Highlights of Bulgaria by Bicycle

After arrival and hotel check-in we have a brief walking tour of historic Sofia followed by a welcome dinner.

We start point in the north foothills of the Balkan mountains, winding upwards to the small village of Malak Izvor and on to the picturesque Glozhene Monastery. An undulating afternoon takes us alongside the Beli Vit River to the charming mountain village of Ribaritsa.

We climb from Ribaritsa to the Bogoi pass, a challenging 12-km ascent. An easier afternoon takes us on a long descent through small Arcadian villages and picturesque countryside. We end the day at a remote spa resort.

We start at the top of the highest pass in the Balkan Mountains, Beklemeto Pass, where ruins of an ancient Roman road can still be seen. It's a scenic downhill ride into South Bulgaria and the Valley of Roses. We end at Koprivshtitsa, the best preserved 19th century Bulgarian town studded with characteristic architecture.

We visit two famous 'house museums' before we pedal through rolling terrain among the vast meadows. A long descent into Strelcha town passes interesting rock formations, once used by ancient Thracians for sacred rituals, and a 5th-century BC cult temple. After lunch at a local winery, we ride on to the thermal spring town of Hisarya.

A day for rest and sightseeing. We drive to Bulgaria's second city and spend the day walking around the well-preserved old quarter with beautiful houses, churches, and narrow paved streets.

A spectacular day starts with a visit to Bachkovo Monastery, the country's second largest, and continues with a downhill descent from a ski resort to the village with its many authentic Rhodopean houses. We then ride along the Trigrad River, through a stunning marble rock gorge, and visit the thrilling Devil’s Throat Cave, featuring a 40-m high underground waterfall.

We ride back through Trigrad Gorge before a gradual incline takes us up into and through Bulgaria's longest gorge, the 10-km Buinovo. You'll spot entrances to many caves along the way and stop to visit the beautiful 5-story Yagodina cave, filled with fascinating formations. We end our ride at Dospat village, located picturesquely on the shores of a dammed lake.

We ride among three beautiful dams, a centuries-old coniferous forest, and vast meadows, finishing in Velingrad, Bulgaria's spa capital . Here you can find over 90 curative and preventative springs and other natural phenomenons, as well as Bulgaria's biggest Karst spring. Relax in the thermal water pools to recover and reflect on a great ride before our farewell dinner.

Transfer back to Sofia for your departure or to extend your stay.