Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains

• Six nights in a traditional rural settlement in Yagodina village, one night in a comfortable hotel in Sofia
• Six days of walking
• Group normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16
• Altitude maximum: 7,180ft (2,188m); average: 4,430ft (1,350m)
• Travel by minibus
• Option to travel by train to your adventure

Breakfast: Usually includes tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey and cheese, supplemented in Yagodina by fresh home-made yoghurt and traditional local specialities, such as katmi (thick pancakes) and rodopski klin (a rice-based dish). Lunch: Picnic lunches will be eaten in the mountains and typically comprise of bread, cheese, salami, salad, biscuits and fruit. Dinner: Will be taken in our hotel restaurant, and will normally include three courses comprising salad or vegetarian soup, followed by a main course, and a dessert of fruit, ice cream or cake/pudding. The cuisine reflects a mixture of Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish and Slavonic influences. We sample many traditional local specialities including smilyanski fasul (a delicious bean soup) and patatnik (grated potatoes, onions and cheese, seasoned with mint and other herbs). Jugs of tap water will be provided on the table with the evening meal. Bottled mineral water, soft drinks and alcohol are not included but can be purchased. There are also several local wines you may wish to try, including an excellent red Mavrud from vineyards on the northern slopes of the Rodopi. Vegetarians and Vegans: Bulgaria produces excellent fresh vegetables and fruit, so vegetarians are usually well catered for. However, it is extremely difficult for vegans, as dairy produce and eggs form the staple part of the diet in this region, and are central to the vast majority of meals. Please note, special gluten-free products are not available, so clients with a wheat/gluten intolerance should, if needed, bring with them something to replace the local bread and pastries that make up the breakfasts and picnic lunches.

Spring and summer days are usually warm and sunny, with a refreshing mountain breeze that moderates temperatures; please note, changeable weather and cold temperatures can be encountered at any time in the mountains. Occasionally during spring and summer, there are sudden short storms, which means suitable waterproof clothing should be carried on all walks, and which may force minor amendments to the itinerary; however, there is often a prolonged period of settled weather after such storms. Later in autumn, overnight frosts and misty dawns typically give way to beautiful sunny days, but it is always worth keeping a pair of gloves and a spare warm layer in the pack for shadier paths or when picnicking on breezy rock outcrops.

Seasonal wildlife

During late spring and early summer, wildflowers in the Rodopi Mountains reach their peak, the meadows a patchwork of colour, and the edges of forest paths often sprout a selection of rare and beautiful orchids. As summer advances, the variety of butterflies becomes particularly striking. Come autumn, the deciduous trees change colour and the mountain landscapes are at their most photogenic, especially after a frosty night and with the typically golden morning sun. The forests and scrubs are full of wild fruits and nuts at this time of year, with many of the forest birds becoming more conspicuous as they actively feed up before the winter. If you’re lucky, autumn is also the time to see an unusual raptor migrating south along one of the gorges.

Many attractive fungi also appear on the forest floor and are harvested, not just by the locals, but by roe deer, Balkan chamois, wild boars, red squirrels and many other smaller rodents.

This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). There are walks between four and five hours, along traditional mountain trails, forest tracks and ancient Roman roads. Our varied programme of daily walks takes us through a mixture of silent forests and flower-filled meadows, and over some rocky karst terrain.

Although the pace is relatively leisurely, allowing time to enjoy the landscape and nature, take photographs and talk to the local people, the trip does involve moderately strenuous walking in mountainous terrain. Trails are rarely flat, and often rough and stony. To maximise your experience, come prepared for steep daily ascents as we climb over ridges; you should also be confident in descending steep paths over stones and tree roots as we drop into deep valleys and gorges.

NB: Exodus also offers an 8-day bear tracking holiday (Trip Code: WBB). On some dates it is possible to combine the two trips to make a fantastic 15-day wildlife adventure. Ask a member of our sales team for details.