Teteven, Balkan Mountains Adventures (Bulgaria)
Teteven (415 m a.s.l., or 1,361 ft) is a small town situated in the valley of the Vit River among Lisets, Vasiliovska and Lestvitsa mountains, close to the Central Balkan ridge. Monuments discovered accidentally prove that this area has been populated since ancient times. The Teteven region’s nature is truly unique, fascinating, picturesque and exceptionally diverse, with beautiful and interesting flora and fauna. The area offers a great variety of trekking tours and destinations. The broadest Beech forest belt in Bulgaria, one of the largest protected beech massifs in Europe, is to be found in the region of Teteven in Boatin Biosphere Reserve. Century-old woods, with steep, even vertical rocks in some places, meadows, waterfalls and caves are just some examples of the natural wonders that can be found here.
Tour Highlights
- The Central Balkan National Park (716 sq. km) was established for the conservation of the unique nature of the Central Balkan Mountains.
- Ribaritsa village is a beautiful mountain resort with numerous little country houses and villas
- Glozhene Monastery was built in the 13-th century by the Ukrainian prince Glozh, housing an icon at the age of about 1000 years.
- “Sueva dupka” Cave, considered to be probably the most-beautiful cave in Bulgaria, was named after the two brothers Seyuo and Sayuo, who hid themselves there from the Turks during the yoke.
Departure dates:
01 April 2009 – 30 September 2009 – every day;
Country region:Balkan Mountains
Price without flight ticket:420.00 EUR
Trip Plan:
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the city of Teteven in the Balkan Mountains (1,30 hrs drive).
Day 2. This morning we embark towards Boatin Reserve. We have a transfer of about 30 min to get to the village of Divchovoto where the path starts. The track passes through the century-old Beech forests of the reserve descending over the other side of the hill to the region of Kostina, where one of Bulgaria’s national heroes (Georgi Benkovski) was killed by the Turks. Short walk from here amongst gardens, meadows, villas and houses brings us to the village of Ribaritsa also known as the longest Bulgarian village. Then we have a transfer to Teteven (10 min).
Walking distance: 11 km; walking time: 4 hrs; uphill walk: 250 m (820 ft); downhill walk: 530 m (1,738 ft)
Day 3. Cherven peak (1,221 m) is the easternmost summit of the three peaks located on the northern side of Teteven. This giant is today’s target. The path starts from Teteven and travels upwards through broad-leaved forests and vast meadows to the rocks of Cherven peak, offering a superb panoramic view over the town of Teteven and the valley of the Beli Vit River. From there we continue along the new eco-path leading to Babintsi village. From the village it is a further two-hour walk downhill to Teteven.
Walking distance:13 km; walking time: 5 hrs; uphill walk: 700 m (2,296 ft); downhill walk: 700 m (2,296 ft)
Day 4. A day with diverse program, comprising visits to Sueva Dupka Cave (with 3 marvelous halls inside, considered to be the most beautiful ones in Bulgaria), Glozhene Monastery (housing icon more than 1000 years old) and an afternoon walk to the picturesque waterfalls Skoka (The Jump) and Haidushka poliana peak.
Walking time: 4 hrs; uphill walk:540 m; downhill walk: 540 m
Day 5. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
The tour provides the opportunity more days to be added to the program if purchased in advance. These could be spent on self-guided walking in the area, more guided walks (on a higher altitude in the Balkan Mountains), guided sightseeing tours to famous places nearby (Sofia, Troyan Monastery, Koprivshtitsa (architectural reserve), Veliko Tyrnovo (the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom) etc.), cycling, birdwatching around Sofia (at Dragoman Marsh), swimming in the mineral pools of Shipkovo etc. Please ask for quotation for any of these possibilities.
Accomodation and food:We stay overnight in a 3 star family-run hotel in Teteven, rooms with en-suite facilities on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Price of extra services:Single room supplement: 60 EURO
Included in the price: 4 overnights in 3*** hotel on halfboard; transfers as follows: Day 2: Teteven – Divchovoto; Ribaritsa – Teteven;Day 4: Tetven – Sueva Dupka – Glojenski Monastery; pick up/drop off at Plovdiv or Sofia airport; English-speaking guide; entrance fees for Syeva Dupka Cave and Glozhene Monastery
Excluded from the price: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), guidance and transfer for additional days outside the program; lunches/lunchpacks; tips; entrance fees; alcohol drinks; other personal expenses.
Practical information: EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight. For more information please check “Vacation extensions” below. LOW COST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA: please check: Wizz Air – http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe – http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet – http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings – http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air – http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle – http://www.norwegian.no/. In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For detailed information and prices, please look at the trip dossier.
Recommended travel period of the year: May – September
Tour difficulty: B
Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.
