Rhodope Mountains Explorer
Rhodope Mountains Explorer
Rhodope Mountains Explorer
8 Days Starting and ending in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Visiting: Plovdiv, Yagodina, Trigrad, Shiroka Laka, Smolyan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1
Group Type:
Independent
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Rhodope Mountains Walking Holiday
A self-guided walking holiday in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. Visit the impressive Buinovo Gorge, then hike to the Eagle’s Eye viewing platform offering spectacular views of the whole Rhodopean Range. Trace the footsteps of Orpheus through the mighty Devil’s Throat cave in the Tirgrad Gorge, said to be the mythical Hall of Hades, walk to Chaira Lakes and then take in the splendour of the Canyon of Waterfalls before moving to the comfort of your spa hotel. Accommodation during our Rhodope Mountains Walking Holiday is in hand-picked 3 or 4 star hotels (spa facilities available on Days 5 and 6).
Highlights of Rhodope Mountains Walking Holiday
- The city of the seven hills – Plovdiv with its old town and ancient Roman amphitheatre and stadium; designated European City of Culture 2019
- Devil’s Throat Cave
- Yagodina Cave
- Trigrad Gorge
- Chaira Lakes
- Shiroka Laka
- Buinovo Gorge
- The Canyon of Waterfalls
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Plovdiv
Location: Plovdiv
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Plovdiv (accommodation upgrade available)
Arrive in the charming city of Plovdiv, visit the ancient Roman amphitheatre and stroll around the beautiful streets of the Old Town.
Day 2 : Yagodina / Eagle’S Eye 8Km
Location: Yagodina
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Yagodina
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning transfer to Yagodina (115km / 2.5h) – a small village in Buinovo Gorge in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains. Option to visit Yagodina Cave. Afternoon hike to Eagle’s Eye platform, offering impressive views to the mountains (some sections are relatively steep but no scrambling required). During good weather, the entire Rhodope range and even parts of Greece are visible from the platform.
Walking for the day: 8km, 3-4h, ?410m ?410m
Day 3 : Trigrad 11Km
Location: Trigrad
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Trigrad
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk from Yagodina through Buinovo Gorge to Trigrad and then to your hotel. Once you arrive in the village, you will also be able to visit Devil’s Throat cave. The cave’s entrance resembles a devil’s head, and inside a massive waterfall rushes down its ‘throat’ creating, not surprisingly, many legends. The most popular of these is that Orpheus descended this hole to the subterranean kingdom of Hades, to seek his lost love Eurydice.
Walking for the day: 11km, 4-5h, ?640m ?620m
Day 4 : Circular Walks Around Trigrad Village
Location: Trigrad
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Trigrad
Meals Included: Breakfast
A fine day of walking through some of the Rhodopes’ most wonderful sites. You have a choice of three walks to choose from:
Walk to the village of Vodni pad and back on the same route (9.6km,2-3h)
Walk to a panoramic peak above Trigrad on the same route (7km, 2-3h)
A circular walk to Kesten village (17 km, 5-6h)
Day 5 : Shiroka Laka
Location: Shiroka Laka
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Shiroka Laka
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning transfer to the hotel in Shiroka Laka (40km/1h). Walk from Shiroka Laka to Gela, a small village in the Oreshica River valley. Walk through Gela to Lednistata Lodge and Lednitsata Cave, then descend using another route from Gela to Shiroka Laka through one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhodope Mountains.
Walking for the day: 24km, 8h, ?700m ?700m (shorter options available)
Day 6 : Smolyan Lakes
Location: Smolyan
Accommodation Name: Accommodation near Smolyan Lakes
Morning transfer to Smolyan Lakes (20km/30mins). After check-in, walk from the hotel to Smolyan Lakes and back. After (or before) the walk, you may have the chance to explore Smolyan town.
Hiking for the day: 5km, 2-3h, ?150m ?150m
Day 7 : Canyon Of Waterfalls / Plovdiv
Location: Plovdiv
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Plovdiv (accommodation upgrade available)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning transfer to the starting point of Canyon of Waterfalls eco-trail (15km). The trail leads you up the river and crosses several water cascades, forming a system of small and medium waterfalls. The trail then crosses a series of metal and wooden bridges built over the Elenska River, which are also perfect picnic spots. Walk back to starting point. Transfer back to the hotel (15km/5mins). Transfer to Plovdiv after lunch (95km/2h). Overnight in Plovdiv.
Walking for the day: 7km, 3h, ?400m ?400m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Plovdiv
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departure (unless you have booked an additional overnight or transfer) after breakfast.
What's Included
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- Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack including:
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- gps-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and road notes
- maps with daily routes and optional hikes marked
- daily distances and approximate walking times
- transfer information (airports, bus stations)
What's Not Included
Optional Extras
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Solo traveller supplement (mandatory if travelling alone)
This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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Single room
A room for 1 person. If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a single room.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes all internal ground transfers and baggage transfers as listed in the itinerary. Enjoy convenient transfers between locations such as Plovdiv, Yagodina, Trigrad, Shiroka Laka, and Smolyan Lakes, ensuring a seamless travel experience throughout the Rhodope Mountains.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays in a variety of accommodations, including a three-star hotel in Plovdiv, a family-run country hotel in Yagodina, and a four-star hotel with spa facilities in Shiroka Laka. Experience the charm of local hospitality in Trigrad and relax in a three-star hotel with spa amenities at Smolyan Lakes.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the Rhodope Mountains Explorer tour?
You will stay in a variety of accommodations, including a three-star hotel in Plovdiv, a family-run country hotel in Yagodina, and a four-star hotel with spa facilities in Shiroka Laka. In Trigrad, you will experience local hospitality, and at Smolyan Lakes, you will relax in a three-star hotel with spa amenities.
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Are meals included in the Rhodope Mountains Explorer tour?
The tour includes breakfasts for 7 days. Lunches, dinners, drinks, and snacks are not included and will need to be arranged separately.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
You will have 24/7 assistance by phone during the tour. Additionally, you will receive a detailed pre-departure holiday information pack, which includes gps-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, maps, and transfer information.
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What is the level of physical activity required for the tour?
The tour involves walking and hiking activities, with daily distances and approximate walking times provided. Some sections, such as the hike to Eagle’s Eye platform, are relatively steep but do not require scrambling.
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What are some of the highlights of the Rhodope Mountains Explorer tour?
Highlights include visiting the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Plovdiv, exploring Devil’s Throat Cave, hiking to Eagle’s Eye platform, and walking through the Canyon of Waterfalls. You will also visit Yagodina Cave, Trigrad Gorge, and enjoy the scenic beauty of Chaira Lakes and Shiroka Laka.
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Is luggage transport provided during the tour?
Yes, daily luggage transport to the next hotel is provided, allowing for one bag of up to 25 kg per person.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.