Balkan Mountains

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
Day 2: Golyam Izvor - Glozhene monastery - Ribaritsa, 30 mi. (49 km)
Day 3: Ribaritsa - Troyan monastery - Apriltsi, 49 mi. (78 km)
Day 4: Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Sokolsky monastery - Etura, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 6: Bozhentsi - Dryanovo monastery - Elena, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 7: Elena - Arbanasi - Veliko Turnovo, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 8: Departure transfer to the airport.
Please note that the transfer takes place at 8 am and takes about 3 hours. Plan flights accordingly or request an extra night after your tour in Sofia.

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. 

Day 1: Arrival 
Arrival at Sofia International Airport and transfer to Sofia city center for accommodation. 

Accommodation:

• Hotel Zdravets or similar

Day 2:  Golyam Izvor - Glozhene monastery - Ribaritsa, 30 mi. (48 km)
There is a transfer in the morning to Yablanitsa where the cycling begins, leading through town and continuing to the village of Malak. From here, there is an optional detour, a challenging 5 km uphill ride to the Glozhene Monastery. After visiting the monastery, it is downhill the same way, to continue further to scenic Teteven, located in a mountainous area, in the foothills of the Balkan mountains with the Vit River meandering through. There is an opportunity for a walk and a visit to the local historic museum and church or alternatively, you can enjoy a short bike ride and hike to a nearby eco-trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Day's end is in the village of Ribaritsa well known as a mountain health resort. (B, D)

Elevation: 

• Ascent: 620 m
• Descent: 510 m

Accommodation:

•  Hotel Zornitsa or similar

Day 3:  Ribaritsa - Troyan monastery - Apriltsi, 48 mi. (77 km)
The morning begins with an ascent from Ribaritsa to the highest point for the day - Bogoi pass (1185 m). From this pass, the road goes all the way down to the town of Troyan passing through the village of Shipkovo and an opportunity for a refreshing bath in the mineral water pools. After lunch in the Troyan town center, there is a visit to The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka"  and the famous Troyan monastery. Overnight this evening will be in the village of Apriltsii. There is a possibility to extend your cycling distance with a detour to Glozhen Monastery. This will add an additional 16 km. (B, D)

Elevation:

• Ascent: 970 m
• Descent: 1060 m

Accommodation:

• Tihiat Kut Family Hotel or similar​

Day 4:  Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Sokolsky monastery - Etura, 38 mi. (61 km)
Cycling on isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo, en-route you pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys. After an ascent followed by a nice downhill ride, you reach Gabrovo town and continue to Etura, an open-air ethnographic museum, where you add an additional 6 km of cycling reaching the nearby Sokolski Monastery. Overnight in nearby Etura. (B,D) 

Elevation:

• Ascent: 700 m
• Descent: 800 m

Accommodation:

• AEK Etura Hotel or similar

Day 5:  Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi, 36 mi. (58 km)
After breakfast, you start cycling from Gabrovo. After an ascent followed by a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time sightseeing and enjoy lunch in the center of this beautiful National Revival town. Ups and downs through open terrain will lead you to the final stop for today, Bozhentsi architectural reserve. (B, D)

Elevation:

• Ascent: 1010 m
• Descent: 1000 m

Accommodation:

• Parlapanovata Kushta guest house or similar

Day 6:  Bozhentsi - Dryanovo monastery - Elena, 28 mi. (46 km)
A transfer in the morning brings you to the Dryanovo Monastery where you can also visit the local cave. You start cycling from  Yalovo village to the town of Elena passing by several villages and the blue waters of the Lovkovtsi dam. (B, D)

Elevation:

• Ascent: 800 m
• Descent: 800m

Accommodation:

• Eleni Palas Hotel or similar

Day 7:  Elena - Arbanasi - Veliko Turnovo, 27 mi. (43 km)
From Elena, the route leads to the final destination of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivated lands, and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. After some free time for rest and walks among the old houses of Arbanasi, lunch will be enjoyed and a sightseeing tour in Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In the afternoon, there is a transfer to Sofia for the night.  (B)

Elevation:

• Ascent: 600 m
• Descent: 730 m

Accommodation:

• Hotel Zdravets or similar

Day 8: Departure from Plovdiv
There is an airport transfer included in your tour price that GENERALLY takes place at 8 am and takes about 3 hours. Please ask us before you make your flight details. (B)

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Accommodations

You will be accommodated in family-run hotels & guest houses unique to this area. No chain hotels! On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. Please note that final hotel list will be based on availability.

Bicycles

Standard Bike with front suspension

Scott Subcross 30

• Alloy Frame (men or women's)
• Shimano Deore 27 speed
• Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes
• Kenda Booster tires (700 x 45 C - 30 TPI)
• Syncros saddle

Electric Bike

Longwise Electric Bike

• Al Alloy city frame (step-through)
• 250 W Brushless Gear Motor
• 36 V 10 Ah lithium battery
• Roller brake
• Shimano 7 gears