The area around Teteven in the Balkan mountains offers unique and diverse landscape, dotted with tiny villages lost in greenness and flowers, offering visitors not only tranquillity and calmness, but also the opportunity to experience the unique and cosy atmosphere of authentic Bulgarian villages. In this region, traditions are a big part of modern life. Old water mills are still at work; fulling mills continue to wash colourful carpets; the famous "rakia" (brandy) is prepared right before you; Bulgarian housewives prepare unforgettably sweet jams made with wild berries; and the old farmers still make the famous Balkan brine cheese with sheep and goat's milk. And all this surrounded by the wild nature of the Central Balkan National Park and one of its nine green pearls – the biosphere reserve of Boatin, housing one of the largest belts of Beech forest in Europe.
Tour highlights
• The unique nature of the Central Balkan National Park (716 sq. km)
• The Nature reserves of Boatin, Tsarichina, Steneto and Dzhendema.
• Glozhene Monastery, built in the 13-th century
• Sueva dupka - one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Sofia Airport. Overnight accomodation in Sofia. Opportunity to see highlights of Bulgarian capital in short evening walking.
Day 2: Transfer to Etropole monastery – 90 km. The monastery, surrounded by old forest, is one of the most important spiritual centers in medieval Bulgaria. Next to the cloister there is a beautiful waterfall. Transfer to Yamna. Yamna is a typical village for this part of the mountains - long and scattered among the small valleys and hills. As an introduction the walk today provides lots of typical landscapes and experiences. The path follows the ridge over the village and goes descending to the outskirts of the village Cherni Vit. The transfer car waits here to bring you to the hotel in Divchovoto village. Walking distance: 17 km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 600 m.
Day 3: Time to explore Boatin Reserve. The path goes through the century-old Beech forests of Boatin (above 800 m a.s.l.) and descends over the other side of the hill to the region of "Kostina", where one of the Bulgarian
national heroes has been killed by the Turks. From this point a short walk along gardens, meadows, villas and houses of local people brings you in the village of Ribaritsa, where you stay overnight (at 545 m a.s.l.). Walking distance: 10.5 km; uphill walk: 250 m; downhill walk: 530 m.
Day 4: Today you will walk along "Debeli Dial" - the ridge surrounding Ribaritsa from North. The path continues to Vasiliov Hut but before that you will turn right descending at the upper parts of Ribaritsa, which is actually the longest village in the country (12 km long). On the way back to your hotel you will have the opportunity to see the way of live of the local people and to enjoy the idyll of a typical Balkan Mountains village. Walking distance:14
km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 400 m.
Day 5: Short transfer to the neighbouring town of Teteven (415 m a.s.l.). Check in into the hotel. Walk to Cherven Peak (1221 m a.s.l.) – the easternmost of the three peaks raised above the northern side of Teteven. The path starts from Teteven and goes upwards through broad leaved forests and vast meadows to the rocks of Cherven Peak, offering a superb panoramic view over the town of Teteven and the valley of Beli Vit River. From there you take the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village and further down to Teteven. Walking distance: 13 km; uphill walk: 700 m; downhill walk: 700 m Time at leisure for sightseeing and shopping (opportunity to visit the historical museum, the church "Vsiah Svetii" and the chapel next to it, the "St. Ilia" Monastery built in XIV century, the picture-gallery in the centre of the town etc.). An optional afternoon walk could be made to the waterfall "The Jump" with extension to "Haidushka poliana" Peak (955 m a.s.l.) or hike to the "Dangerous tooth" shelter standing on the edge of a rock overlooking Teteven town. Walking distance:13 km; uphill 540 m; downhill walk: 540 m.
Day 6: This day you will follow the path between Teteven and Lesidren village moving amidst lush forest and meadows. Overnight in Lesidren. Walking distance:15 km; uphill 650 m; downhill walk: 700 m.
Day 7: Transfer to the cave „Saeva dupka”. After visit it transfer to the village of Glozhene where a nice trek expects you to through old Beech forest to Glozhene Monastery, where you can see the 1000 years old icon of St.
George. From the monastery there is a dirty road leading to the pass between Goliam Izvor and Teteven and then following the peaceful road you get down to Goliam Izvor (450 m a.s.l.). Walking distance: 13 km; uphill: 400 m;
downhill walk: 350 m.
Day 8: Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (1,30hrs drive).
The price includes: Accommodation at family-run hotels and pensions, rooms with private facilities (days 1-6), and in a guesthouse with shared facilities (day 7). Breakfast and dinner included (except dinner on day 1). Roadbook in English and map of the area, private transfers from/to Sofia airport on day 1 and 8, luggage transfers and transfers where specified during the walk, local back-up and emergency phone.
The price does not include:
Dinner on day 1, tips, entrance fees, drinks and other personal expenses.
Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 85 EUR
Accomodation and food: You will stay in 3*** family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6), 2** pension (day 2) and in a guesthouse with shared facilities (day 7). The meal plan is based on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Ordering lunchpack (at the amount of 5-6 Euro) for the longer trekking days will not always be possible directly from the hotel. You may need to by some light food from the local shops.
Luggage transport: Unnecessary luggage will be transported as follows:Day 1: Right after your arrival in Yamna the driver will continue with the unnecessary luggage to your hotel by Divchovoto, where you will stay on Day 2. So please keep just the things which you will need for the walk on Day 2.Day 3: Leave your luggage in the hotel. It will be taken to your hotel in Ribaritsa and will meet you there in the afternoon of that day.Day 5: In the morning you will be transferred together with your luggage to the hotel in Teteven, where you check in before going on a sightseeing trip.Day 7: Morning transfer to Glozhene is arranged. You start walking from there while your luggage continues with the driver to the guesthouse in Goliam Izvor, where you will spend the night.Day 8: Transfer to the airport.
Practical information: EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays to 4-star hotels in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight (prices vary between 100 and 400 Euro per person per week depending on the hotel category and the meal plan; transportation is included). For more information please check "Vacation extensions" below. LOW COST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA: please check: Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe - http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings - http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air - http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/. CONNECTING THE TOUR: In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For longer private transfers or rent a car services please check our offers from the menu “Rent-a-car and Transportation”
Necessary equipment: daypack (35 l); walking waterproof boots with suitable ankle support; sunscreen lotion; mobile phone (ESSENTIAL! Please in case you do not bring one let us know that – you will be given such just in case of emergency in the mountains). For full list with recommended items see the detailed trip dossier.
Group Size: Min. 2
