliite team will do their best to make your holiday unforgettable.
Places to visit
- Rock of St. George - may be the best destination with a stunning view of the valley and mountains
- Godlevo chapel
- Godlevo village
- Shepard's creek with mini waterfalls
- Hut of Karakachan - this hut lies on 2000 meters above sea level exactly and also has an amazing view
- Rusaliite peak of Rila Mountain
- Razhdavets natural mineral pools
Non-riders
Non-riders are welcome to take part in all the non-riding activities and excursions. The area can be a good base for non-riding vacations as it has many sports and attractions available. You can experience a superb range of activities, have time to sunbathe in the mineral swimming pool in Banya Village, visit the famous historical and cultural sites around Razlog and Bansko, and visit Beliza village, and Pirin Nature Park.
Rusaliite Adventure House can also arrange hiking for you in the pristine forests of the Rila and Pirin Mountains abundant with berries, herbs, and mushrooms. There are two chapels built in this part of the mountain, one of which is built on an ancient Thracian sanctuary. If all you want is to relax in peace and quiet around nature - Rusaliite Adventure House is the place for you.
Important information
- Advanced riders can ride without an instructor only on the territory of the base
- Advanced riders can ride out of the base with one or more guides according to the size of the group
- For beginners riding in the base and out is always with one or several instructors according to the size of the group
- If this is your first time on horseback, you can count on the calm horse and an experienced instructor who is constantly by your side
- For advanced riders, challenges are numerous: rugged terrain, open meadows, diverse forest trails, crossing rivers, hidden little paradise spots in the forest, and breathtaking landscapes. You will ride along with an experienced instructor who knows the mountain like his backyard
Included excursions
For Advanced Riders, Rusaliite offers an extreme and fun ride with a lot of canter, gallop, river crossing, and many diverse trails.
For Intermediate and Beginner Riders, Rusaliite offers lessons and trail rides tailored to each rider's individual level.
All riders are welcome (but not required) to take part in tacking up and untacking their horses if they wish. We can teach how.
For non-riders:
- Archery lessons
- Off road safari to St. George's chapel, Karakachan huts and Rila National park, where you will meet your horse riding companion
- Visit of mineral pool and SPA centre in Banya (entrance fee included)
- Visit of Bansko old town and city centre
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.
Location
This horse riding holiday will take place at Hotel Rusaliite in Bachevo Village, Razlog Municipality, Blagoevgrad District, Bulgaria. Rila national park is one of the youngest Bulgarian parks covering half of the mountain and is famous for the Seven Rila Lakes. Meanwhile, Pirin national park was created in 1976 because of the unique nature of the mountain. Given its exceptional value beyond the borders of Bulgaria in 1983, UNESCO decided to declare Pirin National Park as a “World Heritage” site under the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Both Parks are Natura 2000 zones according to the Bird and Habitat EU Directives.
Nearby place
- Ski resort of Bansko, 15 kilometers
Food
You will be served traditional homemade meals daily, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurant of Adventure House Rusaliite. The restaurant has an indoor sitting area as well as a summer garden. The restaurant offers both modern and traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
- Hiking in the pristine forests of Rila and Pirin Mountains
- Practice archery with Huns bows and shoot with an air rifle at targets
- Walking to nearby natural and historical sights and phenomena - natural pools carved into the rock by the river, rock climbing spots, Mermaid garden trail, rock of St. George, the stone of Avram, Thracian sanctuaries, and many others
Spa treatments
Massages upon request and additional price.
What's included
- Diverse trail rides in the mountain with an English-speaking guide
- Approximate daily riding time 4 - 6 hours according to experience and weather conditions
- Explore Rila National Park
- Use of a horse, tack, helmet
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 6 nights' accommodation
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfer
- Excursions
- Insurances - travel and medical support
- Belitsa Bear Park visit for non-riders, price is 50 EUR per person
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 128 per person
Sofia Airport
84 km away from your destination
Driving directions
Search in Google maps / other navigation system for "Adventure house Rusaliite".
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Sofia Airport (SOF).
Once landed at Sofia airport there are 3 options to arrive at the ranch:
- rent a car
- take a bus
- request airport transfer from your hosts at additional cost
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 cheapest way is to take a bus, ticket is 8 EUR per direction. From the airport take a taxi or underground train to Central bus station in Sofia and jump on a bus to town of Razlog. Your hosts will pick you up from there. Please note that the last bus leaves at 16:45 from Sofia.
GPS:
- N 41° 56' 15,0''
- E 23° 25' 51,8''
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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