Day 1 - Saturday : Sofia
Meeting with the landlord/landlady in the airport and drive to the mountains (3h). Private accommodation in double rooms. Dinner.

Day 2 - Sunday
In the morning the riders choose their horse in the riding center and you ride out in the wonderful terrains around the little town of Aprilzy . We ride about 10 km and we will have a picnic near one of the rivers. After lunch and a rest we ride back to Riding base Balkan in different paces. We overnight in Aprilzy.

 

Day 3 - Monday
The trail starts in the morning and we ride in eastern direction through remote villages. At a creek well eat our lunch and after about 5 hours in the saddles we reach the little village of Lakat. Here we overnight in “Villa Rositsa” in double rooms with own shower and toilet. If the weather allows we will have dinner in the terrace.

 

Day 4 - Tuesday
From Lakat we ride to the south through wood and farm land and we pass 3 creeks. Lunch we enjoy in the terrain and as the terrain is perfect for all paces the riding guide will lead you in the best possible way. We’ll ride about 22 km in about 5 hours and in the afternoon we will reach the mountain hut “Partisanska pesen” (meaning the song of the partisan). Double rooms with shower and toilet in 1000 m.

 

Day 5 - Wednesday
From the mountain hut “Partisanska pesen” we ride west on the top of the Balkan range. We ride into the “Central Balkan National Park” and after about 1½ hours ride we are at mountain hut “Mazalat, where we eat the lunch. After lunch into the reserve “The singing rocks” – and if the wind is blowing we’ll hear the rocks sing. Through the reserve there are two small distances of 10-20 meter where you have to stay off and lead the horse. Today you’ll ride about 25 km in 7 hours. This makes it the longest day. We overnight in the mountain hut “Smesite” in 1427 m. 2-3 bedded rooms and shower/toilet on the floor. We enjoy the dinner at the fire and watch the sun going down behind the mountain peaks.

 

Day 6 - Thursday
This day is totally devoted to riding in the “Central Balkan National Park”. Explore the park on a horse back or on feet. Meet one of the rangers passing by. He will inform about the flora and fauna and tell about where you can get the big nature adventure. Together with the riding guide you plan the day. How many hours, at what time – etc. You arrange on spot. Possibility to ride to the mysterious mount Maragidik (1 889 m).

 

Day 7 - Friday
After breakfast we ride in the northern direction and the circle ride is closed. We ride down the mountains, leave the national park and come down in Aprilzy. The ride of the day is about 5 hours and we end in Riding base Balkan. We will overnight in the same house as the first 2 nights.
Farewell dinner in a restaurant in Aprilzy.

Day 8 - Saturday : Sofia
Breakfast and good-bye to the horses. Free time until departure for the airport.

 

Horses
First and foremost we ride the local race East Bulgarian horses and crosses between East Bulgarians and Arabian Full blood. The East Bulgarian breed is well known as tough, thoughtful and wise, and in harmony with the famous strength and power of the Arabian it gives a combination that fully satisfies the riders and the challenges in the nature. We work with healthy horses, we are taking good care of them and of course they are used to the mountains and the several of terrains the daily riding is going through. Our horses know exactly where it’s preferable to walk along the mountain and where it’s preferable to walk directly over a hillside. Our horses are in average of 160cm.

Horse welfare and quality in riding are concepts discussed all over the world. We are very interested in quality in the fodder and for instance we are not afraid of driving several hundred km to buy up the right hay. We book up the horses after a clever system. The main point in this system is giving the horses days off, in order to secure that they are always ready to be on tour with our riders. That’s just some of our viewpoints and we have more than these. Another point of ours is that we use a Bulgarian way of the philosophy about horsemanship. With no technical details it is our way of following the natural behavior of the horse and building up and maintaining safe and secure conditions for our horses. It’s a process taking place every day regardless the tours in the surroundings and the trails over the mountains… that is the seed of the real adventure.

Tack
Western style. We have several models within the Australian and the American style. Don’t worry even if you haven’t tried to ride in a western saddle – in a few minutes you’ll feel at home. Believe us! We have seen it many times. Saddle bags provided for dry socks, your camera, your drinking jar and may be some ”sweets” for you or the horse..
Don’t bring spurs and horsewhip – you don’t need it.

 

Required riding level
From experienced beginners and up.
For these rides you need to be in a position of natural curiosity, in good physical condition and your health must be in a shape fitting the challenges. You know what’s up and down on a saddle and you have been riding before. You are impatient about spending the days in the mountains with the horses.

On our rides there is a weight limit of 14,2 stone (approx. 90 kgs). If your weight is over the limit and if your weight changes significantly prior to your holiday you must contact us. Sometimes it doesn't mean that you can't participate, but you need an acceptance in advance.

Singing Rocks Reserve Trail
from september 20 to 27	795 €	1 space
from september 27 to october 04	795 €	2 spaces
from october 04 to 11	795 €	full
october 11 to 18	795 €	5 spaces
october 18 to 25	795 €	8 spaces
october 25 to november 01	795 €	6 spaces

Departures confirmed from 4 riders booked.
Other departures can be planned at others dates with a minimum of 4 riders.

- single room supplement if requested (nights 1,2 and 7) : 90 €
Single room may not be available.

Flights to Sofia
Please contact us.

Option

Possibility to spend an extra night in Sofia on satruday evening, in order to visit the city.

- the trail ride as it is described, on full board basis
- transfers from and to airport
- drinks : tea, coffee, mineral water.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval

- flights to Sofia,
- any other service,
- tips,
- extra drinks,
- visa if needed,
- optional insurance : more information.

Singing Rocks National Reserve

From saturday to saturday
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback

 

Possibility to spend extra nights in Sofia before or after the trail.

English, german and bulgarian.

Sofia Airport.
Arrival on saturday before 18.00 and departure on saturday after 12.00.

Pick up and drop off is arranged in the best possible way for all riders. (3 hours transfer)

Maybe Bulgaria is less known as a country for riders than many other European countries. That could be the reason why riding, summer and sun are closely connected. At least Bulgaria is known for the pleasant weather, but actually all seasons have their charm – also for rider and horse:
The long and cold winter with lots of snow, inviting to skiing up in the high mountains in the south and in the Balkans inviting to riding through valleys and on the hillside with the crispy and crackling snow under the hooves.

Spring time is something special. When the snow is melting and the water has found its way down the mountains, everything is starting to trickle and crawl. The crowns of the tree are slowly changing from barran shadows over budding filled and tense branches to a light green blossom.
The Bulgarian summer is long, dry and hot. The active outdoor life starts early. It’s a question about being out in the fresh morning light and not many experiences are to be compared with saddling up together with the sunrise in the mountains. In the middle of the day, when the sun is highest all life get the southern way of relaxing. Here it’s still allowed to calm down – and it happens that the powernap becomes a little longer. The afternoons are long and with the typical Bulgarian snack in the stomach rider and horse are ready for riding until twilight. And after that the warn summer evenings are tempting.
Autumn is rather short. In the country side all kind of winter supplies are prepared from the vegetable garden. Relatives and family from the cities suddenly find time to cook and prepare the winter in a scale we didn’t knew existed. May be the freezer will take over these activities, but the different feeling between opening a cold bag and ready glass with fruit are not comparable. And after the harvest and when the grapes are safe in the wineries Mother Nature once again shows us all the great colours in the golden light covering the mountains.

Formalities
Check with your local embassy according to your nationality.
European citizens need only an identity card or valid passport. No visa.

 

Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.