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14-Day Bulgarian Highlights with a Local

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Overview

Over 14 days, you will see some of the most incredible and scenic parts of Bulgaria.

Travelling by private car, this trip sees a mix of big cities, quaint and historic villages, homestays and a healthy dose of exploring the great outdoors. You will get to travel by boat on the stunning Danube River and you can hike around some of the most famous mountains and lakes in Bulgaria.

Beginning in Sofia, you'll travel to Sapareva, the Seven Lakes of Rila, Trigrad, Plovdiv, Haskovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna and finally back to Sofia.
Culture & Arts
Hiking & Trekking
Sightseeing
Cruising
Adventure
Food & Drink
Outdoors & Nature

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Sofia

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Arrive in Sofia

Upon arrival in Sofia, you will be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. In the evening, you'll meet your guide at around 5 pm; he will run you through how the tour will work and what you will be getting up to each day of this fabulous trip. Afterwards, your guide will be able to give you recommendations if you wish to go out and explore the city and find somewhere to have dinner or a drink.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sofia 6ato Art Hostel

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sofia Airport to Sofia

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

Day 2

Rila Monastery & Sapareva Bania Village

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Rila Monastery & Sapareva Bania Village

After breakfast, you will head to the famous Rila monastery which is located not very far from Sofia. Featuring Baroque arcaded balconies and standing 1,147 metres up in the mountains, the Rila Monastery was the first and largest monastery in Bulgaria. From here, you will continue on to Sapareva Banya, where you will stay overnight. The little town is known for its hot mineral water with healing properties. It has the only active hot geiser in the Balkans.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sapareva Kashta2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rila Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Sofia to Sapareva Banya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

    Rilski Manastir, Kiustendil

    Saparevo

Day 3

Seven Rila Lakes Hike

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Seven Rila Lakes Hike

This is a huge highlight for every traveller and is a must when visiting Bulgaria. Today after breakfast, you will head off for the Seven Rila Lakes hike around the mountains. This is a beautiful spot, with stunning views and the perfect way to spend your day. You will spend the full day outdoors and the hike takes around five hours, it is moderately difficult. You'll begin at the bottom lake and work your way up to the seventh one. En-route, you will stop for a picnic lunch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sapareva Kashta2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Seven Rila Lakes

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Saparevo to Seven Rila Lakes

    Minivan from Seven Rila Lakes to Saparevo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Saparevo

    Kyustendil Province

Day 4

Lake Dospat, Yagodina Cave & Trigrad

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Lake Dospat, Yagodina Cave & Trigrad

After breakfast, you'll check out of the hotel and head off to your next destination, Trigrad, where you will stay in a local homestay. Here, you can expect a fascinating and very enjoyable cultural experience. En-route, you will stop at Lake Dospat and Yagodina cave. Lake Dospat is one of the most magnificent places in Bulgaria, it's water beautifully reflects the pine-covered Rhodope mountains which surround it. Yagodina Cave is the third-longest cave in the country.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Family Hotel Arkan Han3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake Dospat

    Yagodinska Cave

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Сапарева Къща to Trigrad

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Saparevo

    Pazardzhik

    Smoljan

Day 5

Hiking the Devil's Path

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Hiking the Devil's Path

After breakfast, you'll head out for a scenic hike in the Rhodope Mountains. Make sure you have your hiking boots with you, this walk is steep in a few places and challenging in others! After hiking the Devil's Path, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch before heading to the Eagle's Eye Viewpoint for a panoramic view over the Rhodopes, Pirin and the Rila mountains. The viewpoint sits at 1,563 metres above sea level. Your late afternoon and evening are free to enjoy as you wish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Family Hotel Arkan Han3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Eco-Path Hike - Devil's Path

    Eagle's Eye Viewpoint

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Smoljan

    Yagodina

Day 6

Bachkovo Monastery, Asen's Fortress & Plovdiv Old Town

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Bachkovo Monastery, Asen's Fortress & Plovdiv Old Town

After breakfast, you will depart for Plovdiv, your next destination on this journey. En route, you will make two fantastic stops: the first is at the very popular Bachkovo Monastery. There is a great market just beside the monastery so you can also get a little shopping done. From there, you will head to well-preserved ruins of Asen's Fortress which is nestled in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains on a high rocky ridge. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Plovdiv.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Park Hotel Plovdiv3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bachkovo Monastery

    Asen's Fortress

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Trigrad to Plovdiv

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Smoljan

    Bachkovski manastir

    Plovdiv Province

    Plovdiv

Day 7

Explore Plovdiv Old Town

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Explore Plovdiv Old Town

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, you'll go on a special guided tour of Plovdiv Old Town. You will learn about Bulgarian traditions, hear some amazing stories and will pick up some interesting facts. Plovdiv's cobbled streets will take you on a journey back in time, to the Roman era. After your tour, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend as you wish in Plovdiv. Your guide can provide you with recommendations of where to eat and what to see.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Park Hotel Plovdiv3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Plovdiv Old Town

    Regional Ethnographic Museum PlovdivOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Plovdiv

Day 8

Perperikon Sightseeing & Haskovo

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Perperikon Sightseeing & Haskovo

Leaving Plovdiv in the morning, you'll spend the day enjoying some pretty amazing sights. You will tour the stone city of Perperikon, together with the impressive surrounding rock formations. You will also stop at a local bee farm before arriving in Haskovo, where you will stay overnight. In the evening, it is recommended to spend some time in one of the local pubs where you can enjoy local music and traditional food.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Retro Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    The Stone Mushrooms

    Perperikon

    Dimov Bio Beefarm

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Plovdiv to Haskovo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Plovdiv

    Kardzhali Province

    Spahievo

    Haskovo

Day 9

Thracian Tomb & Veliko Tarnovo

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Thracian Tomb & Veliko Tarnovo

The day will start with a visit to a Thracian Tomb where you will learn all about the ancient Thracian civilisation. Then, you'll move on to a Russian-designed church, a national monument which stands at the top of a hill and has a stunning panoramic view. In the late afternoon, you will finally arrive in the famous Veliko Tarnovo. Your evening is free, but it is recommended that you head to the castle to catch the light show.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Izvora3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

    Shipka Memorial Church

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Haskovo to Veliko Tarnovo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Haskovo

    Kazanluk

    Shipka

    Veliko Tarnovo

Day 10

Free Day in Veliko Tarnovo

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Free Day in Veliko Tarnovo

Today, you have the whole day free to relax and explore Veliko Tarnovo. This is a stunning historical town, full of beautiful architecture and historical sites. How you spend the day is up to you, but it is recommended that you pay a visit to the Tsarevets Fortress. The fortress sits in the centre of Veliko Tarnovo perched on a hill and is arguably one of the most visited sites in Bulgaria. The neighbouring town of Arbanasi is also extremely interesting and well worth a trip.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Izvora3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in Veliko TarnovoOptional Activity

    Tsarevets FortressOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Veliko Tarnovo

Day 11

Explore Varna

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Explore Varna

Today is the day you finally make it to the beach! You will depart from Veliko Tarnovo in the morning and then will travel for around three hours towards the coast. Once you have checked into your hotel in Varna, you will be free and can either hit the beach or stroll through the town. Don't tire yourself out too much though, there are plenty of amazing restaurants and bars that you don't want to miss out on in Varna.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Luna4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    VarnaOptional Activity

    Dormition of the Theotokos CathedralOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Veliko Tarnovo to Varna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Veliko Tarnovo

    Varna

Day 12

Cyrillic Alphabet Museum, Madara Rider & Roman Baths

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Cyrillic Alphabet Museum, Madara Rider & Roman Baths

Today you will head off with your driver to see the famous Madar Horse Rider and the Museum of Cyrillic Alphabet not far from Varna. The Yard of the Cyrillic Alphabet was established to honour the Cyrillic alphabet, which nearly 300 million people worldwide use today, and Bulgaria's contribution to it. This will be a relaxed day trip and you will have lots of free time in the afternoon to continue exploring Varna and visit the Roman Baths.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Luna4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Yard of the Cyrillic Alphabet

    Madara Rider

    Roman BathsOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Varna to Varna

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Varna

    Pliska

    Shumen Province

Day 13

Rock Monastery & Danube Boat Cruise

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Rock Monastery & Danube Boat Cruise

Today you'll travel to Ruse from Varna stopping at interesting places along the way. Your first stop will be at a Rock Monastery; they are scattered around the small town of Provadia. Each formation has legends attached to it. From here, you will head to your next stop which will include a scenic boat ride on the Danube River. Your final stop for the day will be in Ruse where you will spend the final night of your tour.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Vega3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rock Monastery Big Rock

    Danube River Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Varna to Ruse

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Varna

    Giurgiu County

    Ruse

Day 14

Return to Sofia

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Return to Sofia

Enjoy a final breakfast before checking out and beginning the journey back to Sofia. There will be a lunch stop in Trojan where you will also get to visit the monastery. The total drive time is around four hours. Once in Sofia, you can be dropped off at the airport or at a hotel of your choice.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Troyanski Manastir

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Ruse to Sofia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ruse

    Troyanski manastir

Included in Price

  • 13 nights accommodation
  • 19 activities
  • 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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