Walking in the Balkan Mountains Short Break
Walking in the Balkan Mountains Short Break
Walking in the Balkan Mountains Short Break
5 Days Starting and ending in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Visiting: Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
918
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This centre-based tour, walking in the Balkan Mountains short break, is a quick, easy yet exquisite insight into Bulgarian mountain culture. Staying in a three-star hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, a northern Bulgarian town on the River Yantra, celebrated as the historical and cultural capital of Bulgaria thanks to its being the centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Today it is also a perfect base for an easy to moderate trekking holiday, with trails to the village of Arbanasi, set on a high plateau between Veliko Tarnovo and Gorna Oryahovitsa, ancient monasteries, Derventa Gorge and Kartala Waterfalls
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Veliko Tarnovo
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Studio, Veliko Tarnovo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After arriving in Veliko Tarnovo, spend some time visiting Tsarevets Fortress, a former citadel of the Second Bulgarian Empire or stroll through the labyrinth of small cobblestoned streets in the Old Town, visiting local workshops and galleries or just relaxing in a café.
Day 2 : Kartala Waterfalls And The Transfiguration Monastery
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Studio, Veliko Tarnovo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your first hike is up to a superb viewpoint that takes in Derventa Gorge and the Yantra River. From here, the route descends towards two waterfalls, with an opportunity for a rest stop at each. After ascending a ridge, the route continues through a forest to Transfiguration Monastery, a sacred and tranquil place, well known for its Circle of Life mural on the church’s outer wall.
Walking for the day: 4-5h, 13km, ↑707m, ↓705m
Day 3 : Arbanasi
Location: Arbanasi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Studio, Veliko Tarnovo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today follows a quiet, shady trail to Arbanasi, located on a high plateau with views across to Tsarevets Fortress. Arbanasi reached the height of its prosperity in the 17th and 18th centuries when copper, gold and silver crafts flourished in the area. Visit the impressive Church of the Nativity, decorated with frescoes depicting over 3,500 figures, before returning via the same path to Veliko Tarnovo.
Walking for the day: 3h, 8km, ↑289m, ↓289m
Day 4 : Patriarchal Monastery Of The Holy Trinity
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Studio, Veliko Tarnovo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin the morning heading through Asenov, a neighborhood inhabited since the era of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, before crossing Vladishki Bridge over the River Yantra. The route then takes you up to the Swing of Love, perched on the edge of a hill with far-reaching views over the river and surrounding areas. Continue on to Bozhur Hut, where you can stop for a quick rest before continuing onto the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity, located at the foot of the Arbanassi Plateau.
Walking for the day: 6h, 17km, ↑645m, ↓646m
Day 5 : Departure
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departure after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 overnights in en-suite rooms
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Meals
4 breakfasts
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Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack
Including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and maps (Please note, that the information pack for this tour is digital only and will be emailed to you prior to departure. Physical documents are not able to be mailed or provided on-site)
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Entry fees (payable locally)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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When to go
This trip is available from May-October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your holiday on any date during the season.
As this is mountainous terrain, temperatures vary depending on location and altitude. Even though temperatures can occasionally reach 35C in towns in summer, the mountains and forests remain cooler, dropping at night to between 15-20C. -
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
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) -
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All guides are English Speaking
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Difficulty and terrain
The holiday is suitable for regular walkers and requires a reasonable level of fitness. The trip covers an average of 12km (5h) of hiking per day with an average daily elevation gain of 547m (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
This will be provided on all documentation
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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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.