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Holidays

Rural Romania and Backroads of Bulgaria

Romania, Bulgaria
1 review
Available Departures: Jul, Aug, Sep

14 days from

US$3,235

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
MODERATE MODERATE

A wonderful two country walking holiday to Bulgaria and Romania brimming with mountain views and fascinating cities.

Trip Code: RAB
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Rural Romania and Backroads of Bulgaria

Highlights
  • Hike through the heart of Transylvania’s spectacular Carpathian Mountains
  • Head off the beaten track and walk in Bulgaria’s undiscovered national parks
  • Stay in alpine hamlets, sample local cuisine and immerse yourself In Balkan culture
  • Explore the fascinating castles, towns and cities of Peles, Sofia, Bucharest and Brasov

At a Glance
  • Group Size 6 to 14
  • 12 days walking and sightseeing
  • Join In Sofia, End in Bucharest

Accommodation & Meals
  • 13 Breakfasts
  • 10 Lunches
  • 9 Dinners
  • 3 nights Hotel with swimming pool
  • 5 nights Guesthouse
  • 5 nights Hotel
Overview

Bursting with captivating scenery, fascinating culture, a relaxed pace of life and warm welcome, Romania and Bulgaria are fantastic destinations for a walking holiday in the heart of the Balkans. Here you’ll find beautiful panoramas, fabulous folklore and delicious cuisine, plus that rare feeling of taking a step back in time. In Bulgaria we start by exploring the lively capital of Sofia, home to a gold-domed cathedral and eclectic mix of architecture. After the capital we escape to the country to enjoy some charming walks off the beaten track. Walking in Bulgaria’s undiscovered national parks ensures we’ll be surrounded by colourful flora and fauna. We end our time Bulgarian adventure in Veliko Tarnova, the City of the Tsars, as we wander down Ottoman streets to a dramatic fortress. From Bulgaria we cross the Danube and enter neighbouring Romania. First stop is the fascinating capital of Bucharest, home to the incredible Palace of the Parliament, and wonderful Parisian style architecture. After Bucharest it’s the exquisite castle of Peles before starting a magical walking journey through the heart of Transylvania's Carpathian Mountains. Here we’ll stay in timeless mountain hamlets, discover Romania’s alpine shepherds and taste a rich variety of traditional dishes. This charming walking and cultural holiday finishes perfectly in the medieval gem of Brasov.

Is this holiday for you?

This lovely walking holiday visits a wonderful variety of alpine locations in both Bulgaria and Romania plus city highlights. The holiday includes a number of daily walks which include approximately 4 to 5 hours of walking during the day. These walks are mostly on footpaths which are good underfoot and include small lanes and mountain trails. While there is sufficient walking on each day to satisf …

This lovely walking holiday visits a wonderful variety of alpine locations in both Bulgaria and Romania plus city highlights. The holiday includes a number of daily walks which include approximately 4 to 5 hours of walking during the day. These walks are mostly on footpaths which are good underfoot and include small lanes and mountain trails. While there is sufficient walking on each day to satisfy regular hikers, it is intended that this should be a walking and cultural holiday with a relaxed walking pace. Part of the overall holiday experience are the small rural villages you visit and the traditional food. The cultural element of this holiday is a major part, and although accommodation in Bulgaria and Romania is simpler than other parts of Europe, the warm welcome and timeless feel, more than makes up for the lack of hotel facilities in traditional guesthouses.

Why KE?

This wonderful two week walking adventure includes charming hikes and traditional overnights in alpine areas where tourists are a rarity.  KE includes the perfect amount of cultural sightseeing, and plenty of home-cooked local cuisine in family run guesthouses. Proud to be recommended as a top Secret European Break by Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

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Itinerary

Meet at the hotel in Sofia. A group transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel is included. If you arrive in the morning it is very easy and low cost to get a taxi from the airport to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore the centre of Sofia and take in some of the sights that this interesting capital has to offer. A must see in Sofia is The Crypt Icon Museum in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral which holds one of the largest collections of Orthodox icons in Europe, a total of 200 icons dating from the 10th to 19th Century. This impressive basilica, the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world, can hold up to 6000 people and its showcase is a beautiful gold plated dome. Our orientation meeting is at 15h30 in the lobby of the hotel. We'll take a walking tour of Sofia before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel

After breakfast we have a 40-minute transfer to the Aleko Mountain Centre in the Vitosha Natural Park which overlooks Sofia and is an important ski area in winter. Here, at an elevation of 1700 metres, we'll have a walk on the high mountain plateau of Vitosha where we will see several rivers of boulders; a most unusual landscape feature. Nearby, we will also be able to visit the UNESCO-listed, 13th Century Boyana Church which has an incredibly beautiful interior; colourful frescos and murals decorate the walls of this small church almost hidden from view. Close to the church, we can also visit the National History Museum which is housed in a former communist presidential palace. It has over 650,000 exhibits and is one of the largest historical museums in the Balkans. The museum includes an eclectic collection of folk costumes, gold treasures and icons. In the afternoon we will transfer (2 and a half hours) to the town of Vratza, passing through a rich karst landscape cut by deep river gorges.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

150 M

Descent

600 M

Time

3 hrs walking

Distance

8 KM

This morning we start with a 20-minute transfer up to the Vratchanski Balkan Nature Park which is the second largest nature park in Bulgaria. Declared a protected area in 1989, this is one of the most incredible landscapes in the Balkan chain. Famed for its stunning karst landscape, here we'll be rewarded with views of the impressive limestone ridges and cliffs. The park is also famous for its caves which number up to 500. We'll enjoy a walk in this wonderful area as we take in the beautiful landscape and tranquillity which is home to almost 1000 species of flora including over 80 rare species. Alongside the flora the park has a wonderful variety of fauna which includes over 160 different types of birds - storks, vultures and eagles. Before leaving the area we can visit the Regional History Museum in Vratza which houses the fascinating Rogozen Treasure. The Rogozen Treasure, called the find of the century, was discovered by chance in 1985 by a tractor driver digging a well in his garden in the Bulgarian village of Rogozen. The 165 objects are silver with golden gilt and a total weight of more than 20 kg. In the late afternoon we'll transfer eastwards (2 hours and 30 minutes) into the Central Balkan National Park where we will check in for a 3-night stay at a small and charming guesthouse in the village of Apriltsi. The guesthouse has a small pool, traditional cuisine and panoramic views of the Central Balkan Chain.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

450 M

Descent

950 M

Time

5 - 6 hrs walking

Distance

15 KM

After breakfast we take a short transfer (30 minutes) to the Northern Djendem Nature Reserve located on the slopes of Mount Botev and home to 28 peaks above 2000 metres. This protected landscape is wild and beautiful and we walk up to the Pleven Hut which at 1400 metres elevation offers wonderful views of the area. Here, we can enjoy a break as we take in the wonderful surroundings and it's a great opportunity to visit a local mountain hut. After enjoying the views we head down to the valley, meet our transport and return to the hotel in Apriltsi. There is the option of taking a detour via the National Arts and Craft Exhibition in Oreshaka. This exhibition shows off the work of traditional craftsmen and includes embroidery, textiles, pottery, wood carvings and copper and gold handicrafts. It is a good place to find traditional souvenirs. Dinner and a second night at the Apriltsi accommodation.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

400 M

Descent

700 M

Time

5 hrs walking

Distance

10 KM

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the great Troyan Monastery. This is the third biggest monastery in Bulgaria and dates from the 17th Century. It has an impressive 5-storey bell tower, decorative balconies and wonderful frescos. After this visit we'll drive to the Beklemeto Pass (1520m) in the Central Balkan Chain. Almost 60 percent of this UNESCO-listed reserve area is forested and the latter part of today's excellent walk will take us amongst century-old oak woodland and stands of fir, beech, sycamores, hazel and chestnut trees. As well as its rich vegetation, this area also provides a home for wolves, wildcats, Balkan chamois and lots of bird species, including imperial eagles. Our walk today initially traverses an open and scenic ridge above the treeline to the mountain hut on Kozia Stena Peak (1560m). We'll stop for a picnic lunch and then descend steeply to meet our transport at the Khaydushka Pesen Hut which is tucked away on the richly forested northern slopes of the range. We will return to spend a third night in Apriltsi.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

300 M

Descent

1000 M

Time

6 hrs walking

Distance

17 KM

Today we leave the Bulgarian mountains and head to VelikoTarnovo, the Bulgarian City of Tsars. Located on the Yantra River and surrounded by rich forest, VelikoTarnovo was a medieval kingdom and rival to Constantinople with its fascinating citadel and 'Old Town'. As one of Bulgaria's oldest towns, we'll explore the magnificent restored fortress, meandering cobbled streets and the little hidden 18th Century Transfiguration Monastery. Arriving on the outskirts of the town, we'll visit the Eastern Orthodox Transfiguration Monastery nestled in a gorge on the Yantra River. This hidden gem has a towering bell tower and a colourful collection of frescos including those depicting the Wheel of Life and the Last Supper. The monastery is just 3 kilometres from Veliko Tarnovo so we'll take the opportunity to walk into the town before completing a walking tour of the highlights. Ulitsa Gurko is the town's oldest street and a wonderful place to wander on account of its ancient and colourful houses. After our walking tour, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for you to stroll and enjoy the town. A good place to start is the Tsarevets Fortress which is one of Bulgaria's most beloved monuments. Once the former seat of medieval tsars, you'll visit the scenic Tsarevets Museum Hill Reserve which overlooks the town, before heading out to for dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L

Ascent

300 M

Descent

300 M

Time

2 hrs walking

Distance

6 KM

After an early breakfast we leave Veliko Tarnovo and start our journey towards neighbouring Romania. We have some light lunch with wine tasting in Bulgaria, and the chance to visit the UNESCO-listed Ivanovo rock-hewn churches, before crossing the River Danube which marks the border between Bulgaria and Romania. Early afternoon we arrive in Bucharest, the capital of Romania and after checking in at the hotel we'll head out on a walking tour. Described as Little Paris, Bucharest is elegance layered with history and has a wonderful mix of architecture from Orthodox churches to the enormous Palace of the Parliament, the world's second largest administrative building (after the Pentagon). The creation of former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the building has 20 floors (8 are underground), was designed by 400 architects and covers over 300,000 square metres. The city has a rich variety of architecture which we'll explore whilst walking. In the evening we'll have dinner in a local restaurant.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L

After breakfast the morning is free for you to wander through Bucharest's streets before we transfer (2 hrs) to Sinaia and visit Peles Castle. Nestled at the base of the Bucegi Mountains, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture and looks like something out of a fairy-tale with its wonderful turrets, stained glass windows and beautiful gardens. Commissioned by King Carol in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle was used as the summer residence of the Romanian royal family until 1947. After visiting Peles Castle we'll check in to our eco-guesthouse situated at the foot of Piatra Craiului Mountains, and where we spend the next two nights.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B D

Ascent

350 M

Descent

300 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs of walking

Today is our first day in the Romanian mountains as we walk in the Piatra Craiului National Park which is located in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. This beautiful park is home to the longest and highest limestone ridge in the country running for almost 30 kilometres. The park has one of the largest biodiversity of flora and fauna in the country including 300 species of funghi and over 1000 species of plants (a third of all the plant species in Romania). Wolf, brown bear, lynx, chamois, wild boar, red and roe deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers and owls all call the park home which is surrounded by spectacular gorges. Our trail takes us through the impressive Zarnesti Gorges and alongside crystal-clear springs before we make our way up to the mountain refuge of Curmatura. The refuge has a lovely relaxing position in a forest clearing and once here we'll enjoy a tasty mountain lunch and a spot of homemade apple pie. Depending on the group and weather conditions we may have time to head up to the main ridge before descending back down to the valley and returning to our guesthouse.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

690 M

Descent

350 M

Time

5 - 6 hrs walking

Distance

12 KM

Today we start in the village of Magura (1000m) right sitting in the middle of the Piatra Craiului National Park. Less than 50 years ago this village could only be reached by foot or with horse and cart and even today local traditions are still very much alive. The area is popular for grazing livestock during the summer months when rich meadows keep the animals happy whilst they are watched by shepherds and their dogs. Here in the Romanian mountains a shepherd's life is hard as they live away from family for the summer months. Living and working with their flocks for 24 hours a day, these hardy folk are generally accompanied by magnificent mountain dogs that are brought up alongside the sheep and offer protection from bears and wolves. This is a landscape where meadows are still scythed and you're more likely to see a horse-drawn cart than a car. Vegetables and salads are grown in colourful gardens whilst meat, milk and eggs are provided from farmers in the village. Today we'll also get to try the shepherd's bulz - a traditional mix of sheep cheese and baked polenta which is then cooked in a charcoal oven. From here we hike to Ciocanu, the most remote village in the region which is where we stay for tonight. Staying here means we can really appreciate a true rural village in Romania.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

740 M

Descent

600 M

Time

6 hrs walking

Distance

15 KM

This morning we start in Ciocanu and walk through a charming area of scattered houses. This whole area has a historical tradition of cheese making which is still preserved today. Passing through several small hamlets, we'll stop to visit one of the houses and to taste some of the famous smoked cheese made in this area. We'll also have the chance to meet the people still living in one of the oldest houses. We will overnight in a guesthouse in Moieciu de Sus at the foot of Bucegi Mountains. We'll be able to check out the owner's adjacent smallholding and tonight we'll get to sample traditional Romanian sarmale made with produce from the farm.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

340 M

Descent

520 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs walking

Distance

13 KM

We'll start today with a traditional horse and cart ride which takes us to the start of our trail. For our final day of walking we can enjoy a longer day in the mountains as we head up to an elevation of 2000 metres close to the Bucegi Ridge. This is a fantastic opportunity to get an overview of the places where we have been walking in the last few days. There are many trails for us to enjoy and the leader will decide on the best one to finish the week depending on the weather and on the group's aspiration. One thing is for certain that the surrounding hills, lush valleys and limestone ridge creates a breath-taking panorama for us to enjoy.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

690 M

Descent

830 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs walking

Distance

16 KM

After breakfast we say goodbye to rural Romania and start our transfer to Brasov. Along the way we'll enjoy a rest stop near Bran Castle, known as Dracula castle. We'll also get to visit Rasnov which was built in the 13th century to protect Transylvania from the Ottomans and the village of Vulcan, one of Romania's Saxon villages. In the afternoon we arrive in medieval Brasov, a gem of a town bursting with wonderful architecture and a labyrinth of colourful streets. Brasov has historical links to the Pied Piper of Hamlin and it's easy to imagine him piping his way through the charming back streets. The town is also known for Vlad the Impaler's romantic interludes! Tonight we'll head out to a local restaurant for our final dinner and to celebrate a fantastic adventure in Romania and Bulgaria.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B

An early start for the group transfer to Bucharest Airport.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Airport Airport
Point Point
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional and qualified Romanian leader in Romania and a Bulgarian leader in Bulgaria
  • Single timed airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • Accommodation as described
  • Meals as per the Meal Plan
  • All land transport required by the itinerary

  • Travel insurance
  • Tips
  • Some meals are per the Meal Plan
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

A single timed transfer from the airport to the hotel in Sofia is provided late morning on Day 1 of the itinerary, anyone arriving earlier is welcome to wait at the airport to join this transfer by prior arrangement.

On the last day of the holiday a single group transfer from Brasov to Bucharest Otopeni Airport will be provided for early afternoon flights

If your flight schedules do not fit with these single timed airport transfers we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Taxis are also readily available.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners are included in the holiday.

Water from the taps may not be drinkable in all locations on this trip - please check with your guide. We recommend taking water purification tablets and a reusable bottle with a filter such as Water-to-Go, which can both be used to help make safe other water sources. Please note that we do not encourage the purchase of single use plastic bottles.

One of the highlights of this holiday is the wonderful variety of local food you’ll get to sample.  Whilst staying in local guesthouses and the rural areas, meals will be prepared using local ingredients which are all locally sourced. Romanian and Bulgarian food is excellent with local specialities including smoked bacon and sausages, stuffed cabbage rolls and cornmeal (similar to polenta) which is worth a try when served with sour cream. Bean soup, baked pumpkin, roasted corn on the cob and oven baked potatoes are wonderful with their crispy skins. Soups, stuffed vegetables and pies made with spinach and soft cheese, salads and a wide range of cheeses are all excellent. Desserts are something of a speciality and range from dough filled with sweet cheese to mouth-watering papanash (little doughnuts served with sweet cheese and blueberries) plus crepes served with either jam, marmalade, chocolate or a soft ricotta-style of cheese. Breakfasts usually consist of bread, butter, jam or honey, tomatoes, cheese, yogurt, fruit juice, eggs and tea or coffee. Don’t leave Romania without trying Polinka, a powerful plum brandy!

During this holiday the group will spend 8 nights in comfortable local hotels and 7 nights in simple pension/guesthouse accommodation. The nights we spend in simple guesthouses in Bulgaria and in Romania are a part of the holiday experience, as these places have been picked because of their wonderful locations and authentic atmosphere. On one of the night we will have use of shared bathroom facilities, but the atmosphere and warm welcome from the owners more than makes up for the lack of hotel facilities.

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

The group will be led by a professional Romanian leader in Romania and a Bulgarian leader in Bulgaria.

The national currency of Romania is the Romanian Leu and the currency in Bulgaria is the Lev. We estimate 250-300 euro should be sufficient to cover your expenditure including tips for local staff, drinks and non-included meals. Local cash can be drawn from ATMs using credit or debit cards at Bucharest and Sofia Airports and in Sofia, Brasov, Veliki Tarnovo and Bucharest. We recommended you withdraw a small amount of local currency to cover your arrival as the leader will brief everyone on obtaining local currency during the first briefing.

Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to you trekking leader and local team.  Tipping is entirely voluntary and should be dependent on good service.  We advise you to tip as a group.

During this trip you'll have access to your main luggage each night.  There is no baggage limit other than that imposed by the international carrier (normally 23kg) but we do ask you to restrict your baggage to one main bag and one small daypack.  

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The unit of currency in Bulgaria is the Lev.

The unit of currency in Romania is the Romanian New Leu.

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a walking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your holiday. Walking, running, cycling and swimming are good for developing better stamina and before departure we suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer day walks.

The main season for visiting Romania and Bulgaria is from June to September and the weather is generally good. We can expect daytime valley temperatures of between 20ºC and 25ºC and dropping to around 12ºC at night. In the more mountainous areas there is always the possibility of mixed weather which may include the occasional storm.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • The Rough Guide to Romania

  • Lonely Planet Romania

  • Dracula - Bram Stoker

  • Transylvania and Beyond - Dervla Murphy

  • Bulgaria - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

  • The Shadow Land - Elizabeth Kostova
  • Walking the Woods and the Water: In Patrick Leigh Fermor's Footsteps from the Hook of Holland to the Golden Horn

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.

You should bring the following items:

  • Walking boots / shoes

  • Trainers / sandals for sightseeing

  • Socks

  • Underwear

  • Walking trousers

  • Waterproof jacket

  • Waterproof overtrousers

  • Shorts

  • T-shirts and/or casual shirts

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Sunhat

  • Sunglasses

  • Sun protection (including for lips)

  • Water bottles 1 Litre (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets
  • Washbag, toiletries and wetwipes

  • Small Towel

  • Antibacterial hand wash

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium) painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are a good idea.

The following items are optional:

  • Walking poles

  • Camera

  • Pen-knife (for picnics)

  • Travel clothes

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 1 review

Highly recommended ★★★★★

An excellent holiday with a good range of walks mixed with visits to monasteries, quiet villages and attractive towns. The walking was challenging at times but the best experiences generally require some effort! The scenery was breathtaking and the rich diversity of plants in the alpine meadows was a highlight. Accommodation was better than I had expected, en suite rooms were the norm, and food was varied and always tasty. Our guides were first rate and overall this was a truly enjoyable fortnig ht.
By Andrew from Market Drayton | 13 August 2019

Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 1 review

Highly recommended
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
An excellent holiday with a good range of walks mixed with visits to monasteries, quiet villages and attractive towns. The walking was challenging at times but the best experiences generally require some effort! The scenery was breathtaking and the rich diversity of plants in the alpine meadows was a highlight. Accommodation was better than I had expected, en suite rooms were the norm, and food was varied and always tasty. Our guides were first rate and overall this was a truly enjoyable fortnig ht.
By Andrew from Market Drayton | 13 August 2019

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Rural Romania and Backroads of Bulgaria
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: RAB /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 12 Jul and ends on Fri 25 Jul
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$585 - All 4 group hotel nights
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Rural Romania and Backroads of Bulgaria
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: RAB /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 30 Aug and ends on Fri 12 Sep
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
  • Single Supplement Price: US$585 - All 4 group hotel nights
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and you should book your transport to Sofia and return from Bucharest Otopeni Airport. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements and transfers' within Holiday Information for further details.
Ryan Air fly from London Stansted to Sofia and back from Bucharest. Whizz Air also do the routing from London Luton.

Transport SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Sofia and back from Bucharest Otopeni Airport. A flight search website such as Skyscanner or Kayak may be useful to research your options.

If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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