BULGARIA | Wine, Spa & History | 6 days
Highlights
Sofia, Belogradchik, Tsarevo, Devin, Thassos, Sandanski, Velingrad
Duration
5 nights, 6 days, 4 riding days
Total Distance
1200 km(746miles)
from
2200€
Tour Overview
About 1200 km on the motorcycles across the territory of Bulgaria . The route includes a lot of mountain rides – the Balkan Mountains, the Rhodopes, Pirin and Rila. The route passes along picturesque roads, through the old capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo, the SPA capital of Balkans – Velingrad, Devin which known for its healing mineral water, the biggest ski resort of Bansko, numerous dams and reservoirs, historical and cultural monuments, strange creations of nature and natural phenomena.
- Start/Finish: Sofia
- Accomodation: 4 Star Hotels, 5 Star Hotels
- Tour dates: Calendar
- Highlights: Sofia, Belogradchik, Tsarevo, Devin, Thassos, Sandanski, Velingrad
- Duration: 6 days, 5 nights, 4 riding days
- Guide language: English, Bulgarian, Russian,
- Group: 6 - 8 members
- Terrain character: Mountains, Panoramic Roads
Day by day schedule:
Day 1. Landing in Sofia.
Welcome! You arrived to Sofia - largest city and the capital of Bulgaria. We meet you at the airport and bring to the hotel. During evening meeting you will meet other participants of the tour and members of KHL crew. We will describe our rout and rules of the tour.
Day 2. Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo– about 260 km.
Our adventure begins. We leave the western part of the Balkan Mountains and head to the Central Balkan Natural Park. Somewhere in the middle of our route, we will stop at the Beklemeto pass at an altitude of 1595 m to see the panoramic view of the valley. Beklemeto pass is crossed by a Romain road built during the reign of the emperor Trajan. It was made by Romans to connect the ancient town of Ulpia Oescus from the north and Philippopolis (today’s Plovdiv) on the south. The final destination of the day is an old capital of Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo. For almost two centuries (from the end of the XII till the XIV century) this city was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The most interesting site of the city is the fortress of Tsarevets – one of the symbols of Bulgaria.
Day 3. Veliko Tarnovo – Plovdiv 230 km
Today's road takes us to the most famous pass in Bulgaria, Shipka. But before that, we will visit Etara, an open-air ethnographic museum that showcases the daily life and sources of work of Bulgarians during the second half of the 18th and 19th centuries. After reaching the top of the pass Shipka, we will see the stunning view of the Shipka Monument of Freedom, a memorial honoring those who lost their lives for Bulgaria's freedom. Close to the top of the mountain we will also visit Buzludzha Monument, known amongst the adventure travelers as the “Space Ship.” After descending from the Shipka Pass, we head towards Plovdiv – the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, contemporary of ancient Troy and Mycenae still standing proudly by the 7 hills and rich of 8 millennia cultural heritage.
Day 4. Plovdiv - Velingrad 220 km
From Plovdiv we submerge in the greenery of the Rhodope mountain - start of another beautiful curly roads. On the road we will stop at Asenova Fortress – overhanging the road to Pamporovo dating 5th-4th Century BC. Next is the village of Shiroka Laka - architectural and folklore reserve. Furthermore, we pass the town Dospat and Krichim surrounded by deep blue dams and wild forests. In the afternoon, we'll head to Velingrad, which in July 2009 was declared the SPA capital of the Balkan Peninsula.
Day 5. Velingrad – Sofia – about 260 km.
In the morning, we'll set off to Belmeken Dam, located on top of the mountain with scenery over the peaks of Rhodope mountain. We'll continue along the southern parts of the Rhodopes to the city of Razlog. Soon after, we'll reach an amazing place where three mountains join together - Rila, Pirin, and the Rhodopes. There, we'll find the biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko. The city of Bansko itself is always crowded with tourists. The summer season starts immediately after the end of the winter season, which runs from December to May. Mountain hikers, bikers, extreme sports enthusiasts, and horse-riding lovers arrive then. The folklore festival and the international jazz festival are the most important cultural events in the city, attracting thousands of tourists. After Predela pass we will visit the Rila Monastery - founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. The monastery was a hub of a strong spiritual and artistic influence over the Eastern Orthodox world during medieval times (11th-14th c.) under Ottoman rule. Our tour will end in Sofia, where you will enjoy your final dinner with us, and you will be able to share your impressions and pictures with the other participants of the tour!
Day 6. Sofia – take-off.
Today is your flight back home.
What is included in the tour
- Transfer to and from the airport
- Accommodation in first class 4-5* Hotels
- Breakfast and dinner
- Lunches while driving
- Escort car
- Motorcycle rental
- Professional guide on a motorcycle
- Tours along the route
- Souvenirs
- Ferry tickets
- Road taxes
- Petrol
Include:
- Airplane tickets
- Personal expenses
- Alcohol and drinks
- Lunches on rest days
Not included:
Tour pricing:
- BMW F 850 GS: 3500 €
- BMW R 1250 GS: 3630 €
- BMW R 1250 GS Adventure: 3650 €
- Own motorcycle: 2200€
- Self-guided tour: Price on request
Price per rider:
- Passenger: 2200€
- Single room: 500€
- Deposit motorcycle: 2000€
- (The deposit is refundable at 100% upon return of the bike without damage after the end of the tour)