Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Devin
You'll arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and head to Devin, the spa town nestled in the Rhodope Mountains (1.5 hours from Plovdiv, around 3 hours from Sofia). If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk along the scenic nature trail by Devinska River or soak in the thermal pools near where you're staying. It's a nice way to ease into the trip and get acclimated to the area.
- Start point
- Столична, София, Bulgaria (Your Sofia airport arrival Terminal)
Optional Activities
- Visit picturesque nature trail along Devinska River
- Swim in thermal pools near accommodation
Landmarks Devinska River - Day 2
Yagodina Cave and Trigrad Trek Options
Today you've got options for trekking. The shorter route covers 9.5km and takes you through Yagodina Cave, one of Bulgaria's longest caves, then continues through scenic landscapes into Trigrad village. If you want something longer, there are 16km and 21km routes that start from a different spot with moderate climbing through gardens and woods to Eagles' Eye observation platform, then down to either Yagodina Cave or straight to Trigrad. You can also extend the shorter route to include Trigrad Gorge and Devil's Throat Cave.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Yagodina Cave tour (shorter trek option)
- Eagles' Eye observation platform hike (longer trek options)
- Trigrad Gorge visit with 350m high vertical cliffs
- Devil's Throat Cave visit with 42m high underground waterfall
Landmarks Yagodina Cave Eagles' Eye observation platform Trigrad Village Trigrad Gorge Devil's Throat Cave - Day 3
Circular Trek Around Trigrad to Zhrebevo
You'll do a circular hike around Trigrad with views of the gorge entrance and surrounding landscape throughout the day. The route takes you to Zhrebevo, an authentic village with an interesting history. The name supposedly comes from a stallion that protected the community during troubled times. It's a good day to see how locals live in these mountain villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Trigrad Gorge Zhrebevo Village - Day 4
Kesten and Vodni Pad Trek
After a short transfer to the trailhead, you'll walk through panoramic ridges with pine and beech forests, green meadows, and traditional stone houses all around. The path takes you to Kesten and Vodni Pad villages right along the Greek border. These areas were off-limits during communist rule, and you'll still see remnants of old barbed wire fences from that era. From there, you head back to Trigrad down the Trigradska River valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Kesten Village Vodni Pad Village Trigradska River - Day 5
Beden to Lyaskovo Trek
You'll transfer to Beden village to start a hike through the Rhodopes' green crests with changing views around each turn. The trail leads to Lyaskovo, one of the region's most distinctive communities. For the night, you'll stay in a local family guesthouse and get a real sense of how people actually live in these mountains and their hospitality.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Extend tour with extra night in Lyaskovo village and circular trek along nearby mountain ridges
Landmarks Beden Village Lyaskovo Village - Day 6
Chudni Mostove to Kossovo Trek
This hike takes you through one of the Rhodopes' most beautiful but quieter forests to reach Chudni Mostove (The Wonderful Bridges), unusual rock formations that feel almost otherworldly. After that, you'll transfer to Kossovo village, a unique mountain settlement where you'll sleep in a restored traditional stone house. It's a chance to experience authentic mountain architecture and lifestyle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Chudni Mostove (The Wonderful Bridges) Kossovo Village - Day 7
Bachkovo Monastery, Plovdiv, and Sofia Free Tours
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Bachkovo, Bulgaria's second largest monastery, to see the miracle-working icon of Virgin Mary. Then it's on to Plovdiv for the Free Plovdiv Tour at 11:00 or 14:00 depending on the season, walking through the Old Town, city center, and pedestrian zones. You'll have free time in early afternoon to wander around on your own, then transfer to Sofia for the Free Sofia Tour at 18:00 covering the city's famous attractions in the center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bachkovo Monastery visit with miracle-working icon of Virgin Mary
- Free Plovdiv Tour (Old Town, center, and pedestrian areas)
Optional Activities
- Free Sofia Tour at 18:00 (shows famous tourist attractions in Sofia center)
Landmarks Bachkovo Monastery Plovdiv Old Town Sofia - Day 8
Departure from Sofia
You'll arrange your own departure from Sofia. Getting to the airport is straightforward by metro from the city center, so there's no stress with transportation logistics.
- End point
- Столична, София, Bulgaria (Your departure airport Terminal)
Landmarks Sofia Airport
