DAY 1

You meet in Sofia early this morning and transfer (approximately 2½ hours) to the country’s most celebrated cultural heritage site, the Rila Monastery. Founded in 927 A.D. by the hermit—and later Saint—Ivan Rilski, the monastery played a major role in keeping Bulgarian culture and Orthodoxy alive during the Ottoman occupation from the late 14th to the late 19th century. You walk towards St. Ivan’s Cave, where St. Ivan Rilski lived and is buried. All along the path, you absorb the spiritual significance of the site, set amidst the magnificent Rila Mountains. A short tour of the monastery highlights the fascinating history of the site, now a national museum and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Following a café lunch, you drive south (approximately 2 hours) to a completely different scenery—the wine-producing region of Melnik, about a dozen miles from the border with Greece. After settling in to your elegant hotel, you gather for the first of many dinners celebrating the bounty of the land and the intricate blend of tastes for which Bulgaria is renowned, while being introduced to traditional costumes, songs, and dances.
Park Hotel, Sandanski

DAY 2

After breakfast, you drive to Melnik and the start of the day’s walk. You follow a picturesque trail twisting through woods, then through the natural rock formations known as the Melnik “sand pyramids,” which make up the town’s stunning backdrop. For centuries, the surrounding sandstone hills have been carved by the elements into white and golden shapes. The walk ends with a short steep section before reaching the Rozhen Monastery. Built in 1217, the monastery suffered serious damage over the subsequent centuries and little remains of the original structure. Still, the church is worthy of admiration—with intact murals, stained-glass windows, and woodcarvings. The living quarters date from the late 18th century and still host an active monastic community.

A rewarding lunch awaits in the small village of Rozhen before returning to Melnik. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the town served as a hub of gold leaf tobacco and red wine production. Alas, its importance is only a fact of history, as Melnik is now the “smallest town” in Bulgaria.

Later this afternoon, you visit one of the area’s wealthiest wine merchants’ home, fully restored to its 19th-century splendor. The visit ends in the caves lying beneath the building, forming a natural wine cellar perfect for storing barrels of the house wine, also available for you to taste.
Park Hotel, Sandanski

DAY 3

Following breakfast, you bid farewell to the southern sandstone region of Melnik. Today you travel small, winding roads and are rewarded with beautiful views of the impressive Pirin Mountains and Bulgarian countryside (driving time is 1½ hours). The day’s walk is through verdant, rolling hills in the Gotse Delcev District. Soon you reach the village of Delchevo, where houses are perched closely, one above the other, on a steep slope. Friendly residents welcome you to their home for a delicious homemade, family-style lunch. Reenergized, you gather in front of the fireplace and your hosts introduce you to the local history and perhaps teach you a traditional song.

This afternoon you transfer 30 minutes to Ognianovo, your home for the night, and settle in early to your charming hotel. You may choose to stroll to nearby mineral baths known for their health benefits. You dine on regional specialties such as shopska (cucumber, tomato, olive, and sheep cheese salad), lamb kebabs, tsaziki (fried zucchini with yogurt), and sweet nutty desserts.
Delta Hotel, Ognianovo

DAY 4

Today’s walk begins in Osikovo. The path winds through lush countryside and villages that appear to have been bypassed by modernity altogether. Your final destination is Kovachevitsa, a peaceful village built according to traditional methods using only natural materials such as wood, stone, and clay. The local architecture remains intact since medieval times with roofs almost touching each other, allowing easy escape from robbers and rulers. Kovachevitsa has been chosen as the location for many Bulgarian films due to its authentic beauty and remote location. A lunch of fresh salads, grilled meats, and breads, awaits at a local tavern in a scenic location.

In the afternoon, you transfer (approximately 2½ hours) to the spa town of Devin, set in a lush valley of the old and eroded Rhodopes mountain range. After checking in to your hotel, you may opt to venture out along the eco-trail located only minutes from town. The walk follows a path lined with colorful wildflowers, with the sound of a rushing river in the background. You may prefer to indulge in a spa treatment at the hotel, swim in the mineral water pool, or relax amid the gardens with a glass of wine, overlooking the broad valley below.
Ismena Hotel, Devin

DAY 5

A morning transfer takes you to the breathtaking Trigrad Gorge. From the road, you gaze up at the 820-foot rock walls that rise on each side and also at the Trigrad River, which carved the mountains into this impressive formation. You follow the current’s direction to the Devil’s Throat Cave, one of 150 caves in the area, but one of only two open to the public. Legend holds that this cave is where Greek mythological hero Orpheus, known for his musical talents, descended into the lower world to bring back his deceased wife, Eurydice. Turning to look at her, he broke his promise to the gods and lost his beloved wife forever, and each spring the sivirliak flower (or Orpheus’ flower) is said to blossom where his desperate tears fell to the ground. The trail takes you to a picturesque location, where you stop to enjoy a picnic lunch, before reaching the village of Yagodina where the bus awaits.

Dinner is served at the hotel’s restaurant this evening, and features an assortment of Bulgarian specialties, and those who wish may sip on a small glass of home-made rakia, a strong mixed-fruit brandy.
Ismena Hotel, Devin

DAY 6

The walk today begins in the village of Gela, the birthplace of Orpheus, the tragic hero of yesterday’s cave. Gela stretches over several hills yet is home to only about 100 residents. The tranquil landscape is replete with open wildflower meadows, grazing cows, working farms, and centuries-old hamlets where life still follows the rhythm of the seasons. A gently ascending path winds through this bucolic scene to Shiroka Lûka, founded in the late 14th century by villagers fleeing the forced conversion to Islam and hiding in this isolated mountain region. It is now known for its folkloric music academy, where we enjoy a performance by a young student, and for one of the best displays of National Revival homes in the country. The Bulgarian National Revival architecture movement emerged in response to 300 years of constricting Ottoman rule. Part of a broader renaissance of Bulgarian identity through architecture, religion, traditions, and the arts, its most visible outcome is in the homes that were renovated by skilled stone masons, woodworkers, and painters, all committed to incorporating beauty into daily life.

This afternoon, you continue on a three-hour journey to Plovdiv and your home for the next two nights, a former textile and fur merchant’s residence, which received a Business Ethics Standard Award by Prince Charles as well as a Gold Authentic Bulgaria Quality Mark for its cuisine, hospitality, ambiance, and activities. Indeed, the hotel’s restaurant is known as one of the best in the country and where the Bulgarian Slow Food Movement originated.
Hotel Hebros, Plovdiv

DAY 7

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. The geographical position of the city made it a glorious trade center between Europe and the Orient over the centuries. In the old quarter, it has the finest display of 19th-century architecture in the Balkans, with its wealthy merchant family homes crafted by the most skilled artists available during the National Revival period. Among several sites of interest (Plovdiv hosts more than 200 archaeological sites) are Ottoman baths and mosques, Eastern Orthodox churches, the Roman amphitheater dating from the second century A.D (still in use today for open-air performances), as well as modern murals. Plovdiv, a city older than Rome, Athens, and Constantinople, reminds you again why Bulgaria is such a unique destination, where each period of history has added to the previous layers of cultures and civilizations, leaving a plethora of historic monuments and architectural styles, all conveniently juxtaposed for you to admire today. A morning city tour is guided by an expert and provides a deep appreciation for this fascinating city.

This afternoon, you are free to explore the many parks and gardens, museums, galleries, and shops lining the narrow cobbled streets of the old town. You may stop to observe artisans at work, either painting intricate patterns on hand-made pottery or applying delicate sheets of gold on religious icons for which Bulgaria is known. Another option is for you to return to your hotel, where antique furniture—among them a 150 year-old Berger piano—and Old World décor add yet another historic dimension to your Bulgarian adventure. There is time to relax in the peaceful garden, perhaps with a glass of local wine, before reuniting for a sumptuous farewell dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the country and founder of the Slow Food movement in Bulgaria.
Hotel Hebros, Plovdiv

DAY 8

After breakfast, you are driven two hours to Sofia, where you bid the group farewell. You are free to continue your exploration of this remarkable city or depart at your leisure for your next destination.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Park Hotel
Sandanski, Bulgaria

An elegant hotel located in the center of town and offering all modern amenities including spa services.

Night 3

Delta Hotel
Ognianovo, Bulgaria

A charming hotel located in the scenic Blagoevgrad District.

Nights 4 & 5

Ismena Hotel
Devin, Bulgaria

A comfortable three-star hotel with scenic views of the spa town of Devin. Covered swimming pool with mineral water, Jacuzzi, and spa treatments available.

Nights 6 & 7

Hotel Hebros
Plovdiv, Bulgaria

A small Revival Period home renovated into a cozy hotel in the old town of Plovdiv. Rooms are individually decorated with antique art and furniture.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Albena Nikolova

Albena grew up in a family of passionate mountaineers and who all loved to understand the history of their homeland.  Albena will guide you through the twisting paths of Bulgaria with her extraordinary storytelling skills. Having graduated from Sofia University with a degree in Culture Studies, Albena will draw you into the fascinating stories that encompass the cultural heritage sites that have been preserved.

Kancho Shipkov

Kancho acquired a degree in Computer Science and subsequently worked as an engineer for Apple Computers, but his love of the outdoors ultimately led him to a career in guiding.  For the past eight years, Kancho has worked as a guide, and as an instructor for Bulgaria’s Mountain Rescue Service.  He leads guests on hiking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing trips through the mountains of his country, sharing his wealth of knowledge along the way.

Lubomir Velkov

Lubomir is a native of Bulgaria with extensive experience in traversing the twisting mountain trails. Lubomir is a graduate of the Technical University in Brno, Czech Republic and runs 2 flourishing companies in the field of telecommunications. Yet his passion remains for traveling and discovery. He has involved his whole family in his discovery of the natural beauty of Bulgaria. Guided by the adventurous spirit he has expanded his business endeavors to include guiding and introducing his homeland to others with a natural passion.