The Rhodope Mountains, the lands of Orpheus?

Your journey will start at 09:00 with a 3-hour drive to the attractive eco path Struilitsa-Kaleto-Lakata. It includes metal bridges, staircases and recreation areas. A path to the right leads us through the woods towards the Samodivsko Praskalo waterfall, which is exceptional and worth seeing. This waterfall is over 50 meters high, being among the highest of its kind in the Rhodope Mountains. Its name comes from the legend of the three fairies that are believed to have lived in the fortress nearby. People say that at night you may hear their sad songs. You will visit the remains of Kavurskoto Kale fortress, a cultural monument of local importance.

Afternoon at your leisure to enjoy a swimming pool with mineral water at the hotel. Spa Hotel Stilyana uses mineral water from Bedenski mineral spring. It is suitable for the prevention and treatment of different diseases of the lоcomotor system and cardiovascular system, as well as functional disturbances of the nervous system.

Included:
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Spa Hotel Stilyana 4* or similar, Devin
• Daily walking distance: 4km/3 hours

You will head to Devil’s path, with worth visiting en route the Elephant rock formation. You will continue along the Devil’s path, which is the most extreme trail in Bulgaria. An attractive part is the passage under the famous Devil’s Bridge. It is a natural rock arch, carved over millions of years, through a narrow gorge section and hidden waterfalls.

After lunch, your next stop will be the Devil’s Throat Cave, a birthplace of numerous legends. According to one, musician Orpheus descended to the Kingdom of the Dead to bring back to life his beloved Eurydice. The cave’s entrance resembles a devil’s head and down its throat rushes the highest underground waterfall on the Balkans – 42 meters high. To resurface from the abyss you will have to climb up a steep metal ladder with 280 slippery rungs leading up to the natural exit.

Included:
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay: Spa Hotel Stilyana 4* or similar, Devin
• Daily walking distance: 4km/2.5 hours; 280 stairs

You will have a short drive to the village of Yagodina, where you will pick up fruits in the forest. (black pines, wild strawberries, raspberry, rosehip and local mursal tea) You will have a unique opportunity to prepare a homemade jam by yourselves. Once you collect all needed ingredients, you will brew them in the afternoon and make the jam in a special fruit workshop. You will stop for a picnic lunch and visit on your way the amazing Yagodina Cave. This is the longest and one of the most beautiful caves in the Rhodopes. The 45-minute tour highlights the remarkable stalagmites and stalactites and cave pearls.

You may spend the rest of the day at hot Jacuzzi or in the spa centre.

Included:
• Overnight stay: Hotel Mursal 3* or similar, village of Yagodina
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Daily walking distance: 5 km/5 hours

This morning you will enjoy a safari jeep experience to the stunning panoramic mountain viewpoint Eagle Eye. It is a unique and breath-taking platform, 1563 meters high, next to mount St. Eliah.
Then you will head to Shiroka Laka – a famous architectural and folklore reserve hosting the National School of Folk Arts. You will have a free time to walk along the cobbled streets. During lunch, you will enjoy an unforgettable bagpipe music show and folk singing performed by the local young talents.

Your next stop will be the Smolyan lakes where you can take some photos with the Lyre of Orpheus in the forest. You will continue your journey to explore one of the symbols of the town – Nevyastata rock. The eco path ends at cliffs with an incredible 360-degree panorama.

You will have the rest of the day to explore at your own leisure.

Included:
• Overnight stay: Kiparis Alfa Hotel 4* or similar, village of Smolyan
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Daily walking distance: 4 km/2 hours

You will have a morning transfer to the starting point – the Waterfalls Canyon eco path. The trail goes up into the woods and passes through Soskovcheto – a unique natural reserve. The Waterfalls Canyon is a collection of 46 isolated phenomenal waterfalls. They are spraying their waters in a magnificent gorge with century old trees and unique flowers. The biggest and the most popular waterfall is Orpheus, peaking at 68 metres. You will have a transfer back to Smolyan so you can enter at 14:00 one of the largest Planetariums in Europe. There, you will enjoy an amazing session held in the stellar hall – space flights, an artificial starry sky and different astronomical objects. Your next site will be the Orpheus Rocks and its panoramic view.

You will have the afternoon at your own leisure to enjoy the swimming pool and the spa.

Included:
• Overnight stay: Kiparis Alfa Hotel 4* or similar, village of Smolyan
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Daily walking distance: 7 km/5 hours

You will head north towards the marvellous rock formations called The Wonderful Bridges, a natural rock phenomenon composed of two bridges above a small river. After taking some photos, your tour will continue to Bulgaria’s second-largest monastery – Bachkovo, established in 1083. There, you will view the miracle-working icon of Virgin Marry. Your next stop will be a visit to the remarkable Asen’s Fortress. This medieval fortress sustained for centuries and it is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the region. In the afternoon, you will journey to Sofia.

There, you will have free time to explore the city centre and buy souvenirs. Then, in the evening, you will have one last dinner with your travel companions, a chance to share your favourite memories from your Magic Rhodope tour.

Included:
• Overnight stay: Central Hotel Sofia 4*, or similar, Sofia
• Meals included: breakfast and dinner
• Daily walking distance: 2km/ 2hours

When it is time for your Rhodope adventure to end, we will arrange your transfer to Sofia Airport about two hours before your flight.

Included:
• Overnight stay: N/A
• Meals included: breakfast
• Daily walking distance: N/A