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  • Danube and the Mystic Trails <br />Cycling Tour
    Danube and the Mystic Trails
    Cycling Tour

Danube and the Mystic Trails - possible in two 6 days parts
11 days

Bike Vacation Through The Cultural Heritage Of The Bulgarian Land. Guided Cycling Tour Near Lower Danube

Review

Danube & the Mystic Trails is guided cycling tour, which goes on the most interesting tableland of Southeastern Europe situated between the Danube and the Balkan Range. Rolling hills, rustic scenery and the wild steep banks of the Danube traced the terrain of the cycling route. In the program are included visits to 4 UNESCO sites, to the best dairy farms for Bulgarian yogurt and some possible attractions in Romania, like to go for city cycling in Bucharest and to pedal around Bugeac Lake.

The first part of the cycling tour, ACROSS THE PLATEAU OF LUDOGORIE, emphasizes on the unique cultural heritage of powerful antique Thracian and medieval Bulgarian states, which based their capitals in this region. We’ll discover amazing monuments of the Alevi culture. Finally we reach the Danube at the quaint town of Tutrakan and cycle for a day in its surroundings.

The other part is ALONG THE DANUBE. The tour continues along the romantic river, following the ancient Roman road Via Militaris. We’ll enjoy the spectacular wild banks, islands and lakes by the Danube, the small picturesque villages, the valuable landmarks of Silistra and throughout its vicinities.

The both parts represent our longest moderate cycling tour in the Lower Danube region. Book for one of the 6 days parts and take discount for the other part of the tour. Flexible program and more dates.


Map

Danube and the Mystic Trails Cycling Tour MAP
Cycling Tour: DANUBE AND
THE MYSTIC TRAILS
TYPE: Guided
LENGTH: 531 km (330 miles)
DURATION: 11 days (or 6 days)
NIGHTS: 10 nights + 1 bonus
LOWEST POINT: 1 m (3 feet)
HIGHEST POINT: 498 m (1634 feet)
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

Highlights

 

 

Itinerary


Day 1 Arrival

Arrival and transfer to the hotel in the historic town of Provadia. We have tour details and safety instructions meeting. In the rest time take a walk to the impressive Ovech Fortress and to the nearby exciting rock monasteries and Thracian sanctuaries.

Day 2 from Provadia to Pliska

After a long ascent we get on the plateau above Provadia. Cycling on the flat terrain of the plateau we reach the downhill to the picturesque tourist village of Kuylevcha. The our next stop is nearby village of Madara - the notorious medieval monument the Madara Rider – UNESCO World Heritage site. This is relief of a horseman, cut in vertical 100-metre-high cliff and just beneath it are the remains of a Pre-christian religious ensemble. We leave Madara, head north and eventually reach the town of Pliska. The Pliska Archeological Site of the first medieval capital of Bulgaria lies in its surroundings. Our hotel for the night awakes the medieval atmosphere of the place.

Day 3 Cycling from from Pliska to Dulovo

In the morning we pedal across the vast plain, where the remains of the Bulgarian capital from 7th to 9th century A.D. are scattered. Then we have to overcome the long ascent to the Ludogorie Plateau. The route weaves amidst green fields, woods and predominantly Turkish villages. The small town of Dulovo offers good opportunity for accommodation in this isolated region.

Day 4 Cycling from Dulovo to Isperich

The mild hills covered with greenery traced our way through the land of valuable Shia Alevi heritage and delicious Bulgarian yoghurt. We stop at the amazing cultural site close to the village of Ruino. We’ll take a walk to see the cave home of the Alevi saint Demir Baba with a healing spring in it, the ruins of a Christian rock monastery and of the medieval strongholds. Later we come to the town of Isperich, which is far away from the usual tourist route, even though the nearby area hosts some of the most attractive ancient Thracian monuments. We'll overnight in 2** hotel in the center of the town.

Day 5 Cycling from Isperich to Tutrakan

In the early morning we bike to the mystic valley of Tekketo River. First we go downstairs to Demir Baba Teke, a medieval mausoleum of the Alevi Muslim saint with a miracle spring and also a place of pilgrimage of the Danubian Alevi community. Then enter the splendid Thracian tomb near Sveshtari dated back to 4th century B.C. In the inner cameras we'll find bass-relieves of mystic figures and wall paintings of Alexander the Great as a God. The Sveshtari Royal Tomb is UNESCO World heritage site. Passing by some pretty Muslim villages we see en route the biggest war cemetery of the World War I in Lower Danube region commemorating the battle of Tutrakan taken place here in September, 1916. Finally we come to the Danube. The town of Tutrakan is perched on the steep banks of the river.

Day 6 Tutrakan

We'll stay in Tutrakan for a second day in the cozy Hotel Lodkata by the romantic Danube. Tutrakan has remarkable fishing quarter, old narrow streets and interesting sightseeing. We may cycle to the pretty Syanovo Monastery and pass along the Danube in the protected area Kalimok-Brashlyan. You have to choose from bus trip to Bucurest or Ruse, visiting the UNESCO site in Rusenski Lom Nature Park or a boat trip on the Danube to some of the closer wetlands as essential attractions.
Today we welcome the people who will take part in the second stage of the Danube & the Mystic Trails tour. The transfer from Varna and Bucurest airports is included in the tour program.

Day 7 Cycling from Tutrakan to Popina

We pedal amidst the wild nature close to the Danube. Ride through the villages along the bank we reach Malak Preslavets Lake, the largest habitat of water-lilies in Bulgaria. Then we cross the coastal plateau and pass by the Garvan marshes, another protected site. Cycle again close to the river bank we reach the village of Popina with a scenic view toward the Danube and Romania. We stay here for the night in 3*** hotel just on the riverbank. In Popina we’ll have the chance to take a boat trip on the romantic Danube.
Today we say good bye to the participants in the first stage of the Danube & the Mystic Trails tour. The transfer to Varna and Bucurest airports is included in the tour program.

Day 8 Cycling from Popina to Medjidi Tabia

In the morning we take the road down to Srebarna Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, famous for its pelican colony. Make a relaxing trip around the lake admiring the landscape and the sounds of the birds. On the way to Silistra we may stop to taste the delicious Bulgarian yoghurt made in some of the renowned local diaries. We'll cycle uphill the plateau to visit Medjidi Tabia fortress. This is well preserved Ottoman stronghold from mid-19th century, which is overlooking the Danube and the city of Silistra. Beneath the military monument is situated our perfect family-run hotel on the shore of a small lake.

Day 9 Round trip of the Lake of Bugeac in neighboring Romania

We cycle down to the old city of Silistra. The city is ancestor of the Roman Durostorum and keeps a lot of landmarks from the Antiquity, Bulgarian Middle Ages and Ottoman era as the painted with frescoes Late Roman Tomb is a monument from the UNESCO Tentative List. The border is in the outskirts of the city. We head to the beautiful Lake of Bugeac, located on the Romanian side. The lake’s bare shores impress with wonderful scenery and panoramic sights. The great Dervent Monastery is remarkable site lying on the hilly eastern banks. Eventually we turn back to our cozy hotel in the Sillistra surroundings.

Day 10 Cycling from Medjidi Tabia to Tervel

Going southwards we are cycling away from the Danube bank. Our trail goes along the wired border hence, which is a memory of the Communist Era and the last such border between EU countries. Following a small canyon we see en route some of the rock-hewn buildings, part of the big Thracian religious ensemble Badjaliyata from the 6th century B.C. While we pedal to the town of Tervel we pass by quaint Gypsy settlements and Muslim and Christian villages.

Day 11 Cycling from Tervel to Barite

Today we have to drop down from the Ludogorie Plateau to the valley of Devnya. We ride across the vast grasslands and mild valleys to reach the small town of Suvorovo. Here was held the Battle of Kozludja – the first big victory of General Suvorov – the commander who never lost a battle. The Suvorovo mosque is nice example of the medieval Ottoman architecture. At last we cycle among the beautiful hilly landscape around the village of Chernevo and finish in the lovely Barite Park, where is the charming tourist complex for our final lodging.

What’s Included

 

  • Transfer from/to Varna airport to your accommodation at the day before and the day after the tour. Transfers in two directions from/to Burgas airport will cost 35 € per person and from/to Bucharest airport 85 € per person (min 3 persons). One way transfers will cost respectively 20 € and 45 € per person
  • 24-gear lightweight trekking Bike without helmet (Helmets at your disposal by renting - 20 Euro per tour)
  • English/Russian speaking ride leader with local knowledge
  • Map
  • Accommodation during the tours at family run hotels and guest houses at the quality of 2 and 3 stars including breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Five (5) Picnic lunches
  • Refreshing drinks (non alcoholic) during the cycling time
  • Support vehicle and luggage transfer
  • Permanent technical bike support
  • Medical insurance for Bulgaria
  • Bonus for direct booking on our site after-the-tour accommodation in the itineraries and cost-free transfers to/from Burgas Airport

Price and Dates

 

TOUR DATES: --- ask ---

 

PRICE: 1100 € (for one part 600 €)