I'm interested in your trail ride and like to know, if I'm suitable for the tour. I don't have much experience only a couple of days doing trail rides here and then. I stay safely in the saddle during trot and cantering, but my technique does not really excised. Therefore I have a decent fitness level. Do you think, that it is enough for the tour? And can you please send me some details of what is included?

The tours that we provide are suitable for both experienced and intermediate people. With you there will be a guide who will easily help, teach and support you during the tour. The Balkan Village Trek is suitable for beginners.

One of us 2 has never ridden before. How experienced do you need to be please.

The tour is suitable for riders with some experience. If you have never ridden before two-three day ride would be the longest you can do.

Are breeches, chaps, and boots necessary for the ride? Can we borrow chaps from someone local for the ride?

For the ride chaps and breeches are not necessary.

Will there be any bus rides or can we reach all destinations by horse? What options are there if it turns out 5-6 hours in the saddle are too long for us?

There are no bus transfers, it is only riding from day 2 to day 6. It is possible to shorten or break some of the riding using the luggage transport

Do I need to be an experienced rider for the Balkan Village Trek?

This ride is also ok for riders with limited experience just good physical condition.

From

US $837 per person

Balkan Village Trek (6 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area)

6 days

•

Start and end in Sofia

4.8

17 traveler reviews

View all
The horses were so friendly, and her cooking is perfect. She really put effort to prepare gluten-free and dairy-free meals for us.
A
Anonymous, traveled in January
4.8
View all

From

US $837 per person

+ $118 Local Payment

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Plan your adventure:

Operator: Penguin Travel
Active: Thrilling adventures designed to keep you moving
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 6
Ages 10+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Sofia to Golyam Izvor
Start point
София, Bulgaria (Private Transfer from Sofia Airport , 00:00 - 00:00)
Meals
Lunch (Local soup made by local staff), Dinner
Included Activities
- Horseback ride through meadows and mixed forest to Glozhene Monastery
- Visit Glozhene Monastery and learn about its 800-year history
- Local soup lunch
Landmarks
Glozhene Monastery
Stara Planina
Teteven
Day 2
Golyam Izvor
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Village trek around Golyam Izvor and nearby rolling hills
- Horseback gallops on open plains
Landmarks
Golyam Izvor
Day 3
Golyam Izvor
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch in nature), Dinner
Included Activities
- Horseback ride along river and through Brusen ridge
- Trek through pine forest
- Packed lunch in nature
Optional Activities
- Car trip to Etropole Monastery and nearby waterfall (approximately 30 minutes drive, 40 EUR for the vehicle)
Landmarks
Etropole Monastery
Brusen ridge
Day 4
Cherni Vit to Teteven
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Horseback ride through mixed forests and along ridge with 360-degree views
- Descent to Cherni Vit village
- Car trip to Saeva Dupka cave
Landmarks
Saeva Dupka cave
Cherni Vit
Day 5
Cherni Vit to Teteven
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Horseback ride from Cherni Vit near Boatin Reserve in Central Balkan National Park
Landmarks
Boatin Reserve
Central Balkan National Park
Stara Planina
Day 6
Teteven to Sofia
End point
София, Bulgaria (Private Transfer to Sofia Airport, 00:00 - 00:00)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Horseback ride through forest, hills, slopes and ridge
- Final view of Golyam Izvor
- Lunch
Landmarks
Cherni Vit
Golyam Izvor

Landmarks
Glozhene Monastery
Stara Planina
Teteven

Landmarks
Golyam Izvor

Landmarks
Etropole Monastery
Brusen ridge

Landmarks
Saeva Dupka cave
Cherni Vit

Landmarks
Boatin Reserve
Central Balkan National Park
Stara Planina

Landmarks
Cherni Vit
Golyam Izvor

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Penguin Travel

4.4

(499 reviews)

Number of tours

Age Range

18 to 80 years old

Response time

within 2 days

Response rate

100%

Established in 1989 in the heart of Copenhagen (Denmark), Penguin Travel rose...

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.8

Overall rating based on 17 Reviews

Itinerary
4.8
Transport
4.9
Guide
4.8
Accommodation
4.8
Food
4.9
Tour Operator
4.4

A
Cong
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
Good trip, perfect organisation and friendly guides. Excellent experience.
Traveled in August 2023
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Mirc
January 2nd, 2024
4.3
The breathtaking scenery and the overall charm of the trip made it a memorable adventure. I wish the horseriding...
The breathtaking scenery and the overall charm of the trip made it a memorable adventure. I wish the horseriding spoke English as he was the one who is actually local to the are and we wanted to talk to him to understand more about life in rural Bulgaria. The guide from Penguin, Emil, translated and helped us with communication with him and the host at Golyam Izvor, She cooked homey meals for us and we are really thankful for that experience. We had an issue with the car on the first day, but it can happen to everybody and Penguin dealt very professionally. Show more
Traveled in August 2023
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Zulfikar
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
Riding through the scenic beauty of Stara Planina with such a fantastic guide made this trip an unforgettable one....
Show more
Traveled in August 2023
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Corradino
January 2nd, 2024
4.8
This trip was a perfect blend of nature, culture, and genuine hospitality. The region was really beautiful, the...
Show more
Traveled in August 2023
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Angelo
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
Kudos to the wonderful hosts and guides who made our stay memorable. This horseriding experience with a local touch...
Show more
Traveled in August 2023
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Lucilio
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
Our horseriding trip in Stara Planina exceeded all expectations! The local guesthouse provided authentic experience....
Our horseriding trip in Stara Planina exceeded all expectations! The local guesthouse provided authentic experience. The charming atmosphere made us feel right at home, and the homecooked meals were delightful . The horses were well-trained, and the landscapes of Stara Planina were simply breathtaking. A big thank you to the hospitable hosts and the fantastic guides who made this journey unforgettable. Show more
Traveled in October 2022
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Jaylene
January 2nd, 2024
4.0
I loved the views, the guides and the hosts were nice. I suggest better equipment
Traveled in October 2022
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Shantel
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
The horses were very well-behaved, the scenery is fantastic, this area of Bulgaria is fo beautiful and peaceful. The...
The horses were very well-behaved, the scenery is fantastic, this area of Bulgaria is fo beautiful and peaceful. The itinerary was excellent. I recommend providing water somtimes, but it is aboslutely not a complain or anything, it is just an eventual extra service. All accommodation was good, some better that the others. Our guides were Todor and Marian and they were excellent in everything - they knew the area very well and were extremely organised and professional. They were very helpful and friendly in the right amount - not too much, not too little, just right. Show more
Traveled in October 2022
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Madisyn
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
I loved the beautiful views at the mountains of this beautiful country, the friendliness of the poeple, the wonderful...
Show more
Traveled in October 2022
Review collected by Penguin Travel
A
Cleo
January 2nd, 2024
5.0
I enjoyed riding with such views in the mountain.We had two guides, because the horseriding guide does not speak...
I enjoyed riding with such views in the mountain.We had two guides, because the horseriding guide does not speak English very well, but both of them were very friendly. We stayed in a beautiful local guest house where they cooked delicious home-made meals for us. The hosts were so pleasant and the village was beautiful to explore. Maria was amazing, so kind and funny and thougtful. Getting to know her and Marian (the local guide) was really highlight of the trip.Show more
Traveled in August 2022
Review collected by Penguin Travel

Dates & Availability

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Ends in0d0h40m43s

From Sunday
26 Apr, 2026
To Friday
1 May, 2026
English
From:
US $837 per person
Multiple Room Types
Local Payment
$118
From Sunday
10 May, 2026
To Friday
15 May, 2026
English
From:
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From Sunday
13 Sep, 2026
To Friday
18 Sep, 2026
English
From:
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From Sunday
11 Oct, 2026
To Friday
16 Oct, 2026
English
From:
US $837 per person
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From Sunday
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To Friday
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From:
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

G
Grace
Asked on July 31st, 2025
I'm interested in your trail ride and like to know, if I'm suitable for the tour. I don't have much experience only a couple of days doing trail rides here and then. I stay safely in the saddle during trot and cantering, but my technique does not really excised. Therefore I have a decent fitness level. Do you think, that it is enough for the tour? And can you please send me some details of what is included?
Tour Details
Travel Support
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written July 2025
  The tours that we provide are suitable for both experienced and intermediate people. With you there will be a guide who will easily help, teach and support you during the tour. The Balkan Village Trek is suitable for beginners.
S
Simon
Asked on May 30th, 2024
One of us 2 has never ridden before. How experienced do you need to be please.
Tour Details
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written May 2024
  The tour is suitable for riders with some experience. If you have never ridden before two-three day ride would be the longest you can do.
C
Christina
Asked on March 5th, 2024
Are breeches, chaps, and boots necessary for the ride? Can we borrow chaps from someone local for the ride?
Tour Details
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written March 2024
  For the ride chaps and breeches are not necessary.
N
Nina
Asked on June 4th, 2022
Will there be any bus rides or can we reach all destinations by horse? What options are there if it turns out 5-6 hours in the saddle are too long for us?
Tour Details
Transport
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written June 2022
  There are no bus transfers, it is only riding from day 2 to day 6. It is possible to shorten or break some of the riding using the luggage transport
J
Joel
Asked on May 28th, 2022
Do I need to be an experienced rider for the Balkan Village Trek?
Tour Details
- Penguin TravelOperator•Written May 2022
  This ride is also ok for riders with limited experience just good physical condition.

From

US $837 per person

+ $118 Local Payment

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 150222

Currency
лв.
Bulgarian Lev
Bulgaria
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 2 months before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before June 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with Penguin Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Penguin Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Penguin Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Penguin Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Penguin Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Balkan Village Trek (6 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area)

Itinerary

Sofia to Golyam Izvor

Included Activities

Golyam Izvor

Included Activities

Golyam Izvor

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Cherni Vit to Teteven

Included Activities

Cherni Vit to Teteven

Included Activities

Teteven to Sofia

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included