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Spectacular trekking in Bulgaria's mountain landscape
Start at Sofia airport (Terminal 2), where we will be met by the leader and transferred to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next 6 nights. Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Setting off on foot from the village of Zmeitsa, we follow the line of an ancient Roman road through meadows, forests and fields where there are opportunities to observe the local people engaged in their traditional agricultural lifestyle. Finally, having descended a broad grassy ridge spur, that offers stunning views towards the village of Yagodina, we drop steeply into the Buinovo Gorge where our minibus will be waiting.Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Altitude Gain: 450
Altitude Loss: 600
We start today's extremely varied walk by first hiking down the gorge of the Chairska River, and then climbing through ancient forests to emerge at an extensive area of glorious flower-filled meadows. Having crossed these, and then an interesting section of karst plateau, we eventually drop down into the Trigrad Gorge to visit the 'Devil's Throat' cave, an enormous chasm with a thundering waterfall. According to legend, this was the cave by which Orpheus emerged from the Underworld after his tragically failed attempt to reclaim his wife Eurydice. The crags around the cave entrance are also very interesting for naturalists, being home to several local endemic plants as well as the wallcreeper, a rare and elusive bird that flutters around the rocks like a butterfly on strikingly crimson wings.Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 17
Distance in Miles: 11
Activity Hours: 4
Altitude Gain: 500
Altitude Loss: 300
A full day's circular walk starting and finishing in Yagodina. Our route makes a tour of Mt. Durdaga, a high wooded peak that rises directly above the village. During the course of our walk, we pass through a large variety of habitats with an extremely rich flora and fauna. During the first half of the day, as well as wandering through ancient forests that are home to bear, boar and deer, we will also cross several flower covered pastures that are normally enlivened by a spectacular assortment of butterflies. Later in the afternoon, we return to Yagodina along the line of a former Roman road that runs high above the Trigrad Gorge, which not only offers outstanding views, but is also one of the most renowned botanic trails in the country.Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 10
Activity Hours: 5
Altitude Gain: 500
Altitude Loss: 500
After breakfast we set off in our bus for a 90 minutes’ drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderful hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak Mt. Golyam Perelik (2191m), before ascending Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), just two metres lower! Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, eventually making our way down to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mt. Golyam Perelik, so instead we will attempt a direct ascent of Mt. Golyam Snezhnik from the village of Gela, climbing as high as the snowline.Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 18
Distance in Miles: 11
Activity Hours: 5
Altitude Gain: 450
Altitude Loss: 750
The focus of today's walk is the imposing Sveti Iliya (Saint Elijah) ridge that rises up directly north of Yagodina. Our route starts directly from the hotel, making its way through the meadows at the foot of the ridge. After this gentle start, we then begin a steep, direct 350 metre ascent of Mt. Sveti Iliya (1508 m), zig-zagging up the stony sun-baked southern flank to reach the breathtaking viewing platform known as the 'Eagle's Eye'. Given stable weather, we then make a complete traverse of the ridge to its eastern end, first descending a jeep track to a saddle in the centre of the ridge, before another steep and stony ascent to Mt. Vartkite (1470 m). The ridge boasts its own unique flora and fauna, offering a chance to observe a variety of interesting butterflies and birds. However, the panorama would itself be reward enough for completing what is a fairly strenuous walk over rough and stony terrain, with views stretching out across much of the Western Rodopi, offering a chance to point out and identify the places one has walked during previous days of this holiday. Finally, we conclude our circular walk by descending back to our hotel.Yagodina Family Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 4
Altitude Gain: 550
Altitude Loss: 550
Setting off on foot from the hotel, we pick up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for the great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to meet the river and road beside a wonderfully preserved Roman bridge. On reaching the bottom of the gorge, we will then spend about an hour exploring the Yagodina Cave. This is one of the most beautiful in the country, and world renowned for its variety of cave formations including stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, flowstones, dendrites and cave pearls. The cave system also harbours a unique prehistoric dwelling and subject to permission from the archaeologists, we will hopefully have the chance to enter this and learn more about the surprisingly sophisticated way-of-life of the people who inhabited it more than 6000 years ago.Having finished our visit to the cave, we then set off on the long but highly picturesque transfer to the Bulgarian capital Sofia, where we will spend our final night.Hill Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 3
Distance in Miles: 1.9
Activity Hours: 1
Altitude Gain: 100
Altitude Loss: 200
6 nights in a traditional rural settlement in Yagodina Village, 1 night in a
comfortable hotel in Sofia. All rooms en suite6 days centre-based
walkingGroup normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Min age 16 yrsAltitude maximum
2188m, average 1350mTravel by minibus
Typical MealsBreakfast: Will usually include tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey
and cheese, supplemented in Yagodina by fresh home-made yoghurt and
traditional local specialities such as thick pancakes known as 'katmi' and a
rice-based dish called 'rodopski klin'.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', a local delicacy
made with grated potatoes, onions, and cheese, then 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 several local wines that you may wish to try,
including an excellent red 'Mavrud' from vineyards on the northern slopes of
the Rodopi.Vegetarians and Vegans: Bulgaria is famed for its 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 occur in the vast majority of
meals.Please note, special gluten-free products are not available, so those
clients with 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.
6 nights in a traditional rural settlement in Yagodina Village, 1 night in a
comfortable hotel in Sofia. All rooms en suite6 days centre-based
walkingGroup normally 6 to 16 plus leader. Min age 16 yrsAltitude maximum
2188m, average 1350mTravel by minibus
On this trip there will be walks between 4-5 hours, along traditional
mountain trails, forest tracks, and ancient Roman roads. Our varied programme
of daily walks will take us through a mixture of silent forests and lush
flower-filled meadows, as well as over some rocky karst terrain.Although the
pace of walking will be relatively relaxed and leisurely, allowing time to
enjoy the landscape and nature of the region through which we pass, and
giving ample opportunities to stop and observe the flora and fauna, to take
photographs, and to talk to the local people, the holiday does involve
moderately strenuous walking in mountainous terrain. Trails are rarely flat,
and often rough and stony. To get the full enjoyment out of this holiday, you
should be prepared for some steep daily ascents as we climb over ridges, and
in particular confident and comfortable descending steep paths over stones
and tree roots as we drop into deep valleys and gorges.NB: Exodus also offers
a challenging 8-day walking holiday in the Bulgarian National Parks (Trip
Code: TVB). On some dates it is possible to combine the two trips to make a
fantastic 15-day itinerary. Ask a member of our sales team for details.
Yagodina Family Hotel Our base for six nights will be the village of Yagodina, a traditional rural
settlement famed for its self-sufficiency and the hospitality of its
inhabitants. The village lies isolated and tucked away in the Trigrad Karst
region, one of the most remote parts of the Rodopi Mountains. Here we stay in
the ‘Yagodina’ Family Hotel, a small village hotel offering comfortable
twin and single rooms with en-suite facilities and Wifi. The hotel is owned
and run by a local family and most of the food (including milk, cheese,
butter, jam, honey etc.) is either home produced or locally sourced. Our
final night will be at Hotel ‘Hill’, a conveniently located 4-star hotel
in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. 
The trip is lead by an experienced local Bulgarian guide who will share their
extensive knowledge about the nature and culture of the region.
Typical MealsBreakfast: Will usually include tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey
and cheese, supplemented in Yagodina by fresh home-made yoghurt and
traditional local specialities such as thick pancakes known as 'katmi' and a
rice-based dish called 'rodopski klin'.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', a local delicacy
made with grated potatoes, onions, and cheese, then 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 several local wines that you may wish to try,
including an excellent red 'Mavrud' from vineyards on the northern slopes of
the Rodopi.Vegetarians and Vegans: Bulgaria is famed for its 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 occur in the vast majority of
meals.Please note, special gluten-free products are not available, so those
clients with 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.
A private minibus will be used for all transport throughout the week. The
roads in the Rodopi are typically small and winding mountain lanes,
occasionally with rough surfaces. Most of the journeys are very picturesque
and interesting. Average journeys each day vary between 30 to 45 minutes,
with a 90 minute drive when climbing Mt. Golyam Snezhnik on Day 5. The longer
transfer journeys to and from Sofia and Yagodina at the start and end of the
trip are approximately 4 hours, and broken up by a comfort stop at a motorway
service station.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 daysWe normally use the scheduled
services of Bulgaria Air (depending on availability). As flight timings and
schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales
staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings
may change at a later date and cannot be confirmeduntil approximately two
weeks before departure.There are alternative flight options from regional
airports (Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester…) Please ask our Sales team for
more information.Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Sofia
AirportThe start point for this trip is difficult to reach on your own, as
our hotel is approximately 3.5hrs drive from the airport and is impossible to
reach by public transport. The only option would be to order a taxi to Hotel
'Yagodina' from the 'O.K. Supertrans' taxi booking stand in the airport
arrivals hall. A taxi will cost approx €200. The hotel is situated in the
centre of village of Yagodina, please make staff aware that you are part of
the Exodus group on arrival. With this in mind we strongly advise you to join
the group at the airport in Sofia, please note that this must be arranged
with our office in advance.Group flights this year are with Bulgaria Air,
they fly into Terminal 2, as do BA and other national airlines. Budget
airlines normally fly into Terminal 1 and you will have to transfer to
Terminal 2 in order to join the group. There is a free airport shuttle bus
connecting the two terminals which departs every 30 minutes.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it. Those arrivingfrom London on non‐group
flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on
reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office.
During late spring and early summer, wildflowers in the Rodopi Mountains
reach their peak, the meadows a patchwork of colours, and the edges of forest
paths often holding a selection of rare and beautiful orchids. As summer
advances, the variety of butterflies on the wing becomes particularly
striking. With the onset of autumn, the deciduous trees start to change
colour and the mountain landscapes are at their most picturesque and
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 resident forest birds becoming more
conspicuous as they actively feed up before the winter. If one is lucky,
autumn is also the time when one may catch a glimpse of an unusual raptor
migrating south along one of the gorges.Many attractive fungi also start to
appear on the forest floor and are harvested not just by the locals, but also
by Roe deer, Balkan chamois, Wild boar, Red squirrels and many other smaller
rodents.
Spring and summer days are usually warm and sunny, with a refreshing mountain
breeze that moderates temperatures; but please note that changeable weather
and cold temperatures can be encountered at any time in the mountains, and in
May it is possible to encounter late-lying snow on the highest peaks.
Occasionally during spring and summer, there are sudden short violent storms,
which require that suitable waterproof clothing is always carried on all
walks, and which may force minor amendments to the itinerary; however, after
such storms, there is often a prolonged period of settled weather. 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.
Rucksack (25-30 litres capacity)Comfortable walking
bootsWaterproofsSunhatSunglassesWater bottle
Walking polesWater sources in the Bulgaria are generally very good, but those
who wish to purify their water should bring their own supply of purification
tablets.Plastic sandwich boxes are useful for picnic lunches and are much
more environmentally responsible than simply putting food into new plastic
bags every day.We believe in reducing our negative environmental impacts
wherever possible, this goes for when you need to spend a penny in the great
outdoors! If no facilities are available there may come a time when you need
to go to the loo behind a tree/bush/rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper
behind we recommend taking biodegradable dog poo/sandwich bags with you. Once
you have done your business you can pop the used toilet roll in here and take
it off the mountain or trail at the end of the day and dispose of it when
there are appropriate facilities available.Please note, bathrooms in Bulgaria
are typically 'wet rooms' without shower cabins, thus their floors often
remain damp making a pair of flip-flops very useful to have in your room.
You may wish to exchange approximately £75 into local Bulgarian currency to
cover the entrances to caves, purchase of drinks with meals, plus traditional
handicrafts and local produce (such as honey, jams, herb teas, dried
mushrooms) as souvenirs.
If you receive good service it is customary to tip staff in Bulgaria in
appreciation of their help and friendliness, although this is in no way
compulsory.Most clients wish to leave a tip for the driver and the local
staff at Hotel ‘Yagodina’. For the staff at the hotel we recommend
you budget approx. 10-15 EUR per person for the week, and for the driver 10
EUR per person for the week.Tipping of leaders is entirely at your own
discretion; however, if you wish to show your appreciation for his/her
efforts, a tip of around 30 EUR per person for the week is suggested.
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