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Rodopi Mountains A Week In The Realm Of Orpheus |
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A Exploring the natural wonders and culture of the little-known Rodopi Mountains |
Ref: EX-DBR
10 days
from £599 (minimum 8 passengers)
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Destination:
Bulgaria
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Go Back
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Exploring the natural wonders and culture of the little-known Rodopi Mountains
The Rodopi are the most extensive mountain range in Bulgaria, covering a vast area and rolling on south into Greece. A hauntingly beautiful and mysterious region, according to legend this was the home of Orpheus, and his spirit still seems to live on here in the music and culture of the local people. Wherever you walk in the Rodopi you touch its past; amongst the hamlets and villages of stone and timber houses the way of life seems to have changed little over the last few hundred years. Local people continue to maintain a traditional rural existence working the fields by hand and tending their livestock on the surrounding meadows and pastures.
The Rodopi are a remote refuge for many exceptionally rare plants and animals, with some plants growing nowhere else in the world. Brown bears, wolves, wild cats and prolific bird life, including an extensive population of birds of prey, still find a safe haven amongst the ancient coniferous forests. The aim is to see a wealth of unusual plants and animals in a range of habitats whilst on daywalks through a variety of landscapes. There is also the opportunity to visit timeless villages and impressive caves, sightsee in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, and visit Asenova fortress and Backovo Monastery, the second largest in the country. It is possible to take a free day when based in Shiroka Luka, spending the time relaxing in the village or taking a bus to nearby Smolyan, the region's main town, which has an excellent Ethnographic Museum and Art Gallery. The daywalks involve three to six hours walking each day, with an occasional steep ascent and descent. The region’s volcanic rocks can often make the footing fairly rough and rugged. Early in the season it may even be necessary to cross/wade through shallow streams.
Extend your stay:
extra nights can
be reserved at a centrally located hotel in Sofia. A single room is approximately £30 and a twin/double room £44. Please note that a £5 booking fee will be added to your invoice.
Further Information:
Special equipment required: walking boots or strong walking shoes are essential, small daypack, waterproofs, hat and gloves.
Extra Expenses:
it is customary to tip staff for good service and there are opportunities to buy traditional handcrafts. You will need to allow €50 for entrances to caves and churches, and funds for additional snacks and drinks etc.
Meals Included:
all meals from the evening meal on day 1 to breakfast on day 10 are included.
Transport:
all transfers are normally carried out by a locally hired private bus.
Children:
children under the age of 16 are not accepted on this group holiday.
Joining locally:
the local joining point for land-only clients is Sofia airport: it is difficult to reach the start hotel by public transport.
Group & Staff:
Min. 8, max. 14, plus bilingual leader.
Accommodation:
Two nights are spent at the Gornovodenski Monastery, a mediaeval foundation that has now been converted into an attractive and atmospheric hotel, offering twin rooms with en-suite facilities. The rest of the week is based in the village of Shiroka Luka, a tiny rural settlement at the foot of the Rodopi’s highest peaks. Here we stay in a small village hotel which offers simple but comfortable twin rooms with en-suite facilities, as well as delicious home cooking and an opportunity to socialise with the locals in the evening. The accommodation is limited and single rooms are not available.
Food:
Bulgarian cuisine is a mixture of Greek, Turkish and Slavonic influences. We sample many traditional specialities including ‘smilyanski fasul’, a delicious bean soup and ‘patatnik’, a local delicacy made with grated potatoes, onions, milk, cheese and seasoned with mint. Eggs and cheese are a staple part of the local cuisine, in particular 'sirene' a local feta-type cheese. Evening meals are taken in the hotel/pension restaurants, and will include a starter of soup or salad, a main course of meat with potatoes or rice, and vegetables, followed by a dessert of ice cream, cake or fruit. There are several local wines that you may wish to try with your evening meal (not included). The vineyards on the northern slopes of the Rodopi produce an excellent red ‘mavrud’, and there are several good Merlots from the Haskovo and Stambolovo regions. A continental breakfast is supplemented with thick pancakes made from yoghurt, flour, soda and butter, known locally as ‘katmi’. Picnic lunches include bread, cheese, salami, salad, biscuits and fruit.
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Day 1 | Depart London on a flight to Sofia. On arrival we are met by the leader and transferred by road to the Gornovodenski Monastery. Those booking land-only arrangements should meet the group at Sofia airport. | Day 2 | A drive into the heart of the Rodopi, stopping off to visit the Bachkovo Monastery. Having looked around, we take a short walk and picnic lunch in the secluded valley behind. Later, we drive on to Shiroka Luka, which is our base for the next seven nights. | Day 3 | During these six days there's a variety of guided walks exploring the beautiful countryside around our base. We visit traditional villages that preserve their unique architecture and rural way of life, as well as wandering through meadows and forests that are home to a rich flora and fauna. We visit traditional villages that preserve their unique architecture and rural way of life, as well as wandering through meadows and forests that are home to a rich flora and fauna. We may attempt an ascent of Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), the second highest summit in the Rodopi Mountains which offers a magnificent viewpoint. We also spend a day in the spectacular Trigrad karst region with its stunning caves and gorges. | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | As above | Day 6 | As above | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | As above | Day 9 | Leaving Shiroka Luka, we drive north through the Rodopi, stopping off en route to walk on the Persenk massif. There we see the so-called Chudnite Mostove (Wonderful Bridges), before walking to the hidden village of Zaburdo. We then continue to the Gornovodenski Monastery where we spend our last night. | Day 10 | Return to Sofia for a couple of hours sightseeing before our flight to London. Those with land only arrangements end the trip in Sofia. |
Departures Between | Price from | 24 Oct 04 | *£599 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €100 (approx. £80)
Insurance £33
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Rodopi Mountains A Week In The Realm Of Orpheus
A Exploring the natural wonders and culture of the little-known Rodopi Mountains
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