BULGARIAN BACKROADS:  3-DAY HORSEBACK RIDE

TRIGRAD - MUGLA - GELA - TRIGRAD

First day: Start from the stables in the village of Trigrad. About 3 hours ride through the virgin forest of the Shabanica preserve, at the foot of the legendary Kaur Chan peak, to the picturesque place Chairi Lakes. The name comes after the 7 natural landslide lakes, formed by the sliding down glaciers during the Glacial Period. The lakes are amazingly beautiful, with crystal water and mountain trout. The Chairi Cottage is situated near one of the lakes. It has 3 double-bed rooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining room with a fireplace and a kitchen. After the arrival - a short lunch-break on the verandah or by the fireplace in the dining room. A 2 - hour ride in the afternoon round the lakes and through the meadows. Fishing at the lakes. In the afternoon you will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with the traditional local Rhodopean pie (klin).

Second day:  After breakfast - a ride through the village of Mugla to the foot of Karluk peak (2 188m). Lunch picnic under the Karluk peak, at the Chaeva chukka place. After the picnic - a ride past a number of whimsical rocks to the ancient village of Gela, which is one of the oldest Rhodopean villages, dated 33 ages back. In this village are discovered paintings upon rocks, bones, votive tablets, undeciphered script, graves with rabbets in the rocks, tablets engraved with dolphins, coins in the mouths of dead people to pay Charon in order to cross the Styx river toward the kingdom of Hades.

Accommodation at a cozy family hotel in Gela. An afternoon rest. Strolls round the village. A dinner with local meals and wine by the fireplace. Riding - about 4,5 hours.

Third day: Breakfast in the village of Gela. A ride from the village of Gela past Lednitsata chalet, along the Rhodopean ridge of Mursalica to the village of Trigrad. Lunch with provisions. Arriving at the stables in Trigrad in the afternoon. Riding - about 5.5 hours.

Time Period: May to October 

Ability: Novice or Intermediate riders 

Minimum riders: 5 

Maximum riders: 8 

Type of Horses: Arabica- Shangia type, English, Trekiner, Eastern Bulgarian. 

Height of Horses: 1.5m to 1.65m ( approx 5ft - 5 1/2ft) 

Maximum Weight Limit: 100kg. ( approx 220 lbs.) 

Saddles: Cavalry 

Average hours in Saddle: 4-5

Accommodation: 

3 day-ride to the village of Gela: the Chairi Cottage: at the Rhodopean House family hotel.

Meals (All inclusive): The hotels and houses provide the breakfasts and dinners and they offer traditional local dishes. The midday meals are in the open-air during the passages and they consist of warm food, wine and warm up drinks.

Program includes: Depends on program selected: 2 days, 1 night, 2 days of riding 3 days, 2 nights, 3 days of riding.

Additional Activities: Fishing, Hiking, Mountaineering, visits to the Yagodinska and Devil's Gorge caves, rare birds and wild animals observation, photography.

Additional Information: Two guides-riders ( one of them with medical qualification) - lead group and are followed by a bus with radio communication/connection.

Please call Airbound for pricing.  Itinerary subject to change without notice.