Rodopi Mountains in Bloom

This tour offers a unique insight into the flowers and wildlife of Bulgaria’s Rodopi Mountains, one of the top biodiversity hotspots in Europe. During the holiday we will explore a diverse range of habitats and spectacular landscapes with a chance to see a wide variety of beautiful orchids, along with other rare endemic and relict flowers. As well as botanizing, we will also be seeking out elusive birds and butterflies and hopefully catching a glimpse of a variety reptiles and amphibians. We will also learn about the bears, wolves and bats that inhabit the region, and how the lives of these animals are closely connected with those of the human inhabitants. In addition, the holiday will give a perfect introduction to Bulgaria’s rich history and culture, with visits to the ancient city of Plovdiv and the Bachkovo Monastery, as well as time spent in the remote village of Yagodina, with its unusual ethnic and religious heritage. Furthermore, the meals provided during the tour ensure a taste of traditional local cuisine, with delicious salads and soups, filling breakfast pastries, and of course the home-made yoghurt for which Bulgaria is famed.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Sofia Airport, then transfer (2 hours) to Bulgaria’s second city, Plovdiv, where we will spend our first night. Having checked into our hotel, conveniently located in the centre of the city, we will have the chance for a pre-dinner orientation walk around the old heart of the town. Check-in to the Hotel Doubletree by Hilton, Plovdiv. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Plovdiv claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, its origins dating back more than 8,000 years. Designated the European Capital of Culture in 2019, the city is home to an eclectic mix of Thracian, Roman and Ottoman remains alongside Bulgarian Renaissance architecture and Orthodox churches, making it a fascinating place to explore. The morning will, therefore, be left free for you to wander and enjoy at leisure. Checking out of the hotel at midday, we then drive (45 minutes) south-east towards the historic town of Asenovgrad, the gateway to the Rodopi Mountains. Here we can eat our picnic lunch at Asenova Krepost, the ruins of an ancient fortress and photogenic church perched high on a panoramic outcrop. The stone walls of the fortress and surrounding rocks have an interesting flora, with a mix of Balkan and Mediterranean species including: Inula aschersoniana, Achillea clypeolata, Achillea crithmifolia, Alyssoides bulgarica, Dianthus cruentus, Pistacia terebinthus and Sylibum marianum, as well as Bulgarian endemics: Verbascum decorum and Seseli rhodopeum. The rocks also offer a perfect home for Common Wall Lizard and the larger, more striking Eastern Green Lizard. Wheeling overhead we are likely to see several species of hirundines including Red-rumped Swallows and Crag Martins, along with Alpine and Pallid Swifts. Later in the afternoon, we drive on (1 hour 15 minutes) into the Rodopi mountains, climbing up onto a high karst plateau. Here we will be accommodated for the next two nights in what was once an isolated mountain hut, but which has recently been converted into a very comfortable hotel, located in a stunningly beautiful setting in the 'Martsiganitsa' Protected Territory, surrounded by ancient forests, mountain pastures, and limestone caves. The latter are home to numerous species of bats, and for anyone interested, it will be possible to have an after-dinner bat walk with an ultrasonic detector to listen for their calls. Check-in to the Komplex Hizha Martsiganitsa. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: We will spend a full day exploring the rich flora and fauna in the mountains around our hotel. With numerous trails to choose from and varied habitats to explore, there will be opportunities to enjoy shorter or longer walks. As well as orchids such as Dactylorhiza sambucina, Cephalanthera longifolia, Neotia nidus-avis and Orchis purpurea, other notable flowers are likely to include Ajuga genevensis, Ajuga laxmanii, Muscari botryoides, Tragopogon dubium, Tragopogon balcanicus, Pulsatilla halleri ssp. rhodopaea, Aquilegia nigricans, Daphne mezereum and the Bulgarian endemic Marrubium frivaldskyanus. An interesting selection of elusive birds inhabit the surrounding forests including Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Crested Tit, Willow Tit, Treecreeper, Hazel Grouse and even Capercaillie. More open scrubby areas have Rock Bunting, Sombre Tit and Red-backed Shrike, whilst overhead, Long-legged Buzzard and Golden Eagle are sometimes spotted. If the day is warm and sunny, then a good selection of spring butterflies is likely to appear. After dinner another optional bat walk can be arranged. Overnight at the Komplex Hizha Martsiganitsa. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Checking out of our hotel we drive (1 hour 15 minutes) back down to Asenovgrad, stopping off to buy some picnic food at a local supermarket. Then, having entered the Chepelarska Gorge, we continue to the Bachkovo Monastery. Founded in 1083, this is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, and renowned for its wonderful frescoes. Before visiting the monastery itself, we will however spend several hours botanizing in the picturesque valley behind. This forms part of the 'Chervenata Stena' Biosphere Reserve, originally created as a special botanic reserve. The valley shelters a rich flora, including many species of orchids including Ophrys scolopax ssp. cornuta, Cephalanthera damasonium, Platanthera chlorantha and Anacamptis coriophora, and is also home to numerous butterflies, including beautiful species such as Eastern Festoon, Southern Festoon, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary, and the unusual looking Nettle-tree Butterfly. The valley also harbours several picturesque chapels and a holy well which are connected with the history of the monastery. The full walk up the valley to the furthest chapels is about 2.5km, and then back down the same way, for a total walk of about 5km, but of course it is possible to simply stop off and relax at one of the meadows on the way up the valley. Having had our picnic and visited the monastery, we then drive on (2 hours 30 minutes) deeper into the Rodopi mountains, making our way to the remote village of Yagodina, where we will be accommodated for the next two nights at a comfortable and welcoming family-owned hotel, renowned for its hospitality and delicious traditional home-cooked cuisine. Check-into the Family Hotel Yagodina, dinner at the hotel.

Day 5: The village of Yagodina is located in the heart of the Trigrad Karst region, tucked high up between two deep, spectacular gorges. The flora and wildlife here is exceptionally rich, and we will spend a full day enjoying some of its highlights, as well as discovering how the lives of villagers and the local flora and fauna are closely entangled. The forests immediately around the village are roamed by Brown Bears and Grey Wolves, the grasslands hold Corncrake and Quails, as well as numerous orchids such as Anacamptis pyramidalis, Anacamptis morio, Neotinea ustulata and Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa, whilst rocky places are bejewelled with other flowers, including several interesting endemic and relict species. During the day there will again be opportunities for shorter or longer walks, offering a chance to enjoy the great diversity of species and landscapes. After-dinner there will be another opportunity for a bat walk and a chance to listen for both Tawny and Scops Owls, as well as Nightjars. Overnight at the Family Hotel Yagodina, dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: After breakfast, we leave Yagodina on foot, following an ancient Thraco-Roman packhorse route. Having made a short steep climb out of the village, the trail enters the forest and becomes a beautiful path. Although somewhat narrow and stony underfoot in places, it is well worth walking, being renowned for the orchids and other interesting flora that grow alongside it, including Ophrys insectifera and Corallorhiza trifida. About 2.5 km in length, the trail gradually wends its way down into the depths of the Buynovo Gorge, mostly gently, but with a couple of steeper sections. Here we will be met by our bus, so anyone who doesn’t want to walk the trail can instead choose to leave the hotel a bit later and travel into the gorge with the bus to await the arrival of those descending on foot. Having re-joined the bus, we then have a short (15 minutes) drive to the mouth of the gorge where we can then enjoy a second orchid-themed walk looking out for species such as Dactylorhiza saccifera, Neottia ovata and, if we are lucky, even the spectacular Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus). After walking about 2.5 km and picnicking along the trail, we then return to our bus the same way (making a total walk of about 5km), before completing a short drive to the town of Devin where we will spend the night in a spa hotel, so don’t forget to pack a swimming costume if you want to make use of the pool or other spa facilities! The late afternoon and evening will be left free. Check-in to the Persenk Spa Hotel, Devin. Evening at leisure.

Day 7: After breakfast, we will make a stop at a local supermarket to buy some picnic food, before a short drive (20 minutes) to a local nature reserve, where we can enjoy a gentle, highly photogenic riverside walk. This beautiful nature trail runs alongside the river, criss-crossing it on footbridges a couple of times, and in places utilizing specially created platforms above the water itself. The valley has been designated as a Prime Butterfly Area, boasting a great variety of species including beautiful specialities such as Common Glider and Clouded Apollo. The valley also holds an interesting selection of reptiles and amphibians, and is home to several Otters, which prey on the river’s numerous Brown Trout and Stone Crayfish. Dippers and Grey Wagtails can also regularly be seen flying up and down stream. After 2.5 km along the trail, one reaches a picturesque meadow, beloved by butterflies, where we will have our picnic lunch, before returning back along the valley the way we came (making a total walk of about 5 km). Finally, we set off on the transfer (3 hours 15 minutes) back to Sofia, leaving the Rodopi mountains by way of the Vacha Gorge, a spectacular route with the river below dammed into three large hydroelectric reservoirs, and towered over by steep, thickly forested mountain slopes. After a comfort stop along the way we reach Sofia and our accommodation, Hotel Crystal Palace, a comfortable boutique hotel conveniently situated in the heart of the city. Hopefully there will be time for a short pre-dinner walk in the city centre, before a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Depending on the flight schedule, there might be time for a little sightseeing and shopping before checking out of the hotel and transferring to the airport for the flight home.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 18 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour is graded as moderate as walking is involved on this type of tour, however, although the botanising is in the mountains, nothing too long or arduous will be undertaken. Some of the botanical walks return the same way, so there is the option to walk as far as you are comfortable and return when you feel you have done enough. On other occasions it might be possible to do half the walk. If you would like any more detailed information about any particular day, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Sofia
• One night at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Plovdiv
• Two nights at the Komplex Hizha, Marsiganitsa
• Two nights at the three-star Yagodina Family Hotel, Yagodina
• One night at the five-star Persenk Spa Hotel, Devin
• One night at the four-star Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel, Sofia
• Breakfast throughout, three picnic lunches and six dinners
• Touring itinerary and transfers as detailed
• One naturalist guide/tour manager and one botanical guide/tour manager
  
  

NOT INCLUDED

• Single room supplement - £250
• Holiday insurance
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

Four-star Doubletree by Hilton, Plovdiv - 1 night
Attractively situated in the centre of Plovdiv, the Doubletree by Hilton features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, private parking and room service. The property has a fitness centre, terrace, bar and restaurant serving Italian and international cuisine. The property is non-smoking throughout. Rooms have a desk,  flat-screen TV, safety deposit box, fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. A buffet, à la carte or continental breakfast is served daily.
Hotel Website

Komplex Hizha Martsiganitsa - 2 nights
The Komplex Hizha started out as a mountain hut but has since been renovated to create a cosy chalet style hotel which remains equally popular during the winter months as it does the rest of the year, especially for those who love nature and tranquillity. The rooms include private bathrooms, air-conditioning, TV, safety deposit box and mountain views. Hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar, small indoor pool and some spa facilities.
Hotel Website

Yagodina Family Hotel - 2 nights
The village of Yagodina is located in a mountainous area of Western Rodopi. Located in the centre of the village the two-star Yagodina Family Hotel consists of a total of 20 rooms. The hotel has a restaurant, offering rich Rodopi and national cuisine and is renowned for its traditional home cooked cuisine. Rooms are simply decorated, and all offer the same level of comfort with ensuite facilities and TV. Most rooms have balconies.
Hotel Website

Persenk Spa Hotel, Devin - 1 night
This stylish five-star spa hotel is situated in the heart of the Rhodope mountains and hosts no less than seven café/restaurants. The comfortable rooms include satellite TV, mini-bar, bath with shower, tea and coffee making facilities and free wi-fi. The Spa facilities include an indoor mineral pool and a warm jacuzzi, an aroma steam bath, infrared sauna and a Finnish sauna.
Hotel Website

Four-star Crystal Palace Hotel, Sofia - 1 night
Centrally located in the capital, Sofia, with easy access on foot to all facilities, the Crystal Palace Hotel offers comfortable rooms with all modern amenities, including air-conditioning, TV, fridge, coffee machine, Wi-Fi and safety deposit box. The standard rooms do not have balconies but do have openable windows. The bathrooms include baths with a shower over the bath. Other facilities at the hotel include the newly renovate La Branche Restaurant with a garden terrace, and a lobby bar. The hotel is situated close to the ‘Doctor’s Garden’, a lovely little park with a monument dedicated to the medics who died in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).
Hotel Website