At the tourist and information centre we can arrange horse riding, horses are located close to the resort. The price is 30 euro per hour and the price includes transfers too and from our office, prices are per person. We can also arrange half day, full day, weekend, and a whole host of equestrian holidays, please email for further details info@pamporovolive.bg

The horses

First and foremost we ride the local race East Bulgarian horses and crosses between East Bulgarians and Arabian Full blood. The East Bulgarian breed is well known as tough, thoughtful and wise, and in harmony with the famous strength and power of the Arabian it gives a combination that fully satisfies the riders and the challenges in the nature. Our horses are on average 160 cm.

The riding guides

The riding guides together with the horses are the foundation in all tours. Our guides know exactly what they can expect of each horse and they know the mountains like the back of one's hand. They also know the funniest details about the horses, their habits and strangeness. Some of them speak English others German. Before you ride out, the riding guides explain to all riders the commandos used during the ride. All our riding guides are grown up in the mountains with horses as a natural part of their daily life. Some of them have an agricultural education with horses as a specialty - others are autodidact. The riding guides are always with the riders in the country and no one is riding out on her or his own. The riding guides in the mountain are almost as a captain of a ship; they are taking the final decision, they decide the speed (in cooperation with you and the rest of the group) and make the course. But the captain is a good captain, having a satisfied crew and happy passengers only if he's able to combine everything needed to return safely into port in the right way. That's why the cooperation in the country is carried out in a reasonable collaboration between all parts involved.

Equestrian holidays

This is a different way to explore the country, its nature and culture. They are intended for those of you who want to change the riding grounds or the short Saturday riding tour with riding in the wild nature of South-Eastern Europe in a tempo which suits you best. All tours require that you be used to riding and have some experience in riding in the open fields and on an unknown terrain. A different skill grade is necessary for the various tours. And here is how they are divided into the following categories (difficulty grades):

1. No or just a little experience.
2. Experience relevant to 1-2 years of a riding school, you should havetried the different paces and individual tours in the open fields.
3. You must have several years of experience and be well-trained in riding at all paces and on challenging terrains.
4. Your skills must be enough so that you can fully control the horse and not the opposite. You must have excellent experience in riding different horses of various breed and temperament.

Singles and groups

Do you know that around 50% of our clients for active holidays travel alone? That is why we have arranged a group size of min. 2 pax for most of the tours! Of course you must check yourself the minimum group size for each tour. What is more - we can customize the existing programs, according to your personal preferences and requirements. It will be our pleasure to work out a special tour for you and your friends - just give us a call or simply send an e-mail.

Tour types

Our tours are divided in different tour types, regardless of being guided or not or if someone travels alone or in a group. We have prepared your vacation so that you can concentrate on new impressions and experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here is a description of the tour types:

• IT+: Individual tours with a guide: There is a local guide provided for the days of your stay. In this particular case a riding instructor will be also available.
• GT: Group tours: There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English. The group size is normally 6-12 people, if not specially mentioned.
• IG: International group tours: Multi-national tours with a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English.

Riding bases

Organizing horseriding trips require the presence of well developed riding bases for breeding and training horses. This should be also combined with nice conditions for riding, accommodation and not the least - with natural resources, providing possibilities for adventurous and unforgettable rides through picturesque environment! However these are in brief the riding bases we use for our tours:

BALKAN

The riding base is named after the biggest Bulgarian mountain - The Balkan Mountains. The range is over 700 km long and starts in Serbia in the west and end in the Black Sea. The Balkan is nearly dividing the country into two parts: The northern part with the Danube River and the southern part with the Thrace Plain and the Rhodopi, Rila and Pirin Mountains.

The mountain village of Apriltsi is situated on the northern side of the Balkan Range. Our riding center is placed in one of the small quarters of the village not far from the end of the road. Riding center "Balkan" is the name of our all-year-round riding base. It's where our stable is situated and the areas our horses are relaxing on. Here our horses are grazing, here we train them and take good care of them. The riding center is placed in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Central Balkan and with the most fantastic panorama behind the buildings.

THE VALLEY OF ROSES

In the very heart of Bulgaria - between the towns of Karlovo and Kazanlak, at the foothills of The Balkan Range and its smaller brother Sredna Gora Mountains, one can see a sea of flowers and to enjoy the smell of millions of roses - this is the renown Valley of Roses. Far away in the mountains closing up to The Valley of Roses is situated a small forgotten village. Sveschen is full of exiting history and a strange way of living surrounded by mountains, old woodlands, open meadows with cows and sheep grassing and with fields not bigger than a stamp still are cultivated by man and horse. To ride out, to watch and to explore this area from a horseback is a out-and-out a culture- and nature adventure.

The center in our riding base is situated high above the village in 1000 m. The chalet Sveschen is in three floors and partly renovated. Each floor has private facilities. Further there is a dinning room with an open fireplace. Here you can play table tennis and different kinds of board games, cards and dice. The standard is simple and nice. Right outside the chalet is the summer stable. In the high summer weeks we have a part of the horses on post here and of course they are the main attraction here, but also they are on a kind of holiday - they know exactly what is in store for them. It a time when the watch is on holiday too and of course this reflects on the horses.

The Rodopi Trail (Bulgaria)

Horseriding tour

The Rodopi Mountains in southern Bulgaria are what many would call a mystery. Historians believe that the Rodopi are the birthplace of the legendary musician Orpheus and his wife Eurydice, as well as the cradle of the Dionysus- cult. For most Bulgarians, it is the numerous caves from prehistoric time, the Roman roads and the beautiful medieval monasteries that account for the Rodopi's charm. For others it is the picturesque mountains villages, their authentic lifestyle and the warm local hospitality. Or perhaps the mellow green fields and the reflection of the sun in the bright blue highland lakes. We give you an opportunity to make up your own mind about the mesmerizing atmosphere of the Rodopi - together with our horses we get as close to the heart of the Rodopi and to the authentic life of its people as possible.

Departure dates:

• 12 June 2010
• 21 August 2010
• Country region: Southern Bulgaria
• Price without flight ticket: 690.00 EUR

Trip plan:

Day 1. Our guides welcome you at Sofia / Plovdiv Airport. Transfer to the small town of Devin in Rodopi mountains, the starting point of the tour. Dinner and overnight at the home of our local guide in Devin.
Day 2. We meet the horses and set off to our first riding day through a thick pine forest and along gorgeous open fields with spectacular views over. We reach the village of Borino, where we stay overnight. /hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 3. The trail continues from Borino to the tiny village Chala and further to Buinovo vilage. /hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 4. Today we visit Yagodina cave (optional) and continue through pine forests and potatoe fields to the village of Trigrad. Overnight in Trigrad by the famous Trigrad Gorge with 250m vertical cliffs. /hours in the saddle: 5/
Day 5. We continue the exploration of the territories southwards from the village, making a loop-like ride along Trigradska River back to Trigrad. /hours in the saddle: 4/
Day 6. In the morning we start early as the trek today is a bit longer. It will take us to the ancient Chairski Lakes, surrounded by meadows full with orchids in summer. Passing through the picturesque village of Mougla we end
the ride above the village of Gela. /hours in the saddle: 6/
Day 7. Time to get back. Following the ridges of Mursalitsa we reach the quarters of Devin, where the trek ends. In the afternoon we can relax at one of the mineral swimming pools in the city. /hours in the saddle: 4/
Day 8. After breakfast we get a transfer to the airport in Sofia/ Plovdiv for departure.

Accomodation and food: We stay overnight at local guesthouses  and small family-run hotels in rooms with private facilities. Breakfast, lunch pack & dinner included (first meal dinner on day 1, last meal breakfast on day 8)

Price of extra services: Single room supplement: 85 EUR

Included in the price: accommodation in guesthouses and family-run pensions in en-suite rooms on fullboard; riding guide; English-speaking interpreter; saddled horse; luggage transfers from point to point; pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; VAT and all local taxes.

Excluded from the price: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); insurance; alcoholic drinks; entrance fees for the caves and procedures in the hot springs complex; tips; other personal expenses.

Practical information:

HORSES AND SADDLING: Saddling is Western, but English saddles are also available upon request. Most of the horses belong to the local East-Bulgarian breed with a mid-height of 1,50 cm, they are well known as thoughtful and tough, and are thus extremely well-adapted to the mountainous region of the Rodopi Mountains. The maximum weight limit of the riders is 95 kg.

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).

Recommended travel period of the year: June - September

Group Size: min. 6 persons