Highlights:

• Long canters through the Thracian Valley and Valley of Roses
• One of Europe's best wine regions
• Wine tours included
• Spa hotels to unwind after a day in the saddle
• Sightseeing in Plovdiv - centre over 8000 years old` 
• Passionate guide who is a qualified vet
• Wide variety of landscape
• Small groups of up to 8 riders

The Thracian Valley is an ideal location for riding with smooth, picturesque terrain of rose and lavender fields which allow for a faster pace. The trail combines plenty of canters and amazing scenery with ancient Thracian and Roman ruins, delicious wines and spa opportunities thanks to the healing mineral springs. Accommodations are comfortable throughout and you will often have access to a swimming pool, sauna or spa at your hotels.
 
Throughout this ride you will explore many of the region's wonders such as visiting the biggest mound-temple in the Balkan peninsula, dating back to the VI-IV century BC. The itinerary includes visits to the fascinating towns of Plovdiv, Hissar and Koprivshtitsa, riding in the Sredna Gora mountains and a look at the Thracian Cult Complex which dates back to the 4th century BC. A wine-tasting is also included - the Thracian Lowlands are one of the most highly recommended wine regions at present, with Wine Enthusiast magazine describing the region as a place where "archaeological wonders combine with modern wines in a travel fantasyland.
Bulgarias –in the heart of the Balkan peninsular ,there is a city which keeps the remains of civilization much older than the roman, a city more than 8000 years old a contemporary of ancient Troy.Today its name is Plovdiv, but for the Thraians it was Evmolpia,,than the Macedonia king Philip, named it after himself Philipopolis.It was the  center of attractions  of all the great civilizations that inhabited this land,
Sredna Gora.
Marvelous sights are revealed from Sredna Gora Mountains due to its central location – views to Balkan Mountains to the north, Rhodopi and Rila Mountains to the south, as well as to the vast Thracian Valley.


Hissar
an ancient town with many Roman ruins – including a several km wall, encircling the modern center. The place is well known for its 22 healing mineral springs. Nowadays Hissar is a famous SPA center.





Thracian Cult Complex in Starosel comprises of a vault tomb, another tomb with colonnade and several cenotaphs from 5th-4th c. BC.
 

 Day 1 - Saturday - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
You will be met at Sofia airport  (plan arrival not later than 16:00) and transferred to Plovdiv city which is considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria. This afternoon you will explore Plovdiv, finding traces of civilisation much older even than the Romans. The historic centre is more than 8000 years old and you will visit the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman forum as well as one of the best preserved Antique theatres in the world built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD during the ruling of Emperor Trayan (98 – 117 AD)
Dinner and overnight at biggest show jumping stable in southern Bulgaria FRIGOPAN***

Day 2 - Sunday - Tsaratsovo to Hisar
Riding: 5 hours
After breakfast you will be transferred to Tsaratsovo village from where you will start your journey. The horses will have been transported here already from their home in the Rhodopes.
Once you are matched with a suitable horse you will begin your ride towards Hisarya, the most famous spa centre in the country with 22 healing mineral springs. Aside from being a famous health resort, Hisarya is also notable for its history as it is full of archaeological findings dating back to Thracian times and even the Roman Empire. You can walk between Roman baths, aqueducts, bastions and fortified walls. 
Today's ride is around five hours with smooth fields allowing for good canters.
Overnight tonight is at a spa hotel with indoor and outdoor seasonal pools, a hot spring bath, hot tub, sauna and steam room. Massages may also be available at extra cost.

Day 3 - Monday - Hisar to Starosel
Riding: 3 - 4 hours
Today's terrain is a combination of flat and hilly and the trail passes by fields and vineyards, meadows and oak forests. You make your way towards a wine cellar to enjoy a wine-tasting and some superb cuisine, as well as having the chance to indulge yourself in some spa treatments. 
Today's ride time is around three and a half hours and lunch is a picnic from the saddlebags, eaten beside beautiful meadows. Dinner and overnight is in Starosel at a winery and spa hotel.

Day 4 - Tuesday - Starosel to Koprivshtitsa
Riding: 5 hours
Today's five hour ride takes you to the historic town of Koprivshtitsa which dates back to the Renaissance period. It is located in a picturesque valley alongside the Topolnitsa River, in the heart of Sashtinska Sredna Gora. You will eat lunch in a restaurant on your way to the village. On arrival to Koprivshtitsa the authentic atmosphere of its cobblestone streets will take you back in time. 
Tonight you'll sleep in a park hotel with spa, about 3km outside of the village.

Day 5 - Wednesday - Koprivshtitsa to Aqua Thermi Spa
Riding: 5 hours
After breakfast you will ride along the ridge of the mountain with magnificent views of the famed 'Valley of the Roses'. At the foot of the mountain your spa hotel waits for you. The Aqua Thermi Spa complex again offers massages and mineral water treatments. Riding time today is approximately five hours and lunch is eaten at a restaurant. 
Overnight at a spa hotel.

Day 6 - Thursday - Aqua Thermi Spa to Zhitnitsa
Riding: 4 hours
Today you will ride for around four hours. Lunch will be on the shores of Lake Belovitsa before continuing your ride in the afternoon. Tonight's hotel has a large spa and swimming pool so you can have a well-deserved rest.

Day 7 - Friday - Zhitnitsa to Tsaratsovo
Riding: 4 hours
On this last day of riding you will cover the smooth terrain of vineyards and rose fields on your way back to the riding centre. Your route includes crossing a beautiful river and passing by a rose oil factory - you will experience the scent of the famous Bulgarian rose for the last time on this trip. Lunch today is from your saddlebags. 
The ride today lasts around four hours. Tonight you will sleep again at the same hotel as the first night, attached to the wonderful riding centre.

Day 8 - Saturday - Departure
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast there will be a transfer to Sofia for your trip home. The journey takes around 90 minutes (120km) by minibus. 
NB. The itinerary may be modified for reasons of safety, weather or unforeseen circumstances.AccommodationAll nights spent in clean and comfortable hotels, in shared rooms with private bathrooms. Many hotels also have a spa.ExperienceExperienced



Riders must be fit and willing to ride long, fast canters of several minutes at a time and to have many canters throughout the day. The riding is not overly technical but you should be confident in the saddle at all paces, able to prepare your own horse and fit to cover the distance required at a good pace.Minimum group size2Maximum group size8