BLACK SEA TRAIL - BULGARIA
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Ride from the the Strandja Mountain’s deep, wild forests and pastoral views to long sandy beaches on the Black Sea, perfect for faster riding. You will visit remote and quiet villages, where you can witness the ancient and unique Nestinari dance performed barefoot on smouldering embers. This ritual tradition originates far in the past in the Strandja region and has been carried forth over millennia. There is an opportunity to swim with your horses in the Black Sea. Accommodation is in simple guest houses or B&B's with excellent fresh food. You can try your hand at catching fresh sea fish and cooking local recipes. The riding is excellent on fit experienced horses and good riders will get the most out of this trail.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - BLACK SEA TRAIL
Day 1
You are met at the airport of Burgas and transfered to the Stefanov hotel (***) and you meet the riders, guides
and horses the same day. The hotel has a swimming pool and restaurant where you will enjoy dinner. If you have free time before dinner you can opt to walk on the beach or for exploring the village of Lozenets.
Day 2
Lozenets village - Varvara village
Riding time: 4 hr ride
Accommodation: at a family hotel
Breakfast at the restaurant is followed by a brief instruction session on how to saddle your horse, the specifics of the horse gear and some basic commands. There will be a short ride to the beach that allows you to get to know your horse. Return to the hotel for lunch and in the afternoon we leave the village of Lozenets and follow the South Black Sea coast to Varvara village. En route you will enjoy the supreme pleasure of cantering on hills offering breathtaking view of the sea and of trotting through the Strandja Mountain forest. The evening takes you to a pleasant dinner and cosy accommodation of a family-operated hotel in the village of Varvara.
Day 3
Varvara village – Village of Sinemoretz
Riding time: 4 hr ride
Accommodation: Zafo Bungalows
After breakfast at the restaurant you will enjoy a fishing boat trip along the seashore, observing unique rock formations and visiting secluded beaches that form part of the Varvara coastline. The boat excursion will be
followed by a coffee break and the opportunity for sunbathing and swimming in the sea at a picturesque bay. Lunch is organised at the local fisherman’s village. The menu includes dishes prepared with fresh Black sea fish and with local organic food products. In the afternoon we depart from the village of Varvara in the direction of
the village of Sinemoretz, riding through varying terrains along the coast and in the foot of the mountain with opportunities for troting and cantering. The day ends with a ride through the scenic delta of the Veleka River. Accommodation is in bungalows in Zafo Camping area.
Day 4
Varvara village – Village of Brodilovo
Riding time: 4 hr ride
Accommodation: Family Guest House
After breakfast a short riding trip takes us to the delta where we can take a swim with the horses. The lunch break is set up in the open air at a wooden pavilion under the canopy of hundred year-old oak threes. The ride continues through The Veleka Nature reserve along the river meandering toward the village of Brodilovo. For the night we settle in the village at a family guesthouse.
Day 5
Brodilovo village - Village of Bulgari
Riding time: 5 hr ride
Accommodation: Guest Villa Gerdjikovi
After a hearty breakfast offering of homemade dumplings, honey, milk and jam, we continue riding along the river towards the village of Kosti. There we can visit the remarkable local Christian- Orthodox church “Sts Cyril and Methodius”. Lunch will be served at the local restaurant. The ride will go on through the Silcosia Naure reserve. With good timing and some luck we will have a chance to watch and photograph some of the rare birds and animal species of the reserve. We end at the ancient village of Bulgari. It is famous for the preserved
practice of the Nestinari ritual dance performed barefoot on smouldering embers in mysterious in ecstasy. We overnight at the family operated Villa Gerdjikovi.
Day 6
Bulgari village - Village of Lozenetz
Riding time: 5 hr ride
Housing: Stefanov Hotel (***)
Upon enjoying a home-made Bulgarian breakfast at the Gerdjikovi Villa we depart from the village of Bulgari. We pass by the local “St. Trinity” Chapel and enter the picturesque “Trionski Dol” canyon, shaped by the Trionska River. Lunch will be served as a picnic by the river. Arriving at the village of Lozenetz, the riders overnight at the Stefanov Hotel again.
Day 7
Lozenets village Local ride
Riding time: 5 hr
Housing: Stefanov Hotel (***)
Breakfast at the hotel dining area is followed by a local ride along the Black Sea coast and at the outskirts of the village of Lozenets. Lunch will be served at the hotel restaurant . The afternoon is dedicated to having fun at
the beach - bathing and swimming with the horses. Dinner and overnight are at the Stefanov hotel.
Day 8
After breakfast - say good-bye to the guides and horses and transfer from the village of Lozenets to Burgos Airport. If the flight departure is later than 17:00 hr the group will have the opportunity for to visit one of the oldest Black Sea towns in Bulgaria – Sozopol.
NOTES - BLACK SEA TRAIL
Prices for groups smaller than 6 at the time of booking:
2 riders + 25%
3 riders + 17%
4 riders + 9%
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation and meals starting with dinner the first night and ending with breakfast the last day, mineral water with meals, transfers, all riding as described, English speaking guide, back up vehicle.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks, entrance fees for caves, museums, and other sightseeing, tips and items of a personal nature.
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