Packages and Options

Day 1  Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to the town of Hissar, 180 km Southeast from the capital.  The first night is in a SPA hotel with swimming pool, sauna, massage centre and fitness.  Start your holiday with an introduction to your itinerary, have a first-hand look at the horses and equipment and choose a suitable partner for the week.  Sightseeing tour of Hissar. We visit the remains of fortress walls from the ancient roman town Dioclecianopolis, the third largest town in the ancient province of Thrace, after Philipopolis /Plovdiv/ and Beroe /Stara Zagora/. The wall is one of the best preserved of its kind not only in Bulgaria, but also on the entire Balkan Peninsula!  Welcome party and overnight at the hotel.
Highlights:
Hissar health resort  Hissar health resort is situated almost in the centre of Bulgaria, on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain, 336 m above sea level.
The first settlers of the small valley were Thracians from the Bessi tribe. Eventually, the area was reached by Macedonians, but it was not until Roman times when Hissar developed into a large town and resort, called Dioclecianopolis, after the Roman emperor Dioclecian /284 - 305 AD/.
The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town planning - with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of gods and goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas for Roman aristocracy. To protect the town from enemy invasions, it was surrounded with a wall raised by the skilful hands of Thracian master-builders.
Day 2   A ride from town of Hissar through the village of Starosel to Belovitsa village - 27km.
Breakfast in the hotel. Saddle up the horses and ride through hills and oaken forests to the village Starosel. This village made a sensation in 2000 when the archaeological expedition lead by Dr. George Kitov found "the largest preserved Thracian king complex with a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe".
 Picnic - lunch in the village. Your guide will escort you to visit a recently discovered Thracian cult complex, still in excavations. Learn about the mysterious Thracians and their amazing cultural heritage and historic significance. In the afternoon you will ride to the village of Belovitsa, situated on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain.
Accommodation and dinner at a family hotel.
About 5 hours riding.
Highlights:
The Thracian cult complex in Starosel
The it is supposed that the temple is from the time of the Thracian king Sitalk. The rich findings in the stone-built tomb date from the end of the fifth and the beginning of the fourth century BC. A main staircase with monumental corridor, ritual landing and two chambers, leads to the temple. The entrance is outlined with slabs with plastic and colour decoration. The inside area is a round, domed chamber with semi-columns and colour ornaments, where the initiated established connection with gods.
It is surrounded by a 263 yard long wall made out of some 4000 stone blocks and was hidden under a 20 m high mound of earth.
Day 3  A ride from Belovitsa through the village of Starosel to Belo Kamene hut - 25 km.
Breakfast at the hotel. Start from Belovitsa village you will ride through the fields to Starosel village. Approximately two hour ride. Visit an ancient Thracian temple.  Lunch and relax in the beautiful meadow next to the temple. In the afternoon you will ride to Belo Kamene hut.
About 3,5 hours riding. Overnight will be in cozy rooms at the hut in the middle of the forest. Dinner with local food and wine by the fireplace.
Day 4  A ride from Belo Kamene hut through Chalet Barricades to the town of Koprivshtitsa - 30km.
Breakfast in the hut.  The ride takes us through the forest via the foot of Bogdan peak (1603m.) to the Barricades Chalet. Lunch at the beautiful meadow next to a mountain river. In the afternoon you will ride to the Bulgarian Revival town Koprivshtitsa which is a unique architectural preserve.  About 5 hours riding
You will be accommodated in an authentic century-old house.  Dinner with wine tasting.
Overnight in the town of Koprivshtitsa.
Highlights:
The town of Koprivshtitsa is situated near to the Topolnitsa River at 1060 meters above the sea level. It is a museum town and unique settlement in Bulgaria which has preserved over 250 examples of the Bulgarian Revival Period architecture. The greatest wealth of architecture in Koprivshtitsa are its Revival Period houses with colourful courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates, disorderly built curved and narrow cobblestone little streets and plots, and numerous stone fountain contribut to the attractiveness of the little town.
Day 5  Local ride in the area of Koprivshtitsa town.
Breakfast at the house. You will be taken on a guided tour of Koprivshtitsa. We visit some of the most interesting Museums in the town. Lunch at an exclusive wine and barbecue restaurant. After a refreshing break in the afternoon, prepare for two-hour ride around Koprivshtitsa. About 2 hours riding.  Enjoy some free time for shopping and exploring the charming galleries, craftsman shops and coffee retreats. Dinner with wine tasting in the local pub in the centre of Koprivshtitsa. Overnight in Koprivshtitsa.
Day 6  A ride from town of Koprivshtitsa to Strelcha - 25km.
Breakfast at the house. We ride trough the untouched forest to the health resort Strelcha. Picnic lunch in a beautiful wooden shelter situated among the oak trees. About 5 hours riding. Overnight is in a SPA hotel. Before dinner you can experience beautifying, relaxing or pampering SPA treatments such as aquatic relaxation procedures or massages. Dinner in the traditional local pub.
Day 7  Ride from Strelcha to the village of Belovitsa - 25km.
Before breakfast you can try some more spa treatments.  Breakfast at the hotel.  We will gallop through some fields and have a picnic lunch.  About 5 hours riding. You will be accommodated again in the family house in Belovitsa. Before dinner you have time to visit the Piasuchnik dam. In the evening enjoy a Farewell dinner - gourmet food prepared in your honour by the hosts.
Day 8   After breakfast you say good-bye to your horse. Visit the famous Thracian complex of Kazanluk.  Depart from the Sofia Airport in time for your flight.
subject to change

Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.

In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere and in cozy family hotels.
Meals: ecologically clean food prepared from wholesome local produce; international and Bulgarian cuisine; drinks included (except hard drinks).

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents -  EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).