Wine, Spa & History
Highlights
Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Velingrad
Duration
4 nights, 5 days, 3 riding days
Total Distance
1100 km(684miles)
from
900€
Tour Overview
Drive about 1000 km through the mountains of Bulgaria: the Balkan Mountains, the Rhodopes, and Rila. Enjoy picturesque roads and visit the old capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo, the SPA capital of Bulgaria - Velingrad, and the biggest ski resort of Bulgaria - Bansko. Explore numerous historical and cultural monuments, strange creations of nature, and natural phenomena.
Tour dates:
22 - 26 May 2023
20 - 25 July 2023
10 - 14 Septmeber 2023
- Start/Finish: Sofia
- Accomodation: 4 Star Hotels, 5 Star Hotels
- Tour dates: Calendar
- Highlights: Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Velingrad
- Duration: 5 days, 4 nights, 3 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. Today you will meet other participants of the tour and members of KHL crew. We will describe our rout and rules of the tour. Welcome to Sofia, the largest city and capital of Bulgaria! Today, you will meet the other participants of the tour and members of the KHL crew. We will go over our itinerary and tour rules.
Day 2. Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – about 310 km.
Our adventure begins! We'll pass through the western and central parts of the Balkan Mountains to our first stop, the Beklemeto Pass, which sits at an altitude of 1595 meters and offers a panoramic view of the valley. The pass is crossed by a Roman road built during the reign of Emperor Trajan to connect the ancient town of Ulpia Oescus in the north with Philippopolis (today's Plovdiv) in the south. Our final destination for the day is Veliko Tarnovo, an old capital of Bulgaria. For almost two centuries, from the end of the 12th until the 14th century, this city was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The most interesting site in the city is the fortress of Tsarevets, one of the symbols of Bulgaria.
Day 3. Veliko Tarnovo – Velingrad - about 340 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, we will see the stunning view of the Shipka Monument of Freedom, a memorial honoring those who lost their lives for Bulgaria's freedom. After descending from the Shipka Pass, we'll climb the highest mountain in Bulgaria, Rila. Rila is one of the most picturesque mountains, with breathtaking views from its tops all year round. In the afternoon, we'll head to Velingrad, which in July 2009 was declared the SPA capital of the Balkan Peninsula.
Day 4. Velingrad – Sofia – about 400 km.
In the morning, we'll set off to Batak, a historic city well-known in Bulgarian history for the April Uprising of 1876 and the heroism and self-sacrifice of its citizens. We'll drive further along the picturesque road along Vacha Dam Reservoir and the city of Devin, famous for its mineral water of miraculous properties. We'll continue along the southern parts of the Rhodopes to the city of Gotse Delchev and set off north along the valley of the Mesta River. 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. 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 5. 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: 1500 €
- BMW R 1250 GS: 1550 €
- BMW R 1250 GS Adventure: 1650 €
- Own motorcycle: 900€
- Self-guided tour: Price on request
Price per rider:
- Passenger: 900€
- Single room: 220€
- Deposit motorcycle: 2000€
- (The deposit is refundable at 100% upon return of the bike without damage after the end of the tour)