Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)

Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)

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8 Days From

$848

Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)

8 Days Starting in Sofia, Bulgaria and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria

Visiting: Sofia, Ribaritsa, Apriltsi, Etarat, Bojentsi, Elena, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi

Tour operator:

Penguin Travel

Tour code:

BGCYKNB

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Cycling

From: $848

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Join us on this exciting cycling trip in the heart of the Balkan Mountains. We will bike in the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature, green valleys, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. We will start the trip in the tiny Goliam Izvor village. We will pass through the Central Balkan National Park and end up in Veliko Tarnovo - the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages, where traditional lifestyle has been preserved and it is not uncommon to wooden carts pulled by a horse or donkey and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way.

Highlights

  • Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, being the 3rd largest in Bulgaria.

  • Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum presenting the Bulgarian customs, craftsmanship and architecture.

Places You'll See

Veliko Tarnovo

Bozhetsi

Etara,Gabrovo

One Of The Many Old Colorful Houses We Pass By

Cycling

Enjoying The Views Of Central Balkan National Park

Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2 : Goliam Izvor Village - Ribaritsa Village

Location: Ribaritsa

Accommodation: Hotel, Guest House

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

An early-morning transfer brings us to Golyam Izvor village where the ride starts. We start cycling towards the town of Teteven. We will have an optional detour to the Glozhene monastery. After reaching Teteven, we will take a short break to explore the town and visit the local historical museum and church. Alternatively, you can opt for a short bike and hike tour to a nearby eco-trail. Afterwards, we continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where we will spend the night. B/-/D
Cycling distance: 47.5km; Ascent: 620m; Descent: 510m.
Detour to Glozhene monastery - Distance: 16km; Ascent: 430m; Descent: 430m.

Day 3 : Ribaritsa Village - Troyan Monastery - Apriltsi

Location: Apriltsi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start today's ride with an ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point for the day - Bogoi pass (1185m a.s.l). From here, we continue cycling all the way down to the town of Troyan. We will pass through the village of Shipkovo, where you can take a refreshing bath in the mineral water swimming pools. After lunch in Troyan town centre, we will visit The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" nearby and the famous Troyan monastery. We will spend the night in Apriltsii village. B/-/D
Cycling distance: 77km; Ascent: 970m; Descent: 1060m.

Day 4 : Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Etura - Gabrovo

Location: Etarat

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we start cycling along isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. En route, we will pass by numerous small villages, green meadows and river valleys. The cycling starts to with a moderate ascent, followed by a nice downhill ride before reaching the town of Gabrovo. After a short break in the town, we continue towards "Etura"- an open-air ethnographic museum. You can take a break here or add an additional 6km of cycling to the nearby Sokolski Monastery. B/-/-
Cycling distance: 61km; Ascent: 700m; Descent: 800m.

Day 5 : Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi

Location: Bojentsi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we start today's ride from Gabrovo. We begin with a short ascent, followed by a descent towards the town of Tryavna. Here we will take a short break for lunch and explore the charming old town. Afterwards, we are heading to the final stop for today - Bozhentsi architectural reserve. B/-/D
Cycling distance: 58km; Ascent: 1010m; Descent: 1000m.

Day 6 : Bozhentsi - Dryanovo Monastery - Elena

Location: Elena

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A transfer in the morning brings us to the Dryanovo monastery. We will explore the beautiful Orthodox monastery and visit the cave nearby. Today's ride starts from the village of Yalovo towards the town of Elena, passing by several small villages and along the magnificent Iovkovtsi dam. B/-/D
Cycling distance: 46km; Ascent: 800m; Descent: 800m.

Day 7 : Elena - Arbanassi - Veliko Turnovo - Sofia

Location: Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Starting from Elena, we continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. Today's landscape includes green meadows, vast pastures, cultivation lands, shrubby hills and finally the beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. We will take a short break for lunch in Arbanassi, before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo. Here we will do a sightseeing tour to learn more about the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Afternoon transfer to Sofia where we spend the last night. B/-/-
Cycling distance: 42km; Ascent: 600m; Descent: 730m.

Day 8 : Departure

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to airport for departure. B/-/-

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    7 nights at family run hotels and guest houses in rooms with private facilities

  • Local Taxes

  • Technical bike support

  • Meals

    7 breakfast + 4 dinners

  • Map and road notes in English

  • Airport transfers

    airport transfers on days 1 and 8 and all local transfers

What's Not Included

  • Entrance Fees

  • International Travel

    Flight tickets not included

  • Additional transfers

  • Insurance

  • Personal expenses

Optional Extras

  • Drag - Hardy Comp (Suitable for Off-Road / Mountain cycling)

    Bike rent

  • E Bike Rent

    Longwise E-bike (Suitable for Road cycling)

  • Bike rental

    Drag - Grand Canyon TE (Suitable for Road cycling)

  • E bike Rent

    Bianchi E-bike (Suitable for Road cycling)

Check out our Q&As

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    You will receive voucher will all the info about the accomodation, guide and

Reviews of this operator

Santana Musial  

Excellent company

12-Jun-2023

Excellent company. They hire really professional guides and the timeline of all the trips is done really well. We really enjoyed our experience and can highly recommend it. My husband and I did the 5-stans tour.

Hannah  

Penguin are fantastic!

12-Mar-2023

Penguin are a fantastic tour company - I have travelled with them twice now and have thoroughly enjoyed both trips. They are well run, excellent value, and go above and beyond to try to meet customers' needs and requirements. Would definitely recommend travelling with Penguin :)

Mauricio Alpizar  

Penguin Travel in 2023

19-Oct-2023

In 2023, I have joined extremely interesting trips organized by Penguin Travel. The destinations (Iraq, Pakistan, Angola and Chad) are so heterogeneous that any attempt to compare them would be nonsense. What I can confirm is that Penguin managed each one of these trips in a very efficient and customer-oriented way. Dimo and his team are committed to delivering unforgettable experiences. Besides, they regularly enhance their itineraries to adapt to changing conditions and to optimize the tour scope. All my groups were small, which contributed to a very friendly environment throughout the trips. I look forward to joining other Penguin tours in the near future.

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025
$848

Saturday - Saturday

May 17, 2025 - May 24, 2025
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Saturday - Saturday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
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Saturday - Saturday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
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Saturday - Saturday

Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$848

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Penguin Travel requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 46 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of penguin travel charges.

    Up to 46 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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