19-26 September 2026

You’ll stay in carefully selected luxury hotels, most with hot mineral pools, spa facilities, and swimming pools. Peaceful and surrounded by nature, the accommodations provide twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms for comfort and rest. One night is spent at a camping site in shared rooms (3–4 people) with common facilities, adding a touch of adventure to the journey.

All meals are included, featuring fresh, ecological products from local farms and gardens. Expect a mix of traditional Bulgarian specialties and international cuisine. Breakfasts and dinners are served in the hotels, while lunches are enjoyed outdoors along the trail – hearty homemade dishes complemented with hot drinks, cold refreshments, and even a beer to toast the ride.

Day 1 - Arrival in Hisarya

We recommend arriving a day or two earlier to explore Sofia at your own pace. We’ll be happy to help arrange guided city tours, hiking adventures in Vitosha Mountain, or even a magical sunrise and sunset experience above the capital.

On Saturday, 19th September, we gather as a group. From Sofia we drive to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s cultural capital, where Gaby will personally guide you through the charming Old Town. After soaking in its cobbled streets, colorful houses, and Roman theatre, we continue to Hisarya - a historic spa town famous for its mineral springs. Your hotel awaits with pools, jacuzzi, and sauna. In the evening, we come together for a welcome dinner, trip briefing, and the first taste of local flavors.

Day 2 - Horses & First Gallops

After breakfast, we walk through the ruins of Diocletianopolis, once a Roman spa town. Then the adventure begins: meet your horse, prepare for the trail, and ride south, crossing along the vineyards and sandy lakes. We stop for a picnic in the meadows near Staro Zhelezare village before continuing in the afternoon with plenty of canters across the fields to the village of Zhitnitsa. Accommodation and dinner await at Boutique Hotel Trakiets - home to one of the largest equestrian arenas and horse riding stables in Bulgaria. You can unwind in the relax center featuring a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, and both outdoor and indoor swimming pools.

Riding: ~30 km (4.0 hours)

Day 3 - Thracian Valley and its Nature

Today, we set off for a day of long, exhilarating gallops across open meadows, riding near Pyasachnik artificial lake - the largest in the region - with sweeping panoramic views of the mountain. In the afternoon, the trail leads us to Krasnovo village, renowned for its mineral baths on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain. Tonight’s accommodation is at Spa Hotel Aqua Termi, where you can relax before dinner with aquatic treatments, soothing massages, or a swim in the mineral water pool.

Riding: ~32 km (4 hours)

Day 4 Into the Mountain Heart

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Krasnovo village, riding first through rose gardens and then climbing into the heart of Sedna Gore mountain. Lunch is at the charming Buntovna Hut (1,180 m), nestled in an ancient beech forest in the historic area of Konska Polyana, Kulata, and Kanara, offering breathtaking views. In the afternoon, the trail continues through deep woods and over scenic mountain tops, ending near the historic town of Koprivshtitsa. Our accommodation for the night is at the new Eagle Rock Hotel, beautifully set among the mountain hills where the gentle sound of sheep bells carries through the air. The hotel features a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna - perfect for relaxation before our dinner with local specialties and wine.

Riding: ~32 km (5 hours)

Day 5 - Peaks & History

Day 5 - we start riding through untouched forest trails toward the town of Strelcha, reaching the summit of the beautiful “Wolf” Peak (1,240 m), where a stunning panorama of the Upper Thracian Plain and surrounding mountains unfolds. Lunch is served at the campsite, followed by accommodation at our Nomad Camp, offering shared rooms for 3–4 people and common bathrooms. In the afternoon, we go on a guided visit to the Historical Museum of Panagyurishte (by car). The museum houses the renowned Panagyurishte Gold Treasure and exhibitions on the April Uprising. Dinner features homemade food and local wine, enjoyed by the campfire, with drinks and a hot pot to close the evening.

Riding: ~20 km (3.5–4 hours)

Day 6 - Through Vineyards to Starosel

After breakfast at the campsite, we set off for another day of long gallops through open fields, vineyards, and along the sandy lakes. A picnic lunch awaits in a cherry garden near the village of Krastevich. In the afternoon, we ride on to the luxurious Wine & Spa Complex Starosel, where you will be accommodated for the night. Before dinner, you may choose to relax in the spa center or join a guided wine tour. The evening ends with dinner at the elegant restaurant within the complex.

Riding: ~28 km (4–4.5 hours)

Day 7 - Legacy of the Thracians

Today, we begin with a visit to the Starosel Thracian Cult Complex - the largest preserved Thracian king complex in Southeast Europe, featuring a temple-mausoleum dating back to the 5th century BC. Here, you’ll discover the mysteries of the Thracians and their remarkable cultural heritage. Back in the saddle, we enjoy long gallops across meadows and fields, before continuing in the afternoon through forests, open landscapes, and lakes, completing a full circle that brings us back to Hisarya. Accommodation is at Spa Hotel Chinar, where a Jacuzzi and sauna await. In the evening, we gather for a special farewell dinner. Riding: ~30 km (4 hours)

Day 8 - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Sofia Airport for your flight home. Take with you the rhythm of the gallops, the taste of local wine, and the stories of Thracian lands.

Price: 1990 EUR

Single room supplement (if requested): 350 EUR for all nights (subject to availability) Deposit: 500 EUR

If you are not an EU citizen, please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

What is included:

• 6 full days of riding on well-trained horses with high-quality tack

• 7 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels, spa resorts, and one camping night

• All meals and drinks, including wine and beer

• Picnic lunches and homemade food during the rides

• Entry fees as per the itinerary (museums, Thracian sites, cultural landmarks)

• Professional guides’ assistance throughout the trail

• Luggage transfers and jeep vehicle support

• Private airport transfers from and back to Sofia

What is not included:

• International flights to and from Sofia

• Medical insurance (mandatory)

• Single accommodation supplement: 350 EUR

• Personal expenses (laundry, extra drinks, etc.)

• Tips

Level: Intermediate+

The Rider

This trail is crafted for strong, confident riders with solid trail experience and good fitness. You should be comfortable at all paces – walk, trot, and canter – and able to spend several hours in the saddle each day over varied mountain and valley terrain. The pace is active, with plenty of long canters across open ridges and meadows, combined with steady riding through forests and rolling hills. Riders should be prepared for 6 consecutive riding days, flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions.

Horses

You’ll be riding spirited but reliable Shagya Arabs, pure-bred Arabs, East-Bulgarian breeds, and Arab crosses (150–165 cm). These horses are fit, forward-going, and carefully trained to be responsive yet easy to control – ideal partners for long days in the saddle. Tack is high-quality Western and Endurance saddles (Ortho-Flex and Podium), with some horses ridden in bitless bridles. Group size is limited to 4–10 riders, and the weight limit is 95 kg (209 lbs).

Route

Over 6 riding days you’ll cover around 165–175 km, spending 4–6 hours in the saddle daily. The route is split between three days in the mountains and three days in the valley. In the mountains, you’ll ride along smooth ridges with breathtaking 360° views of Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, and the Balkan ranges, as well as through deep century-old beech forests. In the valley, you’ll enjoy lovely canters between rose gardens, vineyards, and herds of free-grazing cattle. The riding pace averages 40% walking, 30% trotting, and 30% cantering, but may be adjusted depending on the group and weather.