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Home8-Day Monastery Cycling Tour From Sofia
Description
Take a journey through Bulgarian History, experiencing the atmosphere of Bulgarian monasteries and history on a bike & submerge in the green hug of the mountains (“Balkana”) and admire its outstanding nature! Visit the Transfiguration Monastery, Merdanski Monastery, Dryanovo Monastery and more in just 8 days!
Highlights
- Visit the Arbanasi village, famous for its massive houses that resemble minor fortresses
- Explore the Dryanovo Monastery, also known as “St Archangel Michael”
- Go to the Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Arbanasi expand_more
Arrive at Sofia airport and transfer to the architectural reserve of Arbanasi village and St. Virgin Mary monastery, where we stay the next two days.
Dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant (mehana).
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Day 2: Transfiguration Monastery to Hotnitsa Waterfall to Veliko Tarnovo expand_more
- Start with a visit to the picturesque Transfiguration monastery near Veliko Tarnovo.
- Get on the bikes and reach the beautiful Hotnitsa waterfall and eco-trail.
- After a short walk, continue biking near Hotnista gorge to the main road to Sofia.
- Get in the car for a short transfer and start biking again to Buria (Storm) village, among beautiful hilly landscapes with nice views of Dryanovo rock cliffs.
- Finish cycling near Dryanovo town.
- Go for sightseeing in Veliko Tarnovo and have transferred back to St. Virgin Mary monastery in Arbanasi.
Cycling distance: 34 km
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Day 3: Merdanski Monastery to Kapinovo Monastery expand_more
- Transfer to Dragizhevo village and start biking.
- En-route, pass by Merdanski Monastery and continue in the direction to Plakovo and Kapinovo monastery.
- Stay overnight in the peaceful Kapinovo monastery and enjoy dinner in the lovely monastery yard.
Cycling distance: 33 km (or 53km with possible extension)
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Day 4: Kilifarevo Monastery to Dryanovo Monastery expand_more
- After a short transfer, start cycling through the villages Plakovo, Golemanite, and Natsovtsi to Kilifarevo monastery.
- After lunch and a visit to the monastery, continue with a short but challenging ascent to Ialovo village.
- Cycle along Dryanovska River to Dryanovo town.
- From there, transfer to Dryanovo monastery for an overnight stay.
- Optional visit to the nearby Bacho Kiro cave.
Cycling distance: 34 km
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Day 5: Bojentsi Architectural Reserve to Tryavna expand_more
- In the morning, have a short transfer and then start cycling up and down to Bojentsi village and spend some time sightseeing.
- After a short transfer back, start cycling before Tsareva Livadia village on isolated village roads to the National revival town of Tryavna, where we stay overnight.
Cycling distance: 35 km
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Day 6: Gabrovo to Etura open air museum to Sokolski Monastery expand_more
- Cycling from Tryavna up to a mountain pass and then downhill to Gabrovo.
- The next stop is the open-air ethnographic museum of Etura. Its 18th-19th-century water-driven machinery, crafts, and lifestyle come alive before the eyes of the visitors.
- From here, there are four more kilometres to the picturesque Sokolski Monastery and cycling back to Etura, where we stay overnight.
Cycling distance: 28 km
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Day 7: Shipka Monument to Shipka Monastery to Plovdiv expand_more
- After breakfast in Gabrovo town in typical Bulgarian pastry, transfer to the historic Shipka pass and memorial.
- Get on the bikes for a 10 km up/down ride in the beautiful beech forest to the historic Buzludza area.
- A supreme downhill ride on the Southern slopes of the mountains awaits us.
- Continue biking to Shipka town and visit the richly decorated Shipka monastery and church.
- Transfer to Plovdiv, where we stay overnight.
Cycling distance: 30 km
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Day 8: Departure expand_more
- After breakfast, transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
What's Included
Accommodation in monasteries (days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), family-run hotels (days 5 ) with en-suite facilities
6 days on half board (breakfast & dinner included), 1 day on BB (day 7)
English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle
Map and roadbook
Group transfers from/to Sofia or Plovdiv airport (09.00 - 19.00)
All local transfers
Technical support for the bikes
What's Excluded
Bike rental - Category 1: 60 EUR, Category 2: 40 EUR
Flights
Travel insurance
Dinner on day 7 (free to choose in Plovdiv)
Lunches
Tips
Entrance fees Private transfers: Sofia APT - Sofia center: 17 EUR (per vehicle 1-3 passengers); Plovdiv APT - Plovdiv center: 15 EUR (per vehicle); Sofia-Plovdiv or vv. 60 EUR (per vehicle 1-3 passengers)
Alcohol drinks and other personal expenses
Other expenses, like Single room supplement: 80 euro; rent of a rear saddle bag: 10 euro/week
What to bring
- Cycling gloves
- Breathable clothes
- Waterproof gear
- Cycling shoes/trainers
- Helmet
Know before you go
Please note:
Bikes: hardtail mountain bike or hybrid bike
Roads: we use mainly isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), we do not go off-road
Guide/driver: The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by Crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route
Dress code in monasteries and churches - men are not allowed to enter in shorts, and women should not expose their legs and shoulders.
Extension at the Black Sea coast - relax at the seaside - more information upon request
We recommend trip in the period: April - October
Meeting Point
Sofia Airport, ????? ?????? ?????????, Sofia, Bulgaria
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
| Adult | |
| 1 To 1 | EUR 450 Per Person |
This is a group tour | |